Deck 4: Defining the Research Problem and Reviewing the Literature

Question 1

Which of the following is often the most difficult part of the research process to execute properly?

A) collecting data
B) determining the unit of analysis
C) defining the research problem
D) analyzing data
E) report results

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Before conducting a research project, most researchers undertake background research to further refine the definition of the problem and to ensure that past work has been considered in clarifying the scope of the proposed research project. This background research is often referred to as _____.

A) primary research
B) a preliminary review
C) a literature review
D) foundation research
E) environmental scanning

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following is an overview of the research sponsor's initial perceptions of the problem or opportunity and may be written or presented orally?

A) research brief
B) research plan
C) focal brief
D) literature review
E) research proposal

Answer 3

A

Question 4

All of the following are characteristics of a quality research topic EXCEPT _____.

A) The research is of interest to both the sponsor and the researcher.
B) The research design uses cutting-edge analytical techniques.
C) The research is developed from and supported by a sound theoretical base.
D) Resource requirements in terms of time, money, and data access are well understood early in the research process.
E) The research problem is well defined and the research questions and objectives that flow from it are specific and possible to address through a rigorous research design.

Question 5

Quality research topics are those that _____.

A) address gaps in existing knowledge and are likely to result in more informed management decision making
B) use quantitative research methods so that the results are entirely objective and not subject to the researcher's opinion
C) combine both qualitative and quantitative research methods to ensure the research question is analyzed thoroughly
D) use qualitative research methods to capture the richness of the decision at hand
E) result in new theory development to further advance scientific knowledge and result in more rational decision making

Question 6

Why should textbooks be used with caution when used as a source for research ideas?

A) sources used in textbooks are not relevant enough for research projects
B) they usually only report academic and not managerial research
C) they could be out of date and not reflect current research interest
D) research reported in textbooks is not usually theoretically-based and thus less useful in providing researchers with relevant research ideas
E) ideas garnered from them are usually too broad for most research projects

Question 7

Which of the following is a benefit of developing a research project with a sound theoretical footing?

A) helps the researcher refine measurement constructs
B) eliminates alternative explanations
C) answers the research question such that data analysis merely confirms the explanation
D) identifies existing themes or trends surrounding the decision at hand
E) identifies research methods and appropriate data analysis techniques

Question 8

A literature review typically has two broad objectives. First, it helps to develop and expand research ideas, and second, it _____.

A) identifies the correct variables of study
B) validates the theory underpinning the research questions
C) helps the researcher identify the experts in a particular field of inquiry
D) brings the researcher to the highest level in the hierarchy of effects model
E) ensures a familiarity with recent developments and a complete understanding of the relevant topics

Question 9

Literature reviews are often divided into two stages. What is the first stage of a literature review?

A) identifying and describing past theoretical research related to your topic
B) a review of the literature to identify existing themes, trends, and relationships between variables
C) determination of the appropriate research methods and data analysis technique
D) interpretation of results
E) integration of results from previous studies

Question 10

How do scholarly sources differ from applied or business sources?

A) Scholarly sources have been subjected to peer review by five to ten researchers whereas applied or business sources do not undergo any review prior to publication.
B) The audience for scholarly sources is more knowledgeable than that for applied or business sources.
C) Scholarly sources are more legitimate than applied or business sources.
D) Scholarly sources are written in a more formal and rigorous style and have many citations from the most prestigious journals.
E) Scholarly sources are informal but still subject to peer review.

Question 11

All of the following are reasons for including a literature review EXCEPT _____.

A) helps define the research problem and clarify your research questions
B) provides the background of the major issues
C) provides support for preconceived conclusions of the research
D) suggests potential hypotheses
E) indentifies research methods and data analysis and interpretation approaches used by other researchers on similar projects

Question 12

Which of the following is an important first step in the research project?

A) defining the research problem
B) determining the objective of the research
C) suggesting potential hypotheses
D) identifying research methods and data analysis approaches
E) gather background information of the major issues

Question 13

Which of the following holds the highest risk of criticism and possible failure?

A) applying a new methodology in an established field of study
B) applying a new methodology in a new field of study
C) applying an old methodology in a new field of study
D) applying an old methodology in an old field of study
E) applying a new methodology in both an old and new field of study

Question 14

Which of the following may be of little value and not worthy of a degree?

A) applying a new methodology in an established field of study
B) applying a new methodology in a new field of study
C) applying a new methodology in both an old and new field of study
D) applying an old methodology in a new field of study
E) applying an old methodology in an old field of study

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding applying an old methodology in a new field of study?

A) should produce a satisfactory result
B) high risk of criticism
C) high risk of failure
D) may be of little value
E) not worthy of a degree

Question 16

Which of the following is a literature source?

A) books
B) journals and conference proceedings
C) government and industry
D) electronic databases
E) all of the above

Question 17

Which of the following is FALSE regarding literature sources?

A) Researchers should not rely entirely on books because the information is typically at least several years old.
B) Journals are an important source, and it is very easy to access the material.
C) Research published in professional association proceedings are generally not as high of quality as that in journals, but it is more recent and often indicates new research directions.
D) Government and industry reports can be helpful for some research topics.
E) The key to success in finding relevant material in Internet searches is using the correct words and phrases.

Question 18

All of the following are guidelines for planning a literature review EXCEPT _____.

A) identify the languages in which relevant research is likely to be published and sources of translation for any materials in a language you cannot read
B) define the scope of your subject area
C) decide on the geographic areas to be studied
D) determine which disciplines must be examined
E) determine the cost of attaining information

Question 19

All of the following are guidelines for preparing a literature review EXCEPT _____.

A) include publications that suggest a different viewpoint than your own
B) ensure your review relates closely to your research objectives and questions
C) start from a narrow perspective and move to a broad one
D) cite the major experts in the field in which you are working
E) cite the most recent of any publications considered important to your research

Question 20

_____ are points or matters in question that, if altered, will close the gap between the actual and desired states.

A) Symptoms
B) Research questions
C) Issues
D) Dummy tables
E) Interrogatories

Question 21

An inadequate distribution channel is an example of a(n) _____.

A) business mistake
B) crisis
C) symptom
D) issue
E) primary research question

Question 22

_____ are signals that a change may be needed to avoid further problems or take advantage of some opportunity.

A) Hypotheses
B) Research questions
C) Symptoms
D) Issues
E) Interrogatories

Question 23

Tessa, a manager at a major company, notices that labor costs at her company are higher than the competition's. This is an example of a(n) _____.

A) issue
B) heuristic
C) interrogatory
D) crisis
E) symptom

Question 24

High employee turnover is an example of a(n) _____.

A) symptom
B) issue
C) crisis
D) heuristic
E) opportunity

Question 25

Research questions are often phrased in which of the following forms?

A) what
B) when
C) where
D) who
E) all of the above

Question 26

_____ rephrase research issues into a form that is researchable.

A) Symptoms
B) Research questions
C) Interrogatories
D) Heuristics
E) Research methodologies

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of an issue rather than a symptom?

A) low customer service ratings
B) sales lower than expected
C) poor product quality
D) churn rate highest in the market
E) labor costs higher than competitors'

Question 28

Which of the following is an example of a symptom rather than an issue?

A) poor product quality
B) sales territories too large
C) inadequate forecasting techniques
D) too many employee sick days
E) high stock-outs

Question 29

"What factors influence employee retention?" is an example of a(n) _____.

A) research hypothesis
B) research question
C) symptom
D) issue
E) research proposal

Question 30

A research brief is the overview of the sponsor's initial perceptions of the problem and is only presented in written form.

Question 31

Quality research topics are those which examine gaps in existing knowledge and are likely to result in more informed management decision making.

Question 32

The first stage of the literature review focuses on identifying and describing past theoretical research related to the topic.

Question 33

Good literature reviews focus only on the publications within a single field.

Question 34

Literature review cannot help identify the methods used by previous researchers to study prior problems.

Question 35

Using Google Scholar for access to scholarly articles is a good idea.

Question 36

Journals and conference proceedings are good sources of research for literature reviews.

Question 37

Literature searches are quick due to the improvements in technology.

Question 38

All literature reviews are long and extensive.

Question 39

Literature reviews include reflection on research objectives.

Question 40

Writing a literature review is a simple task for new researchers.

Question 41

Researchers may find categorizing literature in to three categories such as: 1) definitely useful, 2) likely useful, at least in a limited way and 3) possibly useful but set aside for later use is very helpful when conducting a literature review.

Question 42

Researchers do not need to cite all the sources of the different types of literature used within a literature review.

Question 43

Issues are signals that a change may be needed to avoid further problems or to take advantage of an important opportunity.

Question 44

Symptoms are points or matters in question that if altered will close the gap between the actual and desired states.

Question 45

How can focus groups be used in research?

Question 46

What are some of the electronic sources where can literature for a literature review be found?

Question 47

Compare and contrast issues and symptoms and give an example of each.

Question 48

Describe what is meant by a "quality research topic" and list the characteristics of a quality research topic.

Question 49

Explain how you would come up with a research idea for a project in a business research class and then describe how you could convert that idea into research questions and objectives.

Question 50

Why is a literature review so important in research and what are the steps in conducting one?

Question 51

Describe three of the many sources of literature than can be used to conduct a literature review.