Question

Because people use business reports to make high-stakes decisions, the research should be
1. based on data gathered over weeks, months, or even years, if necessary.
2. thorough and careful.
3. tightly focused on no more than three or four primary objectives.
4. broad enough to incorporate everything related to the topic.

Answer 1

Short answer: 1 (conditionally) and 2–3 are desirable; 4 is not.

Why:
- 2 (thorough and careful): Yes. High-stakes decisions require valid, reliable methods and clear documentation.
- 3 (tightly focused on no more than three or four primary objectives): Yes. Clear, limited objectives keep the work actionable and prevent wasted effort or analysis paralysis.
- 1 (based on data gathered over weeks, months, or even years, if necessary): Conditionally yes. Use an appropriate timeframe for the question — some decisions need longitudinal data, others can be based on shorter, well-designed studies or recent data.
- 4 (broad enough to incorporate everything related to the topic): No. “Everything” leads to unfocused, costly research and slower delivery. Better to define a clear scope that captures relevant factors without trying to be exhaustive.

Practical guidance: define the decision(s) the report must inform, set 2–4 primary objectives, choose the smallest scope and timeframe that yield reliable answers, and document assumptions and limitations.