CRITICAL THINKING PROBLEMS

8. Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research, and describe a sample situation in which each would be appropriate. LO9-1013 9. Explain the difference between random sampling and convenience sampling. Give an exam ple of when each type of sampling would be feasible and appropriate. LO9 10. Point out the problems in the following sample survey questions. LO 10 a. How often do you shower? b. First question in a phone survey) Which Democratic candidate do you favor, Jean Adams or Seth Rubins? c Do you consider the ideal pay plan to be one based on straight commission or straight salary? d What kind of gasoline did you purchase last time? e. How much did you pay for dothing in the past 12 months? 11. What is scaling? What is the difference between rating and ranking? L010 12. Define observation as a research technique and give an example of a business problem that might warrant observational research. L011 13. Define experiment as a research technique and give an example of an experimenta company might conduct. LO 12 14. Why does the controlled before-after design give more helpful information than the before- after design? LO 12 15. When would you use a focus group or personal interview to gather information? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? ? L013 16. Explain the difference between closed-ended and open-ended survey questions. LO 13 17. What are the basic ethical guidelines for conducting business research? Why are such guide lines important? LO 14 18. Jim's boss asked him to investigate why sales for the last quarter were low. Jim interviewed one of the sales managers about the problem, and she complained that the new people didn't know how to sell, Jim then wrote a report in which he identified the new people's deficient skills as the problem and recommended that more training be provided for them. What errors in interpretation do you see in Jim's report? L015 19. You are writing a report on the progress of your local cable company's efforts to increase the sales of five of its products through different advertising media: print and online newspapers and magazines, television, radio, email, and social media. Plan the headings for this report and explain why you'd organize the information this way. LO 15 20. In what ways can the format of the table of contents ease readers' comprehension of a report? Find an example of a helpfully formatted table of contents and explain what makes effective. L017 21 Explain the difference between personal and impersonal writing. Which is better? L018 22. Explain the difference between the present time viewpoint and the past-time viewpoint. Is it incorrect to have different tenses in the same report? Give examples to make your point. LO18 23. Evaluate this statement Reports we written for people who want them, so you don't have to be concerned about holding their interest." LO 18 24. Evaluate this statement "Collaborative reports are always better than reports written by Individual because they use many minds rather than one." LO 19 25. "Disagreements in groups are counterproductive and should be avoided. Discuss, L019 8. Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research, and describe a sample situation in which each would be appropriate. LO9-1013 9. Explain the difference between random sampling and convenience sampling. Give an exam ple of when each type of sampling would be feasible and appropriate. LO9 10. Point out the problems in the following sample survey questions. LO 10 a. How often do you shower? b. First question in a phone survey) Which Democratic candidate do you favor, Jean Adams or Seth Rubins? c Do you consider the ideal pay plan to be one based on straight commission or straight salary? d What kind of gasoline did you purchase last time? e. How much did you pay for dothing in the past 12 months? 11. What is scaling? What is the difference between rating and ranking? L010 12. Define observation as a research technique and give an example of a business problem that might warrant observational research. L011 13. Define experiment as a research technique and give an example of an experimenta company might conduct. LO 12 14. Why does the controlled before-after design give more helpful information than the before- after design? LO 12 15. When would you use a focus group or personal interview to gather information? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? ? L013 16. Explain the difference between closed-ended and open-ended survey questions. LO 13 17. What are the basic ethical guidelines for conducting business research? Why are such guide lines important? LO 14 18. Jim's boss asked him to investigate why sales for the last quarter were low. Jim interviewed one of the sales managers about the problem, and she complained that the new people didn't know how to sell, Jim then wrote a report in which he identified the new people's deficient skills as the problem and recommended that more training be provided for them. What errors in interpretation do you see in Jim's report? L015 19. You are writing a report on the progress of your local cable company's efforts to increase the sales of five of its products through different advertising media: print and online newspapers and magazines, television, radio, email, and social media. Plan the headings for this report and explain why you'd organize the information this way. LO 15 20. In what ways can the format of the table of contents ease readers' comprehension of a report? Find an example of a helpfully formatted table of contents and explain what makes effective. L017 21 Explain the difference between personal and impersonal writing. Which is better? L018 22. Explain the difference between the present time viewpoint and the past-time viewpoint. Is it incorrect to have different tenses in the same report? Give examples to make your point. LO18 23. Evaluate this statement Reports we written for people who want them, so you don't have to be concerned about holding their interest." LO 18 24. Evaluate this statement "Collaborative reports are always better than reports written by Individual because they use many minds rather than one." LO 19 25. "Disagreements in groups are counterproductive and should be avoided. Discuss, L019