Question 1

Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is less effective with decision criteria that are primarily qualitative and not quantitative. 
B)  It is less effective with decision criteria that are primarily quantitative and not qualitative. 
C)  Some readers may resist the bottom-line presentation of scores. 
D)  None of the responses are correct. 
A)  It is less effective with decision criteria that are primarily qualitative and not quantitative. 
B)  It is less effective with decision criteria that are primarily quantitative and not qualitative. 
C)  Some readers may resist the bottom-line presentation of scores. 
D)  None of the responses are correct. A

Question 2

which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to present your conclusions in a recommendation report?

Accepted Answer

A)  Rank all of the options. 
B)  Refer the reader to an appendix. 
C)  Present a compound conclusion. 
D)  Classify the options as either acceptable or unacceptable. 
A)  Rank all of the options. 
B)  Refer the reader to an appendix. 
C)  Present a compound conclusion. 
D)  Classify the options as either acceptable or unacceptable. B

Question 3

The results section of a recommendation report is most likely to contain which of the following kinds of information?

Accepted Answer

A)  analyses 
B)  data 
C)  suggestions 
D)  summaries 
A)  analyses 
B)  data 
C)  suggestions 
D)  summaries B

Question 4

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?

Accepted Answer

A)  a proposal 
B)  an incident report 
C)  meeting minutes 
D)  a job-application letter 
A)  a proposal 
B)  an incident report 
C)  meeting minutes 
D)  a job-application letter

Question 5

The excerpt below is the beginning of the results section of a recommendation report about exercise equipment for a new fitness center. What is wrong with the excerpt?
Results
In this section, we describe our research into the best exercise equipment for your new fitness center. We consulted Consumer Reports and Health Fitness and interviewed Dr. Hilda Candlish, exercise physiologist, to evaluate the type and quality of equipment that best meets your needs.
Treadmills
Treadmills are essential equipment for your fitness center, especially with the limited number of outdoor running trails available in your neighborhood. Johnsung Cardio Trainer, TreadTrainer SJ928, and the Pacer Elite 1100 are the most popular models ("Treadmills," Consumer, p. 102). Studies have shown these models to be the most effective for cardio health (Candlish). We also researched the ProTread 44 and Precision Treader models 24 and 28. We found that the SJ928 had the best overall performance ratings ("Treadmills," Consumer, p. 103) and is priced very competitively locally (Sportshoppe, GymTastic). We conclude that your center should purchase a dozen of these treadmills for zone C of our floor diagram, shown below.
Stationary Bicycles
Both types of stationary bicycles, recumbent and upright, should be available at every fitness center (Candlish). Though the TrueFitness 356 has the best fitness rating (Health), it has received low ratings for durability and reliability ("Latest," Consumer), and . . .

Accepted Answer

A)  Conclusions should not be integrated into the results section. 
B)  The advance organizer is not needed because each section begins with a subhead. 
C)  Because this is a recommendation report, text citations are not needed. 
D)  Task lists describing the methodology used should introduce each section. 
A)  Conclusions should not be integrated into the results section. 
B)  The advance organizer is not needed because each section begins with a subhead. 
C)  Because this is a recommendation report, text citations are not needed. 
D)  Task lists describing the methodology used should introduce each section.

Question 6

The introduction to a recommendation report should never mention your recommendations; only the recommendations section should inform the reader of your recommendations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations section of a report?

Accepted Answer

A)  The two sections are interchangeable. 
B)  Conclusions explain what the collected data mean, whereas recommendations list specific actions to take. 
C)  Recommendations explain what the collected data mean, whereas conclusions list specific actions to take. 
D)  Conclusions are directed toward your internal audience, whereas recommendations are directed toward your external audience. 
A)  The two sections are interchangeable. 
B)  Conclusions explain what the collected data mean, whereas recommendations list specific actions to take. 
C)  Recommendations explain what the collected data mean, whereas conclusions list specific actions to take. 
D)  Conclusions are directed toward your internal audience, whereas recommendations are directed toward your external audience.

Question 8

What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What fundamental question does the methods section...

Question 9

Which of these would be included in the front matter for a report?

Accepted Answer

A)  the introduction 
B)  the glossary 
C)  the executive summary 
D)  the recommendations 
A)  the introduction 
B)  the glossary 
C)  the executive summary 
D)  the recommendations

Question 10

What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What fundamental question does the results section...

Question 11

the methods section of a recommendation report answers the question "What equipment did you use in conducting this investigation?"

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report provides a summary of the report.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options according to specific criteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  problem-solving model 
B)  recommendation generator 
C)  decision matrix 
D)  flowchart 
A)  problem-solving model 
B)  recommendation generator 
C)  decision matrix 
D)  flowchart

Question 14

A consulting company hired by Best Builders has just completed a study to determine the best fencing for a condominium complex Best Builders will construct. The technical writer preparing a recommendation report of the feasibility study has compiled the following information to be used in the report:
Because the complex will be located in an environmentally sensitive area, the fence must visually enhance the property while blending in with its surroundings, yet at the same time adding a measure of safety. In order to keep monthly condominium dues as low as possible, the fence must not require a high degree of maintenance. Its minimum life should be 25 years, and it should cost under $70,000.
The options researched were stone, vinyl, vinyl-coated iron, and wood.
Both types of vinyl fencing will last up to 25 years, stone up to 50 years, and wood up to 15 years. Wood fencing must be painted or stained periodically. Maintenance for vinyl and stone fencing consists of occasionally washing with water. Based on two bids for each type of fencing, all types fall within the maximum allowable cost. Wood was cheapest, followed closely by vinyl. Stone and vinyl-coated iron were the most expensive.
We think the best course of action is to have a stone wall built by Masonry Builders, Inc., to enclose the new condominium complex.
What additional information is needed for the recommendation report?

Accepted Answer

A)  recommendations for each type of fencing 
B)  conclusions about each option studied 
C)  a budget 
D)  a task schedule 
A)  recommendations for each type of fencing 
B)  conclusions about each option studied 
C)  a budget 
D)  a task schedule

Question 15

Which of these questions does NOT need to be answered in the footnotes or discussion following a decision matrix?

Accepted Answer

A)  Why did you assign that particular weight to each criterion? 
B)  What are the most significant findings? 
C)  Why did you choose each criterion-or omit one the reader might have expected to see? 
D)  Why did you assign that particular rating to each option? 
A)  Why did you assign that particular weight to each criterion? 
B)  What are the most significant findings? 
C)  Why did you choose each criterion-or omit one the reader might have expected to see? 
D)  Why did you assign that particular rating to each option?

Question 16

In the recommendations section of a recommendation report, you should avoid recommending that the organization take no action, or no action at this time.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Into what two categories can criteria be classified?

Accepted Answer

Criteria can be clas

Question 18

In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion's importance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates...

Question 19

decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and imperative.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?

Accepted Answer

A)  to help readers understand the whole report and find the information they seek 
B)  to give readers answers to questions that the body of the report does not cover 
C)  to help readers know what sources to consult for additional information 
D)  All responses are correct. 
A)  to help readers understand the whole report and find the information they seek 
B)  to give readers answers to questions that the body of the report does not cover 
C)  to help readers know what sources to consult for additional information 
D)  All responses are correct.

Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?

which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to present your conclusions in a recommendation report?

The results section of a recommendation report is most likely to contain which of the following kinds of information?

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?

The introduction to a recommendation report should never mention your recommendations; only the recommendations section should inform the reader of your recommendations.

What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations section of a report?

What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report answer?

Which of these would be included in the front matter for a report?

What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?

the methods section of a recommendation report answers the question "What equipment did you use in conducting this investigation?"

the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report provides a summary of the report.

What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options according to specific criteria?

Which of these questions does NOT need to be answered in the footnotes or discussion following a decision matrix?

In the recommendations section of a recommendation report, you should avoid recommending that the organization take no action, or no action at this time.

Into what two categories can criteria be classified?

In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion's importance?

decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and imperative.

What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Technical Documents

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

Making Oral Presentations

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Exam 18: Writing Recommendation Reports

Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?

which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to present your conclusions in a recommendation report?

The results section of a recommendation report is most likely to contain which of the following kinds of information?

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?

The introduction to a recommendation report should never mention your recommendations; only the recommendations section should inform the reader of your recommendations.

What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations section of a report?

What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report answer?

Which of these would be included in the front matter for a report?

What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?

the methods section of a recommendation report answers the question "What equipment did you use in conducting this investigation?"

the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report provides a summary of the report.

What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options according to specific criteria?

Which of these questions does NOT need to be answered in the footnotes or discussion following a decision matrix?

In the recommendations section of a recommendation report, you should avoid recommending that the organization take no action, or no action at this time.

Into what two categories can criteria be classified?

In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion's importance?

decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and imperative.

What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Technical Documents

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

Making Oral Presentations

Filters