Deck 12: Locating Secondary Data

Question 1

Data published in the annual report of a corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange is likely valid and reliable.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The sources of both paraphrased and quoted information should be documented in a report.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which library is LEAST likely to be open to a student who is conducting business research?

A) city public library
B) library of a business or professional association
C) state historical library
D) university library

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Many sources relevant to specific aspects of business, such as marketing or accounting, are available on the Web.

Question 5

Online business directories can help you find a range of information about U.S. companies but are of little value for research related to companies based in or operating in other countries.

Question 6

In some cultures it's acceptable to include another writer's material in a report without citing/documenting it.

Question 7

Most plagiarism checkers scan only selected phrases and rare words in a report.
B. Multiple Choice - For the following items, select the most appropriate choice (a-d).

Question 8

A researcher should make notes for references and quotations, but not for paraphrases.

Question 9

Because it serves a broad user population, a public library will be able to contribute little information for business research.

Question 10

A visual or set of data from a published source can be used in a report without citing it.

Question 11

Which is the LEAST valid reason for looking up secondary data sources?

A) The sources contain more extensive data than primary sources.
B) Secondary data can help a researcher gain perspective on the problem.
C) The researcher feels uncomfortable interviewing people.
D) Secondary sources may eliminate the need to collect primary data.

Question 12

Most plagiarism checkers are able to distinguish between quoted and paraphrased text.

Question 13

As you conduct business research, the Web should be your main source of secondary data.

Question 14

Which source is most likely to provide convenient, accurate information about the current officers of British Airways?

A) Hoover's Handbook of World Business
B) Who Owns Whom: United Kingdom
C) British Airways' website
D) The Wall Street Journal

Question 15

An efficient first step for locating secondary data about a company currently operating in the U. S. is to-

A) browse the library stacks looking for a book about the company.
B) conduct a search in an online catalog.
C) read the current issue of Fortune or Forbes.
D) write the company a letter requesting specific data.

Question 16

To find information efficiently in an online catalog, you must be able to identify likely keywords used to classify the information.

Question 17

Which online source is most likely to provide current data about the number of single-parent households in your county?

A) Business Statistics of the United States: Patterns of Economic Change
B) Statistical Abstract of the United States
C) Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
D) WWW Virtual Library

Question 18

Special issues of business periodicals such as Fortune and Forbes contain little current information.

Question 19

In general, databases provide more current information than directories.

Question 20

Information found on a website is in the public domain; therefore, you do not have to acknowledge it in a business report.

Question 21

Some writers mistakenly believe they lose credibility when they show dependence on other writers for report information.

Question 22

There is value in consulting secondary data sources before beginning to collect primary data.

Question 23

If a copyright expires, the material is said to be-

A) open to fair use
B) common knowledge
C) in the public domain
D) intellectual property

Question 24

As you begin your professional career, you would do well to learn all you can about copyright law and its implications for you a report writer and presenter.

Question 25

While collecting data from secondary sources, a useful, efficient practice is to-

A) record notes for data slightly related to your research topic.
B) record notes for quotations you may want to use .
C) record references for data you are likely to use in a report.
D) record references for all the data you collect.

Question 26

Which statement BEST describes circumstances related to documenting secondary data sources?

A) Documenting sources is an academic exercise rarely used in business.
B) Documentation of sources is not required in a short report.
C) Omitting documentation rarely affects readers of a report.
D) Writers usually omit sources for common knowledge among readers.

Question 27

Which set of criteria below should be used to judge data quality?

A) Data are accurate, balanced, and credible.
B) Data are accurate, balanced, credible, and documented.
C) Data are current, balanced, credible, and documented.
D) Data are accessible, accurate, credible, and documented.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a technique when paraphrasing another writer's ideas?

A) Record the text verbatim; then replace keywords with your words.
B) Use only as much of the text as you need to make your point.
C) If you use a string longer than six words, put quotation marks around it.
D) Never copy and paste text from a website into a report.

Question 29

If your instructor uses Turnitin to check for student plagiarism, the BEST checker for you, a student, is-

A) Chimpsky
B) Plagiarism Checker
C) Plagiarisma
D) WriteCheck for Students

Question 30

The BEST definition of common knowledge is-

A) facts presumably known by most persons involved in the subject.
B) facts presumably known by all U.S. adults.
C) facts that were published without being copyrighted
D) facts presumably know by all persons likely to read the material.

Question 31

Although much information is available on the Web, wise business report writers do not limit themselves to that source for secondary data.