Chapter 4—The Business Research Process

1. A business opportunity is a situation that makes some potential competitive advantage possible. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge ...

1. A business opportunity is a situation that makes some potential competitive advantage possible. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 2. Negative consumer attitudes is an example of a symptom. T PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 3. Uncertainty in decision making means that the nature of the problem itself is unclear and is the most difficult decision situation. F This represent ambiguity. Uncertainty means that the manager grasps the general nature of desired objectives, but the information about alternative is incomplete. PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult REF: p. 50 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 4. The three types of marketing research are exploratory, descriptive, and causal. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 51 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 5. The purpose of exploratory research is to provide conclusive evidence for a particular business action. F Exploratory research is conducted to clarify ambiguous situations or discover ideas that may be potential business opportunities. It is not intended to provide conclusive evidence from which to determine a particular course of action. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 52 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 6. Descriptive studies are conducted with a considerable understanding of the situation being studied. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 53 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 7. Descriptive research often helps describe market segments. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 53 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 8. Correlation is sufficient evidence to determine causality in experiments. F Correlation is associated with concomitant variation, but that is only one piece of causal evidence--temporal sequence and nonspurious association are also necessary. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 9. Direct association means any covariation between a cause and an effect is true and not simply due to some other variable. F This is called nonspurious association. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 10. Absolute causality means the cause is necessary and sufficient to bring about the effect. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 56 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 11. When a researcher varies price levels and examines the impact on sales, he is conducting an experiment. T PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 12. Test-marketing studies are a form of experimental research. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 13. Exploratory research is typically conducted in the early stages of decision-making. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 58 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 14. The first stage in the research process is to define the research objectives. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 59 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 15. Forward linkage means the researcher must follow the stages in the research process in sequential order. F Forward linkage implies that the earlier stages influence the later stages and does not imply that the research process must proceed in any specific order. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 59 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 16. Deliverables is the term used when describing the expected outcomes of basic research. F Deliverables is the term used often in consulting to describe research objectives to a research client, which is applied rather than basic research. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 60 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 17. A directed search of published works, including periodicals and books, that discusses theory and presents empirical results that are relevant to the topic at hand is called a literature review. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 63 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 18. Pilot studies are a formal research method that produce precise results. F A pilot study is a small-scale research project that collects data from respondents similar to those that will be used in the full study. It can serve as a guide for a larger study or examine specific aspects of the research to see if the selected procedures will actually work as intended. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 63 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 19. One of the major advantages of observation studies is that they record actual behavior rather than relying on reports of behavior from respondents. T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 20. There is always one best research design for a business research study. F The researcher often has several alternatives that can accomplish the stated research objectives. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 21. Researchers shouldn’t draw conclusions from a sample. T Sampling involves any procedure that draws conclusions based on measurements of a portion of the entire population. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 66 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 22. Unobtrusive methods of data gathering are those in which the subjects do not have to be disturbed for data to be collected. T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 67 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 23. Coding is the application of reasoning to understand the data that have been gathered. F This is data analysis. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 68 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 24. Management is most interested in detailed reporting of the research design and statistical findings. F Frequently, management is not interested in detailed reporting of the research design and statistical findings, but wishes only a summary of the findings. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 68 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 25. A research project refers to numerous related studies that come together to address issues about a single company. F This is referred to as a research program. PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 69 OBJ: LO: 04-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Which of the following represents a situation that makes some potential competitive advantage possible for a business? a. business threat b. forward linkage c. symptom d. business opportunity D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 2. Janna discovers a market segment that is underserved by competitors’ products. For Janna’s company, this segment represents a _____. a. business threat b. business opportunity c. backward linkage d. test market B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 3. Observable cues that serve as a signal of a problem because they are caused by that problem are called _____. a. symptoms b. leading indicators c. forward linkages d. descriptors A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 4. Over the past five years, home values have been decreasing. This is an example of a(n) _____. a. symptom b. ambiguous situation c. descriptive hypothesis d. causal inference A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 5. _____ is the process of developing and deciding among alternative ways of resolving a problem or choosing from among alternative opportunities. a. Business b. Business research c. Decision making d. Verification C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 6. Which of the following means that the decision maker has all information needed to make an optimal decision? a. certainty b. ambiguity c. concomitant variation d. non-spurious association A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 49 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 7. In which situation do symptoms exist, but are subtle and few, making problem identification difficult? a. problem-focused decision making and conditions of high ambiguity b. problem-focused decision making and conditions of low ambiguity c. opportunity-oriented research and conditions of high ambiguity d. opportunity-oriented research and conditions of low ambiguity A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 50 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 8. All of the following are types of business research EXCEPT _____. a. exploratory b. selective c. descriptive d. causal B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 51 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 9. ____ research aims to clarify ambiguous situations or discover ideas that may amount to true business opportunities. a. Exploratory b. Preliminary c. Clarifying d. Descriptive A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 52 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 10. Companies, such as Kraft and Procter & Gamble, conduct research to clarify ambiguous situations or discover ideas that may be potential business opportunities. What type of business research is this? a. inferential b. causal c. descriptive d. exploratory D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 52 OBJ: LO: 04-01 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 11. What type of research is being conducted to answer the question: "What is the average age of our employees?" a. exploratory research b. focus group research c. descriptive research d. causal research C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 53 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 12. Which type of business research addresses who, what, when, where, why, and how questions? a. causal research b. exploratory research c. descriptive research d. proscriptive research C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 53 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 13. Which of the following seeks to diagnose reasons for business outcomes and focuses specifically on the beliefs and feelings respondents have about and toward specific issues? a. causal research b. diagnostic analysis c. concomitant research d. test-market B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 54 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 14. Which type of research allows decision makers to make causal inferences? a. exploratory research b. descriptive research c. causal research d. all of these choices C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 54 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 15. Which type of research is being conducted when a researcher conducts an experiment to answer the question, “Will shareholders respond favorably if we increase executive pay?" a. causal research b. exploratory research c. pilot study research d. descriptive research A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 54 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 16. A conclusion that when one thing happens, another specific thing will follow is known as a _____. a. diagnostic analysis b. manipulation c. causal inference d. deliverable C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 17. Which of the following should a researcher do in order to infer causality? a. recognize the presence of alternative plausible explanations for the results b. establish a sequence of events c. measure the concomitant variation between the cause and the effect d. all of these choices D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 18. Which aspect of causality deals with the time order of events? a. concomitant variation b. temporal sequence c. nonspurious association d. parallel sequencing B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 19. Jackie has noticed that when the temperature rises, sales at her clothing boutique also rise. This is an example of _____. a. concomitant variation b. nonspurious variation c. linear variation d. absolute variation A PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 20. Which type of association is said to occur when any covariation between a cause and effect is indeed due to the cause and not simply due to some other variable? a. nonspurious association b. spurious association c. concomitant association d. temporal association A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 55 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 21. All of the following are degrees of causality EXCEPT _____. a. contributory causality b. conditional causality c. absolute causality d. non-spurious causality D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 56 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 22. Which degree of causality means that the cause is necessary and sufficient to bring about the effect? a. first-degree causality b. absolute causality c. conditional causality d. contributory causality B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 56 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 23. Which of the following is the weakest form of causality but is still a useful concept? a. absolute causality b. contributory causality c. conditional causality d. secondary causality B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 24. Which of the following is a carefully controlled study in which the researcher manipulates a proposed cause and observes any corresponding change in the proposed effect? a. survey b. unobtrusive observation c. diagnostic analysis d. experiment D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 25. The Food and Drug Administration is targeting salt in processed foods as a health hazard, and some experts believe the agency will require food manufacturers to limit the amount of salt in processed foods. However, the reduction will occur in phases, with salt content being reduced in steps so that consumers will be weaned off of salt gradually. Carefully controlled research studies are underway in which the salt levels are varied and consumers’ reactions to the taste are measured. This research is an example of a(n) _____. a. exploratory study b. descriptive study c. experiment d. diagnostic analysis C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 26. The proposed cause which the researcher controls by manipulating its value in an experiment is referred to as a(n) _____. a. experimental variable b. dependent variable c. endogenous variable d. concomitant variable A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 27. _____ means that the researcher alters the level of the experimental variable in specific increments. a. Causality b. Testing c. Analyzing d. Manipulation D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 57 OBJ: LO: 04-02 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 28. Which of the following is the first stage of the business research process? a. planning a research design b. defining the research objectives c. analyzing the data d. planning a sample B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 59 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 29. All of the following are stages in the research process EXCEPT _____. a. analyzing data b. formulating conclusions and preparing a report c. demonstrating causality d. planning a sample C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 59 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 30. The idea that the objectives of a research study will determine the composition of the sample to be used in the study is an example of _____. a. backward linkage b. concomitant variation c. forward linkage d. program strategy C PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 59 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 31. The goals that researchers intend to achieve by conducting research as referred to as _____. a. results b. causal inferences c. research outcomes d. research objectives D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 60 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 32. In research conducted for a specific client, research objectives are often referred to as _____. a. deliverables b. take-aways c. conclusions d. action items A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 60 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 33. What type of research is being conducted to answer the question: "Would this target market be interested in this type of new product?" a. causal research b. exploratory research c. situation analysis research d. descriptive research B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 62 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 34. All of the following are examples of exploratory research techniques EXCEPT _____. a. previous research b. pilot studies c. case studies d. experimentation D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 62 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 35. Before designing a research study on employees’ susceptibility to interpersonal influence when faced with an ethical dilemma, Cindy is searching for other studies that have addressed similar issues. This search is called a(n) _____. a. pilot study b. experiment c. preliminary analysis d. literature review D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 63 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 36. The Small Business Development Center is conducting an email survey with 25 of its client small businesses to examine the use of mobile marketing applications. This is a precursor to a larger study in which the questionnaire will be sent nationwide to more than 1,000 similar small businesses. This initial small-scale project is known as a _____. a. testing study b. pilot study c. preliminary study d. test market B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 63 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 37. Which of the following refers to a small-scale study in which the results are only preliminary and intended only to assist in design of a subsequent study? a. pretest b. focus group c. primary test d. preliminary study A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 63 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 38. Carol was invited to participate in a research study along with ten other employees to discuss their experiences using the company intranet. The group was asked to discuss their experiences and were encouraged to feed on each other’s comments. What is this type of study called? a. multivariate research b. literature review c. pretest d. focus group interview D PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 63 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 39. The _____ is a master plan that specifies the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the needed information. a. research design b. research objective c. research program d. sample plan A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 64 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 40. The most common way to generate primary data in business research is by means of _____. a. experimentation b. surveys c. observation d. focus groups B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 41. Which of the following is a research technique in which a sample is interviewed in some form or the behavior of respondents is observed and described in some way? a. experiment b. observation study c. survey d. personal interview C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 42. Which of the following is a method of data collection that is used in surveys? a. telephone b. mail c. the Internet d. all of these choices D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 43. All of the following are examples of an observation study EXCEPT _____. a. a mystery shopper pretending to be a customer in a McDonald’s outlet b. a cable laid across the street that records the number of cars that pass a certain intersection c. determining how long employees spend taking breaks to smoke cigarettes d. a consumer responding to a questionnaire about advertising D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 44. An employee who pretends to be a customer in order to observe the sales behavior of a clerk at a cosmetics counter in a department store is called a(n) _____. a. secondary data researcher b. mystery shopper c. pilot researcher d. undercover researcher B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 65 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 45. Which of the following involves any procedure that draws conclusions based on measurements of a portion of the entire population? a. sampling b. theorizing c. segmenting d. causal inference A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 66 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 46. When drivers are unaware that a machine is recording how many cars pass a certain intersection that is being considered for a site for a new Wendy’s franchise, this is an example of a(n) _____. a. obtrusive method b. unobtrusive method c. experiment d. exploratory research study B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 67 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 47. A researcher has completed the fieldwork of collecting data, and now he is checking the data collection forms for omissions, legibility, and consistency in classification. What is this researcher doing? a. analyzing the data b. editing the data c. coding the data d. reporting the results B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 68 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application 48. The rules for interpreting, categorizing, recording, and transferring the data to the data storage media are called _____. a. edits b. hypotheses c. theories d. codes D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 68 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 49. Which of the following determines the appropriate analytical technique for data analysis? a. management’s information requirements b. characteristics of the research design c. nature of the data gathered d. all of these choices D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy REF: p. 68 OBJ: LO: 04-03 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Comprehension 50. When the researcher has only one or a small number of research objectives that can be addressed in a single study, that study is referred to as a _____. a. research project b. research program c. research assessment d. research snapshot A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 68 OBJ: LO: 04-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 51. When a researcher conducts numerous related studies that come together to address multiple, related research objectives, we refer to this as a research _____. a. agenda b. project c. program d. conglomeration C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 69 OBJ: LO: 04-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Knowledge 52. Managers at Procter & Gamble view business research at a strategic planning level, particularly for product-related decisions. Therefore, the company conducts numerous related studies that come together to help in their product planning decisions. This is referred to as a ____. a. research project b. research program c. research philosophy d. research integration B PTS: 1 DIF: Hard REF: p. 69 OBJ: LO: 04-04 NAT: AACSB Reflective Thinking| CB&E Model Research| Blooms Application COMPLETION 1. _____ are observable cues that serve as a signal of a problem because they are caused by that problem. 2. _____ research aims to clarify ambiguous situations. 3. A research design that is intended to describe important characteristics of a population (e.g. age, gender, income) is called ______ research. 4. Research that is conducted to identify cause-and-effect relationships between variables is called ______ research. 5. _____ association means any covariation between a cause and an effect is true and not simply due to some other variable. 6. _____ causality means that the cause is necessary and sufficient to bring about the effect. 7. A carefully controlled study in which the researcher manipulates a proposed cause and observes any corresponding change in the proposed effect is called a(n) _____. 8. The last stage of the business research process is _____. 9. The idea that later stages of the research process influence earlier stages of the research process is referred to as ______. 10. The goals to be achieved by conducting research are referred to as research _____. 11. In consulting, the term _____ is often used to describe the objectives to a research client. 12. Information from a research study conducted by the company last year assessing employees’ attitudes toward the company’s absenteeism policy is an example of ______. 13. A directed search of published works, including periodicals and books, that discusses theory and presents empirical results that are relevant to the topic at hand is called a(n) _____. 14. A small-scale exploratory research project that collects data from respondents similar to those that will be used in the full study is called a _____ study. 15. A plan that specifies the methods and procedures that will be used for collecting and analyzing data in a research study is called a(n) ______. 16. The most common method of generating primary data in business research is through the use of a(n) _____. 17. Any procedure that involves selecting a small number of people who are part of a larger population of people is called ______. 18. Methods in which research respondents do not have to be disturbed for data to be gathered are referred to as _____ methods. 19. _____ is the application of computation, summarizing, and reasoning to understand the gathered information. 20. The overall series of marketing research projects is called a research ______. ESSAY 1. Compare and contrast exploratory, descriptive, and causal research. Which approach is the best? 2. Explain how a researcher makes causal inferences. 3. Compare and contrast the three degrees of causality. 4. Your business research company has been asked to help a business understand why their sales are decreasing. Describe the procedure you should follow to address this research request and the type of business research you would recommend. 5. Explain the difference between a research project and a research program.