Deck 8: Finding and Evaluating Business Information

Question 1

What is the first step in preparing to research a topic or issue?

A)Analyze the research question and topic.
B)Identify background research questions.
C)Identify audience concerns and needs.
D)Establish the scope of the research.
E)Define research activities.

Answer 1

A
Explanation: Be sure you have a good understanding of your major research question or problem as well as the assumptions it is based upon.You may need to broaden the question to find the information you need.

Question 2

When doing background research on your topic,background questions should focus on the topic's history,context,and ________.

A)technology use
B)timeliness
C)popularity
D)appeal
E)structure and categories.

Answer 2

E
Explanation: The three groups of background research questions are history,context and structure,and categories.

Question 3

When conducting research for the workplace,what is the goal of the research?

A)To prepare bids for clients and customers
B)To find,organize,and analyze information to solve a problem or answer a question
C)To gain new business
D)To aid in the implementation of complex processes that affect one's ability to do the job
E)To provide subjective information to leadership regarding departmental activities

Answer 3

B
Explanation: Workplace research typically starts with a specific question or problem.The goal of the research is to find,organize,and analyze information that will help answer the question or solve the problem.

Question 4

How can a researcher identify the steps to take to answer the research questions?

A)By developing a work plan
B)By analyzing the research question and topic
C)By identifying audience concerns
D)By defining the research activities
E)By establishing the limitations of the research

Question 5

When analyzing the research question and topic,it is important to ensure a good understanding of your major research question or problem,and the assumptions it is based upon.Which of the following might be required to ensure good understanding of the research question or problem?

A)Broadening the question
B)Identifying audience concerns and needs
C)Establishing scope of the research
D)Defining research activities
E)Developing a work plan

Question 6

Which of the following will help you track progress over time and help to ensure all deadlines are met?

A)An audience analysis
B)A work plan
C)An outline
D)Predetermined research activities
E)Identification of audience needs

Question 7

________ sources are books and articles that synthesize material from ________ sources,framing them for general readers.

A)Primary;secondary
B)Secondary;tertiary
C)Tertiary;primary
D)Primary;tertiary
E)Tertiary;secondary

Question 8

Which of the following involves the use of a secondary source?

A)Talking to the entry-level employees about why the duties are not being properly executed
B)Surveying other companies that outsource the kinds of duties you are looking to outsource
C)Reading a journal article about the perceived versus actual cost effectiveness of outsourcing
D)Discussing the situation with your boss
E)Speaking to outsourcing service providers about some options

Question 9

How can conducting background research help the researcher?

A)In determining the style and format of the report
B)In identifying sources the audience will be interested in
C)In increasing understanding of the general topic
D)In looking for data that supports the researcher's position on the topic
E)In establishing a time line and budget for the project

Question 10

Which of the following questions is used for background research of your topic?

A)Who is the primary audience?
B)Who else might be affected by this problem or decision?
C)What sources will your audience expect you to consult?
D)What questions will your audience expect you to answer when you present the research?
E)When and why did my research topic first develop?

Question 11

What is the advantage of doing background research before conducting research on specific information?

A)The primary and secondary audiences can be identified.
B)Areas of weakness can be identified and team members can be added to address those areas.
C)Writing the report can begin,and any other research needed will be minor.
D)Background research may help you identify which issues are most important to your audience.
E)An outline of the report or proposal can be developed.

Question 12

Which research source is least credible and may affect how others in the organization view your level of professionalism?

A)Websites published by professional associations in the industry
B)Google
C)Newspapers
D)Research published in academic journals
E)Books by reputable authors

Question 13

Which of the following prevents you from generalizing your finding more broadly?

A)Purpose
B)Scope
C)Limitations
D)Complexity
E)Benefits

Question 14

Which of the following refers to the range of research for a report?

A)Purpose
B)Scope
C)Evaluation
D)Complexity
E)Benefits

Question 15

In addition to addressing the needs of the primary,how can a researcher identify the secondary audience for the information being researched?

A)By asking who else may be affected by this problem or decision
B)By asking what the audience already knows
C)By determining what questions your audience expects you to answer when you present the research
D)By asking what sources the audience expects you to consult
E)By asking what the audience needs to know

Question 16

Doing background research on your topic ________.

A)is not advised for business research
B)should not include information about your topic's history
C)is vital,since you are required to include it in your final presentation
D)can help you structure your research
E)is only necessary for academic research

Question 17

Addressing which of the following questions will impact your credibility in the organization in a meaningful way?

A)What questions will your audience expect you to answer when you present the research?
B)What does the audience already know? What do they need to know?
C)Who is the primary audience?
D)Who else may be affected by this problem or decision?
E)What sources will your audience expect you to consult?

Question 18

What type of research is being used when gathering data from structured survey responses that are numerical in nature?

A)Qualitative
B)Secondary
C)Tertiary
D)Observational
E)Quantitative

Question 19

Synthesized material that is reframed for general readers is a ________ source of research.

A)tertiary
B)secondary
C)qualitative
D)quantitative
E)primary

Question 20

When looking for articles and business data,what resources should be utilized?

A)Basic search engines
B)Desktop search tools
C)Online indexes
D)Social media coordinator
E)Books

Question 21

The last step before beginning your research is to ________.

A)identify audience concerns and needs
B)develop a work plan
C)define research activities
D)analyze the research question and topic
E)establish scope of the research

Question 22

Which of the following can help determine the accuracy of a source?

A)How current is this information?
B)Does the source identify the author?
C)Is the author qualified or an expert in this content?
D)Does the author cite sources for numbers,facts,or research findings?
E)Does the source provide a last-updated date or copyright?

Question 23

Which of the following would the best choice when conducting a federated search?

A)Yahoo!
B)Google
C)Biznar
D)Bing
E)Ask

Question 24

When you are using a search engine,the main body of the results page is most likely to begin with sites that are ________.

A)least relevant to your search
B)being accessed by other users at that very moment
C)accessed least frequently
D)updated most recently
E)frequently accessed or that most closely match your search terms

Question 25

Which of the following is an advantage to visiting a university library to look at books for conducting research?

A)Books are more current than what can be found online.
B)Books are free to borrow.
C)Books contain a bibliography of similar types of resources for further research.
D)Librarians have determined the books are worthy of being in the library's collection.
E)Librarians can scan books into a web portal,allow for downloading.

Question 26

When you type into a basic search engine like Google,Bing,or Yahoo!,the sites that appear at the top or on the side of the results page are usually those that ________.

A)are most frequently accessed
B)have paid a fee to be featured in the results
C)most closely match your search terms
D)are least relevant to your search
E)you have visited before

Question 27

Which of the following is conducted when useful databases and subscription services available on the web are searched,returning results that do not appear in a Google search?

A)A tertiary search
B)A federated search
C)An indexed search
D)A featured search
E)A diversity search

Question 28

Which of the following will help determine if the source has current or still-relevant information?

A)Do other sources agree with this information?
B)Does the author provide support for claims?
C)Is the source published by a reputable press,or is the website sponsored by a reputable organization?
D)Does the author cite sources for numbers,facts,or research findings?
E)Does the source use a last-updated date or copyright?

Question 29

If you want to research how long it will take employees to learn a new system,what type of research would be most effective?

A)Composing a survey
B)Conducting an interview
C)Gathering secondary research
D)Using deep web portals to learn about experiences in other organizations
E)Conducting observational research

Question 30

How can a researcher determine what information is the most appropriate?

A)Evaluate content based on the number of sources used.
B)Evaluate the source for credibility.
C)Evaluate the source for number of hits.
D)Determine if the source has paid to be near the top of the results page.
E)Determine if the source is used observational research or surveys.

Question 31

What is the advantage to using articles from publications such as the Wall Street Journal?

A)They are current.
B)They offer a wide variety of opinions.
C)Editors have reviewed them,making them more reliable.
D)Researchers can find some type of publication to support the goal of the research.
E)They can be found online.

Question 32

Which of the following terms best describes a process that is designed to ensure that articles in academic journals are accurate and honest?

A)Authorship
B)Peer reviewed
C)Current
D)Cited
E)Premier

Question 33

Which type of research is based on a predetermined list of questions that allows for structured information to be gathered from the audience?

A)Surveys
B)Observations
C)Deep web portals
D)Secondary research
E)Interviews

Question 34

When you conduct a search online,how can you find high-quality knowledge designed for professionals?

A)Use online databases.
B)Search with wildcards and quotation marks.
C)Use deep web portals.
D)Follow leads in sources.
E)Use primary research.

Question 35

Which of the following is a drawback to using a book as a research resource?

A)Few books are professionally reviewed.
B)Not all books are produced by reputable authors.
C)Books may become outdated.
D)Books are less accurate than online content.
E)Anyone can upload a book for circulation.

Question 36

Which of the following is an advantage to conducting research as part of a team?

A)Diversity of skills and knowledge
B)Limited bias in the final product
C)Less time constraints
D)Access to the most up-to-date materials
E)Respect for the work of others

Question 37

Where do search engines such as Google and Yahoo! generate most web-based information?

A)Publications that require a subscription
B)Information aimed at professionals
C)Deep web portal
D)All users of the web
E)The surface of the web

Question 38

A survey sample restricted to specific people within the group you are studying is called a ________.

A)random sample
B)targeted sample
C)convenience sample
D)survey population
E)survey medium

Question 39

A deep web portal ________.

A)finds only information which is aimed at the public and consumers
B)accesses free information exclusively
C)is not of much use in a professional environment
D)omits information in publications that require a subscription
E)performs federated searches

Question 40

When determining how credible an author is,how does a researcher know the author of an article is not using opinions as facts?

A)Do others frequently cite the source?
B)How current is this information?
C)Does the author provide support for claims?
D)Are any web links broken?
E)Does the author acknowledge and respond to opposing points of view?

Question 41

To ensure a report is ethical,how should information be gathered?

A)By using references from Wikipedia
B)Through surveys
C)By using reputable sources
D)Using personal interviews
E)At the library

Question 42

What type of advantage does observation offer that surveys and interviews do not?

A)Observations take less time to conduct.
B)Observations provide objective numerical data.
C)Observations identify why something is done,not just how.
D)Observations can provide more accurate information on how something is done.
E)Observations can be used as secondary research.

Question 43

What is the advantage of responding to a question on a social media site?

A)The availability of free expert advice
B)Professional exposure
C)The ability to crowdsource the answer
D)An opportunity to conduct intensive market research
E)The opportunity for a quick response

Question 44

The day,time,and length of an observation should be determined when ________.

A)writing an observation summary
B)setting up to conduct the observation
C)developing an observation plan
D)deciding what kind of observation would be helpful
E)conducting the observation

Question 45

In the context of a survey,which of the following terms represents the span between the highest and lowest values?

A)Mean
B)Median
C)Mode
D)Range
E)Volatility

Question 46

Subjective reports found on social media will lead to what type of research evidence?

A)Anecdotal
B)Scientific
C)Verifiable
D)Objective
E)Current

Question 47

To create an ethical document,what must be included?

A)All relevant information.
B)All relevant information that supports your argument.
C)All relevant information that is less than one year old.
D)All relevant information that does not undermine your position.
E)All relevant information that utilizes objective information,such as survey results.

Question 48

Anecdotal evidence is considered ________.

A)objective
B)scientifically valid
C)experience based
D)current
E)published

Question 49

How can a researcher who is using secondary sources be sure to use the information accurately?

A)Do not provide context for the information.
B)Quote only information that is important.
C)Shape data to support conclusions or recommendations.
D)Verify the data on an online search engine.
E)Know the intention of the source.

Question 50

Reading a blog written by an industry expert can be considered similar to ________.

A)conducting primary research
B)utilizing tertiary research
C)observational research
D)interviewing experts
E)secondary research

Question 51

A sample is random when ________.

A)members are selected based on the ease with which they can participate in the survey
B)every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
C)members are restricted to a specific subset of the population
D)some members of the population are more likely to be selected based on specific criteria
E)some members of the population are less likely to be selected based on specific criteria

Question 52

Which of the following is an advantage of a survey over an interview?

A)Surveys take less time to conduct.
B)Surveys often have fewer responses to analyze.
C)Surveys provide more in-depth answers.
D)Surveys provide more subjective responses.
E)Surveys allow for responses from more subject matter experts.

Question 53

What type of research is conducted by watching people perform relevant activities and then recording details about what was observed?

A)Secondary
B)Observational
C)Tertiary
D)Quantitative
E)Ethical

Question 54

Before using blogs for research,they should be evaluated for authorship,accuracy,and ________.

A)subject matter
B)sponsorship
C)objective data
D)verifiable links to sources
E)age

Question 55

How can using social media aid in research gathering?

A)Social media can extend your reach in gathering information.
B)Social media can be used to blog about research.
C)Social media can aid in the collection of primary resources.
D)Social media can be used to find books related to research.
E)Social media can aid in collecting objective data.

Question 56

Survey questions that ask a follow-up question based on the previous response use ________.

A)random questions
B)branch logic
C)targeted questions
D)convenience questions
E)targeted samples

Question 57

When you present a report,the audience expects the information to be reliable,accurate,and ________.

A)supportive of the organization
B)complete
C)biased
D)understandable
E)quantifiable

Question 58

How can a researcher assure interviewees that information will be handled ethically?

A)Let people know who else was interviewed.
B)Let people know what company you represent.
C)Provide a copy of the research to each person.
D)Inform people how the research will be used.
E)Provide a copy of interview questions to each person so they can prepare for the interview.

Question 59

What is the advantage of an interview over a survey?

A)You have a lower total count for respondents.
B)It is easier to determine the mean average on responses.
C)Interviews provide richer,more detailed information.
D)Interviews provide objective based information.
E)Interviews allow for responses from more subject matter experts.

Question 60

If a researcher wants to generalize findings to everyone being studied,what type of sample should be used?

A)Random sample
B)Targeted sample
C)Convenience sample
D)Survey population
E)Survey medium

Question 61

Which of the following types of research is most likely to involve watching people perform activities relevant to your research?

A)Secondary research
B)Quantitative research
C)Tertiary research
D)Qualitative research
E)Observational research

Question 62

Establishing the scope of your research allows you to widen the characteristics of your research.

Question 63

Anecdotal evidence comes from ________.

A)research papers published in the past
B)online databases and websites
C)subjective reports and stories that people tell
D)videos and photographs
E)archived manuscripts and reports

Question 64

A web search may generate links to sites that pay to be offered to consumers first.

Question 65

Deep web portals are unable to perform federated searches.

Question 66

Which of the following will help in synthesizing your research?

A)Write citations as material is gathered.
B)Store files in Dropbox.
C)Group similar content.
D)Use cloud technology.
E)Store files as PDF files

Question 67

Research by The Nielsen Company shows that ________ of all social media users actively review products and services online.

A)less than 10 percent
B)about 10 - 20 percent
C)about half
D)about 25 - 30 percent
E)as many as 90 percent

Question 68

Information is likely to be more accurate if you find it in multiple,unrelated sources.

Question 69

On the web,you can generally feel less confident about information that is published by the government and universities.

Question 70

In the context of a survey,which of the following terms represents the average and is determined by adding all the responses and dividing the sum by the number of responses?

A)Mode
B)Standard deviation
C)Mean
D)Volatility
E)Variance

Question 71

Tertiary data is collected by surveying,interviewing,or observing people.

Question 72

Which of the following will allow you to store files on the Internet,and make them available to collaborators?

A)Cloud computing
B)Identifiable file names
C)Synthesis files
D)Personal digital libraries
E)Citation management programs

Question 73

The ________ is the number that appears most frequently in a distribution.

A)median
B)mode
C)mean
D)range
E)total count

Question 74

Information sources like Wikipedia or a Google search are considered to be highly credible by a professional audience.

Question 75

Before doing in-depth research to explore your research questions,it is important to understand your general topic.

Question 76

How can researchers manage citations from research results as they collect sources?

A)Use crowdsourcing files.
B)Build a reference list as they research.
C)Organize documents on the cloud.
D)Create identifiable files names.
E)Group similar content together.

Question 77

Which of the following represents an advantage of organizing findings by research questions?

A)It is easier to compare data.
B)It is easier to determine recommendations.
C)It is easier to identify appropriate conclusions.
D)It is easier to find the data needed,when it is needed.
E)It is easier to add the data into a shared file.

Question 78

A desktop search tool is a search engine designed to search for files on your computer or file server that contain specific words or that were produced within a specific time period.

Question 79

Which of the following allows a user to create a personal digital library on his or her computer to aid in the organization of material and create reference lists?

A)Google Drive
B)Dropbox
C)Box
D)Write With Me
E)Mendeley

Question 80

The goal of most academic research is for the researcher to learn.