For each scenario below, diagrammatically represent what you believe the design to be, using X (Independent variable), O (observation or measurement of the dependent variable), C (Control Group), and/or T (Treatment Group). Also, note if the sample uses a random sample [R]. Please see the last slide from this chapter's powerpoint slides for an example of how to diagram an experimental design.

A leading manufacturer of frozen food products decided to test the effectiveness of an in-store display. Four large supermarkets, located near the company's main office, were selected for the experiment. The display was set up in two of the stores, and sales were monitored for a period of two weeks. The sales of the other two stores were also recorded, but no displays were used. Sales volume for the frozen food products increased 2% more in the stores that used the in-store displays than in the stores that did not use the displays.

A manufacturer of a line of office equipment, based in Houston, Texas, marketed its products in the southwest United States. The region consisted of 30 geographic divisions, each headed by a divisional manager who had a staff of salespeople. The firm's management wanted to test the effectiveness of a new sales training program in which the sales personnel in five of the divisions typically participated. The divisional managers of these five divisions were instructed to monitor sales for each salesperson for each of the five months before and after the training program. The results were to be sent to the vice president of sales in Houston, who planned to compare them against sales changes in the other divisions.

A new manufacturer of women's cosmetics was planning to retail the firm's products through mail order. The firm's management was considering the use of direct-mail advertisements to stimulate sales of their products. Prior to committing themselves to advertising through direct mail, management conducted an experiment. A random sample of 1000 consumers was selected from Memphis, Tennessee. The sample was divided into two groups, with each subject being randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Direct-mail advertisements were sent twice over a period of one month to respondents of one of the groups. Two weeks later, respondents of both groups were mailed the company's catalog of cosmetics. Sales to each group were monitored.

Milbar Corporation, a specialty hand-tool company located in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was considering introducing a new style of snap ring pliers. Before it went ahead with production of the pliers, Jack Bares, CEO, decided that the company should test the effectiveness of its sales promotion campaign. Jack chose four disparate cities in which to run the experiment. In two of the randomly chosen cities, Binghamton, New York and Manderville, Louisiana, Milbar first questioned mechanics and parts people on their attitudes toward snap ring pliers. Next, Milbar ran the new pliers sales promotion campaign in the randomly chosen Binghamton and Medford, Oregon. Then Milbar went back to all four cities--Binghamton, Manderville, Medford, and Omaha--and measured mechanics' and parts people's attitudes toward the new and old snap ring pliers.

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Answer 1 Dependent variable sales volume Independent variable DisplayNo ... View the full answer