Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Interrogative techniques do involve asking what, where, who, when, why, and how questions.

Question 2

Symptoms need to be translated into a problem and then a decision statement.

Accepted Answer

Symptoms may indicate a problem, but they themselves are not a problem or a clear decision statement. The symptoms must be analyzed and translated into an actionable problem statement that can guide decision-making.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The problem definition stage is important for laying a strong foundation for the research and requires careful consideration and analysis of the research problem. It involves defining the purpose of the research, identifying the research questions, and determining the scope of the study.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Research questions are designed to express the research objectives in terms of questions that can be answered by conducting research.

Question 5

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 definition of problem 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.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

This is a commonly accepted definition of a problem - it describes the situation where there is an undesirable gap between the current state and the desired state.

Question 7

Sales, income, and age are examples of variables.

Accepted Answer

Sales, income, and age are all examples of variables. A variable is a characteristic, attribute, or feature that can vary or take different values. In statistical analysis, variables can be classified as either numerical (quantitative) or categorical (qualitative).

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

A decision statement is a clear and concise summary of the overall issue, problem or research question that a decision maker or research user needs to address. It outlines what needs to be addressed or solved, and sets the focus for the research project or inquiry.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of An absolute variable is one that can...

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Probing involves asking follow-up questions to encourage the interviewee to provide more detailed information or to clarify their previous responses.

Question 11

A point estimate is something that does not change.

Accepted Answer

A point estimate is a single value or statistic that is used to estimate an unknown parameter, such as the mean or proportion. However, point estimates are based on sample data and can vary from sample to sample, so they are not fixed or unchanging.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Managerial benchmarks specify a performance criterion upon...

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

This is actually the definition of a dependent variable. An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated or controlled in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 14

One of the best ways to identify the symptoms of a problem is to conduct a literature review.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the best ways to identify...

Question 15

The first step in the problem-definition process is to determine the unit of analysis.

Accepted Answer

The first step in the problem-definition process is to identify and clarify the problem or opportunity that needs to be addressed. Determining the unit of analysis comes later in the process.

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 refers to the specific object or entity that is being studied. It does not dictate the level of significance that is acceptable for acting on the results. The level of significance is determined by other factors such as the research question, the sample size, and the statistical method used.

Question 17

Conducting a situation analysis often requires exploratory research.

Accepted Answer

Conducting a situation analysis, which involves assessing internal and external factors that may impact an organization's performance, often requires exploratory research to gather information and identify potential issues or opportunities. Exploratory research involves gathering data through qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews or focus groups, to gain a deeper understanding of a situation or phenomenon. This type of research can be helpful in identifying key factors to consider in a situation analysis.

Question 18

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 often highlights a problem or challenge that needs to be addressed. This can make it easier to define the problem and take action to resolve it.

Question 19

It is easier to define the problem in business situations that are not cyclical.

Accepted Answer

It is actually easier to define the problem in business situations that are cyclical, as the patterns of the cycle provide some predictability and information for analysis. Non-cyclical situations may be more complex and difficult to understand or predict, making defining the problem more challenging.

Question 20

The situation analysis ends once researchers have a clear idea of the managerial objectives from the research effort.

Accepted Answer

Once researchers know the objectives of the research effort, they can begin to work on the research design, data collection and analysis process.

Quiz 6: Problem Definition: the Foundation of Business Research