Question 1

When quantitative data are desired,________ and ________are more appropriate research instruments.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data involves numerical measurements and surveys and experimentation are the most appropriate research instruments to gather such data. Surveys involve asking a fixed set of questions to a large group of people, while experimentation involves manipulating variables to observe the effect on an outcome. Both methods produce numerical data that can be analyzed statistically. Observation and focus groups are more appropriate for qualitative data, which involves gathering descriptive information about opinions, behaviors, and experiences. Interviews can be used for both quantitative and qualitative data, but they are less standardized than surveys and may not produce numerical data.

Question 2

To be useful to the decision maker,the information system must have seven certain attributes.They are:

Accepted Answer

The attributes of a useful information system are relevance (meaningful and applicable to the decision maker's needs), timeliness (available when needed), flexibility (can adapt to different contexts), accuracy (free from errors and biases), exhaustiveness (covers all relevant aspects), consistency (uniform and reliable), and convenience (easy to use and access). Option C is the only choice that includes all seven attributes. The other options either lack one or more essential attributes or include irrelevant or contradictory ones.

Question 3

________ activities provide continuous information on political,social,and economic affairs internationally; on changes of attitudes of public institutions and private citizens; and on possible upcoming alterations.

Accepted Answer

Environmental scanning refers to the systematic and ongoing process of gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information from external sources to managers and decision-makers within an organization. Its purpose is to identify opportunities and threats and to help organizations adapt to changes in the external environment. It includes monitoring political, social, and economic affairs internationally, as well as changes in public attitudes and potential upcoming alterations. Other options are not related to the given context.

Question 4

The ideal size for a focus group is ________ participants.

Accepted Answer

Focus groups usually consist of small groups with approximately 7 to 10 participants. This size ensures a diverse range of opinions but also allows for sufficient interaction and discussion among participants. Larger groups may result in some individuals dominating the conversation while smaller groups may not provide enough varied views.

Question 5

Information collected for analysis with open-ended questions is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Open-ended questions do not have pre-defined response options, so the data collected from them is unstructured and refers to unstructured data. A is incorrect because secondary data is data that has already been collected and analyzed by someone else. C is incorrect because primary data refers to data that is collected for the first time by the researcher. D is incorrect because quantitative data is numerical data that can be measured and analyzed through statistical methods. E is correct, but B is a better answer because it specifically refers to the fact that the data is unstructured, while qualitative data can be structured or unstructured.

Question 6

Several tools can be used to capture underlying dimensions of social change.When Google announced the development of new software that consumers could download to their mobile phones and receive free turn-by-turn directions,investors fled traditional global positioning system (GPS)makers like TomTom and Garmin.Within hours after Google's announcement, Garmin's shares had dropped by 17 percent and TomTom's by 21 percent.This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Several tools can be used to capture...

Question 7

Firms are finding that about ________ percent of their customers abroad are dissatisfied with company products.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Firms are finding that about ________ percent...

Question 8

A research tool using a group of experts to rank major future developments is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A Delphi study is a research tool that involves a group of experts providing their opinions on major future developments or trends. These experts provide their input anonymously and in multiple rounds until a consensus is reached. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of potential future scenarios and can be useful for strategic planning.

Question 9

________ are usually conducted via questionnaires that are administered personally,by mail,or by telephone.

Accepted Answer

Surveys are specifically designed to collect data through questionnaires that are administered in person, by mail or by telephone. Interviews are conducted on a one-to-one basis in person or over the phone, whereas focus groups involve a discussion among a small group with a moderator. Competitive assessments and joint occurrences are not typically conducted through questionnaires.

Question 10

A(n)________can provide the decision maker with basic data for most ongoing decisions.

Accepted Answer

An information system can provide the decision maker with basic data for most ongoing decisions. It can collect, organize, and process data, providing timely and accurate information that can inform decisions. The other options listed are more specific and generally not as broad in their ability to provide basic data for ongoing decisions.

Question 11

Typically,Delphi studies are carried out with groups of about ________ well-chosen participants who possess expertise in an area of concern,such as future developments of the international trade environment.

Accepted Answer

The number of participants in a Delphi study can vary, but typically ranges from 10 to 30. This allows for a manageable group size that still encompasses a diverse range of expertise and perspectives. Larger groups may become unwieldy and less effective at reaching a consensus, while smaller groups may not provide enough diversity in opinions. Therefore, 30 is a good choice for a well-rounded and effective Delphi study.

Question 12

The intent of ________ data is not to amass data or to search for statistical significance,but rather to obtain a better understanding of given situations,behavioral patterns,or underlying dimensions.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data is collected to understand situations, behaviors, and underlying dimensions. It does not focus on statistical significance or amassing data, but rather on obtaining a richer understanding of the subject matter. Unstructured data may also be used for this purpose, but not all unstructured data is qualitative. Structured data is generally collected for quantitative analysis, which does focus on statistical significance. Primary data refers to data collected firsthand, but it can be either qualitative or quantitative in nature. Therefore, the best choice for the given intent is qualitative data.

Question 13

Toyota sent a group of its engineers and designers to southern California to nonchalantly observe how women get into and operate their cars.They found that women with long fingernails have trouble opening the door and operating various knobs on the dashboard.Toyota engineers and designers were able to comprehend the women's plight and redesign some of their automobile interiors and exteriors,producing more desirable cars.This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This scenario best fits the concept of empathic design, where designers and engineers gain a deep understanding of the user's needs, wants, and emotions to create more desirable products. In this case, Toyota's team empathized with women with long fingernails and redesigned their products accordingly.

Question 14

Of the following,which is a disadvantage of using the World Wide Web as a tool in conducting research?

Accepted Answer

Electronic research data can be vulnerable to confidentiality breaches if not safeguarded properly. This is a disadvantage of using the World Wide Web as a tool in conducting research.

Question 15

Systematic evaluation of communication for frequency of expressions is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Content analysis is the systematic evaluation of communication for frequency of expressions. Foreign market opportunity analysis and competitive assessment are not related to the evaluation of communication for frequency of expressions. Scenario building and joint occurrence do not directly relate to the evaluation of communication frequency.

Question 16

In order to stay close to their customers,proactive firms are developing ________.

Accepted Answer

Export complaint systems allow firms to receive feedback and complaints directly from their customers, which can help them stay close to their customers and proactively address any issues or concerns. Interviews, joint occurrences, content analyses, and Delphi studies may also be helpful for staying close to customers, but they are not specifically mentioned as proactive measures in the question.

Question 17

Many organizations put mechanisms in place to enrich the basic data flow to information systems.Three such mechanisms are:

Accepted Answer

Environmental scanning involves analyzing and monitoring the external environment for potential opportunities and threats. Delphi studies involve gathering expert opinions and forecasts. Scenario building involves creating hypothetical scenarios and testing them to assess their potential impact. All these mechanisms can help enrich the basic data flow to information systems by providing additional insights and perspectives on the business environment. Foreign market opportunity analysis, competitive assessment, interviews, focus groups, and empathic design are also useful mechanisms, but they are not listed as options in this question.

Question 18

Management at Christi's Car Rental was interested in researching consumer preferences when it comes to the type of car customers would like to rent.Management talked with knowledgeable people face-to-face and sought answers to very narrow questions.This is an example of a(n):

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an interview because management is talking directly with individuals to gather their preferences. Focus groups involve a small group of individuals discussing a topic, Delphi studies involve a group of experts providing input anonymously, surveys involve collecting data from a larger group of people, and observation involves observing behavior without direct interaction.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a research technique discussed in chapter 12?

Accepted Answer

Coding is not mentioned as a research technique in chapter 12; it is more commonly associated with data analysis rather than a data collection method like interviews, web technology, focus groups, or observation.

Question 20

Information based on numeric and statistical relationships is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data is information that is represented by numbers and is based on statistical relationships. Primary data is collected firsthand, while secondary data is obtained from other sources. Unstructured data is information that lacks a specific organization, and proxy information is data that is used as a substitute for actual data.

Quiz 12: Building the Knowledge Base Research Tools

When quantitative data are desired, and are more appropriate research instruments.