Deck 8: Researching Writing Reports

Question 1

Information collected by groups that advocate a position is usually more creditable than information gathered by neutral parties.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Secondary research produces new information through the use of surveys.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Search tools that allow users to run a search simultaneously with several individual search engines are called metasearch tools.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

LinkedIn focuses more on social connections than on professional connections.

Question 5

Descriptive statistics are typically used to generalize about a population based on the study of a sample.

Question 6

Once you've defined the problem and identified the purpose of your research, you should determine what factors you need to investigate.

Question 7

The objective quality of a report is its unbiased approach.

Question 8

No one can post or edit articles in Wikipedia except the site moderator.

Question 9

The decimal outlining method uses Roman numerals to show the major sections of a business report.

Question 10

Researchers use area sampling when no master source list of a population is available.

Question 11

The ranking technique provides a scale showing the complete range of possible attitudes on a topic and assigns number values to the positions on the scale.

Question 12

Quantitative researchers use research tools that generate verbal data.

Question 13

Once people agree to participate in a study, they are not allowed to discontinue their participation at any time during the study.

Question 14

The Boolean operator AND is used to expand a search by adding variations to the basic search term.

Question 15

Probability samples are based on chance selection procedures.

Question 16

Demographic testing measures a person's experience when interacting with a product.

Question 17

Users of website information are particularly susceptible to misinformation in the form of advertising claims.

Question 18

To conduct an experiment, you systematically manipulate one factor of a problem while holding all the others constant.

Question 19

Problem statements are generally written in the form of a question or infinitive phrase.

Question 20

General libraries typically limit their collections to a few types of specialized materials.

Question 21

Talking headings are short constructions, frequently consisting of one or two words.

Question 22

Which of the following is a source of primary research?

A) Encyclopedia
B) Government publication
C) Almanac
D) Interview
E) Website

Question 23

A technique of good report writing is to bring to life the contents of your report by using passive-voice verbs as much as possible.

Question 24

A well-structured outline for a report clearly indicates the hierarchy of the information in the report.

Question 25

You can improve the connecting network of thought throughout your report by using sentence transitions.

Question 26

Emotionally charged language increases the objectivity of a business report.

Question 27

In the course of writing a business report, once you've defined the problem and identified your purpose, the immediate next step is to _____.

A) determine what factors you need to investigate
B) gather the required information
C) analyze the available information
D) use the test of experience
E) use the negative test

Question 28

Which of the following is true about secondary research?

A) It primarily involves gathering data through methods of direct observation.
B) It uncovers information firsthand.
C) It uses material that someone else has published.
D) It includes user testing.
E) It primarily involves gathering data through experiments.

Question 29

Characteristics such as coherence and objectivity enhance the reception of a report.

Question 30

Which of the following is true about primary research?

A) It uses material that someone else has published.
B) It primarily involves compiling information from periodicals, brochures, and books.
C) It uncovers secondhand information.
D) It is typically conducted before one engages in secondary research.
E) It produces new information through the use of experiments.

Question 31

The _____ in business reports is also called the study's objective, aim, or goal.

A) complimentary close
B) concluding statement
C) salutation
D) problem statement
E) purpose statement

Question 32

For best results, all members of a report-writing group should be assigned the task of editing the final draft.

Question 33

The _____ statement of a business report provides a clear description of the situation that created the need for the report.

A) complimentary
B) purpose
C) salutation
D) problem
E) hypothesis

Question 34

Using ample vertical white space between the topics in your business report will increase the readability of your message.

Question 35

Which of the following is the most appropriate problem statement for a business report on decline of sales?

A) To determine why company sales have declined
B) Why have company sales declined?
C) Management wants to know the reasons for sales decline.
D) What is the reason for the decline of company sales?
E) To investigate the cause of the decline in company sales

Question 36

Which of the following is true about purpose statements?

A) Purpose statements are not used when the problem statements are stated in a business report.
B) Infinitive phrases are avoided when writing purpose statements.
C) Purpose statements are short constructions, consisting of one or two words, and they merely identify the topic of discussion.
D) Purpose statements are placed at the end of business reports.
E) Purpose statements are often written in the form of a question.

Question 37

Possible explanations for or solutions to a problem are termed as _____.

A) bases
B) mission statements
C) hypotheses
D) purpose statements
E) problem statements

Question 38

Which of the following is true about problem statements?

A) Problem statements do not use active voice.
B) Problem statements eliminate the need for purpose statements.
C) Problem statements are typically written in the form of a question.
D) The infinitive phrase is most preferred for writing problem statements.
E) Problem statements are generally written as declarative statements.

Question 39

In the case of collaborative report writing, the last step should be to determine the problem and purpose of the report.

Question 40

In business reports, talking headings summarize the material they cover.

Question 41

Secondary research produces information primarily through the use of _____.

A) experiments
B) surveys
C) websites
D) interviews
E) observations

Question 42

Which of the following is true about libraries of private businesses?

A) They never allow non-employees to search their information.
B) They are designed to serve the sponsoring company.
C) They restrict people from conducting secondary research.
D) They encourage routine public use of their material.
E) They are more accessible than general libraries.

Question 43

Which of the following can help you evaluate the reliability of the information on a website?

A) The structure of the website
B) The number and type of advertisements in the website
C) All of these factors
D) The sponsor of the site
E) The apparent purpose of the site

Question 44

Which of the following is true about social bookmarking websites?

A) They are primarily used for blogging.
B) They allow users to develop shared vocabularies.
C) They are used for primary research and not for secondary research.
D) They are the same as listservs.
E) They increase users' blog ratings.

Question 45

_____ is an online network of library content and services.

A) RSS
B) Wikipedia
C) LinkedIn
D) WorldCat
E) Kartoo

Question 46

If a user finds it difficult to think of terms to broaden his or her search, he or she must _____.

A) eliminate citations with a particular term
B) retrieve citations that contain only the search terms without variations
C) look at the keywords or descriptors of the items that have already been identified
D) refrain from using Boolean operators
E) use the NOT operator

Question 47

The small-scale version of a survey that is conducted before the actual survey is distributed is referred to as a _____.

A) random survey
B) stratified study
C) double-barreled study
D) pilot study
E) purposeful survey

Question 48

What is the advantage of RSS feeds?

A) They keep users up to date on the Internet information they're interested in.
B) They provide an online network of library content and services.
C) They help users to keep their computers virus free.
D) They enable readers to access useful data without using an aggregator.
E) They enable readers to access useful data without using a feed reader.

Question 49

Technorati assigns each blog a level of authority ranging from _____.

A) 100-2000
B) 0-1000
C) 500-2500
D) 200-2200
E) 1000-3000

Question 50

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a special library?

A) It usually contains all kinds of material.
B) It is only maintained by government organizations.
C) It typically does not permit access for any kind of research project.
D) It is usually not sponsored by private businesses.
E) It limits its collections to one type or just a few types of material.

Question 51

Which of the following is the defining characteristic of wikis as compared to other online meeting places?

A) They connect people.
B) They are basically collaborative collections of knowledge.
C) They provide a microblogging service to users.
D) They are frequently used as personal diaries or pages.
E) They can be public or private.

Question 52

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of an online library catalog?

A) It enables you to search the material in several ways.
B) It provides only non-indexed content.
C) It is the best source for primary research.
D) It increases a blog's rating.
E) It generates only archaic information.

Question 53

The Boolean operator NOT is primarily used to _____.

A) add variations to the basic search term
B) eliminate citations with a particular term
C) expand a search
D) segregate synonymous citations
E) broaden the scope of the search

Question 54

Primary research produces new information through the use of _____.

A) surveys
B) periodicals
C) brochures
D) digital publications
E) websites

Question 55

Which of the following is the primary advantage of social bookmarking websites?

A) They help users organize and store their favorite Web resources.
B) They ensure the credibility of the content posted on them.
C) They encourage users to conduct a search from scratch.
D) They block non-indexed content.
E) They increase users' blog ratings.

Question 56

Wikipedia is usually not used as a main resource for research because it _____.

A) can only be used for primary research
B) is written by and maintained by volunteers
C) gives only an interpretive approach to a research
D) utilizes electronic personal agents
E) cannot be used to learn about a new subject

Question 57

The sampling technique that gives every member of the group under study an equal chance of being included is known as _____ sampling.

A) simple random
B) referral
C) sponsored
D) convenience
E) purposeful

Question 58

When two search terms are linked with the Boolean operator OR, it _____.

A) narrows a search
B) eliminates citations with a particular term
C) performs bibliographic management
D) retrieves only those citations that contain both terms
E) adds variations to the basic search term

Question 59

When you are considering using information on a website in your own research, which of the following factors would be most important to consider?

A) Purpose
B) Visual elements
C) Validity
D) Structure
E) Format

Question 60

Which of the following is an advantage of using Boolean logic?

A) It helps to construct a hypothesis to test a very specific research question.
B) It ensures that the secondary data collected is accurate.
C) It ensures that the primary data collected is accurate.
D) It helps to get relevant Internet-based information.
E) It aids in conducting primary research.

Question 61

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of qualitative researchers?

A) They primarily deal with numeric data.
B) They use research tools that generate verbal data.
C) They are comparatively less interpretive than quantitative researchers.
D) They avoid using primary research methods.
E) They apply statistical tests to the data they generate.

Question 62

_____ are measures of central tendency, dispersion, ratios, and probability.

A) Inferential statistics
B) Nonnumerical statistics
C) Spreadsheet statistics
D) Descriptive statistics
E) Sample statistics

Question 63

Which of the following headings from a report violates parallelism of construction?

A) Managers prefer to communicate via mails.
B) U.S. employees waste a lot of time on social media sites.
C) A virtual team is preferred by overseas employees.
D) Employees everywhere form informal networks at workplace.
E) The recent recession has greatly affected the U.S. job market.

Question 64

During the report-writing process, in order to minimize errors while interpreting your information you should _____.

A) add color to interpretations to make the report more interesting
B) compare noncomparable data
C) make the facts more exciting than they actually are
D) refrain from collecting representative data
E) refrain from interpreting a lack of evidence as proof to the contrary

Question 65

Examine the following and identify the option that violates parallelism of construction.

A) Increase in variable costs
B) Rise in employee share ownership
C) Decline in sales
D) Production cost is increasing
E) Fall of the stock market

Question 66

_____ primarily measures a person's experience when interacting with a product.

A) Metasearch tool
B) Simple random sampling
C) Stratified random sampling
D) Systematic sampling
E) Usability testing

Question 67

Which of the following headings from a report violates parallelism of construction?

A) Wilson leading in sales productivity
B) Kennison has the best training record
C) White shows all-around competency
D) Cannon is the most stable player in this field
E) Dawkins has a mediocre record

Question 68

The difference between before-after and controlled before-after experimental design is that the _____.

A) controlled before-after design is meant specifically for primary research
B) before-after design is meant specifically for primary research
C) controlled before-after design involves not one group, but two
D) before-after design eliminates the possibility of other variables influencing the results
E) before-after design measures the variables to be tested before the experiment begins

Question 69

The decimal outlining system uses _____ to show the major sections in a report.

A) Roman numerals
B) Arabic numbers
C) letters of the alphabet
D) whole numbers
E) ratios

Question 70

Which of the following headings from a report violates parallelism of construction?

A) Increasing transportation costs
B) Recreation costs
C) Declining costs of clothing
D) Increasing food expenses
E) Increasing costs of housing

Question 71

If the information you have collected has some relation to geographic location, you should typically use a _____ division.

A) place
B) time
C) quantity
D) progress
E) quality

Question 72

In the absence of any grounds establishing Ms. Catherine Larson as a good credit risk, you conclude she is a poor risk and turn down her application for credit. Which fallacy is most likely to undermine the validity of your decision?

A) Irrelevant data
B) Acceptance of lack of evidence as proof to the contrary
C) Comparison of noncomparable data
D) Illogical cause-effect conclusions
E) Unreliable data

Question 73

Which of the following headings from a report violates parallelism of construction?

A) Assessment of production facilities
B) Consumer demands are high
C) Postal receipts remain unchanged
D) Necessary finances are absent
E) The product design is competitive

Question 74

The conventional outlining system typically uses _____ to show the lesser headings in a report.

A) Roman numerals
B) whole numbers
C) Arabic numbers
D) rational numbers
E) irrational numbers

Question 75

Examine the following and identify the option that violates parallelism of construction.

A) Slight increase in bank debits
B) Freight loadings increase slightly
C) Postal receipts remain unchanged
D) Retail sales reach new high
E) Construction activity stabilizes

Question 76

A study showed that women who were taking a particular kind of therapy also had lower incidence of heart disease. This led the doctors to believe that the therapy was protective against heart diseases. However, re-analysis of the data from the study showed that women taking this therapy were physically active and thus it was their lifestyle that made them less susceptible to heart diseases. Which of the following errors in interpretation is illustrated in the scenario?

A) Drawing illogical cause-effect conclusions
B) Comparing noncomparable data
C) Interpreting a lack of evidence as proof to the contrary
D) Coloring interpretation to make them appear interesting
E) Oversimplifying the data

Question 77

Which of the following is an appropriate practice for improving your interpretation of findings?

A) Comparing noncomparable data
B) Adding color to interpretations to make the report more interesting
C) Gathering information from groups that advocate a position
D) Using research to determine whether a cause-effect relationship is likely
E) Refraining from collecting representative data

Question 78

Which of the following is true of treating research participants ethically?

A) Participants in a research study have the right to informed consent.
B) Participation in a research study is compulsory.
C) People do not have the right to discontinue their participation at any time during the study.
D) Anonymity in a research study means that the participant's identity is known only to the researcher and participant.
E) Confidentiality in a research study means that the participant's identity is known only to the participant.

Question 79

Which of the following divisions is best suited for creating an outline of a report regarding the progress of a new manufacturing plant under construction?

A) Place
B) Quantity
C) Place-Quantity
D) Time
E) Quality

Question 80

The conventional outlining system uses _____ to show the major headings in a report.

A) irrational numbers
B) whole numbers
C) Arabic numbers
D) rational numbers
E) Roman numerals