Deck 14: Data Preparation

Question 1

The data-preparation process is guided by the preliminary plan of data that was formulated in the research design phase.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

If possible, standard codes should be used for missing data.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Computer packages like SPSS, SAS, EXCEL, and MINITAB can be programmed to identify out-of-range values for each variable and print related code information to make it easy to check each variable systematically for out-of-range values.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Data cleaning includes consistency checks and treatment of missing responses. The checks at this stage are less extensive than the checks made during editing.

Question 5

All extreme values result from errors and point to problems with the data.

Question 6

Missing value codes should be distinct from the codes assigned to the legitimate responses.

Question 7

Responses can be logically inconsistent.

Question 8

The following codes should be included for each respondent: project code, interviewer code, date and time codes, category codes, and validation code.

Question 9

When entering respondent data into a spreadsheet, each column contains the data for one respondent.

Question 10

Unsatisfactory respondents may differ from satisfactory respondents in systematic ways and the decision to designate a respondent as unsatisfactory may be subjective.Both of these factors bias the results.

Question 11

When setting up the code book for a questionnaire, you would allow 2 columns to code the response to the question
"Do you have a valid passport? 1.yes 2.no"

Question 12

Scanning of questionnaires has allowed Princess Cruises to increase the accuracy of their survey results.

Question 13

A codebook contains coding instructions and the necessary information about variables in the data set. It guides the coders in their work and helps the researcher to properly identify and locate the variables.

Question 14

The initial step in questionnaire checking involves a check of all questionnaires for completeness and interviewing quality.

Question 15

Missing responses represent values of a variable that are unknown, either because respondents provided ambiguous answers or their answers were not properly recorded.

Question 16

At the editing stage, the researcher makes a preliminary check for consistency.

Question 17

The selection of data-transcription method is guided by the type of interviewing method used and the availability of equipment.

Question 18

Given the time and cost constraints, as well as the fact that experienced keypunch operators are quite accurate, it is sufficient to verify only 15-25 percent of the data entered by keypunching.

Question 19

If quotas or cell group sizes have not been met, additional interviews should be conducted in the underrepresented cells before the data are edited.

Question 20

The data preparation process begins after the fieldwork is done.

Question 21

When using univariate techniques, the number of samples is determined based on how the data are treated for the purpose of analysis, not based on how the data were collected.

Question 22

Dummy variables are used to respecify categorical variables.

Question 23

Analysis of interobject similarity can be conducted by cluster analysis and multiple discriminant analysis.

Question 24

When respecifying a categorical variable with K categories, only K - 1 dummy variables are needed because only K - 1 categories are independent.

Question 25

When utilizing weighting, categories underrepresented in the sample receive lower weights, whereas overrepresented categories receive higher weights.

Question 26

Univariate techniques can be classified based on whether the data are metric or nonmetric.

Question 27

The use of dummy variables refers to a respecification procedure using variables that take on only two values, usually 0 or 1.

Question 28

Square root and log transformations are seldom used in the respecification of variables.

Question 29

The purpose of respecification is to create variables that are consistent with the objectives of the study.

Question 30

An important variable respecification procedure involves the use of dummy variables.

Question 31

Standardized z_i scores can be obtained as: Z_i = (X - )/s.

Question 32

Treatment of missing responses poses problems, particularly if the proportion of missing responses is more than 10 percent.

Question 33

Statistical techniques can be classified as univariate or multivariate.

Question 34

The value 1.0 represents the weighted case.

Question 35

The effect of weighting is to increase or to decrease the number of cases in the sample that possess certain characteristics.

Question 36

Univariate techniques can be classified as dependence techniques or interdependence techniques.

Question 37

The general rule for respecifying categorical variables with K categories is that K dummy variables are needed.

Question 38

Nonmetric data are measured on an interval or ratio scale.

Question 39

Metric data are measured on a nominal or ordinal scale.

Question 40

To standardize a scale X_i, we first subtract the mean, , from each score and divide by the standard error, S .

Question 41

If you discover that a respondent has consistently checked the same response on a series of scales or that skip patterns were not followed on a questionnaire, more than likely you are participating in the ________ step of the data-preparation process.

A)coding
B)data cleaning
C)questionnaire checking
D)editing

Question 42

SPSS Missing Values Analysis can assist in diagnosing missing values and replacing missing values with estimates. The missing values can also be treated within the context of the SPSS Base module.

Question 43

Which treatment of unsatisfactory responses is desirable if (1)the number of respondents with unsatisfactory responses is small; (2)the proportion of unsatisfactory responses for each of these respondents is small; or (3)the variables with unsatisfactory responses are not the key variables?

A)returning to the field to get better data
B)classifying and counting questionnaires accordingly
C)discarding unsatisfactory responses
D)assigning missing values

Question 44

When doing international research, differences in means, differences in distribution, and differences in variance should be assessed.

Question 45

The objective of Pancultural analysis is to assess the comparability of findings from one country to another.

Question 46

Unsatisfactory responses uncovered in the editing stage of the data-preparation process are commonly handled by doing any of the following except ________.

A)recoding unsatisfactory responses
B)assigning missing values
C)discarding unsatisfactory responses
D)returning to the field to get better data

Question 47

The major technique for examining variable interdependence is factor analysis.

Question 48

Which treatment of unsatisfactory responses is particularly attractive for business and industrial marketing surveys where the sample sizes are small and the respondents are easily identifiable?

A)returning to the field to get better data
B)recoding unsatisfactory responses
C)discarding unsatisfactory responses
D)assigning missing values

Question 49

When conducting international marketing research, enough data must be obtained from each individual to allow analysis at the individual level.

Question 50

Ethical issues that arise during the data preparation and analysis step of marketing research process pertain mainly to the researcher.

Question 51

Which of the following is not a step in the data-preparation process?

A)editing
B)select a sampling technique
C)transcribing
D)data cleaning

Question 52

SPSS Data Entry allows you to verify that respondents have answered completely by setting rules. These rules can be used on existing datasets to validate and check the data only of questionnaires that were constructed in Data Entry.

Question 53

Within-country analysis is also referred to as intercultural analysis.

Question 54

If you are counting and classifying questionnaires to determine if quotas and cell group sizes have been met, you are at the ________ step of the data-preparation process.

A)questionnaire checking
B)coding
C)data cleaning
D)editing

Question 55

During a preliminary check for consistency, you found a respondent had reported an annual income of less than $20,000, yet indicated frequent shopping at prestigious department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. You are at the ________ step of the data-preparation process.

A)coding
B)data cleaning
C)questionnaire checking
D)editing

Question 56

Information useful for formulating a data analysis strategy is not readily available on the internet.

Question 57

The ________ step of the data-preparation process consists of screening questionnaires to identify illegible, incomplete, inconsistent, or ambiguous responses.

A)coding
B)data cleaning
C)questionnaire checking
D)editing

Question 58

Consider the example of a respondent who indicates an extremely favorable attitude toward spectator sports on all of the positively worded statements in a survey and an extremely negative attitude on statements that were reversed. Decisions whether such respondents should be discarded, that is, not included in the analysis, can raise ethical concerns. A good rule of thumb is to make such decisions during the data-preparation phase before conducting the analysis.

Question 59

A questionnaire returned from the field may be unacceptable for several reasons. Which of the reasons below is not one of those reasons?

A)Parts of the questionnaire may be incomplete.
B)The returned questionnaire is physically incomplete.
C)The questionnaire is answered by someone who does not qualify for participation.
D)The questionnaire does not uplift, motivate, or encourage the respondent to become involved.

Question 60

In interdependence techniques, the variables are classified as dependent or independent.

Question 61

The effect of ________ is to increase or decrease the number of cases in the sample that possess certain characteristics.

A)weighting
B)variable respecification
C)scale transformation
D)standardization

Question 62

Which option for the treatment of missing values involves cases, or respondents, with any missing responses being discarded from the analysis?

A)returning to the field
B)casewise deletion
C)pairwise deletion
D)substitute a neutral value

Question 63

Which option for the treatment of missing values involves the researcher using only cases or respondents with complete responses for each calculation?

A)returning to the field
B)casewise deletion
C)pairwise deletion
D)substitute a neutral value

Question 64

________ involves direct machine reading of the codes and simultaneous transcription.

A)CATI or CAPI
B)Computerized sensory systems
C)Mark sense forms
D)Optical scanning

Question 65

A code in which the number of records for each respondent are the same, and the same data appear in the same columns for all respondents, is a ________.

A)respondent code
B)fixed-field code
C)category code
D)record code

Question 66

If the researcher uses the mean response for the missing value, he/she is using which option for the treatment of missing values?

A)returning to the field
B)casewise deletion
C)substitute an imputed response
D)substitute a neutral value

Question 67

Which treatment of unsatisfactory responses is desirable if (1)the unsatisfactory respondents do not differ from satisfactory respondents in obvious ways responses on key variables are missing?

A)returning to the field to get better data
B)classifying and counting questionnaires accordingly
C)discarding unsatisfactory responses
D)assigning missing values

Question 68

Which of the following is an option available for the treatment of missing values?

A)substitute a neutral value
B)substitute an imputed response
C)Both A and B are correct.
D)returning to the field

Question 69

________ is the assignment of a code to represent a specific response to a specific question along with the data record and column position that code will occupy.

A)Coding
B)Data cleaning
C)Assignment of missing values
D)Editing

Question 70

________ involves transferring the coded data from the questionnaires or coding sheets onto disks or magnetic tapes, or directly into computers by keypunching.

A)Coding data
B)Editing data
C)Transcribing data
D)Data Cleaning

Question 71

A codebook generally contains all of the following information except ________.

A)record number
B)category number
C)instructions for coding
D)variable name

Question 72

If the data have been collected via ________, transcribing data is unnecessary because the data are entered directly into the computer.

A)CATI
B)mark sense forms
C)CAPI
D)Both A and C are correct.

Question 73

You would use weighting under which circumstance?

A)to create new variables that are composites of several other variables
B)to adjust the sample so that greater importance is attached to respondents with certain characteristics
C)to compare attitudinal scores measured on a seven-point semantic differential scale with lifestyle or image scores measured on a five-point Likert scale
D)none of the above

Question 74

Respondents have been asked to express their degree of agreement with a series of lifestyle statements on a 1-to-5 scale, assuming that 9 has been designated for missing values, data values of 0, 6, 7, and 8 are out of range. Where in the data-preparation process might any out-of-range data be caught?

A)coding
B)transcribing
C)data cleaning
D)statistically adjusting the data

Question 75

Which option for the treatment of missing values involves the researcher using the respondents' pattern of responses to calculate a suitable response to the missing questions?

A)returning to the field
B)casewise deletion
C)substitute an imputed response
D)substitute a neutral value

Question 76

________ utilizes questions that appear on a computerized gridpad. The responses are recorded directly into the computer using a sensing device.

A)CATI or CAPI
B)Computerized sensory systems
C)Mark sense forms
D)Optical scanning

Question 77

________ require(s)responses to be recorded with a special pencil in a pre-designated area coded for that response.

A)CATI or CAPI
B)Computerized sensory systems
C)Mark sense forms
D)Optical scanning

Question 78

Respondents have been asked to express their degree of agreement with a series of lifestyle statements on a 1-to-5 scale, assuming that 9 has been designated for missing values, data values of 0, 6, 7, and 8 are out of range. Where in the data cleaning process might any out-of-range data be caught?

A)consistency checks
B)returning to the field
C)treatment of missing responses
D)Both A and C are correct.

Question 79

The general guidelines for coding unstructured questions and questionnaires include all of the following except ________.

A)category codes should be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive
B)category codes should be assigned for critical issues even if no one has mentioned them
C)answers should be abbreviated as much as possible
D)data should be coded to retain as much detail as possible

Question 80

In ________, each case or respondent in the database is assigned a weight to reflect its importance relative to other cases or respondents.

A)standardization
B)variable respecification
C)scale transformation
D)weighting