Question 1

Which of the following model behaves like the real system but does not look like it?
A) Composite model
B) Analog model
C) Dense model
D) Iconic model

Accepted Answer

Analog model behaves like the real system but does not look like it. Analog models use mathematical equations and simulations to replicate the behavior of the real system, and are often used in engineering and scientific research.

Question 2

With ________,the performance of the system is checked for a given set of alternatives,rather than for all alternatives.Therefore,there is no guarantee that an alternative selected is optimal.
A) analytical analysis
B) descriptive analysis
C) optimization analysis
D) quantitative analysis

Accepted Answer

Descriptive analysis involves summarizing and interpreting data to understand patterns or relationships within it, without necessarily aiming to find the optimal solution among all possible alternatives.

Question 3

Which of the following involves finding or developing and analyzing possible courses of action in a decision making phase?
A) Consultation phase
B) Communication phase
C) Intelligence phase
D) Design phase

Accepted Answer

The design phase involves finding or developing and analyzing possible courses of action in a decision making phase. This is the phase where options are evaluated and a plan of action is created. The other options listed - consultation phase, communication phase, and intelligence phase - do not specifically involve analyzing possible courses of action.

Question 4

A ________ can help a decision maker sketch out the important qualitative factors and their causal relationships in a messy decision-making situation.
A) mathematical map
B) cognitive map
C) qualitative map
D) narrative map

Accepted Answer

A cognitive map is a visual representation of the complex relationships among decision factors in a messy situation. It can help decision makers to identify the cause-and-effect relationships and explore different scenarios to make a better decision.

Question 5

Groupthink tends to ________ the quality of decisions.
A) be detrimental to
B) improve
C) prolong
D) complicate

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a phenomenon where a group of people tends to conform to the group's dominant ideas and decisions, which can lead to a deterioration in the quality of decisions. This is because there may be no critical evaluation of ideas, and dissenting views may be suppressed. Therefore, groupthink is detrimental to the quality of decisions.

Question 6

The usual reasons for ________ are time pressures and recognition that the marginal benefit of a better solution is not worth the marginal cost to obtain it
A) satisficing
B) settling
C) compromising
D) rationalizing

Accepted Answer

Satisficing is the concept of accepting a less-than-optimal solution that meets the minimum requirements or standards. The statement suggests that the decision-maker is under time pressures and does not see the value in investing more resources to find a better solution. Thus, the decision-maker could opt for satisficing as a strategy to resolve the issue with minimal effort.

Question 7

Decision making that involves too much information may lead to a condition known as _______.
A) groupthink
B) information overload
C) experimentation
D) over assumption

Accepted Answer

Information overload occurs when there is too much data available to process and it becomes difficult to make a decision. This can lead to confusion, anxiety, and decision paralysis.

Question 8

Different decision styles require different types of support.A major factor that determines the type of required support is whether the decision maker is ________.
A) autocratic
B) consultative
C) an individual or a group
D) democratic

Accepted Answer

The type of support required for a decision maker depends on whether they are an individual or a group. Autocratic, consultative, and democratic decision styles are all possible for both individuals and groups, so these alone do not determine the type of support required. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 9

Which of the following,by definition,requires a decision maker to consider the impact of each alternative course of action on the entire organization because a decision made in one area may have significant effects in other areas?
A) Satisfaction
B) Worst-case
C) Feasibility
D) Optimization

Accepted Answer

Optimization requires a decision maker to consider the impact of each alternative course of action on the entire organization because a decision made in one area may have significant effects in other areas. This is because optimization involves finding the best solution that maximizes benefits and minimizes costs or risks across the entire organization, rather than just focusing on a single area or objective. The other options, satisfaction, worst-case, and feasibility, do not necessarily require a consideration of the impact on the entire organization.

Question 10

Decisions are often made by ________,especially at lower managerial levels and in small organizations.
A) groups
B) management teams
C) individuals
D) computerized systems

Accepted Answer

Decisions at lower managerial levels and in small organizations often do not involve multiple decision-makers and are made by individuals. Groups and management teams are more commonly involved in higher level decision-making, while computerized systems may provide data and assistance in decision-making but do not make decisions themselves.

Question 11

There is a continuous flow of activity from one phase to the next phase in a decision making process,but at any phase there may be a return to a previous phase.________ is an essential part of this process.
A) Testing
B) Trial-and-error
C) Experimenting
D) Modeling

Accepted Answer

Modeling is essential in the decision-making process as it allows for the simulation and analysis of different scenarios and outcomes, facilitating a return to previous phases for adjustments based on new insights.

Question 12

A ________ describes the decision and uncontrollable variables and parameters for a specific modeling situation.
A) statement
B) model
C) program
D) scenario

Accepted Answer

A scenario describes the decision and uncontrollable variables and parameters for a specific modeling situation.

Question 13

The identification of organizational goals and objectives related to an issue of concern and determination of whether they are being met is the beginning of the ________ of decision making.
A) initial phase
B) intelligence phase
C) brainstorming phase
D) generation phase

Accepted Answer

The intelligence phase of decision making involves identifying goals and objectives related to an issue, gathering and analyzing information to determine whether those goals are being met, and identifying potential alternatives to improve performance. The other phases listed (initial, brainstorming, and generation) come later in the decision-making process.

Question 14

The ________ of a proposed solution to a problem is the initiation of a new order of things or the introduction of change.
A) method
B) implementation
C) approach
D) style

Accepted Answer

The term "implementation" refers to the actual process of putting a proposed solution into action, which often requires significant change or the initiation of a new order of things. While the other answer choices may be related to problem-solving, they do not explicitly convey the idea of introducing change or creating a new order.

Question 15

The Museum of Natural History in Aarhus,Denmark uses ________ to collect detailed information about visitors' use of the exhibits to help determine visitors' behavior to identify high-demand exhibits.
A) group decision systems
B) algorithms
C) RFID
D) expert systems

Accepted Answer

The Museum of Natural History in Aarhus, Denmark is using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to collect detailed information about visitors' use of exhibits. This technology helps the museum to determine visitors' behavior and identify high-demand exhibits. Therefore, RFID is the best choice among the given options.

Question 16

A(n)________ is a criterion that describes the acceptability of a solution approach.In a model,it is a result variable.
A) principle of choice
B) optimization variable
C) trade-off
D) worst-case criterion

Accepted Answer

A principle of choice is a criterion that describes the acceptability of a solution approach in decision-making models, guiding the selection of the most appropriate solution based on defined criteria.

Question 17

Which of the following is a study of the effect of a change in one or more input variables on a proposed solution?
A) Sensitivity analysis
B) Boundary analysis
C) Fish bone analysis
D) Input-output analysis

Accepted Answer

Sensitivity analysis is specifically focused on examining the impact of changes to input variables on a proposed solution. Boundary analysis is a technique for identifying potential errors or issues in the edges or boundaries of a system. Fish bone analysis (also known as Ishikawa or cause-and-effect analysis) is a method for identifying root causes of problems or issues. Input-output analysis is a method for examining the interrelationships between different sectors of an economy. Therefore, (A) sensitivity analysis is the best choice for the given definition.

Question 18

Which of the following is a physical replica of a system,usually on a different scale from the original?
A) Complex model
B) Iconic model
C) Duplicated model
D) Composite model

Accepted Answer

An iconic model is a physical replica of a system, usually on a different scale from the original.

Question 19

Which of the following describes normative models?
A) These models are based on anomalies in rational decision making.
B) They are models in which the chosen alternative is demonstrably the best of all possible alternatives.
C) They are models based on the phenomenon of preference reversal.
D) They lead to an approach known as suboptimization.

Accepted Answer

Normative models are models that prescribe the best course of action based on certain criteria or objectives. They are often used in decision-making contexts where the decision requires the identification of the best alternative among a set of options. Normative models aim to identify the option that is demonstrably the best of all possible alternatives. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because anomalies in rational decision-making are the basis of descriptive models. Option C is incorrect because preference reversal is a phenomenon that occurs in decision-making, but it is not the basis of normative models. Option D is incorrect because suboptimization is an approach that seeks to optimize a particular goal or objective but may not lead to the best overall outcome.

Question 20

"Thinking with your gut" is a heuristic approach to decision making that would work best for ________.
A) amateur chefs
B) payroll processors and accountants
C) experienced firefighters and military personnel on the battlefield
D) structured decision situations

Accepted Answer

"Thinking with your gut" refers to making decisions based on intuition and experience rather than systematic analysis. Experienced firefighters and military personnel often rely on their instincts and quick judgments in high-pressure, rapidly changing situations where there is no time for a detailed analysis, making this approach suitable for them.

Quiz 2: Decision Making, Systems, Modeling, and Support

Which of the following model behaves like the real system but does not look like it?

With ________,the performance of the system is checked for a given set of alternatives,rather than for all alternatives.Therefore,there is no guarantee that an alternative selected is optimal.

Which of the following involves finding or developing and analyzing possible courses of action in a decision making phase?

A ________ can help a decision maker sketch out the important qualitative factors and their causal relationships in a messy decision-making situation.

Groupthink tends to ________ the quality of decisions.

The usual reasons for ________ are time pressures and recognition that the marginal benefit of a better solution is not worth the marginal cost to obtain it

Decision making that involves too much information may lead to a condition known as _______.

Different decision styles require different types of support.A major factor that determines the type of required support is whether the decision maker is ________.

Which of the following,by definition,requires a decision maker to consider the impact of each alternative course of action on the entire organization because a decision made in one area may have significant effects in other areas?

Decisions are often made by ________,especially at lower managerial levels and in small organizations.

There is a continuous flow of activity from one phase to the next phase in a decision making process,but at any phase there may be a return to a previous phase.________ is an essential part of this process.

A ________ describes the decision and uncontrollable variables and parameters for a specific modeling situation.

The identification of organizational goals and objectives related to an issue of concern and determination of whether they are being met is the beginning of the ________ of decision making.

The ________ of a proposed solution to a problem is the initiation of a new order of things or the introduction of change.

The Museum of Natural History in Aarhus,Denmark uses ________ to collect detailed information about visitors' use of the exhibits to help determine visitors' behavior to identify high-demand exhibits.

A(n) ________ is a criterion that describes the acceptability of a solution approach.In a model,it is a result variable.

Which of the following is a study of the effect of a change in one or more input variables on a proposed solution?

Which of the following is a physical replica of a system,usually on a different scale from the original?

Which of the following describes normative models?

"Thinking with your gut" is a heuristic approach to decision making that would work best for ________.