Deck 3: The Marketing Research Process Including the Problem and Research Objectives

Question 1

When is marketing research not needed?

A)The information is already available.
B)The timing is wrong.
C)Funds are not available.
D)Marketing research is always needed.
E)A, B and C

Answer 1

D

Question 2

When a researcher must communicate with respondents which choice of data collection method may be selected?

A)have person ask questions
B)use a computer to assist or to directly ask questions
C)allow respondents to answer questions themselves
D)any of the above may be selected
E)none of the above may be selected

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following best represents what your author's have to say about the marketing research process?

A)It is a "lock-step" process; each and every step must be followed, in order, if there is to be valid and objective research.
B)Since every research project is different, there aren't enough commonalities among them to lend credibility to such a list of steps known as the research process.
C)While such a list is helpful, few research projects follow the steps in the list in exact order and some research projects may even skip some of the steps.
D)There should be 15 steps in the list known as the marketing research process.
E)The list in your textbook is the approved list used by the MCA.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The sample plan determines:

A)how much the sample will cost
B)how accurate the sample results will be
C)which firm will be used to actually draw the sample from the population
D)how representative the sample is
E)which plan the company will follow in designing a strategic plan

Question 5

What is the difference between the "problem" and the "research objective" in marketing research?

A)Functionally, there is no difference.
B)A problem is a situation that calls for managers to make a choice among alternatives; research objectives are totally dependent on the problem but they are different in that they state what the researcher must do.
C)A problem is a situation that calls for managers to make a choice among alternatives; research objectives are NOT totally dependent on the problem but they are different in that they state what the researcher must do.
D)A research objective is a situation that calls for managers to make a choice among alternatives; problems objectives are totally dependent on the problem but they are different in that they state what the researcher must do.
E)The two terms are so dissimilar, it is not possible to describe the difference.

Question 6

The last step in the marketing research process is to:

A)prepare and present the final research report
B)be sure you have an adequate sample size
C)get approval to fund the research
D)define the problem
E)seek approval from the CIO

Question 7

According to your textbook,which of the following is true regarding sample plans and size?

A)A sample consists of the entire group that the researcher wishes to make inferences about based upon information provided by the sample data.
B)Only objectives of the research determine which sample plan is to be used.
C)Sample plans describe how each sample element, or unit, is to be drawn from the total population.
D)The size of the sample is not particularly relevant to how accurately your sample results reflect values in the population.
E)A sample could be could be "all department stores within the greater Portland, Oregon, area."

Question 8

If the problem were defined as determining the level of customer satisfaction,a ________ could be to survey 400 users of product X and measure their level of satisfaction on six different attributes as well as measuring their likelihood of purchasing the product again.

A)research problem
B)counterbalancing problem
C)research description
D)research objective
E)starting point

Question 9

Which type of study is undertaken to describe factors?

A)Causal
B)Descriptive
C)Categorical
D)Research project
E)Laboratory

Question 10

Which of the following best describes research objectives?

A)When achieved, they provide a clear picture of the problem.
B)When achieved, they provide a basis for future research.
C)When achieved, they provide the necessary information to solve the problem at hand.
D)When achieved, the researcher may go on to the next step in the research process.
E)When achieved, they provide a basis for secondary data research.

Question 11

Which company policy regarding marketing research would be used by a firm to make sure that problems were spotted early?

A)A policy of not conducting marketing research
B)A policy of conducting different types of studies on a continuous basis at specified intervals
C)A policy regarding the use of certain types of studies being used whenever a particular situation occurs
D)A policy of marketing research on an as needed basis
E)none of the above

Question 12

The sample size determines:

A)how accurate the sample results will be
B)how representative the sample is
C)how much the sample will cost
D)which firm will be used to actually draw the sample from the population
E)if there is an adequate number to represent the entire population.

Question 13

Which of the following is mentioned in your textbook as a situation in which time is a factor in marketing research?

A)A product is nearing the end of its life cycle.
B)The necessary information is already in the firm's internal reports.
C)Value can be estimated and a more informed decision may be made justifying or not justifying marketing research.
D)Marketing managers can quickly and inexpensively access the data.
E)both B and D

Question 14

Establishing the need for marketing research:

A)arises when managers must make decisions and they have inadequate information
B)is determined by a quantitative analysis of the appropriateness of marketing research should be undertaken for every decision made in the firm
C)stems from the need to establish a monitoring system that alerts mid management to either opportunities in the marketplace or problems
D)should not come from a monitoring system but rather from management intuition
E)should be determined only after the problem is clearly defined

Question 15

Errors in collecting data may be attributed to fieldworkers and respondents.What is important about these errors is that:

A)researchers keep a list of all the errors that occur and report them in the "Error Report"
B)researchers know the sources of these errors and their history
C)researchers know the source and history of these errors and maintain a catalog of them
D)researchers know the source of the errors and implement controls to minimize them
E)researchers do NOT know the source of these errors but must watch for them carefully

Question 16

Secondary data refers to:

A)information collected for a purpose other than the study's original purpose
B)information gathered specifically to serve the research objectives at hand
C)information that is relatively easy to access
D)information gathered by those whose primary job is marketing research
E)data collected on primary product/service users

Question 17

The marketing research process is presented to you in your text as:

A)a "go-no go" process
B)an eleven-step process
C)a ten step process
D)an inadequate way to view marketing research
E)a six step process

Question 18

The sample plan refers to:

A)the process used to select units from the population to be included in the sample
B)the process used to select units from previous samples into the present sample
C)the process used to select units from the population into a sample size formula
D)the process used to select units from the population to be included in telephone surveys
E)the process used to determine which members of the sample should be contacted

Question 19

When a researcher communicates with a respondent,what type of data collection form is used?

A)questionnaire
B)observation form
C)data sheets
D)either A or C
E)either A or B

Question 20

Which of the following is a type of research design?

A)Casual
B)Exploratory
C)Causal
D)both A and B
E)both B and C

Question 21

Which of the following is true regarding good managers and the need to recognize problem sources?

A)They will be aware of problems, or they will soon cease to hold management positions.
B)They will be setting objectives and have a control system in place to monitor performance.
C)They will have a control system in place that will alert them to situations where performance is not achieving desired objectives.
D)all of the above
E)none of the above: this was not discussed in the book

Question 22

Which of the following questions should researchers ask when assessing symptoms?

A)Can the symptoms be corroborated by other factors identified in the situation analysis?
B)Are the symptoms aberrant?
C)Are the symptoms likely to occur again?
D)A and B
E)all of the above

Question 23

Which of the following is a possible decision alternative (as discussed in the book)?

A)Price changes
B)Product modification
C)Product improvement
D)both B and C
E)all of the above

Question 24

In the world of research,RFP stands for:

A)request for proposals
B)research for profit
C)research for problem
D)request from production
E)requests for problems

Question 25

When defining the problem it is important:

A)to define the most likely possible causes
B)to define at least ten possible causes
C)to define all possible causes
D)to assess nothing; you must define the cause
E)none of the above; you are seeking to determine the problem, not causes

Question 26

Which of the following is true of "symptoms" as discussed n Chapter 3 of your text?

A)Symptoms are changes in the level of some key monitor that measures the achievement of an objective.
B)Symptoms are not the problem but the "signals" that alert us of the problem.
C)A symptom may also be a perceived change in the behavior of some market factor that implies an emerging opportunity.
D)all of the above
E)both A and B

Question 27

When defining the problem the manager and the researcher make assertions that certain conditions exist or that certain reactions will take place if the considered solutions are implemented.These assertions are known as:

A)problem definition assertions
B)possible cause assertions
C)reasonable doubts/reasonable assurances
D)assumptions
E)researcher assumptions

Question 28

Lawrence Gibson would probably be considered an expert on:

A)sample plans
B)client billing
C)data collection
D)problem definition
E)report writing

Question 29

To help managers properly define the problem the researcher may conduct their own investigation to develop alternative problem definitions.This additional investigation may take the form of what is called:

A)a situation analysis
B)the preliminary problem definition analysis
C)the problem definition analysis
D)a problem situation analysis
E)an investigation of "preliminary proceedings"

Question 30

"Our sales were $X but could have been $Y had we introduced a new,more competitive product" is an example of what type of problem?

A)An opportunity
B)A failure to meet an objective
C)A major problem
D)A marketing failure
E)none of the above

Question 31

One of the most successful publishing firms in college textbook history was started when Richard D.Irwin saw,while reading the U.S.Statistical Abstract,the rapid rise in college of business enrollments following World War II.This success was a result of Irwin recognizing:

A)a failure to meet an objective
B)a "symptom" as an opportunity
C)a "symptom" of data analysis
D)an environmental opportunity
E)a "signal symptom"

Question 32

For managers to recognize an opportunity they must have a system for monitoring opportunities sometimes referred to as:

A)monitoring access systems
B)opportunity identification
C)internal reporting analysis systems
D)environmental opportunity analysis
E)diagnosing opportunities

Question 33

Which of the following best describes the role of the researcher in problem definition?

A)to help managers ensure they have properly defined the problem
B)to help managers ensure they have properly defined the problem particularly when managers have not yet defined the problem in general terms
C)to help managers ensure they have properly defined the problem particularly when managers have already defined the problem very specifically
D)the researcher should not be involved in problem definition but must remain totally objective
E)none of the above - managers define problems and researchers carry out the research objectives

Question 34

Which of the following is a key monitor that measures the achievement of an objective?

A)the triple crown
B)metric
C)symptom
D)key-metric
E)digital dashboard

Question 35

According to your authors,using the statistical tools that present data in a form that satisfies research objectives is an objective of:

A)sample plans
B)data collection
C)data manipulation
D)data analysis
E)all marketing research

Question 36

________ are the results of marketing actions.

A)Assumptions
B)Consequences
C)Hypotheses
D)Assertions
E)Objectives

Question 37

Which source of a problem occurs when there is a gap existing between what was supposed to happen and what did happen?

A)An opportunity
B)A marketing opportunity
C)A failure to meet an objective
D)A major problemA marketing failure
E)A marketing failure

Question 38

Which of the following did the statistician Tukey coin as errors solving the wrong problem?

A)Type I errors
B)Type II errors
C)Type III errors
D)Problematic errors
E)Inconsistent errors

Question 39

Your text identified an ethical issue in marketing research by pointing out that it is unethical for a firm to send out phony ________ simply to get ideas for conducting their own research.

A)RFZ's
B)RFD's
C)RFP's
D)RRR's
E)RPF's

Question 40

Which of the following will we use if the source of our problem is the failure to meet an objective?

A)A control system
B)An opportunity identification system
C)A marketing opportunity analysis
D)An objectivity course
E)none of the above

Question 41

Most research projects do not follow an orderly,sequential process.

Question 42

When information is not available,the researcher should consider conducting marketing research.

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT true of a good research objective?

A)It specifies from whom information will be gathered.
B)It specifies what information (construct)is needed.
C)It should specify the unit of measurement used to gather the information.
D)It should word questions used to gather the information in the respondents' frame of reference.
E)It should word questions used to gather the information in the researchers' frame of reference.

Question 44

Which of the following is true of marketing MANAGERS?

A)They are in staff positions.
B)They are trained in research techniques.
C)They are responsible for generating information.
D)They possess line positions.
E)none of the above

Question 45

________ are statements that are taken for true for the purposes of argument or investigation.

A)Hypotheses
B)Logical, projective statements
C)Tentative statements
D)Forecasts
E)Objectives

Question 46

It has been said that the only thing worse than having a problem is to have a problem and not be aware that you have it!

Question 47

Your authors list memory,relevance and believability as examples of ________.

A)standards
B)actions
C)assertions
D)constructs
E)consequences

Question 48

When costs of doing research outweigh the value of the information generated by the research,research should not be performed.

Question 49

Research objectives,when achieved,provide the information necessary to choose between decision alternatives.

Question 50

A(n)________ is a definition of a construct.

A)research method
B)standard definition
C)problem statement
D)hypothetical difference
E)operational definition

Question 51

In creating research objectives,researchers should keep which four important qualities of objectives in mind?

A)precise, operational, detailed, concise
B)precise, objective, detailed, concise
C)precise, operational, detailed, clear
D)precise, operational, symptomatic, clear
E)timely, cost-benefit, axiomatic, detailed

Question 52

The need for marketing research is affected by the company policy toward its use.

Question 53

A(n)________ is the predesignation of some quality of a measured attribute necessary for a predetermined action to take place.

A)research standard
B)action rule
C)action standard
D)tipping point
E)tipping line

Question 54

________ are important and deserve researcher attention because they are the glue that holds the decision process together.

A)Problem definition assertions
B)Assumptions
C)Possible cause assertions
D)Reasonable doubts/reasonable assurances
E)Hypotheses

Question 55

Each and every step (in the ten step research process)should be followed in a step-by-step fashion in order to ensure a quality research project.

Question 56

Which of the following is an abstract idea inferred from specific instances that are thought to be related?

A)Abstract
B)Abstract inference
C)Construct
D)Title abstract
E)Inferred hypothesis

Question 57

"Preparing Graphs and Bar Charts" is one of the twelve basic steps in the marketing research process.

Question 58

Differences between the current information state and the desired information state are known as:

A)irreconcilable
B)conflicting
C)information gaps
D)hypothetical differences
E)stretches in assertions

Question 59

The quantity and quality of evidence a manager possesses for each of his or her assumptions is known as the:

A)quantity and quality of evidence
B)information gap
C)information state
D)hypothesis state
E)hypothesis statement

Question 60

Conducting marketing research periodically allows management a method of monitoring company performance in order to spot problems early.

Question 61

According to your authors' definition problems are situations that call for managers to make choices among alternatives.

Question 62

The research report is very important,because it is often the client's only record of the research
project.

Question 63

Secondary data,as is implied by its name,should always be sought second.

Question 64

Because knowledge is worthy just for the sake of knowledge,it's okay for managers to conduct marketing research just "to know something."

Question 65

Sales calls below target are an example of a gap between what is supposed to happen and did happen.

Question 66

A research objective should specify from whom information is to be gathered.

Question 67

Causal research designs are called experiments.

Question 68

Questionnaires are used for studies in which respondents are asked questions and when respondents are observed.

Question 69

Errors that occur during data collection may be attributed to fieldworkers or to respondents.

Question 70

The statistician Tukey coined Type II errors as those made solving the wrong problem.

Question 71

Determining the sample size refers to how we draw sample elements from the census.

Question 72

Causal research is often undertaken to help clearly define a problem.

Question 73

Validation means that 10% (the industry standard)of all respondents in a marketing research study are randomly selected,recontacted,and asked if they indeed took part in a research study.

Question 74

Primary data refers to information that has already been collected.

Question 75

Methods of accessing external secondary data are relatively easy compared to accessing primary data.

Question 76

Exploratory research is often undertaken to help clearly define a problem.

Question 77

An increase in sales if product features are changed is an example of a gap between what is supposed to happen and did happen.

Question 78

Marketing opportunities create problems for managers because they must determine whether and how to respond to take advantage of the opportunity.

Question 79

Though very important,properly defining the problem is not the most important step in the marketing
research process.

Question 80

Research objectives are totally dependent on the problem.