BRM EXAM CORRECT QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS!!
abstract level - ANSWERIn theory development, the level of knowledge expressing a
concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object.
concept (or construct) - ANSWERA generalized idea about a class of objects that
has been given a name; an abstraction of reality that is the basic unit for theory
development.
deductive reasoning - ANSWERThe logical process of deriving a conclusion about a
specific instance based on a known general premise or something known to be true.
empirical level - ANSWERLevel of knowledge that is verifiable by experience or
observation.
empirical testing - ANSWERExamining a research hypothesis against reality using
data.
hypothesis - ANSWERFormal statement of an unproven proposition that is
empirically testable.
inductive reasoning - ANSWERThe logical process of establishing a general
proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts.
ladder of abstraction - ANSWEROrganization of concepts in sequence from the most
concrete and individual to the most general.
latent construct - ANSWERA concept that is not directly observable or measurable,
but can be estimated through proxy measures.
operationalizing - ANSWERThe process of identifying the actual measurement
scales to assess the variables of interest.
propositions - ANSWERStatements explaining the logical linkage among certain
concepts by asserting a universal connection between concepts.
scientific method - ANSWERA set of prescribed procedures for establishing and
connecting theoretical statements about events, for analyzing empirical evidence,
and for predicting events yet unknown; techniques or procedures used to analyze
empirical evidence in an attempt to confirm or disprove prior conceptions.
theory - ANSWERA formal, logical explanation of some events that includes
predictions of how things relate to one another.
variables - ANSWERAnything that may assume different numerical values; the
empirical assessment of a concept.
, absolute causality - ANSWERMeans the cause is necessary and sufficient to bring
about the effect.
backward linkage - ANSWERImplies that later steps influence earlier stages of the
research process.
business opportunity - ANSWERA situation that makes some potential competitive
advantage possible.
business problem - ANSWERA situation that makes some significant negative
consequence more likely.
causal inference - ANSWERA conclusion that when one thing happens, another
specific thing will follow.
causal research - ANSWERAllows causal inferences to be made; seeks to identify
cause-and-effect relationships.
concomitant variation - ANSWEROne of three criteria for causality; occurs when two
events "covary," meaning they vary systematically.
conditional causality - ANSWERMeans that a cause is necessary but not sufficient to
bring about an effect.
contributory causality - ANSWERMeans that a cause need be neither necessary nor
sufficient to bring about an effect.
data analysis - ANSWERThe application of reasoning to understand the data that
have been gathered.
decision making - ANSWERThe process of developing and deciding among
alternative ways of resolving a problem or choosing from among alternative
opportunities.
deliverables - ANSWERThe term used often in consulting to describe research
objectives to a research client.
descriptive research - ANSWERDescribes characteristics of objects, people, groups,
organizations, or environments; tries to "paint a picture" of a given situation.
diagnostic analysis - ANSWERSeeks to diagnose reasons for business outcomes
and focuses specifically on the beliefs and feelings consumers have about and
toward competing products.
experiment - ANSWERA carefully controlled study in which the researcher
manipulates a proposed cause and observes any corresponding change in the
proposed effect.
ANSWERS!!
abstract level - ANSWERIn theory development, the level of knowledge expressing a
concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object.
concept (or construct) - ANSWERA generalized idea about a class of objects that
has been given a name; an abstraction of reality that is the basic unit for theory
development.
deductive reasoning - ANSWERThe logical process of deriving a conclusion about a
specific instance based on a known general premise or something known to be true.
empirical level - ANSWERLevel of knowledge that is verifiable by experience or
observation.
empirical testing - ANSWERExamining a research hypothesis against reality using
data.
hypothesis - ANSWERFormal statement of an unproven proposition that is
empirically testable.
inductive reasoning - ANSWERThe logical process of establishing a general
proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts.
ladder of abstraction - ANSWEROrganization of concepts in sequence from the most
concrete and individual to the most general.
latent construct - ANSWERA concept that is not directly observable or measurable,
but can be estimated through proxy measures.
operationalizing - ANSWERThe process of identifying the actual measurement
scales to assess the variables of interest.
propositions - ANSWERStatements explaining the logical linkage among certain
concepts by asserting a universal connection between concepts.
scientific method - ANSWERA set of prescribed procedures for establishing and
connecting theoretical statements about events, for analyzing empirical evidence,
and for predicting events yet unknown; techniques or procedures used to analyze
empirical evidence in an attempt to confirm or disprove prior conceptions.
theory - ANSWERA formal, logical explanation of some events that includes
predictions of how things relate to one another.
variables - ANSWERAnything that may assume different numerical values; the
empirical assessment of a concept.
, absolute causality - ANSWERMeans the cause is necessary and sufficient to bring
about the effect.
backward linkage - ANSWERImplies that later steps influence earlier stages of the
research process.
business opportunity - ANSWERA situation that makes some potential competitive
advantage possible.
business problem - ANSWERA situation that makes some significant negative
consequence more likely.
causal inference - ANSWERA conclusion that when one thing happens, another
specific thing will follow.
causal research - ANSWERAllows causal inferences to be made; seeks to identify
cause-and-effect relationships.
concomitant variation - ANSWEROne of three criteria for causality; occurs when two
events "covary," meaning they vary systematically.
conditional causality - ANSWERMeans that a cause is necessary but not sufficient to
bring about an effect.
contributory causality - ANSWERMeans that a cause need be neither necessary nor
sufficient to bring about an effect.
data analysis - ANSWERThe application of reasoning to understand the data that
have been gathered.
decision making - ANSWERThe process of developing and deciding among
alternative ways of resolving a problem or choosing from among alternative
opportunities.
deliverables - ANSWERThe term used often in consulting to describe research
objectives to a research client.
descriptive research - ANSWERDescribes characteristics of objects, people, groups,
organizations, or environments; tries to "paint a picture" of a given situation.
diagnostic analysis - ANSWERSeeks to diagnose reasons for business outcomes
and focuses specifically on the beliefs and feelings consumers have about and
toward competing products.
experiment - ANSWERA carefully controlled study in which the researcher
manipulates a proposed cause and observes any corresponding change in the
proposed effect.
