Business Research Methods - Chapter 3 Assignment

In-Class Application – Week 3

1. Below are some terms commonly found in a management setting. Are they concepts or constructs? You must briefly explain your answers.

a) First-line supervisor Concept as people are tangible

b) Employee morale Construct as this is an agreed upon term to describe something that cannot be seen directly

c) Assembly line Concept as an assembly line is a thing

d) Overdue account Construct as the term “overdue” is not a tangible attribute, the bill showing that the account is overdue is tangible, and the visual representations of the account are also tangible, but the “Overdue account” itself is not tangible.

e) Line management Concept as line management is a reference to real people, most likely a handful of individuals that have a real relationship with their staff

f) Leadership Construct as this is an attribute you cannot touch

g) Union democracy Construct as this is not tangible

h) Ethical standards Construct as these standards are theoretical creations that are agreed upon

2. An automobile manufacturer observes the demand for its brand increasing as per capita income increases. Sales increases also follow low interest rates, which ease credit conditions. Buyer purchase behavior is seen to be dependent on age and gender. Other factors influencing sales appear to fluctuate almost randomly (competitor advertising, competitor dealer discounts, introductions of new competitive models).

a) If sales and per capita income are positively related, classify all variables as dependent, independent, moderating, extraneous, or intervening. You must briefly explain your answers.

Variables and classifaction:

* Interest Rates – Independent variable & Sales – Dependent variable. As interest rates decrease, sales increase

* Buyer Purchase Behavior – Dependent Variable & Age/Gender – Moderating Variable. Age & Gender are a classification that can impact Buyer Purchasing Behavior

* Competitor...