Chapter 12 - Research and Business Proposals and Planning for Business Reports)Chapter 12 (Research and Business Proposals and Planning for Business Reports

Who generally makes the request for research in the workplace? Multiple select question. 1. managers 2. the government 3. competitors 4. clients

1. managers 4. clients

When a chart is being developed, the key component is 1. white space. 2. planning. 3. complexity. 4. wording.

2. planning.

Which of the following are formatting guidelines for any kind of chart? Multiple select question. 1. Avoid using many bright colors. 2. Use lighter colors to represent the most important data series. 3. Avoid unusual fonts. 4. Make sure all text is horizontal.

1. Avoid using many bright colors. 3. Avoid unusual fonts. 4. Make sure all text is horizontal.

Which of the following conditions are met when a chart provides readers with sufficient information? Multiple select question. 1. Data values are provided at each point on the chart as needed. 2. The chart answers all possible questions that a reader might ask about the chart data. 3. The units of measurement are clearly labeled. 4. Readers can quickly grasp the meaning of what the chart is showing.

1. Data values are provided at each point on the chart as needed. 3. The units of measurement are clearly labeled. 4. Readers can quickly grasp the meaning of what the chart is showing.

What are reasons that documenting sources of information for business reports is essential? Multiple select question. 1. People will be using the report to make high-stakes decisions. 2. By law, your sources must be kept on file for 10 years after the research is completed. 3. When you are writing the report, you might need to refer to the source document again. 4. Accurate and complete documentation establishes that the report is credible.

1. People will be using the report to make high-stakes decisions. 3. When you are writing the report, you might need to refer to the source document again. 4. Accurate and complete documentation establishes that the report is credible.

Which statements about workplace research projects are true? Multiple select question. 1. Requests for research typically come from managers or clients. 2. Many companies have guidelines for using secondary research. 3. The topic of research and research methods are generally fully left up to the researcher. 4. You usually have some ability to define the scope of your research project.

1. Requests for research typically come from managers or clients. 2. Many companies have guidelines for using secondary research. 4. You usually have some ability to define the scope of your research project.

Tiffany was given a research paper assignment in her class. She had two months to complete the assignment but was eager to get started. She picked her topic that afternoon, spent the next two days researching, then began writing. Which of the following should Tiffany have done? 1. She should have spent more time considering her options for a research topic. 2. She should have started writing her draft before she finished her research. 3. She should have asked her instructor to narrow down the topic options. 4. She should have spent a week collecting research and then selected her research topic.

1. She should have spent more time considering her options for a research topic.

Which of the following guidelines for various types of charts is correct? 1. The slices in a pie chart should complete a whole (add up to 100%). 2. Line charts should have only five or six lines representing different data series. 3. In a bar chart, the baseline should always be an odd number. 4. In a pie chart, the largest slice should be centered at the bottom of the chart.

1. The slices in a pie chart should complete a whole (add up to 100%).

Which of the following statements are true for most surveys? 1. The survey should be short. 2. The best surveys address an average of three ideas. 3. The questions should be vague to generate unexpected answers. 4. The survey should be detailed enough to require the respondent's attention for at least 10 minutes.

1. The survey should be short.

What are some advantages of online surveys? Multiple select question. 1. They are generally readily available to survey responders. 2. The data can be downloaded automatically into a spreadsheet. 3. They deliver more accurate results than other types of surveys. 4. The surveys can reach a very large number of respondents.

1. They are generally readily available to survey responders. 2. The data can be downloaded automatically into a spreadsheet. 4. The surveys can reach a very large number of respondents.

Which of the following are resources for business research offered by most libraries? Multiple select question. 1. business periodicals 2. scholarly journals 3. confidential company reports 4. online databases

1. business periodicals 2. scholarly journals 4. online databases

Charts are useful for Multiple select question. 1. communicating numerical data. 2. providing detailed background information. 3. presenting complex data in a simple format. 4. presenting a memorable visual image.

1. communicating numerical data. 3. presenting complex data in a simple format. 4. presenting a memorable visual image.

Personal biases sometimes cause a researcher to do which of the following? Multiple select question. 1. interpret data incorrectly 2. ask the wrong questions 3. collect only data that supports the researcher's biases 4. consider too many opposing viewpoints

1. interpret data incorrectly 2. ask the wrong questions 3. collect only data that supports the researcher's biases

Charts are useful for Multiple select question. 1. presenting complex data in a simple format. 2. presenting a memorable visual image. 3. communicating numerical data. 4. providing detailed background information.

1. presenting complex data in a simple format. 2. presenting a memorable visual image. 3. communicating numerical data.

Decision makers depend on business reports to Multiple select question. 1. provide the correct information. 2. analyze the information properly. 3. slant data as needed to get approval for a project. 4. recommend actions based on the data.

1. provide the correct information. 2. analyze the information properly. 4. recommend actions based on the data.

To develop primary research skills for business communications, you should study Multiple select question. 1. statistical and quantitative analysis. 2. literature, history, and the biographies of successful entrepreneurs in various industries. 3. spreadsheet software. 4. library science.

1. statistical and quantitative analysis. 3. spreadsheet software.

To define research problems, the project's stated goals should be Multiple select question. 1. targeted. 2. achievable. 3. broad. 4. specific.

1. targeted. 2. achievable. 4. specific.

When creating a chart, you should consider the five most important elements, including Multiple select question. 1. the descriptiveness of the title. 2. the size and demographics of the audience. 3. the sufficiency of the information. 4. how easily a reader can process the information.

1. the descriptiveness of the title. 3. the sufficiency of the information. 4. how easily a reader can process the information.

When creating a chart, you should consider the five most important elements, including Multiple select question. 1. the sufficiency of the information. 2. the size and demographics of the audience. 3. how easily a reader can process the information. 4. the descriptiveness of the title.

1. the sufficiency of the information. 3. how easily a reader can process the information. 4. the descriptiveness of the title.

Because people use business reports to make high-stakes decisions, the research should be Multiple select question. 1. thorough and careful. 2. based on data gathered over weeks, months, or even years, if necessary. 3. broad enough to incorporate everything related to the topic. 4. tightly focused on no more than three or four primary objectives.

1. thorough and careful. 2. based on data gathered over weeks, months, or even years, if necessary.

Labels and legends on a chart should indicate Multiple select question. 1. what units of measurement are depicted. 2. what is being measured. 3. the name of the organization that sponsored the research. 4. the name and title of the researcher who compiled the data.

1. what units of measurement are depicted. 2. what is being measured.

Which of the following statements about numerical information in business are correct? Multiple select question. 1. Most business executives and managers do not need to communicate with numbers. 2. Business operating expenses, budgets, and customer behavior are expressed with numbers. 3. Few business activities and goals are described as numerical data. 4. Some management experts consider communicating with numbers to be a core competency.

2. Business operating expenses, budgets, and customer behavior are expressed with numbers. 4. Some management experts consider communicating with numbers to be a core competency.

Which two of the following are the most effectively stated research objectives? Multiple select question. 1. Analyze visitor complaints. 2. Determine why 80% of our hotel guests post negative reviews online. 3. Identify ways to provide advancement opportunities for our receptionists. 4. Collect up-to-date employee ratings and feedback.

2. Determine why 80% of our hotel guests post negative reviews online. 3. Identify ways to provide advancement opportunities for our receptionists.

Which of the following are advantages of secondary research in preparing a business report? Multiple select question. 1. It provides data specifically tailored to the project at hand. 2. It provides access to more sources of information. 3. It usually costs less than primary research. 4. It is usually less time-consuming.

2. It provides access to more sources of information. 3. It usually costs less than primary research. 4. It is usually less time-consuming.

Which of the following statements about lengthy surveys are true? Multiple select question. 1. They tend to draw in respondents, who will then provide more thoughtful answers. 2. They commonly are left incomplete by impatient respondents. 3. Respondents who are paid are more careful in completing them. 4. They provide more accurate data than a short survey.

2. They commonly are left incomplete by impatient respondents. 3. Respondents who are paid are more careful in completing them.

Which of the following statements is true about leading questions in a survey? 1. They help ensure that participants will answer honestly. 2. They manipulate participants into responding in a preferred way. 3. They make it easier to compare the results of various surveys conducted by many researchers. 4. They trick participants into answering dishonestly.

2. They manipulate participants into responding in a preferred way.

What is the main concern when using white papers in research? 1. They are meant to be used only within the organizations that produce them. 2. They tend to be biased. 3. They are difficult to find. 4. They are usually compiled by people with poor research skills.

2. They tend to be biased.

When is it better to use a chart instead of a table? Multiple select question. 1. When the goal is to convey precise data 2. When there is a relatively small amount of information being shown 3. When there is a large amount of information being shown 4. When the goal is to illustrate one main point or relationship

2. When there is a relatively small amount of information being shown 4. When the goal is to illustrate one main point or relationship

Which of the following statements about selecting a research topic is true? 1. You should spend at least half of your total time on writing the draft. 2. You should spend adequate time exploring options before selecting your research topic. 3. You should spend a couple of weeks collecting information before identifying your research topic. 4. You should go with the first research topic that comes to mind.

2. You should spend adequate time exploring options before selecting your research topic.

Typically, numerical information is most effectively presented through which two of the following? Multiple select question. 1. detailed, written text 2. charts 3. videos in which a person reads the information out loud 4. tables

2. charts 4. tables

If a survey question addresses more than one idea, Multiple select question. 1. people will perceive that the survey is short, and they will be more likely to complete it. 2. the results cannot be properly analyzed. 3. the respondent is likely to become confused. 4. the survey will deliver twice as much valuable data.

2. the results cannot be properly analyzed. 3. the respondent is likely to become confused.

When planning a research-based business report, you should talk with decision makers to ______. Multiple select question. 1. ask if any of them can take care of the research for the report 2. understand their main business goals 3. find out what they want the research to accomplish 4. determine what they expect from the report

2. understand their main business goals 3. find out what they want the research to accomplish 4. determine what they expect from the report

In preparing a business report based on research, the first step is to ______. 1. collect data from libraries and the Internet 2. understand what the decision makers want the report to do 3. decide what types of charts and tables will be the most useful 4. outline the main topics that will be covered

2. understand what the decision makers want the report to do

When presenting an audience with charts and tables and other numerical information, which of the following should be your primary concern? 1. Looking and behaving in a professional, businesslike manner 2. Carefully and completely explaining in detail what the numbers mean and how they all relate to each other 3. Emphasizing the message that you want the audience to remember 4. Delivering the presentation in a theatrical way to keep the audience interested

3. Emphasizing the message that you want the audience to remember

Why should the following survey question for the customer of a bank be rewritten? "How satisfied were you with our customer service and the interest rate we offer? (very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat unsatisfied, very unsatisfied)" 1. The respondent is not likely to have an opinion about this question. 2. It is a leading question. 3. It is asking about more than one idea. 4. The choices are ambiguous.

3. It is asking about more than one idea.

Which of the following statements about business presentations using numerical data are generally true? Multiple select question. 1. Most business managers are very good at communicating numerical information. 2. The basic mistake managers typically make in presentations is focusing on the message and not giving enough supporting data. 3. Most audiences will not remember a lot of statistics. 4. The main message in such presentations will likely not be numerical.

3. Most audiences will not remember a lot of statistics. 4. The main message in such presentations will likely not be numerical.

What is the central element that makes a chart effective and interesting? 1. The amount of data that was used to generate the chart 2. The degree that the chart differs from other charts 3. The message that the chart conveys 4. The chart's colors and other graphic components

3. The message that the chart conveys

In creating a business chart, the most important consideration is the 1. chart's secondary points. 2. ease in making the chart. 3. chart's takeaway message. 4. chart's title.

3. chart's takeaway message.

A survey would not provide a relatively easy way to obtain information from which of the following groups? 1. people who work for the same company as you do 2. people who have purchased your product online 3. people who are undocumented workers in a specific city 4. people who participate in an online forum for a professional group

3. people who are undocumented workers in a specific city

In preparing a business report based on research, the first step is to ______. 1. outline the main topics that will be covered 2. decide what types of charts and tables will be the most useful 3. understand what the decision makers want the report to do 4. collect data from libraries and the Internet

3. understand what the decision makers want the report to do

A white paper is 1. a magazine published by a specific industry. 2. an anonymous review of a specific product. 3. an in-depth investigation carried out by a journalist. 4. a report on an issue by an organization, often with a specific agenda.

4. a report on an issue by an organization, often with a specific agenda.

Which of the following is the best choice for conveying a large amount of precise data? 1. a bar chart 2. a Gantt chart 3. a pie chart 4. a table

4. a table

True or false: An important way of developing survey research skills is by conducting actual surveys. True false question. True False

True