?Effective Analytical Attitudes and Aptitudes

Effective Analytical Attitudes and Aptitudes

In the book Now You See It, Few (2008) states, “We don’t have too much information…. The problem is that most of us don’t know how to dive into this ocean of information, net the best of it, bring it back to shore, and sort it out (p. 1).” You too have probably at some time felt the answer you needed was out there, but you were not sure how to identify it among the myriad of data.

As you review your Resources this week, continue your research in the Library, and prepare to write your Discussion posting, contemplate the following. Note: You do not need to directly answer these points in your Discussion post as they serve only to begin your thinking process; however, you must explain your reasoning as you formulate your formal response.

On page 19 of the same book, Now You See It, the author lists the aptitudes and attitudes of effective analysts. Take a moment to ponder these lists and his discussion on each topic.

Are you surprised by any of the aptitudes and attitudes Few has listed?

Are there aptitudes and attitudes you think should be added?

Now answer and addresses the following:

• What “informal” means in this context. What do you mean by “treating data informally?”

• Provide an example from your own experience where data was not given sufficient attention and describe the effects that were seen as a result. How do the aptitudes and attitudes describe by Few (2009) lead to these situations and what can individuals do to improve their abilities as effective analysts and avoid some of the dangers?

References:

Few, S. (2009). Now you see it: Simple visualization techniques for quantitative analysis. Oakland, CA: Analytics Press.

Jackson, J. L., & Peterson, K. D. (2001). Executive Behavior: An Examination of Three Decades of Administrative Work across Organizational Settings, Industries, and Contexts.