Deck 6: Conceptualization and Research Design

Question 1

The process of developing a model is called _____.

A) theorization
B) structuralization
C) conceptualization
D) detailing
E) construction

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Enrique is identifying the variables for a research project examining the factors related to a company's Initial Public Offering (IPO) value. Once he has identified these variables, he will develop hypotheses, based on theory and prior empirical evidence, and after that, he will prepare a diagram that shows his hypothesized relationships. What is Enrique doing?

A) theorizing
B) hypothesizing
C) paradigming
D) diagramming
E) conceptualization

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Observable and measurable characteristics in a conceptual model are called _____.

A) constructs
B) dyads
C) variables
D) hypotheses
E) correlations

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A researcher is examining how pictures in an advertisement influence sales of the product advertised. It is hypothesized that concrete pictures will have a more positive impact on sales than will abstract pictures. Sales is an example of a(n) _____ in this research.

A) construct
B) indicator
C) independent variable
D) variable
E) moderator

Question 5

When several questions or statements are used in combination to represent a characteristic or concept, we call this combination a(n) _____.

A) variable
B) construct
C) indicator
D) moderator
E) mediator

Question 6

Some research has found that trust is important in predicting whether or not consumers will purchase a product or service via the Internet, so many online retailers use cues, such as Better Business Bureau and other trustworthy organization membership designation, to alleviate any doubts a potential customer may have with the merchant. When trust is examined in research, it is often measured using several different types of questions because it cannot be measure directly like age, income, or gender can. Trust is an example of a(n) _____.

A) variable
B) hypothesis
C) delineator
D) construct
E) identifier

Question 7

What is the biggest difference between a variable and a construct?

A) Constructs are based on theory, whereas variables are based on empirical evidence reported in prior research.
B) Variables predict constructs.
C) Constructs predict variables.
D) Variables are measured directly, whereas constructs can be measured only indirectly by the several indicator variables.
E) Constructs are hypothesized prior to data collection and generally emerge from the literature review, whereas variables result from data analysis.

Question 8

When developing a conceptual model, the researcher much think about two types of variables, which are ______.

A) primary and secondary variables
B) pre- and post-variables
C) cognitive and affective variables
D) moderator and mediator variables
E) independent and dependent variables

Question 9

Which of the following is a measurable characteristic that influences or explains the dependent variable in a research study?

A) primary variable
B) independent variable
C) moderator variable
D) exclusive variable
E) precursor variable

Question 10

It has been hypothesized that the hemlines of women's skirts are good predictors of the stock market. In this example, skirt length would be considered which type of variable?

A) primary variable
B) secondary variable
C) independent variable
D) dependent variable
E) nonspurious variable

Question 11

A variable that a researcher is trying to understand, explain, or predict is referred to as a(n) _____ variable.

A) primary
B) secondary
C) independent
D) dependent
E) moderator

Question 12

Several research studies have examined factors that increase a firms' return on investment (ROI). Factors such as size of the investment, size of the firm, economic conditions, and others have been found to reliability predict ROI. In this case, ROI is an example of which type of variable?

A) independent variable
B) dependent variable
C) primary variable
D) secondary variable
E) higher-order variable

Question 13

A _____is a formal statement of some unproven supposition that tentatively explains certain facts or phenomena.

A) hypothesis
B) theory
C) data point
D) research question
E) decision process

Question 14

The statement, "Employees who feel they are fairly compensated will exhibit higher job satisfaction than those who feel they are not compensated fairly," is an example of a(n) _____.

A) theory
B) hypothesis
C) decisive statement
D) declaratory statement
E) research question

Question 15

There are two important questions researchers must ask when developing hypotheses. The first is, "What group will be examined with the hypothesis?" and the other is _____.

A) "How big should the sample size be?"
B) "What variables are being tested?"
C) "How data should be collected?"
D) "What is the null hypothesis?"
E) "What alternatives must we consider?"

Question 16

The _____ hypothesis is that there is no difference in group means. It is based on the notion that any change from the past is due entirely to random error.

A) zero
B) common
C) nondirectional
D) null
E) alternative

Question 17

The _____ hypothesis is that there is a difference between group means.

A) null
B) alternative
C) common
D) directional
E) nondirectional

Question 18

If terms like "more than," "less than," "positive," or "negative" are used in stating the relationship between two groups or two variables, then these hypotheses are _____.

A) null
B) alternative
C) directional
D) nondirectional
E) different

Question 19

_____ hypotheses postulate a difference or relationship but do not indicate a direction for the differences or relationship.

A) Null
B) Alternative
C) Nondirectional
D) Directional
E) Non-differential

Question 20

Which of the following are systematic procedures followed to accept or reject hypotheses about certain patterns or relationships?

A) conceptual tests
B) conceptual models
C) statistical progressions
D) decisive models
E) hypothesis tests

Question 21

Which of the following refers to a meaningful link believed to exist between two variables or two constructs?

A) relationship
B) path
C) correlation
D) conceptualization
E) endogeny

Question 22

A(n) _____ is a diagram connecting variables and constructs based on theory and logic that displays the hypotheses to be tested.

A) rhetorical model
B) flow chart
C) conceptual model
D) diorama
E) primary model

Question 23

All of the following are basic elements of conceptual models EXCEPT _____.

A) unidirectional relationships
B) measured variables
C) error terms
D) significance levels
E) theoretical constructs

Question 24

Latent, nonmeasured composite or component variables in a conceptual model are referred to as _____.

A) primary constructs
B) secondary constructs
C) inner constructs
D) theoretical constructs
E) indirect constructs

Question 25

Theoretical constructs are represented by which shape in a conceptual model?

A) squares
B) triangles
C) ovals
D) rectangles
E) pentagons

Question 26

Which of the following represent the actual observations (raw data) in a conceptual model?

A) measured variables
B) outer variables
C) inner variables
D) theoretical variables
E) secondary variables

Question 27

In a conceptual model diagram, measured variables are typically represented as _____.

A) squares
B) triangles
C) ovals
D) rectangles
E) circles

Question 28

Error terms in a conceptual model diagram are typically represented as _____.

A) squares
B) triangles
C) ovals
D) rectangles
E) circles

Question 29

Which of the following represents predictive relationships that, with theoretical support, can be interpreted as causal relationships?

A) dashed lines
B) solid lines
C) single-headed arrows
D) double-headed arrows
E) double lines

Question 30

Which of the following represents correlations or covariances between constructs that are neither predictive nor causal in a conceptual model diagram?

A) dashed lines
B) solid lines
C) single-headed arrows
D) double-headed arrows
E) double lines

Question 31

With respect to a conceptual model, which of the following represents the latent theoretical constructs?

A) primary model
B) predictive model
C) inner model
D) outer model
E) relational model

Question 32

With respect to a conceptual model, the inner model is also referred to as the _____ model.

A) measurement
B) significant
C) structural
D) tested
E) empirical

Question 33

Which of the following displays the relationships between the theoretical latent constructs and the indicator variables?

A) primary model
B) secondary model
C) inner model
D) outer model
E) concrete model

Question 34

With respect to a conceptual model, the outer model is also referred to as the _____ model.

A) measurement
B) significant
C) structural
D) tested
E) hypothesized

Question 35

In a conceptual model, constructs considered as dependent are often referred to as _____.

A) determinant variables
B) exogenous variables
C) endogenous variables
D) ends variables
E) means variables

Question 36

Employee tenure, compensation, autonomy, and education are thought to be predictors of employee satisfaction in a conceptual model. Employee satisfaction is an example of which type of variable?

A) determinant variable
B) outcome variable
C) exogenous variable
D) endogenous variable
E) means variable

Question 37

In a conceptual model, any construct that has an arrow pointing to it is considered a(n) _____.

A) endogenous variable
B) exogenous variable
C) higher-order variable
D) conclusive variable
E) outcome variable

Question 38

Constructs that are always only independent variables are generally referred to as _____.

A) endogenous variables
B) exogenous variables
C) higher-order variables
D) means variables
E) outcome variables

Question 39

Which type of variables (constructs) in a conceptual model only has arrows pointing from them and no arrows pointing to them?

A) primary variables
B) first-order variables
C) endogenous variables
D) exogenous variables
E) primary variables

Question 40

Which of the following are represented by circles connected to the rectangles (indicator variables) in a conceptual model?

A) error terms
B) latent variables
C) primary variables
D) secondary variables
E) relational terms

Question 41

Which of the following statements are FALSE regarding error terms in a conceptual model?

A) There is an error term for each indicator variable.
B) An error term is included for a latent dependent construct because the specified independent variable constructs would never be expected to predict 100 percent of the variance in the dependent variable construct.
C) Error terms are represented by squares that are connected to the circles (indicator variables).
D) Errors are included in the conceptual model to represent the amount of variance not explained by the hypothesized relationships between the variables or constructs.
E) In some statistical techniques, the unexplained variance represented by the error terms is referred to as residual variance.

Question 42

Which of the following is a written description that integrates all relationships among the variables, explains the theory underlying these relationships, indicates the nature and direction of the relationships, and includes a conceptual model?

A) research design
B) conceptual framework
C) methodology section of a research report
D) hypothesis statement
E) literature review

Question 43

All of the following are guidelines for preparing a conceptual framework EXCEPT ____.

A) clearly identify and define the variables and constructs considered relevant to the study
B) prepare a conceptual model or framework to clearly illustrate the hypothetical relationships
C) clearly state the sampling unit, frame, and design
D) discuss how the variables and constructs are related to one another
E) if published constructs are used, report on their validity and reliability for both the published study and for your own research

Question 44

A(n) _____ provides the basic directions or "recipe" for carrying out the research project.

A) research design
B) research framework
C) conceptual framework
D) sampling plan
E) analysis design

Question 45

_____ refers to measurements in which numbers are used directly to represent the characteristics of something.

A) Descriptive data
B) Primary data
C) Qualitative data
D) Specific data
E) Quantitative data

Question 46

If a researcher is interested in conducting statistical testing, such as comparing the performance of different stores in a national chain of stores, what type of data will he or she need?

A) qualitative data
B) quantitative data
C) primary data
D) secondary data
E) complete data

Question 47

_____ represents descriptions of things made without assigning numbers directly.

A) Qualitative data
B) Quantitative data
C) Primary data
D) Secondary data
E) Interpretive data

Question 48

Focus groups in which 6-12 research participants discuss a specific topic of interest results in which type of data?

A) qualitative data
B) quantitative data
C) incomplete data
D) secondary data
E) interpretive data

Question 49

Quantitative data are more useful for _____, and qualitative data are more useful for _____.

A) discovering, testing
B) testing, discovering
C) small samples, large samples
D) discovering "hidden" motivations and values, tracking trends
E) long interviews, short interviews

Question 50

Compared to a qualitative approach, a quantitative approach _____.

A) provides more in-depth understanding of phenomena
B) is more useful for testing
C) is more useful for discovering hidden motivations and values
D) provides information on only a few characteristics
E) is a more unstructured data collection approach

Question 51

Compared to a quantitative approach, a qualitative approach _____.

A) places a greater emphasis on achieving reliability and validity
B) is more useful for testing
C) provides summary information on many characteristics
D) is more useful in tracking trends
E) is less concerned with representativeness

Question 52

All of the following are purposes or properties of a quantitative approach EXCEPT _____.

A) useful for testing
B) large samples
C) discovers hidden motivations and values
D) useful in tracking trends
E) results are relatively objective

Question 53

All of the following are purposes or properties of a qualitative approach EXCEPT _____.

A) provides summary information on many characteristics
B) interviewer actively probes and must be highly skilled
C) less concern for representativeness
D) results are relatively subjective
E) small samples

Question 54

When a researcher uses multiple raters to evaluate the same qualitative data point, he or she is assessing _____.

A) Cronbach's alpha
B) inter-rater reliability
C) construct validity
D) nomological validity
E) conceptualization

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a basic research design?

A) exploratory
B) descriptive
C) causal
D) relational
E) all of the above are basic research designs

Question 56

A(n) _____ research project is useful when the research questions are vague or when there is little theory available to guide predictions.

A) exploratory
B) descriptive
C) causal
D) discovery
E) empirical

Question 57

Miguel is interested in determining if price decreases result in more sales and higher profits. The basic type of research design that would be most appropriate for him to use to research this question would be a(n) _____.

A) exploratory design
B) descriptive design
C) causal design
D) between-subjects design
E) within-subjects design

Question 58

All of the following are forms exploratory research can take EXCEPT _____.

A) case studies
B) depth interviews
C) focus groups
D) projective techniques
E) experiment

Question 59

_____ research designs are usually structured and specifically designed to measure characteristics described in a research question.

A) Descriptive
B) Exploratory
C) Causal
D) Basic
E) Empirical

Question 60

Which of the following data are collected at a given point in time and summarized statistically?

A) cross-sectional data
B) longitudinal data
C) primary data
D) secondary data
E) quantitative data

Question 61

Which type of studies describes business elements over time rather than at a single point in time?

A) cross-sectional studies
B) longitudinal studies
C) primary studies
D) secondary studies
E) qualitative studies

Question 62

A fixed sample established for the purpose of collecting data over time is referred to as a _____.

A) times-series sample
B) cohort
C) longitudinal sample
D) panel
E) descriptive sample

Question 63

_____ means a change in one variable makes a change in another occur.

A) Reliability
B) Validity
C) Parsimony
D) Spurious association
E) Causality

Question 64

Which of the following is a condition researchers look for in testing cause and effect relationships?

A) time sequence
B) covariance
C) nonspurious association
D) theoretical support
E) all of the above

Question 65

_____ means that the relationship is true and not really due to something else that just happens to affect both the cause and effect.

A) Time sequence
B) Covariance
C) Nonspurious association
D) Correlation
E) Theoretical support

Question 66

When several questions or statements are used in combination to represent a characteristic or concept, this is called a variable.

Question 67

An independent variable is a measurable characteristic that influences or explains the dependent variable.

Question 68

A dependent variable is the variable a researcher is trying to understand, explain or predict.

Question 69

A hypothesis is an assumption about the nature of a particular situation.

Question 70

The null hypothesis is just another name for the alternative hypothesis.

Question 71

A relationship is a meaningful link believed to exist between two variables or two constructs.

Question 72

A conceptual model is a diagram which shows how variables and constructs are related to each other.

Question 73

Theoretical constructs are draw in diagrams in rectangles.

Question 74

The inner model displays the relationships between the latent constructs and the indicator variables.

Question 75

The outer model displays the relationships (paths) between the ovals and is referred to as the structural model.

Question 76

Endogenous variables are referred to as independent variables.

Question 77

Any construct that has an arrow pointing to it is an exogenous variable.

Question 78

Error terms are represented by circles that are connected to the rectangles (indicator variables) in models.

Question 79

Quantitative data refers to measurements in which numbers are used directly to represent the characteristics of something.

Question 80

Causal research designs are the least complex.