Competencies: Analytical Aptitude

Question 1

Comparing the sizes o two variables to produce an index or percentage; commonly used to analyze financial statements.

Answer 1

Ratio analysis

Question 2

Objective measurements that can be verified and used in statistical analysis.

Answer 2

Quantitative data

Question 3

Subjective evaluation of actions, feelings, or behaviors.

Answer 3

Qualitative data

Question 4

Average of data that adds factors to reflect the importance of different values.

Answer 4

Weighted mean

Question 5

Extent to which a measurement instrument measures what it is intended to measure.

Answer 5

Validity

Question 6

Raw average of data that gives equal weight to all values, with no regard for other factors.

Answer 6

Unweighted mean

Question 7

Statistical method that examines data from different points in time to determine if a variance is an isolated event or it is part of a longer trend.

Answer 7

Trend analysis

Question 8

Data sorting technique in which a group categorizes and subcategorizes data until relationships are clearly drawn.

Answer 8

Affinity diagramming

Question 9

Technique that progressively collects information from a group of anonymous respondents.

Answer 9

Delphi technique

Question 10

Small group of invited persons (typically 6-12) who actively participate in a structured discussion, led by a facilitator, for the purpose of eliciting their input.

Answer 10

Focus group

Question 11

Data sorting technique in which group members add related ideas and indicate logical connections, eventually grouping similar ideas.

Answer 11

Mind mapping

Question 12

Value that occurs most frequently in a set of data.

Answer 12

Mode

Question 13

Middle value in a range of values.

Answer 13

Median

Question 14

Average score or value

Answer 14

Mean

Question 15

Statistical method used to test the possible effects of altering the details of a strategy to see if they likely outcome can be improved.

Answer 15

Scenario/what-if analysis

Question 16

Type of analysis that starts with a result and then works backward to identify fundamental cause.

Answer 16

Root cause analysis

Question 17

Extent to which a measurement instrument provides consistent results.

Answer 17

Reliability

Question 18

Statistical method used to determine whether a relationship exists between variables and the strength of the relationship.

Answer 18

Regression analysis

Question 19

Distance of any data point from the center of a distribution when data is distributed in a “normal” or expected pattern.

Answer 19

Standard deviation

Question 20

Statistical method for identifying the degree of difference between planned and actual performance or outcomes.

Answer 20

Variance analysis

Question 21

Technique in which participants each suggest ideas through a series of rounds and then discuss the items, eliminate redundancies and irrelevancies, and agree on the importance of the remaining items.

Answer 21

Nominal group technique (NGT)