Table 2.15
An analyst notes the time that customer appointments end with a tax preparer that is assigned customers requiring only the 1040EZ form. The times indicated in the table represent the departure times of the first eight clients for one tax preparation specialist. The 1040EZ tax forms among the different customers are very similar. The tax preparer started the first return at 12:00pm.

-Which statement about Table 2.15 is best?
A) Learning effects are not present because the time between successive customer departures is not always shorter than the preceding time.
B) Learning effects are present, but the actual percentage reduction cannot be determined.
C) Learning effects are present because in general the time between successive departures drops.
D) Learning effects are present here, but the actual percentage reduction cannot be determined.

Question

Table 2.15
An analyst notes the time that customer appointments end with a tax preparer that is assigned customers requiring only the 1040EZ form. The times indicated in the table represent the departure times of the first eight clients for one tax preparation specialist. The 1040EZ tax forms among the different customers are very similar. The tax preparer started the first return at 12:00pm.
 
-Which statement about Table 2.15 is best?
A) Learning effects are not present because the time between successive customer departures is not always shorter than the preceding time. 
B) Learning effects are present, but the actual percentage reduction cannot be determined. 
C) Learning effects are present because in general the time between successive departures drops. 
D) Learning effects are present here, but the actual percentage reduction cannot be determined.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Learning effects refer to improvements in productivity that result from repetition and experience. In this case, since the times between successive customer departures generally decrease, it suggests that the tax preparer is becoming more efficient with experience, indicating the presence of learning effects. Option A is incorrect because the times between successive departures are not always shorter, which does not rule out the possibility of learning effects. Option B and D are incorrect because it is possible to determine the presence of learning effects based on the trend in departure times, even if the actual percentage reduction cannot be calculated.

Table 2.15 an Analyst Notes the Time That Customer Appointments End with End