Deck 9: Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods

Question 1

Reports that examine the buying habits of a group of teenagers at three-month intervals are examples of a longitudinal study.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Scholarly journals in the social sciences tend to use the APA referencing method, while MLA is commonly used in the humanities.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Electronic databases provide access to articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, and other types of publications.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The statement of purpose is the goal of the study and includes the objectives the researcher hopes to accomplish.

Question 5

Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's ideas or words as your own.

Question 6

A customer service representative who regularly tracks the type of customer complaints made through the company's 800 number is conducting experimental research.

Question 7

Hypothesis testing is appropriate only in observational research settings.

Question 8

XYZ, a potential supplier to NASA, would typically submit an RFP (request for a proposal) to NASA in order to obtain a contract with this government agency.

Question 9

Secondary research is only necessary when primary research does not yield enough information.

Question 10

Referencing is essential when material is quoted from a source and is optional when paraphrasing.

Question 11

Primary research sources include periodicals, computer databases, and encyclopedias.

Question 12

Email polling is a popular primary research method, though it typically takes longer to conduct than other data collection methods.

Question 13

Reports typically travel upward in an organization because they usually are requested by a higher authority.

Question 14

Including an even number of choices on a rating scale is advisable to eliminate the tendency of some groups to choose the noncommittal mid-point on the range.

Question 15

The monthly financial statement that Sharecom Investments sends to its investors is an example of an analytical report.

Question 16

In order for survey research to be credible, the selected sample must be representative of the population.

Question 17

Reliability refers to the degree to which data measures what it is intended to measure.

Question 18

Limitations refer to boundaries imposed outside the control of the researcher, such as time limit and budget.

Question 19

The main function of vertical reports is to contribute to management control.

Question 20

Attendance records are an example of an are analytical report.

Question 21

As a result of the changing demographics in your area, your company has decided to hire those previously declared "unemployable." Your task is to educate these people to do the job. Which of the following questions will help you MOST in solving the problem?

A) Has this education program been successful in other corporations?
B) What type of skills do these new employees need to do their jobs?
C) How do we know this program will work?
D) Why will this program assist with our shortage of employees?

Question 22

The conclusion of a report should include a summary of findings and suggested action based on research.

Question 23

If you wanted to research the Internet for articles on outsourcing to India, which of the following key phrases would result in the narrowest search?

A) Outsourcing
B) "Outsourcing"
C) Outsourcing to India
D) "Outsourcing to India"

Question 24

Which of the following provides the best definition of a report?

A) An orderly, objective communication that flows downward within an organization for the purpose of presenting data for the customer.
B) A formal, objective writing that meets the need for information needed by a wide audience.
C) An orderly, objective message used to convey information within an organization or between organizations to assist in problem solving and decision making.
D) A formal, organized message that conveys the opinions and intuitive feelings of the writer.

Question 25

In a report on effective advertising to the net generation, researchers explain the small size of the selected sample and the use of three selected online databases. They are describing the ____ of the study.

A) delimitations
B) scope
C) limitations
D) hypotheses

Question 26

Which of the following is a source of primary data?

A) Journal articles
B) Surveys
C) Online government documents
D) All of the above are sources of primary data.

Question 27

Which type of primary research requires no direct involvement with human subjects?

A) Observational studies
B) Experimental research
C) Normative surveys
D) Longitudinal research

Question 28

If your research calls for counting the number of people entering two grocery stores, recording certain physical characteristics, and comparing those two sets of data, you would be conducting ____ research.

A) observational
B) normative
C) experimental
D) replication

Question 29

Recommendations should flow naturally from one's summary and conclusions and should not come as a surprise to the reader.

Question 30

A report that provides a written description of how an organization can meet the needs of another organization by providing products, services, or solutions to problems is what kind of report?

A) Functional
B) Proposal
C) Internal
D) Periodic

Question 31

When explaining "limitations," the researcher is noting

A) his or her own weaknesses and those of the team.
B) why there is not enough time to do a thorough job.
C) constraints which the researcher has chosen to place on the research.
D) normal constraints placed on the research which are beyond the control of the researcher.

Question 32

Which method of research would be best for researching whether distance learning or traditional classroom instruction is more effective for your company's employees?

A) Observational study
B) Normative survey
C) Experimental research
D) Secondary research

Question 33

A report on market comparisons of tuition at state universities should follow which of the following sequences of problem-solving steps?

A) Form the hypothesis, collect data, state the problem, identify the answer.
B) Identify the probable answer, state the problem, organize data, select method of solution.
C) Define the problem, select method of solution, collect and organize data, arrive at answer.
D) Select method of solution, collect data, define the problem, present answer.

Question 34

Which of the following is the most accurate statement concerning the use of primary and secondary research methods?

A) Secondary research helps to establish a starting point for primary research.
B) A researcher typically chooses between secondary and primary research as the better alternative for obtaining information for the particular problem.
C) Primary research is the predominant research method selected for a study, with secondary research available as an option, if needed.
D) Secondary research includes observation, experimentation, and normative surveys.

Question 35

Which of the following objectives is FALSE concerning the conducting of secondary research?

A) It establishes a base for further research.
B) It reveals areas of needed research.
C) It often eliminates the need for primary research.
D) It avoids needless duplication of research efforts.

Question 36

Correlation analysis might be used to determine whether a relationship existed between how respondents answered one item and how they answered another.

Question 37

Brigit, head of a bank's internal auditing division, has prepared a report on current auditing procedures. The report which presents suggested solutions to the bank's auditing problems is what kind of a report?

A) Informational
B) Analytical
C) External
D) Functional

Question 38

Which of the following represents the correct sequence of steps in the problem-solving process?

A) Recognize and define the problem; collect and organize the data; select a method of solution; arrive at an answer.
B) Select a method of solution; recognize and define the problem; collect and organize the data; arrive at an answer.
C) Recognize and define the problem; select a method of solution; collect and organize the data; arrive at an answer.
D) Select a method of solution; collect and organize the data; recognize and define the problem; arrive at an answer.

Question 39

Fazer Technologies distributed copies of its annual report to it stockholders. This report is which of the following types of reports?

A) Informal
B) Analytical
C) External
D) Internal

Question 40

The development of an effective survey instrument, such as a questionnaire or interview guide, is critical to obtaining reliable and valid data.

Question 41

Which of the following does NOT apply to designing a questionnaire?

A) Ask for factual information as much as possible because opinions are less reliable.
B) Begin with easy-to-answer questions and proceed to the more difficult ones.
C) Provide an even number of choices on a rating scale to eliminate "fence" responses.
D) Avoid "other" as an answer choice on multiple-choice and rating scale questions.

Question 42

The best definition for reliability is

A) a measure of the degree to which data measures what you intend for it to measure.
B) a measure of the accuracy and repeatability of the data.
C) a measure of the relationship between two variables.
D) none of the above

Question 43

Which of the following is a common error that MOST hinders the accurate interpretation of data?

A) Interpretation of results from a large sampling
B) Tabulation of a questionnaire with many items
C) Assumption of a cause-effect relationship when one does not exist
D) Application of statistical analysis

Question 44

Which research method would be best for determining whether employees in Acme Company's computer assembly produce more under Theory X or more under Theory Y management style?

A) Historical
B) Survey
C) Observational
D) Experimental

Question 45

Which of the following is the BEST suggestion for preparing accurate documentation in a report?

A) Choose an authoritative reference manual, be consistent, and include more than enough rather than too little information for citations and references.
B) Use more then one authoritative reference manual, be consistent, and include citations only for sources you quote.
C) Use the MLA style guide for all reports, be consistent, and include only the author, article title, and publisher information.
D) Use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for all documentation and the MLA Handbook, only if needed, as a backup for format.

Question 46

Conducting a pilot test of a survey instrument involving a small group of the population can

A) correct problems in clarity, ease of answering, and quality of answers.
B) complicate the clarification of questions developed for a larger sample group.
C) be a better alternative to the use of open-ended questions.
D) use information from biased sources and correlate it to unbiased sources.

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT a weakness in data interpretation?

A) Inferring that results of one study are true for all groups.
B) Assuming constancy of human behavior and attitudes.
C) Trying to make results conform to a prediction.
D) All are weaknesses.

Question 48

Which of the following techniques is most effective for taking notes from secondary sources?

A) Read the article carefully, copy important phrases, and review the article several times.
B) Read the article quickly, put the article aside, list the main points from memory, and review the article to determine if all points are included.
C) Review the main points of the article, copy the main points word-for-word, paraphrase details, and outline references.
D) Write notes on cards as you scan through the article.

Question 49

A consumer researcher who observes the buying habits of people at a clearance warehouse is using which of the following methods for collecting data?

A) Experimental research
B) Normative survey
C) Personal interviews
D) Participant observation

Question 50

If your research calls for counting the number of people entering two fast-food restaurants, recording certain behavioral characteristics, and comparing those two sets of data, you would be conducting ____ research.

A) observational
B) normative
C) experimental
D) replication

Question 51

Which of the following statements about sampling is correct?

A) Sampling is based on the principle that a sufficiently large number drawn from a population will be representative, regardless of whether the selection was random.
B) The survey results of a sample will be biased and therefore not reliable for formal research.
C) Sampling is a survey technique that eliminates the need for questioning 100 percent of the population.
D) All of the above are correct statements.

Question 52

A research firm wants to conduct research to determine what the U.S. population thinks of imported clothing. Describe three primary research options that are available for this type of research. Which option would you recommend that the research firm use? Why?

Question 53

You have gathered data from printed and online sources as well as from a survey. What should you do to organize the writing of your report?

A) Reduce quantitative data to a usable form through statistical techniques.
B) Question whether every piece of information available makes a real contribution to the outcome of the study.
C) Combine, summarize, and condense useful information so that the reader can understand it more easily.
D) Do all of the above.

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT an error in data gathering?

A) Using samples that are too small
B) Administering the survey to a small group of the population before conducting the actual survey
C) Gathering too much information and then attempting to use all of it
D) All of the above are errors.

Question 55

Which of the following would be considered a recommendation?

A) The cost of the brick veneer will be seven percent more than aluminum siding.
B) Even though brick veneer is more expensive, we understand it will be more durable over the years.
C) Install brick veneer, since its slightly higher cost will be well offset by its durability.
D) Both brick veneer and aluminum siding have their advantages.

Question 56

Documentation of the work of others accomplishes all but which of the following?

A) It gives credit where credit is due.
B) It protects the writer against plagiarism.
C) It strengthens weak research methods.
D) It marks you as a professional researcher.

Question 57

A market researcher who uses primary research may use which of the following methods?

A) Boolean logic, observational studies, the hidden Internet
B) Search engines, normative surveys, interviews
C) Random sampling, website "hits," observational studies
D) Observational studies, experimental research, normative survey research

Question 58

Explain the benefits of conducting secondary research.

Question 59

In-text citations for paraphrases prepared using the APA format include the following:

A) Author's first and last name, and date of publication
B) Author's last name, and date of publication
C) Author's first initial, last name, and date of publication
D) Author's last name, and page number

Question 60

Which of the following procedures is NOT recommended when conducting an electronic search?

A) Start with a large search engine and then move to a smaller one if necessary.
B) Structure searches from broad to specific.
C) Look for web pages that have links to other related topics.
D) Follow the particular format and instructions of each search engine or database.

Question 61

Identify four methods of collecting data through surveys, and list one advantage and one disadvantage of each method.

Question 62

Improvement of Poor Questionnaire
Meacham Industries is a small company that wants to improve communications between supervisors and employees. A questionnaire has been developed for distribution to employees on their attitudes toward communication with supervisors. The following questions are in draft form and need to be rewritten for clarity and easy tabulation.
1. Do you work in the office, maintenance, assembly line, or shipping?
2. How long have you worked here?
3. Do you think most supervisors are approachable?
4. Do you feel that you can talk to your supervisor when needed?
5. Is your supervisor available to answer questions?
6. How do you prefer to communicate with your supervisor?
7. How does your supervisor usually communicate with you?
8. Does your supervisor give you feedback?
9. Does your supervisor give reprimands? How?
10. Do you think an employee suggestion box would be useful?
Required:
Rewrite the above questions for clarity and easy tabulation of results.

Question 63

Feasibility Report for New Office
Hasley's, a retail chain based in the Midwest, has offices in several locations throughout the U.S. Due to expanding markets, the company is researching the need to open a new location in the Southwest. You are a member of a team asked to write a report on the feasibility of an office at this new location. The team must define the scope of the report and develop a statement of purpose.
Required:
Identify five questions that need answering to help the team limit the scope of this report. Provide an answer to each question and write a Statement of Purpose for the report.

Question 64

Explain the difference between a finding, a conclusion, and a recommendation.What is the relationship between them?

Question 65

Describe the four steps in finding a solution to a business problem.