Data Collection

Data Collection
Ballard Integrated Managed Services Inc. (BMIS) located in New York city is a nationwide organization that specializes in providing services such as housekeeping and foodservices to 22 of Fortunes top 100 companies. Their clientele also consists of over 100 firms, 16 major universities, 14 medical centers, as well as 3 regional airports. BMIS is broken down into three divisions’ hospitality, food service, and physical plant maintenance, it also employees both full and part time workers. Recently, within the past four months general manger Barbara Tucker has noticed the turnover rate within her three divisions has reached over 64% annually as compared to the average rate between 55%and 60% (University of Phoenix, 2011, BIMS, Inc. Part I). The company moral at BMIS has reached an all time low and management has not improved its relationship with employee’s .Could this be one of the reason behind the increasing turnover rate? There has also been an increased usage of paid time off (PTO). The purpose of this research analysis is to find a solution to the increasing turnover rate as well as help improve company moral and get divisions at BMIS back on track.
Instrument Design
The data collection instrument used in this analysis was a survey. A survey can be defined as a tool used to collect information by asking questions recording responses on individual opinions and attitudes. BMIS administered a survey to allow workers to express their views on the company and share some of their experiences working for BMIS. The population consisted of all current employees at BMIS. In the survey the employees were asked to rate working conditions, shift, hours, pay, job security, the quality of training, the relationships with their supervisor and if they were treated fairly. All surveys were anonymous and completely voluntary and were issued with paychecks to insure that each employee has the opportunity to participate in the survey. BMIS issued 449 surveys, received 78 completed surveys with a 17.3% response rate (University of Phoenix, 2011, BIMS, Inc. Part I).
Data Types The types of data used in survey given by BMIS were both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantative data is data that is measured and recorded on a numerical scale. The survey given by BMIS collected quantative data by allowing employees choose from one through five, one very negative and five very positive. The workers were asked to select the number closest to their opinion or views. Qualitative data is a measurement of data that can only be classified according to a category. The qualitative data of the first ten questions was collected using a 1 thru 5scale, and the last three questions of demographic nature was collected using a 1, 2, or 3 scale and a 1 and 2 scale. The quantitative data in question B was collected by asking the survey takers how long they had worked for BIMS? The answer was in years and months; the information was converted into months only in the final data set.
The first ten questions were measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being very positive and 1 being very negative. Question A was measured on a 1, 2, or 3 scale, with 1 being Food, 2 being Housekeeping, and 3 being Maintenance. Question B was measured on a 1 or 2 scale, with 1 being years and 2 being months. Question C was measured on a 1 or 2 scale, with 1 being Female and 2 being Male. Question D was measured on a 1 or 2 scale, with 1 being yes and 2 being no. (See Appendix A)

Appendix A BMIS Survey
Very Negative Very Positive 1. How well do you enjoy working for BIMS? 2. You enjoy your assigned shift. 3. Your request for your desired shift was fulfilled. 4. How many times have you called in sick in the last month? 5. You are well trained for your work. 6. You are paid fairly for the work you do. 7. Your supervisor treats you fairly. 8. Your supervisor’s boss treats your division fairly. 9. The company is good at communicating. 10. You do not fear that you will lose your job. A. In which division do you work? B. How long have you worked for BIMS? C. What is your gender? D. Are you a manager or supervisor? | 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5Food: _ Housekeeping: _ Maintenance: _Years: _____ Months: _____Female: _____ Male: _____Yes: _____ No: _____ |
(University of Phoenix, 2011, BIMS, Inc. Part I)

In the survey conducted by BMIS qualitative data was used to classify demographics by division, years of employment, and gender which were measured on the nominal scale for questions 1through 3. The ordinal scales measured strongly agree or strongly disagree in order from one to five, five representing strongly agree; the mode or median can be used to determine common value and middle ranking. Interval data was used to describe averages, mean, median, mode, to rate the middle group. The data collected for the survey was coded numerically and the elements of descriptive statistics were used to display the information found in the data. The data tables listed in (Appendices B, C, and D) provides a descriptive analysis as well as frequency chart about the survey questions.
Lastly, the data must be reviewed to detect any errors. This process must be completed before the final results are submitted to BMIS. One error found within the data was for any information missing from the survey a zero was entered as a value to substitute the incomplete response. Another error found in the data was a common keystroke human error. The data found in error was cleaned and labeled null information on the data analysis. However, there were no errors found in the length of time at BMIS service.
Conclusion
In conclusion, BMIS conducted a voluntary survey using a population of current employees to help determine the reasons behind the high turnover rate and low company moral. The survey consisted of questions pertaining to fair treatment , compensation , working conditions ,job security , and other nominal information. The main purpose of the survey was to provide a statistical inference or analysis that would help the organization find a solution to the issues presented in the survey. Both quantitative and qualitative data measurements were collected in this survey. A descriptive analysis concluded that that numeric codes were used to described ordinal, nominal, and interval data. Once the data input errors were eliminated the data concluded that the survey was a non responsive bias. Not enough employees participated in the survey due it being mailed out with paychecks and also due to the wording of the questions could have been revised to get a better response, Also, one more area that may be helpful information is to give the employee the opportunity to make a comment in a section set for additional comments that the survey may not include. The response rate was very low 17.3% of 449 employees only 78 responded to the survey (University of Phoenix, 2011, BIMS, Inc. Part I). Management should consider implementing a better plan to communicate with employees the survey instrument used to collect the data was not very helpful with providing a solution to meet the purpose of the study. Based on the information analyzed in the survey it is our recommendation that Ballard Integrated Managed Service, Inc. must focus on the company moral by making the employees feel appreciated through mouthy or quarterly rewards and recognition. Motivated employees tend to work harder and find their work satisfying. Recognition could include, bonuses, promotions, and company sponsored events such as employee appreciation day or week, social outings, and end of the year banquets.
The company needs to focus on receiving more feedback and communicating with employees. We recommend BMIS implement a leadership program to train managers on how to become effective leaders as well as how to provide positive feedback to create better work relationships to improve company moral. Providing employees with the best benefits possible, also offer extra incentives for employees enrolled in health and wellness programs. Offering these programs to workers will decrease the PTO usage saving BMIS money. It is our hope that the information gathered from this data will help turn Ballard Managed Service, Inc. into a company that values their employees time and commitment to make the company a success.

References University of Phoenix. (2011). Week Two supplement: Ballard Integrated Managed Services, Inc. Part 2. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/351 – Quantitative Analysis for Business course website. University of Phoenix. (2011). Week Two supplement: Ballard Integrated Managed Services, Inc. Part 1. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, QNT/351 – Quantitative Analysis for Business course website. Lind, D. A., Marchal, W. G., & Wathen, S. A. (2011). Basic statistics for business and economics (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Appendix B

| Q 1 | Q 2 | Q 3 | Q 4 | Q 5 | Q 6 | Q 7 | Mean | 2.85 | 2.85 | 2.85 | 2.88 | 2.92 | 2.18 | 2.87 | Median | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | Mode | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Standard Deviation | 1.3683 | 1.3395 | 1.3683 | 1.4048 | 1.3653 | 0.9080 | 1.3897 | Variance | 1.8721 | 1.7942 | 1.8721 | 1.9735 | 1.8641 | 0.8245 | 1.9314 |

| Q 8 | Q 9 | Q 10 | Q 11 | Q 12 | Q 13 | Q 14 | Mean | 2.81 | 2.22 | 2.73 | 1.70 | 53.99 | 1.59 | 1.79 | Median | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 28 | 2 | 2 | Mode | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 2 | Standard Deviation | 1.3490 | 0.8626 | 1.3452 | 0.6701 | 64.9974 | 0.5450 | 0.4660 | Variance | 1.8197 | 0.7441 | 1.8097 | 0.4491 | 4224.662 | 0.2970 | 0.2171 |

Appendix C Frequency Tables

| Question 1 | Question 2 | Question 3 | | Responses | Percent | Responses | Percent | Responses | Percent | 1 | 15 | 19% | 14 | 18% | 15 | 19% | 2 | 21 | 27% | 22 | 28% | 21 | 27% | 3 | 16 | 21% | 16 | 21% | 16 | 21% | 4 | 13 | 17% | 14 | 18% | 13 | 17% | 5 | 13 | 17% | 12 | 15% | 13 | 17% |

Appendix D Descriptive Data Questions 1-3