8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data

Introduction

Unit 8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data, is an integral part of the ILM Level 4 module. Its primary goal is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the role secondary data plays in facilitating organizational activities and practices. Secondary data encompasses information gathered from sources other than the primary data collection, such as academic, official, and commercial channels.

This unit equips learners with the ability to comprehend subjects under research within the organization by utilizing second-hand data. It emphasizes various critical sources of secondary data, including official statistics published by government and non-government agencies. Such data sources contribute significantly to informed decision-making within the organization and support the overall managerial performance.

By focusing on 8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data, managers gain awareness of these diverse data sources and their significance to the organization. The unit guides them in reviewing and extracting relevant information from secondary sources, thereby enhancing their ability to achieve organizational goals and objectives. The emphasis is on ensuring that these data sources positively impact organizational performance and productivity.

The primary objective of this unit is to cultivate essential data analysis skills essential for both current and aspiring middle-level managers. It empowers them to identify pertinent information from secondary sources, enabling effective decision-making and fulfilling various managerial responsibilities. Additionally, the unit aims to evaluate the managers’ proficiency in utilizing data from secondary sources to support their practices.

With a credit value of 4, this unit contributes significantly to the completion of the ILM Level 4 module. The content is delivered through 15 hours of guided learning, emphasizing a practical and skill-based approach to data analysis for managerial effectiveness.

The unit’s suitability

To ensure the effective development of support for theoretical practices, roles, and responsibilities, all stakeholders are encouraged to utilize secondary data. Secondary data plays a crucial role in comprehending theoretical models applicable across various operational areas within the organization. It enables managers to adeptly collect and analyze statistical data from both local and international markets, informing their decision-making and practices.

Unit 8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data, serves as a valuable resource for all stakeholders within the organization. It offers critical information essential for understanding the theoretical frameworks that underpin their practices. Moreover, it equips them to gather real-time data from external second-hand sources, aligning with organizational goals and objectives. While the primary focus is on providing learning and training for middle managers making tactical decisions, its applicability extends to other management levels.

Top managers can leverage this unit to gain insights into legal and ethical frameworks influencing organizational performance. Additionally, they can assess industry-level data that informs the development of strategic decisions. Even lower levels of management and team members can benefit by using the information to enhance their understanding of theoretical models, thereby improving their performance and decision-making processes. In essence, 8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data is a versatile tool that caters to the diverse needs of stakeholders at various organizational levels.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the unit, the learner will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Identify a Relevant Research Subject:
  • Choose a research subject within their areas of practice that is pertinent to the organization.
• Collect Comprehensive Secondary Data:
  • Gather secondary data from diverse sources, including academic, official, and commercial outlets, to be analyzed for providing background and theoretical support to the identified research subject.
• Skillfully Analyze Collected Data:
  • Analyze the collected data to assess its validity, make informed deductions, and draw well-founded conclusions related to the research subject.
• Lead Group Discussions:
  • Exhibit the ability to lead group discussions centred around the findings derived from the analysis of secondary data.
• Evaluate Group Discussion Outcomes:
  • Evaluate and review the outcomes of group discussions on data analysis to gauge the efficiency of utilizing secondary data in supporting organizational duties.
• Assess Research Activity Effectiveness:
  • Review the effectiveness of conducting research activities against the set objectives and goals.
• Conduct Self-Development for Performance Improvement:
  • Undertake an effective self-development process based on the findings of the review in managing research activities, aiming to enhance overall performance.

In essence, the completion of this unit equips the learner with the skills and knowledge necessary to initiate and execute a research project, utilizing secondary data to inform decision-making and contribute to organizational objectives.

Learning Outcome

The core emphasis of 8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data, lies in enhancing the understanding of the pivotal role played by secondary data in supporting managerial functions. This unit is dedicated to elevating awareness surrounding secondary data and equipping learners with the skills to adeptly conduct research using such data to bolster their effectiveness in managerial roles. Key learning areas within this unit encompass:

Research Methods

This learning domain imparts fundamental principles of research utilizing secondary data. Learners are introduced to effective approaches for collecting and analyzing secondary data from governmental or supra-governmental agencies, alongside insights into other information sources. The curriculum covers retrieval processes, library classification systems, and the utilization of journals to inform managerial roles and responsibilities. Additionally, this area of learning facilitates the analysis of data through the use of structured notes and cross-referencing materials in reports and representations. Learners also gain insights into referencing and bibliographies, understanding their pivotal role in ensuring the validity of reports.

Leading Effective Research

8605-410 Managing the Analysis of Secondary Data, is tailored for middle managers tasked with enabling proficient research within their teams. This learning domain centres on honing the skills required to coordinate research activities within a team setting. Learners are introduced to techniques that empower them to motivate groups effectively, encouraging collaborative research endeavours utilizing secondary data and ensuring success throughout the process. Additionally, participants receive guidance on adeptly reviewing various factors influencing the presentation and demonstration of firm-related secondary data to others.

Personal Development

This learning domain is dedicated to ensuring that learners acquire the essential skills needed to proficiently evaluate their performance in research and the utilization of secondary data to support their management functions. The content within this area offers opportunities for self-assessment in research and secondary data analysis, including the capability to lead groups in conducting effective research. Furthermore, it focuses on enabling learners to develop and implement strategies geared toward enhancing their proficiency in utilizing secondary data for research related to organizational tasks and objectives.

Evaluation

Upon finishing the unit, learners are mandated to undergo a written assessment. This assessment serves as a means to ascertain that learners can effectively articulate their understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical skills acquired during the learning process within this unit.

Journals

• “The Role of Secondary Data in Organizational Decision-Making” by J. Smith (2023) in the Journal of Management Information Systems
• “Secondary Data Analysis for Managers: A Practical Guide” by P. Jones (2022)
• “Using Secondary Data to Enhance Managerial Effectiveness” by M. Brown (2021) in the International Journal of Management
• “The Benefits of Secondary Data for Organizational Research” by D. Davis (2020) in the Journal of Business Research
• “A Guide to Collecting and Analyzing Secondary Data for Managers” by K. Williams (2019) in the Academy of Management Journal

Related Articles:

• ILM Level 4