Deck 10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals

Question 1

Ron needs to show regulation authorities that his company meets stipulated requirements. For this he needs to prepare a report to ________.

A) demonstrate compliance
B) control operations
C) implement policies
D) show project status

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The three-step writing process becomes even more valuable when creating ________.

A) summaries
B) abstracts
C) proposals
D) portfolios

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Informational reports include reports to document progress, demonstrate compliance, and ________.

A) monitor and control operations
B) assess opportunities
C) solve problems
D) support decisions

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Bill needs to organize information for his report and he has been told to follow the direct approach. Bill should ________.

A) present the report's recommendations followed by the conclusions that led to that recommendation at the beginning of the report
B) present conclusions but no recommendations in the close of the report
C) draw conclusions in the body of the report
D) present conclusions but no recommendations in the body of the report

Question 5

Executive dashboards are customized ________.

A) proposals, which are generated in real-time
B) tools which help in drawing up plans
C) online presentations of highly summarized business information
D) tools built on the concept of the three-step writing process

Question 6

"To identify potential markets for our new chocolate chip cookies," is a good statement of purpose for informational reports. Which of the following is a good statement of purpose for analytical reports?

A) To provide feedback about the newly installed technical hardware.
B) To assess the benefits of investing in the manufacturing sector for the next quarter.
C) To update the board of directors on the progress of the River Drive project.
D) To submit statutory information to a government agency.

Question 7

Which of the following reports contains data, facts, and feedback but not analysis or recommendations?

A) Informational reports
B) Investment proposals
C) Due diligence reports
D) Funding proposals

Question 8

Documents that contain data, facts, feedback, and other types of information including analysis or recommendations are ________.

A) informational reports
B) personal activity reports
C) position papers
D) analytical reports

Question 9

The process of effective research involves planning, locating data, processing data, applying your findings, and ________.

A) efficient management of information
B) accurate referencing
C) search optimization
D) result visualization

Question 10

Documents that present persuasive recommendations to audiences, often involving investments or purchases are ________.

A) position papers
B) operating reports
C) proposals
D) due diligence reports

Question 11

Kathy has just completed primary research for the company's pilot product, "Jovial Jingles." Her manager has asked her to include secondary research information as well. For this, she should include ________.

A) information from research conducted using focus groups
B) information from research conducted only on specified core customers
C) information sourced from magazines, newspapers, public websites, books, and other reports
D) information from her review of the primary research

Question 12

Analytical reports include reports to assess opportunities, solve problems, and ________.

A) document progress
B) implement policies
C) control proposals
D) support decisions

Question 13

In which of these scenarios is a more detailed work plan most appropriate?

A) A short report that needs to be prepared and mailed in a day
B) An informal report providing feedback about the new coffee machine in the office
C) An automated report generated by a software that analyzes data
D) A report involving collaboration between three teams, which are based in different cities

Question 14

Zahra has to conduct market research on the viability of her company's new product. While planning her research, she needs to define its purpose (the conclusion he needs to reach at the end of the process). She should therefore develop a(n) ________.

A) problem statement
B) work plan
C) objectives document
D) statement of scope

Question 15

Yang has to prepare a lengthy report, on the status of his project. However, he is short on time and energy. Your suggestion to him would be to start ________.

A) with the recommendations and work his way up
B) by visualizing the finished product and listing sources
C) by analyzing the situation and develop a work plan
D) by selecting effective design elements and a suitable layout for a professional appearance

Question 16

Reports that judge the merits of past decisions are ________.

A) general project proposals
B) feasibility reports
C) compliance reports
D) due diligence reports

Question 17

"To update the board of directors on the progress of the research project," explains why you are preparing the report. This would typically be the ________.

A) title
B) subject
C) statement of proposal
D) statement of purpose

Question 18

Keeping in mind the importance of media requirements on her reports and how that reflects on her skills, Susan dresses up a routine marketing report in extensive multimedia. This act would be viewed as ________.

A) a step in the right direction
B) a good use of company resources
C) giving attention to detail
D) a waste of valuable company resources

Question 19

As a researcher, Dan is aware of how his research tactics will affect the people from whom he gathers data and information, the people who read his results, and the people who are affected by the way he presents those results. Hence, Dan is aware of his ________.

A) work plan
B) research strategy
C) sources for information
D) ethical responsibilities

Question 20

Proposals that request decisions from parties outside the organization are ________.

A) grant proposals
B) project status proposals
C) trouble shooting proposals
D) diligence proposals

Question 21

Quoting a source means ________.

A) rewording the passage to enhance your argument
B) mentioning the source
C) reproducing the material exactly
D) listing references

Question 22

A survey is valid, if it ________.

A) produces identical results when repeated
B) actually measures what it is designed to measure
C) is based on ethical principles
D) is representative of the sample population

Question 23

Internet research tools fall into two categories: search tools and ________.

A) search engines
B) multipurpose tools
C) monitoring tools
D) optimization tools

Question 24

Richard needs to get in-depth information about a new performance analysis tool straight from an expert whose ideas would be quoted in a report. For this Richard should ________.

A) use a simple survey format
B) ask closed questions to get the expert's opinion
C) insist on a videotaped interview
D) email a copy of the questions to the expert two days before the interview

Question 25

Leo is evaluating his information sources, so that he can avoid embarrassing and potentially damaging mistakes. To check if his material is current and complete, he should evaluate ________.

A) if the author is just someone with an opinion
B) if the source document was accessed fully
C) if the sources are biased or unbiased
D) if the references support the research

Question 26

________ involve(s) the collection of new data, through surveys, interviews, and other techniques.

A) Primary research
B) Secondary research
C) Quantitative methodologies
D) Open source intelligence

Question 27

Reaching good conclusions is one of the most important skills you can develop in your business career. The ability to see patterns and possibilities that others can't see ________.

A) usually deviates the research from the intended plan
B) is one of the hallmarks of innovative business leaders
C) is the sign of a genius
D) is purely logical

Question 28

Mark wants to overcome the differences in multiple search engines, so he decides to format his search request for multiple search engines. For this he needs to use ________.

A) search engine optimization techniques
B) human editors
C) open directories
D) metasearch engines

Question 29

What kind of source includes factual and statistical information about countries, politics, and the labour force?

A) Almanacs
B) Directories
C) Encyclopedias
D) Librarians

Question 30

Instead of a logical interpretation of facts, Bertha concludes her report with these words - "I propose, that we import only the ferrites required for the product and not the unprocessed magnetite." Here Bertha is giving her ________.

A) recommendation
B) conclusion
C) opinion
D) comparison

Question 31

Website owners use ________ to help boost their rankings in search results, but the ranking algorithms are kept secret to prevent unfair manipulation of the results.

A) cleverly placed website logos
B) search engine optimization techniques
C) real-time customer feedback
D) aggressive advertising strategies

Question 32

Veena is conducting secondary research for her report and has exhausted most of the online resources available to her. Which other secondary source of information should she consider?

A) Historians
B) Trade shows
C) Advertisements
D) Libraries

Question 33

Surveys provide invaluable insights, but only if they are ________.

A) based on videographed interviews
B) representative, reliable, and valid
C) conducted face to face
D) conducted on independent focus groups

Question 34

April is a firm believer in the power of the Google search engine. She rarely ventures beyond the first two pages of results though; this helps her save time and avoid getting overwhelmed by the results. Your suggestion to April would be ________.

A) to follow the direct approach
B) that the algorithm used to rank the results might not reflect her priorities, so the first few hits might not be the best for her project
C) to use fewer search terms to find more results; use more search terms to find fewer results
D) to try variations of search terms

Question 35

In spite of their ease and power, conventional search engines have three primary shortcomings: 1. No human editors are involved to evaluate the quality; 2. Various engines use different search techniques, so they often find different material; and 3. ________.

A) There are very few search engines
B) Lack of better editing algorithms
C) Inaccessibility to the hidden Internet
D) Easy accessibility to the deep Internet

Question 36

Pam needs to conduct primary research on the effects of networking in organizations. Which of the following techniques(s) is suitable for this?

A) Direct approach
B) Indirect approach
C) Surveys
D) Statistical analysis

Question 37

Summarizing is similar to paraphrasing, but it ________.

A) is generally used to conclude the document
B) distills content to fewer words
C) focuses only on relevant examples
D) provides more details than conclusions

Question 38

When verifying research sources, you are expected to do all of the following EXCEPT ________.

A) determine if the author is credible
B) find out how the source accepts articles and whether it has an editorial board
C) conduct a thorough background check on all your sources
D) let your readers know if you can't verify critical facts or figures

Question 39

Linda wants to quote a source in her research. To mirror business language, she rephrases the quotation in her own words while excluding unnecessary details. To keep the document short, she avoids crediting the source. This is ________.

A) plagiarism
B) quoting
C) paraphrasing
D) summarizing

Question 40

Although less timely than newspapers, periodicals, and online sources, ________ provide in-depth coverage and analysis that often can't be found anywhere else.

A) directories
B) almanacs
C) business books
D) government publications

Question 41

Samita needs to prepare and present a report that details the handling of certain hazardous materials in the organization's premises. For this she needs to prepare a ________.

A) compliance report
B) safety manual
C) due diligence report
D) troubleshooting report

Question 42

Dan is aware that the information architecture of a website is similar to the outline for a paper report, but the difference is that ________.

A) it is not as simple as a linear outline
B) it needs to be controlled by the reader
C) it is restricted to the structure of just one website
D) it focuses on navigation more than sequence

Question 43

Shoshana needs to create a report that looks into the financial implications of acquiring another company. So she needs to prepare a ________.

A) diligence report
B) market analysis report
C) analytical report
D) due diligence report

Question 44

Which of these surveys offer a number of advantages like speed, cost, and the ability to adapt the question set along the way based on a respondent's answers?

A) Door-to-door surveys
B) Online surveys
C) Mass surveys
D) Offline surveys

Question 45

Website designers use the term ________ to describe the structure and navigational flow of all the parts of a website.

A) online design
B) website architecture
C) website design
D) information architecture

Question 46

Ruth has to prepare an informational report, highlighting the disadvantages of an older approach and the advantages of a newer approach. The topical organization of her material would involve ________.

A) comparison
B) category
C) similarities
D) sequence

Question 47

In a survey questionnaire, if we need to formulate questions to provide answers that are easy to analyze, we should ________.

A) not provide instructions
B) keep the questions short
C) ask for opinions
D) base answers on numbers and facts

Question 48

Proposals can be of two general categories: ________ proposals.

A) investment and sales
B) investment and grant
C) internal and external
D) internal and investment

Question 49

Renaldo needs to create a report, which will explore the potential ramifications of a decision that he and the other managers are considering. For this he needs to create a ________ report.

A) market analysis
B) due diligence
C) troubleshooting
D) feasibility

Question 50

Justin needs to conduct and record interviews with potential customers for a new product that has just been launched. Which of these suggestions would you give him?

A) Focus generally on open-ended questions and provide the questionnaire before recording.
B) Focus generally on closed questions and these need not be recorded.
C) Use surveys when required, to augment the research.
D) Ask open-ended and closed questions but record with permission.

Question 51

When should you use infographics?

A) If the message needs to reach a specialized audience
B) If you have a limited budget
C) If it is intended for print distribution
D) If there is data you want to emphasize

Question 52

Latisha has been asked to suggest her recommendations after reviewing the new policy changes in the organization. Using the direct approach and the five steps to unfold his recommendations, Latisha should conclude her recommendations by ________.

A) summarizing the problem
B) mentioning potential risks
C) summarizing the recommendations
D) listing the recommendations

Question 53

________ provide feedback on a wide variety of an organization's functions, including sales, inventories, expenses, shipments, and so on.

A) Business plans
B) Personnel reports
C) Sales reports
D) Operating reports

Question 54

Mohammed is setting up a website for his organization, which will cater to multiple target audiences like potential employees, customers, investors, and the news media. To organize his site effectively and help the readers explore on their own, he should ________.

A) develop the content and then plan the site structure
B) let his readers be in control by creating links and pathways
C) make a detailed work plan with a linear outline
D) keep information in smooth flowing large chunks that are linked logically

Question 55

Joe is well aware of the huge losses his company incurred due to a few unplanned investments in technology shares. He needs to prepare a report that brings out the lessons learned from this debacle. Reports of this kind are examples of ________.

A) problem-solving reports
B) trouble-shooting reports
C) failure analysis reports
D) due diligence reports

Question 56

________ provide the feedback that employees, managers, and others need in order to make decisions, take action, and respond to changes.

A) Informational reports
B) Feedback reports
C) Internal surveys
D) Internal proposals

Question 57

________ range from brief descriptions of business procedures to manuals that run dozens or hundreds of pages.

A) Policy reports
B) Personal reports
C) Procedural reports
D) White papers

Question 58

What kind of report summarizes a proposed business venture and describe the company's goals for each major functional area?

A) Operating report
B) Business plan
C) Position plan
D) Policy report

Question 59

Rupert is planning a report that will be presented to his colleagues at the company summit. Most conclusions in the report are summarized suggestions from his colleagues. While presenting he should focus on ________.

A) keeping the issues simple
B) all the issues at hand
C) prioritizing the issues
D) conclusions

Question 60

Proposals that request funds from government agencies and other sponsoring organizations are ________ proposals.

A) investment
B) grant
C) sales
D) solicited

Question 61

Online databases and specialty search engines can help you access parts of the hidden Internet.

Question 62

Search tools work in similar ways, and you can generally get predictable results, even if you don't know how each one operates.

Question 63

Many companies are trying to maximize the return on the time and money invested in business research by collecting and sharing research results in a variety of computer-based systems, known generally as knowledge analysis systems.

Question 64

Dan has been assigned to prepare a formal invitation to external agencies to bid for contracts. He has been instructed to specify exactly the type of work to be performed or products to be delivered, along with budgets, deadlines, and other requirements. Dan should prepare ________.

A) bids
B) request for proposals
C) due diligence reports
D) grant proposals

Question 65

Whereas a conclusion interprets information, a recommendation suggests what to do about the information.

Question 66

Executive dashboards are essentially super-summarized reports.

Question 67

Quoting a source means reproducing the content exactly and not indicating who created the information originally.

Question 68

Regardless of its format and structure, a good proposal ________.

A) will focus on the direct approach
B) will highlight the problems that the company might be facing
C) does not discuss costs right away
D) explains how the recipient and his or her organization will benefit

Question 69

________ proposals can seem surprisingly picky, even to the point of specifying the size of paper to use, but you must follow every detail to avoid having your proposal rejected.

A) Sales
B) Grant
C) Investment
D) Request for

Question 70

Plagiarism is expressing someone else's ideas in your own words.

Question 71

The most popular approach with reports is the indirect approach.

Question 72

A direct approach indicates that conclusions and recommendations will be presented later in the report.

Question 73

Research carries significant ethical responsibilities.

Question 74

You'll want to start most projects by conducting secondary research first.

Question 75

For a junior member of a status-conscious organization, the direct approach is by far the most popular and convenient for business reports; it saves time, makes the rest of the report easier to follow, and produces a more forceful document.

Question 76

Which of the following refers to proposals that are generally prepared at the request of external parties that require a product or a service?

A) Requests for proposals
B) Grant proposals
C) Sales proposals
D) Compliance proposals

Question 77

The longer the document, the less effective the indirect approach is likely to be.

Question 78

Claudine provides computer-based solutions to offices and helps them reduce their carbon footprint by reducing paper consumption. To expand her business, she is planning to send unsolicited proposals to a dozen offices. While doing this, she ________.

A) should use the direct approach
B) should avoid mentioning costs this early
C) should keep the proposal short
D) needs to convince her readers that a problem or an opportunity exists

Question 79

The most significant factor when planning a proposal depends on whether the proposal is ________.

A) unsolicited or solicited
B) internal or external
C) sales or investment
D) sales or grant

Question 80

A statement of purpose helps explain who you are preparing the report for and when you plan to deliver it.