T/F

'Grey literature' is a term used to refer to that area of literature concerned with ageism

False

1. Writing two separate project reports for two different audiences is always a complete waste of time

False

A hypothesis is simply a statement about what might happen

False

A line graph is a form of pictogram.

False

A well designed questionnaire should mean that any other form of data collection is unnecessary.

False

All observations are recorded on videotape for later analysis.

False

An academic study may be considered valid if the only literature selected is newspaper material

False

An exploratory study is one that is restricted to geographers.

False

An extensive list of references at the end of the dissertation shows that is has used theory effectively

False

At least with published secondary data you can always trust the source.

False

At the start of a literature search it is wrong to generate key words because they can bias thinking

False

Business and management research rarely strays outside its own boundaries to include such disciplines as economics, psychology, sociology and geography

False

Double-blind means that an editor will send a manuscript to two or more reviewers for their comments The identity of the editor will be withheld from the reviewers, so the review is blind

False

Ethnography refers solely to research designed to understand different cultures.

False

Even if you are not a touch typist, you will find the task of transcribing an audio-recording very quick.

False

Experimental studies are never used in management and business research.

False

Grounded theory is a deductive approach, theory being grounded in such continual reference to the data.

False

If a study is valid, it means that we get the same result if the study is repeated.

False

In most studies objectives are best set after deciding on methodology

False

In using secondary data we do not need to consider who was selected and how they were selected; we are only interested in the results.

False

It is never a good idea to combine deductive and inductive approaches to research It only leads to confusion

False

It is unacceptable to take a previous study and repeat some aspects

False

Large numbers of respondents are best interviewed in an unstructured way.

False

Literature searches are important to do at the start of a project; they do not continue throughout the project

False

Moderators should listen to answers and ignore body language.

False

Observation is used only in qualitative research.

False

Observers should listen to answers and ignore body language.

False

Only literature published in the last ten years should be included in the literature review

False

Participant is a very popular form of research method in management and business research.

False

Quantitative research is associated with two techniques: focus groups and in-depth interviews.

False

Questionnaires are generally used with qualitative research.

False

Research objectives will start with one of the words: what, why and how

False

Research philosophy means simply thinking hard about research

False

Research strategies should not be combined

False

Sampling for depth interviews and postal questionnaires is the same.

False

Sources such as voice and video recordings, pictures, drawings, films and television programmes, may not be called secondary data.

False

The case study in management and business research refers to the use of one organisation only as the research setting.

False

The informal nature of the unstructured interview means that you can always wear casual clothes.

False

The literature review takes place at the start of the project and then stops

False

The multiple bar chart is also known as a complex bar chart.

False

The overall purpose of management research is to establish new facts not develop new theories

False

The proposal will talk in the past tense; the final report is written in the future tense

False

Using the case study in management and business research is usually restricted to researchers who are employed in the organisation being researched.

False

A bell-shaped curve is also known as the normal distribution.

True

A disadvantage of secondary data is that it is produced for a reason that does not match your need.

True

A hypothesis is a proposition

True

Action research is concerned with the resolution of organisational issues such as the implications of change together with those who experience the issues directly.

True

An interview is the most effective way of collecting data where the questions are either complex or open-ended.

True

An open question is likely to start with, or include, one of the following words: what, how or why.

True

Comparison of proportions between variables use a percentage component bar chart.

True

Considering the number of articles, you stop collecting when you have enough

True

Continuous and regular surveys are those surveys, excluding censuses, which are repeated over time.

True

Epistemology concerns what constitutes acceptable knowledge in a field of study

True

In a pictogram, each bar is replaced by a picture or series of pictures chosen to represent the data.

True

In an interview you may test your understanding of the interviewee's response by summarising an explanation provided by the interviewee.

True

In focus groups the profiles of the subjects must fit the topic.

True

In structured interviews the researcher read out a list of questions from a prepared schedule.

True

In the inductive approach theory would follow data rather than vice versa as with deduction

True

In the process of peer review, reviewers comments are usually returned to the original author/s

True

Induction is often seen as the alternative to deduction

True

Interpretivism is an epistemology that advocates that it is necessary for the researcher to understand differences between humans in our role as social actors

True

Interviewers should receive training to administer structured questionnaires.

True

Interviews may be informal and unstructured conversations

True

It is a good idea to generate numerous ideas and develop them before choosing one in particular

True

It is generally accepted that 'research objectives require more rigorous thinking which derives from the use of more formal language'

True

It is good practice to give respondents the right not to answer specific questions.

True

Knowledge of questionnaire design is important as it helps to interpret secondary data.

True

Like all research methods, the key to a successful interview is careful preparation.

True

Moderators should always be involved in analysis and reporting for focus groups.

True

Most research projects require some combination of secondary and primary data to answer your research question(s) and to meet your objectives.

True

Objectivism portrays the position that social entities exist in reality external to social actors

True

Observation forms look like questionnaires.

True

One clue that you have covered sufficient in your literature review is when further searches provide mainly references to items you have already read

True

Participant observation is where 'the researcher attempts to participate fully in the lives and activities of subjects and thus becomes a member of their group, organisation or community'.

True

Positivism and interpretivism are research philosophies

True

Primary data becomes secondary data.

True

Qualitative data collection results in non-standardised data requiring classification into categories.

True

Qualitative data may also include the use of organisational documentation.

True

Quantitative data can be divided into two distinct groups: categorical and quantifiable.

True

Questionnaires are best pre-coded so that data can be easily entered into the computer.

True

Secondary data are used principally in both descriptive and explanatory research.

True

Secondary data have been selected for a specific purpose, which is probably different from the aim of the current research

True

Secondary data will never give information that can be used as it stands.

True

The critical review will need to show how the findings and the theories have been developed, or have been used, relating to the research that has gone before

True

The dissertation's study of the relevant previous published research should inform the research (s) and objectives

True

The main strength of longitudinal research is the capacity that it has to study change and development.

True

The positivist paradigm focuses on the facts or causes

True

The research objective will start with the word TO and common verbs in research objectives are: to identify; to establish; to determine; and to develop

True

The significance of your research and what you find out will inevitably be judged in relation to other people's research and their findings

True

The survey strategy is usually associated with the deductive approach.

True

The technique of brainstorming can be used to generate and refine research ideas

True

The terms dissertation and thesis may be different names for the same thing

True

Transcripts are a written record of spoken words.

True

Triangulation refers to the use of different data collection techniques within one study in order to ensure that the data are telling you what you think they are telling you.

True

Validity and reliability questions should be asked about every part of the study: for example the questionnaire, the interviewer, sampling, etc.

True

Well managed observation can be both valid and reliable.

True

When a variable is independent it causes changes in dependent variables.

True

Which research philosophy is 'better' depends on the research (s) you are seeking to answer

True

Within business and management research, the greatest use of questionnaires is made within the survey strategy.

True