Chaptter 20

Distinguish between a conclusion and a recommendation.

A conclusion is an opinion based on the results. A recommendation is a suggestion as to appropriate future action.

. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A research project is a failure if you can't communicate the results effectively. The written report has a huge impact on whether the information generated by the research is actually used. Reports are all that most executives will see of the project. A solid written report sends an important signal about the likely quality of the overall project.

Which of the following is typically NOT included in the introduction to a research report?

Description of the sampling frame and sampling plan

Which of the following is typically NOT included in the body of a research report?

Description of the sampling plan

Which section of the report is considered one of the most difficult to write?

Methods

A research report is NOT

incomplete when it is brief.

Definitions of unfamiliar terms used in the report should be defined in the

introduction

When it comes to discussing the limitations of the study, the writer should

provide a balanced account of the specific problems.

. Including too much information in a research report actually makes the report more usable.

False

. It is not in the best interests of the researcher to point out the limitations of the research to the reader.

False

. The methods, results, and limitations of the research project are presented in the introduction of the written report.

False

Completeness of the research report should be evaluated from the perspective of the researcher.

False

The most important part of a written research report is the appendix.

False

The most important part of a written research report is the introduction.

False

The most technically oriented material in the report will usually be found in the introduction.

False

When it comes to the actual writing of the report, you should use short paragraphs and long sentences.

False

Which of the following is TRUE?

One particularly helpful technique for securing conciseness in a research report is to read the draft aloud.

Which of the following is NOT true when presenting the results in the body of the report?

Tables and figures should be used sparingly because they can be included liberally in the appendix.

The most technically oriented material in the report will usually be found in the

appendix

Which of the following is NOT a common source of inaccuracy in report writing?

aulty data analysis

A written report may be considered incomplete because it

All of these are sources of report incompleteness.

The following items should be included in the sampling section of the body of the report EXCEPT

All of these should be included in the sampling section.

Which of the following is TRUE?

As a general rule, the research report with a wide distribution will require a more extensive introduction than a report for a narrow audience because a major purpose of the introduction is to provide the background information the reader needs to appreciate the discussion in the body of the report.

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Because the research report is all that most executives will see of a project, it is the basis for their evaluation of the research project.

Which of the following details about the sampling plan could the researcher reasonably exclude from the body of the report?

Calculations used to determine the sample size

Which of the following is NOT typically part of the good summary?

Important results

. Which of the following is FALSE?

In general, it is not desirable for the researcher to draw conclusions in the written report. Rather they should limit their reports to presentation of the facts and should let the reader draw his or her own inferences from this presentation.

Report writing should NOT be evaluated on which of the following criteria?

Inclusion of technically sophisticated explanations of data analyses

When developing a table to include in a report body, the following hint should be followed:

None of these are correct.

Which of the following best describes the essential goal of a complete research report?

Presentation of all information needed by the reader in easily understandable language

Which of the following is NOT a recommended guideline for the presentation of tables in the body of the written report?

Put the numbers to be compared into rows rather than columns.

Which of the following is NOT an aid in the crafting of a research report that meets the writing criterion of clarity?

Re-stating an important point in different words

Which section usually makes up the bulk of the report?

Results

Which of the following should NOT be included on the title page of a research report?

The cost of the project

Which of the following should NOT be placed in the appendix of the written research report?

The formal statements of the research hypotheses

Which of the following is FALSE?

The intended use of the research report does not affect the content of the report.

Which of the following is FALSE?

The introduction should not state the specific objectives of the research.

Which of the following characteristics should NOT affect the content of the research report?

The researcher's technical sophistication

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

The technical capacity of the reader is unimportant as far as the research report is concerned. Rather, the reader's interest is critical in determining the content of the report. An interested reader should be expected to overcome any difficulties he or she might have in understanding the report because of limited technical expertise.

Which of the following is TRUE about the technical aspects of a research report?

The technical sophistication of the report reader should act as a guide for the technical sophistication of the report.

Which of the following statements is FALSE about research reports?

They must be written at an 8th grade reading level or below.

An incomplete report probably means that you'll have to write supplementary reports.

True

Completeness of the research report should be evaluated from the perspective of the reader.

True

Definitions of unfamiliar terms should be included in the introduction.

True

Definitions of unfamiliar terms used in the report should be defined in the introduction.

True

Results that are interesting but irrelevant in terms of specific research problems should be omitted.

True

Tables, charts, and exhibits of other kinds can't replace text completely.

True

The appendix usually contains the most technically oriented material in the report.

True

The fundamental criterion by which research reports are evaluated is communication with the reader.

True

Using a good outline can help you achieve clarity, accuracy, and completeness in your report.

True

Accuracy in a report refers to

a. mathematical accuracy. b. grammatical accuracy. c. correct terminology. d. mathematical and grammatical accuracy.

The researcher's recommendations

a. should follow the conclusions in the report. b. are straightforward for strategy-oriented research. c. are less straightforward for discovery-oriented research.

The basics of the sampling plan used in the research project are typically presented in the ____ of the written report.

method

The research report writing standards are

clarity, accuracy, and completeness.

The researcher told his client that the data indicated a relationship between the weight of dogs and consumption of low calorie dog biscuits. The researcher's remarks were a

conclusion

To improve your writing,

read it aloud.

Completeness of the research report should be evaluated from the perspective of the

reader.

The most important part of a written research report is the

summary.

. A good summary should NOT contain

tables of data.