Question 1

A continuous variable is one that can take on a range of values that correspond to some quantitative amount.

Accepted Answer

A continuous variable does not have fixed, distinct categories, but instead can take on any value within a certain range. Examples include height, weight, and temperature.

Question 2

Income is an example of a variable.

Accepted Answer

Income can vary depending on factors such as job, location, and education level, making it a variable.

Question 3

One of the best ways to identify the symptoms of a problem is to interview key decision-makers in the organization.

Accepted Answer

Key decision-makers in an organization have valuable insight into the day-to-day operations and can provide important information about any issues or symptoms that may be present. Their perspective can help pinpoint the root cause of a problem and ultimately lead to more effective solutions.

Question 4

A research proposal is a written expression of the key question(s)that a research user wishes to answer.

Accepted Answer

This is a decision statement.

Question 5

When a sudden change in the business situation takes place,it can be easier to define the problem.

Accepted Answer

When there is a sudden change in the business situation, it can bring clarity to the issue and make it easier to identify and define the problem. This can be because the change draws attention to an area of the business that was previously overlooked or reveals a problem that was not previously apparent.

Question 6

A research user's decision statements need to be translated into the research objectives of the study.

Accepted Answer

Research objectives are derived from research questions or decision statements made by the research user. They outline the specific goals and expected outcomes of the research project.

Question 7

It is easier to define the problem in recurring business situations.

Accepted Answer

Recurring business situations often have a well-defined pattern, making it easier to identify and define the problem. This can help in finding effective solutions and implementing them consistently.

Question 8

Research hypotheses express the research objectives in terms of questions that can be addressed by research.

Accepted Answer

These are research questions.Research hypotheses are much more specific and are declarative.

Question 9

When an interviewer asks: "Why do you feel that way?" during an in-depth interview,this is an example of a non-probing question.

Accepted Answer

This is a clarification question used when using a probing technique to identify symptoms.

Question 10

The problem definition stage of marketing research is the easiest stage of the research process.

Accepted Answer

This is far from the easiest stage because it can be the most complex.

Question 11

Multi-level analyses study variables measured at more than one unit of analysis.

Accepted Answer

Multi-level analyses examine variables at multiple levels of analysis, such as individuals within groups or groups within larger social contexts.

Question 12

Managerial action standards specify a performance criterion upon which a decision can be based.

Accepted Answer

Managerial action standards set a benchmark of performance that helps managers make informed decisions about employees, processes, and systems. By establishing clear standards, managers can compare actual outcomes against expected outcomes and determine where improvements need to be made.

Question 13

When the definition of the problem is unclear,the first step is to perform a situation analysis in an attempt to clarify the problem.

Accepted Answer

A situation analysis can help identify the root cause of a problem and clarify the specific issue that needs to be addressed.

Question 14

The term problem definition refers to the process of defining and developing a decision statement and the steps involved in translating it into more precise research terminology,including a set of research objectives.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately defines problem definition.

Question 15

Probing is an interview technique that tries to draw deeper and more elaborate explanations from a discussion.

Accepted Answer

Probing questions are intended to encourage the interviewee to provide more detailed and insightful responses, assisting the interviewer to better comprehension and reasoning.

Question 16

The unit of analysis for a study indicates the level of significance that will be acceptable for acting on the results.

Accepted Answer

The unit of analysis indicates what or who should provide the data and at what level of aggregation.

Question 17

The first step in the problem-definition process is to identify key problems(s)from symptoms.

Accepted Answer

This is the second step.The first step is to understand the business situation by identifying key symptoms.

Question 18

An independent variable is a variable that is predicted and/or explained by other variables.

Accepted Answer

This is a dependent variable.An independent variable is one that is expected to influence the dependent variable.

Question 19

Interactive techniques simply involve asking multiple what,where,who,when,why,and how questions.

Accepted Answer

These are interrogative techniques.

Question 20

A problem occurs when there is a difference between the current conditions and a more preferable set of conditions.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of a problem, where the current conditions are not ideal and there is a desire for a more favorable set of conditions.

Quiz 5: Problem Definition: Jump-Starting the Research Process