DECA Hospitality and Tourism Cluster Practice Exam

How do researchers assist managers in clarifying decision problems?

1. By drafting research objectives

2. By determining a unit of analysis

3. By deciding on relevant variables

4. By conducting a situation analysis

The correct answer is: By drafting research objectives

Researchers assist managers in clarifying decision problems by drafting research objectives. This process is crucial as it helps to delineate the specific goals of the research, ensuring that the issues at hand are well-defined and that the resulting data will be relevant and actionable. When researchers draft research objectives, they establish a framework that guides the entire research process, from data collection to analysis. Clear research objectives help managers understand exactly what they are trying to solve or learn, enabling targeted inquiries that produce valuable insights. By articulating what the research aims to achieve, it minimizes ambiguity and aligns the research methodology with the managers' strategic needs. The other choices, while they play a role in the overall research process, do not specifically address the initial stage of clarifying the problem. For instance, determining a unit of analysis and deciding on relevant variables are part of the research design phase that follows after the objectives have been established. Conducting a situation analysis does provide context and background, but it does not directly clarify the decision problems in the way that drafting clear and concise research objectives does.