PRC Reporting & Presenting Research Findings 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher is presenting a statistically significant finding with a very small effect size. What should the report emphasize?
- Only the statistical significance, since p < 0.05 is the gold standard
- Both statistical significance and practical significance, explaining the real-world impact (Correct answer)
- The effect size alone, ignoring statistical significance
- Neither metric, as both are irrelevant to decision-makers
Correct answer: Both statistical significance and practical significance, explaining the real-world impact
Statistical significance does not guarantee practical importance; reporting both helps stakeholders understand real-world relevance.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a 'story arc' in a research presentation?
- A fictional narrative added to make data more engaging
- A structured flow that builds context, presents findings, and drives toward a clear conclusion (Correct answer)
- A chronological listing of data collection events
- A series of unrelated charts displayed in sequence
Correct answer: A structured flow that builds context, presents findings, and drives toward a clear conclusion
A story arc organizes the presentation so each section logically builds on the previous one, leading the audience to a compelling conclusion.
Question 3: When using color in data visualizations, what is the most critical accessibility consideration?
- Using at least six different colors to differentiate categories
- Ensuring the color palette is distinguishable by color-blind viewers (Correct answer)
- Limiting charts to black and white for maximum contrast
- Matching the organization's brand colors regardless of readability
Correct answer: Ensuring the color palette is distinguishable by color-blind viewers
Approximately 8% of men have color vision deficiency; using color-blind-friendly palettes ensures all audiences can interpret charts accurately.
Question 4: A client requests that the researcher remove a finding that casts their product in a negative light. The researcher should:
- Remove it to maintain the client relationship
- Remove it but note the omission in an internal memo
- Decline and explain that omitting material findings violates professional research standards (Correct answer)
- Present the finding as a minor footnote to minimize visibility
Correct answer: Decline and explain that omitting material findings violates professional research standards
Selective omission of unfavorable findings constitutes research misconduct and violates PRC professional ethics standards.
Question 5: What is the primary function of a data table in a research report compared to a chart?
- Tables are decorative; charts convey the actual data
- Tables allow readers to examine precise values; charts communicate patterns and trends (Correct answer)
- Charts should always replace tables to improve readability
- Tables are used only in appendices, never in the main report body
Correct answer: Tables allow readers to examine precise values; charts communicate patterns and trends
Tables enable exact value lookup while charts help readers grasp overall patterns, trends, and comparisons quickly.
Question 6: In research reports, 'margin of error' is most commonly associated with which type of research?
- Qualitative in-depth interviews
- Ethnographic observation studies
- Quantitative survey research with probability sampling (Correct answer)
- Secondary desk research
Correct answer: Quantitative survey research with probability sampling
Margin of error is a statistical concept that applies to quantitative surveys using probability samples to estimate population parameters.
Question 7: Which report section should explain WHY a particular methodology was selected over alternatives?
- Executive summary
- Findings section
- Methodology section (Correct answer)
- Appendix
Correct answer: Methodology section
The methodology section justifies the research design choices, including why specific methods were selected and their fit for the research objectives.
PRC Reporting & Presenting Research Findings 3
A researcher is presenting a statistically significant finding with a very small effect size.
What should the report emphasize?