Inquiring Minds Want Toknow

Instead of using actual data, numerical values will be assigned to each response in order to group responses from the Penton surveys and questionnaires into various categories. The sample code sheet would include the question, variable number, code description and variable name (p.406). For example:

Question Variable Number Code Description Variable Name

1 Record number RECNUM

2 Respondent number RESNUM

1 3 2= Yes Reader card used

1=No

9= Missing

2 4 1 = Telephone Preferred inquiry method

2= Email

3= Website inquiry form

4= Fax-on-demand

5= Reader service card

9= Missing

The code sheet will be set up to compare responses options and the frequency of responses.

7. Assume you are compiling your research report. How would you present the statistical information within this case to the IndustryWeek decision maker, the manager who must decide whether or not to continue to publish reader service cards?

Prefatory information, the introduction, methodology, findings, appendices and bibliography must be in included in the report (p. 565). In the findings section, graphs, columns, and other visual aids can be used to show the frequency of reader service cards and the preferred inquiry method. In the recommendations section, corrective action will be presented based on the findings. The IW will then take the statistical data and recommendation under consideration when contemplating whether the reader cards should remain a viable inquiry method.

8. Assume you are compiling your research report. What are the limitations of this study?

The study should have been conducted over a period of more than two years. Most importantly, the primary limitation in Penton study is the sample size. Although the standard error is calculated by the 676 of the 710 surveys received, the overall sample size represents such a small fraction of the overall 1.7 million population size. This implies that data or CI (confidence interval) is somewhat inexact.

9. Assume you are the...