1. Businesses use reports to help solve problems. Some problems are unique and call for information on a one-time basis. Other problems require a steady flow of information because they are recurring. Understanding the problem-solving process will help you prepare better reports and better solutions.

Reports can be used to solve various problems. Before you write a report, you need to define the problem and ___________.

A. Longitudinal Data

B. Method of Solution

2. The Castle Candle Company is doing well. They are considering a remodel of their factory to produce a new line of candles. They have asked your consulting firm to evaluate whether the remodel would pay off.

Which of the following statements is the hypothesis to be proved or disproved for this study?

A. Remodeling the factory to produce soy candles will be profitable.

B. The remodel of the factory will require firing 23 workers.

C. The factory will be changed significantly to produce a different product.

3. CHECK ALL THAT APPLY: Your boss, Mr. Findlay, wants to know whether the expense of maintaining the corporate fitness center is a wise investment of company resources. He asks you to provide recommendations on whether the fitness center should remain open next year.

How should you limit the scope of the problem you are trying to solve? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.

A. Interview former employees for honest opinions.

B. Focus on the opinions of executives.

C. Review fitness centers nationwide.

D. Compare costs and expenses with benefits to current employees.

4. Words often have more than one meaning. Defining terms clearly will increase the accuracy of your report and your readers comprehension. Which of the following terms is the clearest and most likely to be understood by the reader of a report?

A. Rate of pay

B. Salary

C. Annual salary

5. A major shortcoming that often occurs in research planning is the failure to establish or to recognize desirable limits.

The _____________ of the report helps to establish boundaries in which the report will be researched as prepared.

A. Problem Statement

B. Scope