Chapter 3: The research process: the broad problem area and defining the problem statement

1. A literature survey ensures that the testability and replicability of the findings of the current
research are enhanced.
*a. T
b. F

2. A literature survey helps the development of the theoretical framework and hypotheses for
testing.
*a. T
b. F

3. Which of the following answers is not an objective of preliminary research?

a. One does not run the risk of “reinventing the wheel”.
b. Important variables that are likely to influence the problem situation are not left out of the
study.
c. The problem statement can be made with precision and clarity.
*d. To determine whether a variable is an independent variable, a dependent variable, a
mediating variable, or a moderating variable.

4. A frequent problem in terms of feasibility is that the problem statement is too broad in
scope.
*a. T
b. F

5. From an academic perspective research is relevant if:

a. Nothing is known about a topic.
b. Much is known about the topic, but the knowledge is scattered and not integrated.
c. Much research on the topic is available, but the results are (partly) contradictory.
d. Established relationships do not hold in certain situations..
*e. All of the above.

6. An advantage of textbooks is that they can cover a broad range of topics.

*a. T
b. F

7. The precise combination of data sources depends on the nature and the objectives of your
research project.
*a. T
b. F

8. Both academic and professional journals are important sources of up-to-date information.
*a. T
b. F

9. Articles in professional journals have generally been peer-reviewed: this means that the
articles have been put to the scrutiny of experts in the same field before they were accepted
for publication.
a. T
*b. F
10. Review articles are reports of empirical research, describing one or a few related studies.
a. T
*b. F

11. Examples of unpublished manuscripts include:

*a. Papers accepted for publication but still “in-press,” letters, manuscripts in preparation, and
personal communications (including e-mails).
b. Conference proceedings, letters, manuscripts in preparation, and personal communications
(including e-mails).
c. Government reports, letters, manuscripts in preparation, and personal communications
(including e-mails).
d. Papers accepted for publication but still “in-press,” PhD theses, manuscripts in preparation,
and personal communications (including e-mails).

12. The quality of the journal that published an article is an indicator of the quality of a research
article.
*a. T
b. F

13. Data gathered through existing sources are called primary data.
a. T
*b. F

14. A “problem” means that something is seriously wrong with a current situation that needs to
be rectified immediately.
a. T
*b. F

15. Data gathered for research from the actual site of occurrence of events are called primary
data.
*a. T
b. F

16. It is unnecessary for the researcher or the research team to be acquainted with the
background of the company or organization studied.
a. T
*b. F

17. Abstract databases display only the bibliographic citations, that is, the name of the author,
the title of the article (or book), source of publication, year, volume, and page numbers.
a. T
*b. F

18. Articles and books that were written thirty or even forty years ago should not be included in
the literature review.
a. T
*b. F

19. Which of the following does not represent a criterion for assessing the value of articles or
books?
a. The relevance of the issues that are addressed in the article or book.
b. The importance of a book or article in terms of citations.
c. The year of publication of the article or book.
*d. The number of authors of the article or book.

20. Which of the following is the most correct statement?

a. There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem statement: it should be
relevant, feasible, and fundamental.
b. There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem statement: it should be
relevant, conclusive, and interesting.
c. There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem statement: it should be
relevant, feasible, and interesting.
d. There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem statement: it should be
fundamental, feasible, and interesting.