Question 1

Claire will be including large amounts of data in a business report she is writing and wants to ensure that the data are meaningful to her readers.What should she do?

Accepted Answer

Organizing the data into tables will help Claire present the data in a clear and easy-to-understand way for her readers. This can help ensure that the data is meaningful and not confusing. Writing a problem statement may also be helpful in providing context for the data, but organizing the data is a more direct way of making sure it is understandable. Asking for help on a social networking site is not a reliable or professional option, and omitting the data would not be appropriate if it is necessary for the report.

Question 2

The range for daily sales for the week, $89,000, $75,000, $98,000, $66,000, and $99,000 is

Accepted Answer

The range is the difference between the highest and lowest values. Therefore, the range in this case would be $99,000 - $66,000 = $33,000. Option A is the only one that matches this value.

Question 3

Determine the median of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.

Accepted Answer

To find the median, we must first put the numbers in order from least to greatest: 25, 25, 30, 45, 70. The median is the middle number, which in this case is 30.

Question 4

Numerical data from questionnaires or interviews are usually summarized using systematic columns and rows in a

Accepted Answer

Numerical data from questionnaires or interviews are best summarized using tables, which allow for clear organization and comparison of information in systematic rows and columns. Pie charts are better suited for displaying proportions or percentages of a whole, while bar charts are better suited for comparing different categories or groups of data. Flowcharts are used to demonstrate processes or workflows, and would not be relevant for summarizing numerical data from questionnaires or interviews.

Question 5

Orhan has been assigned the task of researching and recommending alarm systems for a new branch office.Some features are more important than others, and Orhan wants to be able to assign relative weights to each feature to make sure that he makes the best decision.He should use a(n)

Accepted Answer

Orhan should use a decision matrix to prioritize the different features of alarm systems. A decision matrix is a tool that allows him to weigh the importance of each factor and compare the different options based on those factors. This will enable him to make an informed decision about the different alarm systems and choose the one that meets the needs of the branch office. An organization chart or flowchart would not be effective for this purpose, and a pie chart would not provide the necessary level of detail for comparing and contrasting different alarm systems.

Question 6

Determine the mean of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.

Accepted Answer

To find the mean (average), add up all the numbers and divide by the total number of numbers.

30 + 25 + 25 + 45 + 70 = 195

There are five numbers, so divide by 5:

195 ÷ 5 = 39

Therefore, the mean of the given numbers is 39, which is option D.

Question 7

Determine the mode of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.

Accepted Answer

The mode is the number that appears most frequently in a set of data. In this case, the number 25 appears twice, which is more than any of the other numbers. Therefore, the mode is 25.

Question 8

The conclusions of a report

Accepted Answer

The answer of The conclusions of a report
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Question 9

The most widely read portions of a report are generally the sections devoted to

Accepted Answer

Conclusions and recommendations are the most important and widely read sections of a report as they provide a summary of the main findings and suggest actions to be taken based on those findings. The executive summary and letter of transmittal are also important but tend to be read by a more limited audience, while the table of contents, appendixes, and bibliography are mostly useful for reference.

Question 10

Which statement about conclusions is least accurate?

Accepted Answer

Report writers should aim to draw objective conclusions based on the data, rather than subjective ones that are based on personal biases or opinions.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a recommendation?

Accepted Answer

A recommendation is a suggestion for a course of action. Option A suggests instituting a wellness program as a way to encourage healthy habits among employees, making it an example of a recommendation. Options B, C, and D are statements of fact, not recommendations.

Question 12

What is the most accurate statement about correlations?

Accepted Answer

Correlations can indicate a possible relationship between variables, but it does not prove causation. However, it can be a useful tool to start investigating possible associations and lead to further research or potential solutions. Correlations should not be dismissed as worthless in statistical analysis.

Question 13

During his research, Brett notices that employees who dress professionally in the workplace have higher productivity figures.Brett has identified a possible

Accepted Answer

Brett has identified a possible correlation between dressing professionally in the workplace and higher productivity figures, as he has noticed that there is a relationship between the two variables.

Question 14

Which of the following is a conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Offering a wide range of benefits is the best way to recruit high-quality applicants" is a conclusion because it presents a final decision or opinion based on previous arguments or evidence.

Question 15

Much of the information that allows decision makers to run their organizations effectively comes to them in the form of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Much of the information that allows decision...

Question 16

Which of the following is most likely to be distorted by an extreme number at either end?

Accepted Answer

The mean is more susceptible to being distorted by extreme values, as it takes into account all the values in the data set. One extreme value at either end can greatly affect the overall mean. The other measures of central tendency, median and mode, are less affected by extreme values. Standard deviation measures the spread of data and may also be affected by extreme values, but not as much as the mean.

Question 17

To contrast responses of employees with children against responses of employees without children from a survey on attitudes toward on-site child care,

Accepted Answer

Cross-tabulation is the best choice to compare the responses of employees with children against employees without children because it allows for the creation of a table that displays the frequency of responses for each group, making it easy to identify any significant differences or similarities between the groups. The other choices (B, C, and D) are measures of central tendency and variability, which may not provide sufficient information to compare the two groups.

Question 18

Conclusions will usually be more objective if

Accepted Answer

Consistent criteria in evaluating options provide a clear and objective basis for drawing conclusions. Manipulating data, relying on personal experience, or using strong language can introduce bias and subjectivity into the conclusion.

Question 19

Which statement most accurately describes recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Beginning recommendations with an action verb provides clarity and directs readers towards the recommended course of action. Option A is incorrect because specific recommendations are typically more useful than general ones. Option C is incorrect because using words like "maybe" or "perhaps" can make recommendations less decisive and less effective. Option D is incorrect because recommendations are typically made after data has been analyzed and interpreted.

Question 20

Shauna has interviewed several of her colleagues to gather their ideas for improving productivity.She now has raw verbal data to analyze.What is the best tool to analyze raw verbal data?

Accepted Answer

The best tool to analyze raw verbal data is a grid or matrix. This allows for categorizing and organizing the data into themes or topics, making it easier to identify patterns and prioritize the most frequent or important ideas. Pie charts, line charts, and bar charts are visual presentation tools that are useful for displaying quantitative data, but not well-suited for analyzing or summarizing qualitative data.

Quiz 12: Informal Business Reports