Question

A research company performed a study of Machiavellian traits in accountants. Machiavellian describes negative character traits that include​ manipulation, cunning,​ duplicity, deception, and bad faith. A questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 800 acccounting alumni of a large​ university; however, due to nonresponse and incomplete​ answers, only 216 questionnaires could be analyzed. Several variables were​ measured, including​ age, gender, level of​ education, income, job satisfaction​ score, and Machiavellian​ ("Mach") rating score. The research findings suggest that Machiavellian behavior is not required to achieve success in the accounting profession. Complete parts a through

f.

a. What is the population of interest to the​ researcher?

All 216 accounting alumni who returned the questionnaire

B.

The 800 accounting alumni

C.

All accounting alumni of the large university

D.

All alumni of the large university

b. What type of data​ (quantitative or​ qualitative) is produced by each of the variables​ measured?

A.

The quantitative variables are​ gender, level of​ education, job satisfaction​ score, and Machiavellian rating. The qualitative variables are age and income.

B.

The quantitative variables are​ gender, level of​ education, and job satisfaction score. The qualitative variables are​ age, income, and Machiavellian rating.

C.

The quantitative variables are​ age, income, and gender. The qualitative variables are level of​ education, job satisfaction​score, and Machiavellian rating.

D.

The quantitative variables are​ age, income, job satisfaction​score, and Machiavellian rating. The qualitative variables are gender and level of education.

c. Identify the sample. Choose the correct answer below.

A.

The sample is the 216 accounting alumni who returned the questionnaire.

B.

The sample is all accounting alumni of the large university.

C.

The sample is the 800 accounting alumni who returned the questionnaire.

D.

The sample is all alumni of the large university.

d. Identify the​ data-collection method used. Choose the correct answer below.

A.

The data are from a designed experiment.

B.

The data were collected observationally.

C.

The data are from a survey.

D.

The data are from a published source.

e. What inference was made by the​ researcher?

A.

Machiavellian behavior is not required to achieve success in the accounting profession.

B.

Gender does not have an effect on success in the accounting profession.

C.

A high level of education is important to achieve success in the accounting profession.

D.

Job satisfaction is important to achieve success in the accounting profession.

f. How might the nonresponses impact the​ inference?

A.

Nonresponses decrease the sample​ size, making the results more accurate.

B.

Nonresponses cause inaccuracies in the values of the data being recorded.

C.

Nonrespondents may be more Machiavellian in​ nature, biasing the results.

D.

Answer 1

The population of interest is the 216 accounting alumni who returned the questionnaire. The variables measured are a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. The researcher made an inference that Machiavellian behavior is not required for success in accounting. Nonresponses could introduce bias.

Step-by-step explanation:

a. The population of interest to the researcher is the 216 accounting alumni who returned the questionnaire.

b. The quantitative variables are gender, level of education, job satisfaction score, and Machiavellian rating. The qualitative variables are age and income.

c. The sample is the 216 accounting alumni who returned the questionnaire.

d. The data-collection method used is a survey.

e. The inference made by the researcher is that Machiavellian behavior is not required to achieve success in the accounting profession.

f. The nonresponses may bias the results if the nonrespondents are more Machiavellian in nature.