Chapter 6—Problem Definition: The Foundation of Business Research. All Answers

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1. A decision statement is a written expression of the key question(s) that a research user wishes to answer. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 107 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| C... B&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 2. 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. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 107 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 3. The problem definition stage is the easiest stage of the research process. F This is far from the easiest stage because it can be the most complex. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 108 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 4. It is easier to define the problem in business situations that are not cyclical. F It is easier to define problems in these situations. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 109 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 5. When a sudden change in the business situation takes place, it can be easier to define the problem. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 110 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 6. A problem occurs when there is a difference between the current conditions and a more preferable set of conditions. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 7. The first step in the problem-definition process is to determine the unit of analysis. F This is the further down in the process. The first step is to understand the business situation by identifying key symptoms. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 8. Conducting a situation analysis often requires exploratory research. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 112 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 9. One of the best ways to identify the symptoms of a problem is to conduct a literature review. F One of the best ways to identify the symptoms of a problem is to interview key decision-makers in the organization. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 113 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 10. Interrogative techniques simply involve asking multiple what, where, who, when, why, and how questions. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 113 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 11. Probing is an interview technique that tries to draw deeper and more elaborate explanations from a discussion. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 114 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 12. Symptoms need to be translated into a problem and then a decision statement. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 116 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 13. The situation analysis ends once researchers have a clear idea of the managerial objectives from the research effort. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 116 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 14. The unit of analysis for a study indicates the level of significance that will be acceptable for acting on the results. F The unit of analysis indicates what or who should provide the data and at what level of aggregation. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 15. Sales, income, and age are examples of variables. T PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 16. A point estimate is something that does not change. F A constant is something that does not change. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 17. An absolute variable is one that can take on a range of values that correspond to some quantitative amount. F This describes a continuous variable. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 18. An independent variable is a variable that is predicted and/or explained by other variables. F This is a dependent variable. An independent variable is one that is expected to influence the dependent variable. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 19. Research questions express the research objectives in terms of questions that can be addressed by research. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 120 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 20. Managerial benchmarks specify a performance criterion upon which a decision can be based. F These are called managerial action standards. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 122 OBJ: LO: 06-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 21. The greater the number of research objectives, the better the research. F Research objectives should be limited to a manageable number as it becomes easy to lose focus with too many. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 122 OBJ: LO: 06-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 22. A research proposal is a written statement of the research design. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 123 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 23. A wise researcher will not agree to do a research job for which no written proposal exists. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 125 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 24. Basic business research refers to research usually performed by academic researchers and supported by some public or private institution. F This is funded business research, which is usually basic research, but not all basic research is funded research. PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 126 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 25. Tables placed in research proposals that are exact representations of the actual tables that will show results in the final report with the exception that the results are hypothetical (fictitious) are referred to as surrogate tables. F These are called dummy tables. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 127 OBJ: LO: 06-06 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. A written expression of the key question(s) that a research user wishes to answer is referred to as a _____. a. problem definition b. decision statement c. research proposal d. hypothesis B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 107 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 2. An IT manager of a hospital needs to know the information technology needs of the healthcare providers and office personnel, so he decides to have research conducted. When he writes a list of key questions that he wishes to answer through research, what is he creating? a. research proposal b. written report c. decision statement d. hypotheses C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 107 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 3. When a researcher defines and develops a decision statement and the steps involved in translating it into more precise research terminology, he or she is involved in what process? a. hypotheses development b. research planning c. research process d. problem definition D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 107 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 4. Which of the following make defining problems more difficult? a. situation is recurring or routine b. a dramatic change occurs c. symptoms are scattered d. symptoms are consistent C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 108 OBJ: LO: 06-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 5. All of the following are gaps that represent problems EXCEPT _____. a. actual business performance is less than possible business performance b. actual business performance is greater than expected business performance c. actual business performance is worse than expected business performance d. expected business performance is greater than possible business performance B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 6. Which of the following is the FIRST step of the problem definition process? a. determine the unit of analysis b. identify the problem c. identify key symptoms in the situation d. determine the relevant variables C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 7. Once the researcher has identified the key symptoms and identified the key problem(s) from those symptoms, what is the next step the researcher will take in the problem-definition process? a. determine the unit of analysis b. write managerial decision statement and corresponding research objectives c. determine the relevant variables and how to measure them d. write research questions and/or research hypotheses B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 8. Which of the following is the LAST step of the problem definition process? a. write research questions and/or hypotheses b. determine the relevant variables c. determine the unit of analysis d. understand the background of the problem A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 9. All of the following are steps in the problem-definition process EXCEPT _____. a. identify key problem(s) from symptoms b. determine the unit of analysis c. develop dummy tables d. determine relevant variables C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 111 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 10. A(n) _____ involves the gathering of background information to familiarize researchers and managers with the decision-making environment. a. situation analysis b. exploratory review c. environmental scan d. preliminary analysis A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 112 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 11. A researcher is gathering background information to familiarize himself with his new client’s business environment. He is analyzing marketplace conditions and conducting interviews with employees of the company. This researcher is conducting a _____. a. gap analysis b. pre-research analysis c. basic analysis d. situation analysis D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 112 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 12. All of the following are helpful hints that can be useful in the interview process when attempting to understand the situation EXCEPT _____. a. develop hypotheses before conducting interviews b. develop many alternative decisions and problems c. think about possible solutions to the problem d. be open-minded A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 113 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 13. A researcher is asking managers and line workers questions such as what type of problems they experience, where they are most likely to experience them, who is responsible for them, and how the problems get resolved. Asking these what, where, who, when, why, and how questions to get a better understanding of his client’s business decision-making situation is an example of using _____. a. peeling techniques b. iceberg technique c. 80/20 techniques d. interrogative techniques D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 113 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 14. An interview technique that tries to draw deeper and more elaborate explanations from the discussion is called _____. a. probing b. peeling c. immersion d. ethnography A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 114 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 15. Which of the following is the most important question a researcher can ask when using a probing technique? a. How does that make you feel? b. Why do you think that is so? c. What has changed? d. What does _____ make you think of? C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 114 OBJ: LO: 06-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 16. Which of the following essentially answers the question, “What information is needed to address this situation?” a. dependent variable b. independent variable c. research objectives d. research design C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 117 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 17. When a researcher determines what or who should provide the data and at what level of aggregation, he or she is determining the _____. a. hypotheses b. research questions c. analysis technique d. unit of analysis D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 18. Which of the following is a possible unit of analysis in a research study? a. an employee b. a sales region c. a zip code area d. all of these choices D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 19. In research, anything that varies or changes from one instance to another is called a _____. a. variable b. constant c. category d. classification A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 20. A researcher is conducting an experiment in which different formats of a prospectus sent to prospective investors are manipulated. The format of the prospectus is considered to be a(n) _____. a. constant b. unit c. dependent variable d. variable D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 21. Something that does not change from one instance to another is called a _____. a. hypothesis b. constant c. variable d. category B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 22. All of the following are types of variables EXCEPT _____. a. continuous b. categorical c. constant d. dependent C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 118 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 23. A variable that can take on a range of values that correspond to some quantitative amount is called a _____. a. categorical variable b. continuous variable c. classificatory variable d. independent variable B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 24. What type of variable is "dollar sales volume"? a. continuous variable b. independent variable c. categorical variable d. classificatory variable A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 25. Which type of variable indicates membership in some group? a. continuous variable b. categorical variable c. lexicographic variable d. dependent variable B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 26. Categorical variables are also called _____ variables. a. independent b. index c. dependent d. classificatory D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 27. What type of variable is "gender”? a. continuous variable b. primary variable c. dependent variable d. categorical variable D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 28. A(n) _____ is a process outcome or a variable that is predicted and/or explained by other variables. a. primary variable b. absolute variable c. dependent variable d. independent variable C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 29. In the statement: "Years of sales experience is an important predictor of dollar sales performance," what type of variable is "dollar sales performance"? a. dependent variable b. categorical variable c. classificatory variable d. independent variable A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 30. A(n) _____ variable is one that is expected to influence the dependent variable in some way. a. primary b. interactive c. independent d. first-order C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 31. In the statement: "Years of sales experience is an important variable in predicting unit sales performance," what type of variable is "years of experience"? a. dependent variable b. independent variable c. categorical variable. d. classificatory variable B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 119 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 32. Which of the following expresses the research objectives in terms of questions that can be addressed by research? a. situation analysis b. dependent variable c. research question d. independent variable C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 120 OBJ: LO: 06-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 33. A statement such as: "Increasing price five percent will cause sales to drop by eight percent or more," is an example of a _____. a. hypothesis b. dependent variable c. problem definition d. research objective A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 121 OBJ: LO: 06-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 34. A specific performance criterion upon which a decision can be based is called a(n) _____. a. managerial action standard b. managerial benchmark c. unit of analysis d. standardized variable A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 122 OBJ: LO: 06-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 35. A statement such as: "If our new floor cleaner reaches a local market share of three percent after nine months of test marketing the product in Phoenix, we will launch the product nationally," is an example of a _____. a. hypothesis b. situation analysis c. managerial action standard d. problem definition C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 122 OBJ: LO: 06-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 36. A written statement of the research design is called a _____. a. research hypothesis b. research proposal c. research question d. research summary B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 123 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 37. Todd has prepared a document that includes the deliverables and a definition of the problem for a research client. In this document, he described how he will conduct a survey along with a schedule of costs and deadlines. What is this document called? a. research proposal b. research statement c. research blueprint d. managerial action statement A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 123 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 38. _____ refers to basic research usually performed by academic researchers that is financially supported by some public or private institution, as in federal government grants. a. Philanthropic business research b. Priority business research c. Underwritten business research d. Funded business research D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 126 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 39. Sharon is a management professor who received a grant from the American Management Association to study how employees make decisions in cross-functional groups. Sharon’s research is _____. a. applied business research b. dependent business research c. funded business research d. analytical business research C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 126 OBJ: LO: 06-05 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 40. Tables placed in a research proposal that are exact representations of the actual tables that will show results in the final report but contain hypothetical results are called _____. a. dummy tables b. surrogate tables c. interim tables d. placeholder tables A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 127 OBJ: LO: 06-06 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge COMPLETION 1. "What is to be measured in this research study?" is a fundamental question to ask at the ______ stage of a research design. 2. A _____ is a written expression of the key question(s) that a research user wishes to answer. 3. A(n) _____ occurs when there is a difference between the current conditions and a more preferable set of conditions. 4. A preliminary study of background information that led up to the current situation is called a(n) ______. 5. _____ is an interview technique that tries to draw deeper and more elaborate explanations from a discussion with a decision maker. 6. A researcher is studying purchasing managers to determine how they decide to use credit in purchase situations for their companies. In this case, purchasing managers are the _____. 7. Anything that changes in value from one instance to another in a research study is called a(n) ______. 8. Income is an example of a(n) ______ variable. 9. The variable that is measured to determine the outcome of the research process is called the ______ variable. 10. If type of promotional offer is manipulated in an experiment to determine its effect on consumers’ intent to purchase a product, the type of promotional offer is the ______ variable. 11. The research objectives of a study are translated into research ________ that can be answered by the research study. 12. A performance criterion that expresses what a manager will do if a criterion is achieved in a research study is called a(n) ______. 13. A written statement of the research design for a study is called the _____ . 14. Basic research usually performed by academic researchers and supported by some public or private institution is called _____ business research. 15. Tables in a research proposal which contain fictitious, but realistic, data of the likely outcome of the research study are referred to as ______ tables. ESSAY 1. Define problem definition and discuss factors that make defining problems more difficult. 2. What are the three types of gaps that may reflect a problem, indicating that research may be needed to assist a business in making some decision? Give an explanation of each. 3. A researcher has been hired by a business owner to help her understand why she is losing customers. List the steps the researcher should follow in defining the problem for this research study. 4. Devise a study that contains continuous, categorical, dependent, and independent variables and the research objective(s) of your study. Be sure to label each variable accordingly and identify the unit of analysis in your study. 5. Explain the difference between research questions and hypotheses. 6. What is a research proposal and how is it useful for both the researcher and the client? 7. How does a research proposal differ from the final research report? What is the best way for the researcher to let management know exactly what kind of results will be produced by the research? [Show More]

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