Business Research Ch 3

Which variable listed below is the variable measured, predicted, or otherwise monitored and expected to be affected by manipulation of another variable? A. Criterion B. Moderator C. Independent D. Predictor E. Extraneous

A. Criterion

_____ is the process by which we test whether a hypothesis is capable of explaining the fact. A. Deduction B. Induction C. Exposition D. Empiricism E. Curiosity

A. Deduction

Which type of model allows the researcher to visualize numerous variables and relationships? A. Descriptive B. Predictive C. Normative D. Correlational E. Planning

A. Descriptive

_____ is said to denote observations and propositions based on sensory experience and/or derived from such experience by methods of inductive logic. A. Empiricism B. Scientific management C. Exposition D. Deduction E. Propositional research

A. Empiricism

_____ is a form of reasoning that draws a conclusion from one or more particular facts or pieces of evidence. A. Induction B. Deduction C. Empiricism D. Logic E. Association

A. Induction

Which of the following is a requirement for a deduction to be considered correct? A. Validity B. Reliability C. Inference D. Empiricism E. Conclusiveness

A. Validity

Concepts are more _____, while constructs are more _____. A. concrete; abstract B. abstract; concrete C. intangible; tangible D. conceptual; factual E. intuitive; logical

A. concrete; abstract

Bill often feels insecure about how others view him. To increase his feelings of self-esteem, Bill often buys expensive, luxury items. Self-esteem is an example of a _____. A. construct B. fact C. concept D. theory E. model

A. construct

Which of the following is NOT a condition of sound reasoning? A. defining the management dilemma B. identifying correct premises C. testing connections between facts and assumptions D. making claims based on adequate evidence E. All of the above

A. defining the management dilemma

A variable is said to be _____ when it has only two values, reflecting the presence or absence of a property. A. dichotomous B. discrete C. ratio-scaled D. metric E. continuous

A. dichotomous

Rachel is interested in learning the effect of using a celebrity endorsement on sales. The presence or absence of a celebrity endorsement is the _____ variable. A. independent B. dependent C. mediating D. criterion E. continuous

A. independent

Consider the following example: "Retail sales increases in the 2005 holiday season were below projections. Sales were disappointing because consumers were not confident about economic growth." This is an example of a(n) _____. A. inductive argument B. deductive argument C. empirical argument D. fact E. premise

A. inductive argument

The role of a model is to _____ while a theory's role is to _____. A. represent; explain B. explain; represent C. propose; prove D. describe; predict E. examine; experiment

A. represent; explain

Recently, several studies have sought to measure the extent of binge drinking among college students. Explain the meaning of an operational definition and develop a good operational definition for binge drinking.

An operational definition is one that defines a variable in terms of specific measurement and testing criteria. Binge drinking can mean different things to different people. The use of an operational definition will ensure that the measurement is consistent. An example of an operational definition of binge drinking is the consumption of 4 or more 12 ounce beers in a 2 hour period of time or the consumption of 3 or more 4 ounce glasses of wine in a 2 hour period of time. A poor definition of binge drinking would be the consumption of 4 drinks in an evening. This definition is poor because the amount or type of alcohol in 4 drinks could be inconsistent from person to person as is the amount of time covered in "an evening."

Recently, several states have passed "no texting while driving" laws, believing that texting is a major influence in the increase in traffic accidents, especially among younger drivers. Explain the meaning of an operational definition and develop a good operational definition for "texting while driving." Identify the omissions that would weaken your definition.

An operational definition is one that defines a variable in terms of specific measurement and testing criteria. Texting while driving can mean different things to different people. The use of an operational definition will ensure that the measurement is consistent. An example of an operational definition of texting while driving is "any use of a smart phone to read a received text or send a text while behind the wheel of a car that is turned on, regardless of whether that car is moving." A poor definition of texting while driving would fail to define 'driving' and whether the person texting is sending or receiving/reading a text.

Which of the following is NOT one of the conditions necessary for a hypothesis to be considered strong? A. Adequate for its purpose B. Addresses the presence of extraneous variables C. Testable D. Better than rival hypotheses E. All of the following are necessary conditions

B. Addresses the presence of extraneous variables

Which of the following is another term for dependent variable? A. Discrete B. Criterion C. Mediator D. Predictor E. Construct

B. Criterion

Which form of argument presents a conclusion based on reasons or proof? A. Induction B. Deduction C. Logic D. Philosophy E. Exposition

B. Deduction

_____ is a form of argument that purports to be conclusive - the conclusion must necessarily follow from the reasons given. A. Induction B. Deduction C. Logic D. Philosophy E. Exposition

B. Deduction

_____ variables product data that fit into three or more categories with specific assigned values. A. Dichotomous B. Discrete C. Operational D. Independent E. Continuous

B. Discrete

Which term below refers to a construct that is presumed to exist, but can only be inferred from data? A. Conceptual scheme B. Hypothetical construct C. Operational definition D. Confounding variable E. Extraneous variable

B. Hypothetical construct

_____ occurs when we observe a fact and ask, "Why is this?" A. Deduction B. Induction C. Exposition D. Empiricism E. Curiosity

B. Induction

1. Direct observation of phenomena, empirically testable hypotheses, and the ability to rule out rival hypotheses are all essential tenets of the _____. A. experiential method B. scientific method C. intuitive process D. strategic management process E. account planning philosophy

B. Scientific Method

A _____ is an image or abstract idea specifically invented for a given research and/or theory-building purpose. A. variable B. construct C. concept D. theory E. model

B. construct

Abstract concepts such as personality, need for variety, and materialism are often called _____. A. variables B. constructs C. concepts D. theories E. models

B. constructs

In the Southeast, the potato chip market share held by the Lays brand is 46%. This is an example of a(n) _____. A. research question B. descriptive hypothesis C. relational hypothesis D. explanatory hypothesis E. correlational hypothesis

B. descriptive hypothesis

James is entering data on client gender. Because the values entered reflect male or female, this variable is _____. A. discrete B. dichotomous C. continuous D. ratio-scaled E. metric

B. dichotomous

Jason is using the demographic variables of highest level of educational attainment (high school graduate, some college, college graduate, graduate school) and ethnicity (Asian, African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, other) to describe survey respondents. Both are examples of _____ variables. A. dichotomous B. discrete C. continuous D. dependent E. mediating

B. discrete

Because of the nature of induction, the conclusion can be thought of as _____. A. fact B. one explanation among many C. proof D. evidence E. empirical

B. one explanation among many

A(n) _____ defines a variable in terms of specific measurement and testing criteria. A. hypothetical construct B. operational definition C. dictionary definition D. conceptual scheme E. moderating variable

B. operational definition

Which of the following is an explanatory hypothesis? A. Young women purchase fewer meats than women who are 35 years of age or older. B. Sales of vegetarian foods vary by season. C. An increase in family income leads to an increase in the percentage of income spent on housing. D. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) experienced a record level of profitability in 2004. E. People in the South tend to rate the President more favorably than do people in the North.

C. An increase in family income leads to an increase in the percentage of income spent on housing.

Which term below refers to a bundle of meanings or characteristics associated with certain concrete, unambiguous events, objects, conditions, or situations? A. Variable B. Construct C. Concept D. Theory E. Model

C. Concept

Which term below refers to an event, act, characteristic, trait, or attribute that can be measured and to which we assign categorical values? A. Construct B. Concept C. Variable D. Schema E. Model

C. Variable

Jack observes his neighbor's purchase behavior with new automobiles. His neighbor purchases a new car every year and always seems to have a nicer model than the year before. Jack thinks the dealership must sell to his neighbor's fascination with new car styles. In this example, interest in new car styles is a _____. A. construct B. fact C. concept D. theory E. model

C. concept

A(n) _____ describes the interrelationships between concepts and constructs. A. hypothetical construct B. postulation C. conceptual scheme D. operational definition E. inductive argument

C. conceptual scheme

Variables that may take on values within a given range, or an infinite set are called _____ variables. A. discrete B. dichotomous C. continuous D. dependent E. mediating

C. continuous

Potato chip sales vary directly with the level of television viewing. This is an example of a _____. A. research question B. descriptive hypothesis C. correlational hypothesis D. causal hypothesis E. dichotomous hypothesis

C. correlational hypothesis

The statement, "Sales in Pacific Timber Products have increased in the past six months," is an example of a(n) _____. A. inductive argument B. deductive argument C. exposition D. research question E. proposition

C. exposition

All of the following are examples of dichotomous variables except _____. A. employed-unemployed B. male-female C. number of children in the household D. married-unmarried E. all of the above are dichotomous variables

C. number of children in the household

To be categorized as a customer, an individual must have a history of shopping at the establishment at least twice prior to the start of the study with expenditures of more than $10. This is an example of a(n) _____. A. hypothetical construct B. conceptual scheme C. operational definition D. dictionary definition E. mediating variable

C. operational definition

A _____ is a set of systematically interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that are advanced to explain or predict phenomena. A. conceptual scheme B. hypothesis C. theory D. diagram E. factual schema

C. theory

Which of the following can NOT be thought of as variables? A. Events B. Acts C. Characteristics D. People E. All of the above can be thought of as variables

D. People

Which of the following is another term for independent variable? A. Discrete B. Criterion C. Moderator D. Predictor E. Construct

D. Predictor

Which variable listed below is the variable manipulated by the researcher, thereby causing an effect on another variable? A. Criterion B. Mediator C. Dependent D. Predictor E. Moderator

D. Predictor

Which of the following activities can be used to describe the scientific method? A. Playing checkers B. Watching Jeopardy C. Playing chess D. Solving puzzles E. Investing in stocks

D. Solving puzzles

A case in research is . . .? A. an inductive argument B. a deductive argument C. a hypothesis D. an instance of what is measured in a hypothesis E. None of the above

D. an instance of what is measured in a hypothesis

An increase in hours of television viewing leads to increases in the sales of snack foods. This is an example of a _____. A. research question B. descriptive hypothesis C. correlational hypothesis D. causal hypothesis E. dichotomous hypothesis

D. causal hypothesis

Consider the following statements: "Inner-city household interviewing is especially difficult and expensive. This survey involves substantial inner-city household interviewing. The interviewing in this survey will be especially difficult and expensive." This is an example of a(n) _____. A. empirical argument B. inductive argument C. exposition D. deductive argument E. hypothesis

D. deductive argument

A customer is defined as a patron and a patron is defined as a client of an establishment. This is an example of a(n) _____. A. hypothetical construct B. conceptual scheme C. operational definition D. dictionary definition E. mediating variable

D. dictionary definition

Variables that are included because they are believed to have a significant contributory or contingent effect on the IV-DV relationship are called _____ variables. A. criterion B. predictor C. mediator D. moderator E. extraneous

D. moderator

Automobile is a(n) _____ concept, while service quality is a(n) _____ concept. A. abstract; objective B. subjective; objective C. intangible; tangible D. objective; abstract E. factual; perceptual

D. objective; abstract

Explain the meaning of deduction and induction. Provide an argument that exemplifies each form.

Deduction is a form of argument that suggests a conclusion from the reasons given. The reasons imply the conclusion. A deduction is valid if it is impossible for the conclusion to be false if the premises are true. Consider the following example. • Nordstrom employees receive a discount on all clothing purchases made at any Nordstrom store. • Sarah is an employee at the Nordstrom store in Thousand Oaks, California. • Sarah will receive a discount at any Nordstrom store. Induction is different from deduction in that it draws a conclusion from one or more facts. However, other conclusions could be drawn from the facts. For example, Burger King was featured on an episode of the Apprentice. Sales figures increased in the two weeks immediately following the episode. The conclusion is that the brand placement resulted in the increase in sales. While this conclusion is possible, other explanations have not been eliminated.

Which term listed below refers to a representation of a system constructed to study some aspect of that system or the system as a whole? A. Conceptual scheme B. Hypothesis C. Theory D. Diagram E. Model

E. Model

Which of the following is a correlational hypothesis? A. A decrease in the value of the US dollar relative to other currencies leads to an increase in exports. B. Education on the process of preparing meat for consumption leads to a decrease in the consumption of hamburgers. C. An increase in family income leads to an increase in the percentage of income spent on housing. D. Low interest rates resulted in a record year for real estate investment trusts (REITs) as individuals invested in real estate rather than other forms of investment. E. People in the South tend to rate the President more favorably than do people in the North.

E. People in the South tend to rate the President more favorably than do people in the North.

A variable that is assumed or excluded from a research study is a(n) _____ variable. A. criterion B. predictor C. mediator D. moderator E. extraneous

E. extraneous

What are the basic foundations of scientific attitude and why are these so important to a business researcher?

The basics of scientific attitude are imagination, intuition, curiosity, suspicion, anguish, the rage to know, and self-doubt. Each of these is important to the researcher in its own way. Without curiosity, the researcher would accept common rules-of-thumb. Intuition makes the researcher challenge accepted practice. Suspicion encourages the researcher to look of alternative explanations rather than accept what has been accepted in the past. Anguish encourages the researcher to search for understanding. The rage to know drives excellence in research, both in methodology and in execution of that methodology. And self-doubt makes it impossible for the researcher to rest on past laurels.

Metro University has set a goal to increase the percentage of alumni who donate to the university and to increase the average amount given by those who have donated in the past. Metro U hopes that holding special events at homecoming designed specifically for alums will result in an increase in donations. Consequently, it is planning a special Alumni Bash for homecoming night and invitations have been sent to students who graduated between 1975 and 2000. Identify the dependent and independent variables in the example. State a hypothesis using the information provided.

The dependent variable is alumni donations (percentage change in alumni who donate and dollar change in the amount given). The independent variable is the use of special events for alumni. A possible hypothesis is: Alumni who attend the special events are more likely to donate and donate at a higher level than those who do not attend the events.

Explain the essential tenets of the scientific method and why this method is important for business research.

The scientific method is an approach to problem-solving that is based on 1) direct observation of phenomena, 2) clearly defined variables, 3) empirically tested hypotheses, 4) elimination of rival hypotheses, 5) statistical justification of conclusions, and 6) a self-correcting process. It is important as a basis for business research because it ensures that the conclusions we state from research results from empirical data and that other conclusions have been eliminated through the process.