1. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF COMMERCE (AUTONOMOUS)

END SEMESTER EXAMINATION – APRIL 2014

M.COM – II SEMESTER

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR BUSINESS

Duration: 3 Hrs                                                                                                  Max. Marks: 100 

Section – A

1. Answer any SEVEN questions. Each question carries 5 marks.              (7×5=35)
2. What are the major categorizations of basic and applied research? What is of more value to the corporate world- Basic or applied? Justify your reasoning.
3. Due to what reason is it considered mandatory for researchers to write a literature review? What makes a good literature review Explain?
4. Explain what a research problem is. Describe the nature of problem identification process?
5. Discuss briefly on the various non-probability sampling techniques.
6. You have been approached by Mr Ashish, who wants to start an economy line and would like to know:
7. How is fashion market composed?
8. What is the profile of avid fashion followers?

iii. What are the potential segments you can convert into fashion followers?

1. What is their buying behavior like?
2. How can you approach and market to this segment?
3. Would it be lucrative to move there?

What would be the nature of information required by you? Can you identify the source where data will be available?

6. Explain the concept of pilot testing the questionnaire. What are the important aspects to be remembered before conducting pilot testing?
7. Compare census survey and sample survey. Under what conditions is a sample preferred to a census?
8. What is a bibliography? How will you write the bibliography in the following contexts?
9. Books,              ii.  Chapter in an edited book      iii.  Periodicals in journal,
10. News paper     v. Web site.

 

9. The following data are collected from two cities as regards the starting stipend paid to new management trainees. Does the data give evidence that the stipend paid in city B is significantly more than that in city A? (Test at a significance of level of 1%).

City	Monthly Stipend (Mean)	Sample Standard Deviation	Sample
A	Rs  1400	Rs    80	200
B	Rs  1600	Rs  120	175

 

10. The sales data of an item in six shops before and after a special promotional campaign are as under:

SHOPS	A	B	C	D	E	F
BEFORE CAMPAIGN	53	28	31	48	50	42
AFTER CAMPAIGN	58	29	30	55	56	45

Can the campaign be judged to be a success? Test at 5% level of significance.

 

Section – B

 

1. Answer any three Each carries 15 marks.       (3×15=45)

 

11. Elucidate on the different types of Business research.
12. To examine the effectiveness of a food supplements on weight reduction, a sample of respondents is selected at random. These respondents are divided randomly into two groups, each having the same numbers. Members of the group are weighed weekly for a period of three months. For the next two months, members of one group are given the diet drink. The weights of members of both the groups are taken weekly for the next one month.
13. Discuss the purpose of this experiment.
14. Diagram the experiment.

iii. Identify test units, dependent variable, independent variable and extraneous variables

1. What purpose does each group serve?
2. Comment on the internal and external validity of the experiment.

 

13. Discuss how the interview method with observation method is used as a tool for primary data collection.
14. The contingency table below summarizes the results obtained in a study conducted by a research organization, with respect to the performance of four competing brands of tooth paste among users:

	Brand A	Brand B	Brand C	Brand D	Total
No Cavities	9	13	17	11	50
One to five Cavities	63	70	85	82	300
More than five cavities	28	37	48	37	150
Total	100	120	150	130	500

Does the data reveal an association between cavities and the brand of tooth paste used?

 

15. To study the performance of three detergents and three different water temperatures, the following “whiteness” readings were obtained with specially designed equipment:

Water Temperature	Detergent   A	Detergent   B		Detergent  C
May	57	55	67
June	49	52	68
July	54	46	58

 

Perform a two way analysis of variance, using 5% level of significance

(Given F  5%  =  6.94)

Section – C

• Compulsory Case study                                                                  (1 x 20 = 20)

 

Sham  joined Danish international as Vice President for a fortnight and  observed that the team in Danish international was apathetic and there could be multiple reasons for this apathy. Thus it was essential to study the group reaction to the working conditions  at Danish International. It is also important to identify what was perceived as the major problem area.  Sham was of the opinion that there might be difference between old and new employees. This view point was also given due recognition while conducting a survey.  Reghu, a Senior Consultant in Danish International said, “ this seems to be a logical approach to the problem, but don’t you think that before you go to the team members you must at least identify what could be the reasons  for the lackluster performance at Danish by looking at other organizations or by talking to the human resource consultants who have some experience of the same”.

Questions:

1. What is the research design Sham is likely to recommend? Why?
2. Identify the variables, hypothesis and the units under study.
3. How could you improve the accuracy of the results obtained?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESE – M.Com. 11 Semester– Business Research Methodology -APRIL 2014

 Scheme of Valuation:

Section – A

1. Answer Any Seven questions out of Ten 5 x 7 = 35 Marks
2. Business Research: A. Basic Research: Exploratory-conclusive- descriptive- causal. B. Applied Research: Exploratory-conclusive- descriptive- causal. Research is a quintessential tool, no matter what the field of learning is. It has special significance in areas of management by aiding more informed decision making. Basic research adds to management science and applied research is problem centric.
3. To identify: what has already been written on a topic, ii. previous approaches to the topic, iii. central issues in the field, iv. integrate previous knowledge, v. important issues still unresolved. A good literature review: i. delimits the subject matter to be reviewed, ii. up-to-date  literature, iii. Provides an insight, iv. Points out similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses in the literature, v. Identifies gaps in the literature for future research, vi. Identifies the context for which the literature is important.
4. Research Problem is a gap or uncertainty which hampers the process of efficient decision making in a given body of knowledge. Problem identification process: management decision problem- discussion with subject experts-Review of literature- organizational analysis- qualitative survey- identifying variables
5. Convenience sampling- Quota sampling- judgment sampling- snowball sampling.
6. You have been approached by Mr Ashish, who wants to start an economy line and would like to know:
7. How is fashion market composed? Secondary – government publications—socio-demographic profiles
8. What is the profile of avid fashion followers: Secondary -government publications—socio-demographic profiles, trade magazines, focus group discussions

iii. What are the potential segments you can convert into fashion followers? Secondary -government publications—socio-demographic profiles, trade magazines, no. of young  people who may buy in future, floating public, focus group discussions…

1. What is their buying behavior like? Primary & secondary analysis –test marketing. FGD
2. How can you approach and market to this segment?: discussion with experts
3. Would it be lucrative to move there?: conduct primary research studies

What would be nature of information required by you. Can you identify the source where data will be available?

6. Pilot testing involves the testing and administration of the designed instrument on a small group of people from the population under study. Purpose: to cover any error- Avoid ambiguity- Important aspects: Always to be conducted on a face to face interaction – get inputs of academic or industry experts Every aspect of questionnaire has to be tested.- record al experience of conduction- including time taken to administer it.-advisable to use multiple investigators (should include experienced and seasoned field investigators)- debriefing: where after the completion of questionnaire, the person is asked to summarize his experience, in terms problems in answering, such as confusion- fatigue
7. Census survey: suitable when phenomenon under the study is rare. Population is very small. When it is necessary to study every aspect of the population. Sample survey:  Sample survey is preferred under the following conditions: Speed and timeliness-Economy of cost and effort –accuracy of results- feasibility.

Bibliography: last section of report. Appears after appendices. Bibliography contains the source of every reference used and any other relevant work that has been consulted. It imparts authenticity regarding source of data to the reader.

 

9. H₀: there is no significant difference in the stipend paid in the two cities “A” and “B”

S.E.= (µ ₁ – µ ₂) =√σ₁²/n₁  +  √σ₂²/n_{2  =}                     σ₁ =80,   σ₂ = 120,    n₁ = 200,      n₂ = 175

S.E.= (µ ₁ – µ ₂) =√(80)²/200  +  √(120)²/175   ₌  √ 32+  √82.286  =    10. 69

Calculated value of Z =  1400-1600/10.69 = 18.71    Table Value Z _0.005 @ 5% LOS is 2.58 S.E.

The Calculated value of  Z =  18.71    >  Table Value Z _0.005 @ 5% LOS is 2.58   S. E.

Hence Reject H_0,.  There is significant difference  in the stipend paid in the two cities “A” and “B”

10. H₀ : the promotional campaign has not been successful.

SHOPS	BEFORE CAMPAIGN	AFTER CAMPAIGN	d	∑d2
A	53	58	+5	25
B	28	29	+1	1
C	31	30	-1	1
D	48	55	+7	49
E	50	56	+6	36
F	42	45	+3	9
			∑d =21	∑d2 = 121

 

t =                                                        =    =3.5

S  =                          =      3.08

v = n-1 = 6  -1 =  5,                 t =     =2.78

The Calculated value t is greater  than the Table Value. The hypothesis is rejected. Hence  the promotional campaign has been  successful.

Section – B

Answer Three questions  out of Five                                                                        3 x 15 = 45 Mks

 

11. 1. Basic-applied – 2. Exploratory: (literature search – experience survey – focus group – analysis of selected cases)- 3.  Descriptive research: (case studies- observational  -survey research – archival research) 4. Quantitative Research: (correlational study –Ex-post facto study-longitudinal study – Survey- Meta analysis) – 5. Qualitative Research, 6. Action Research, 7. Diagnostic Research, 8. Experimental Research.
12. i. Purpose: any logical purpose /objective constructed (3 marks)
13. Diagram: experimentation: A. – experiment group (diet drink) – Duration of weight check  B. control group ()No diet drink) – Duration of weight check (3 marks)

iii. Identify test units : dependent variable (Weight increase), independent variable (diet drink) and extraneous variables:  no exercise, Health issues  [ Any logical variable](3 marks)

1. Purpose each group serve: impact of diet drink on health(3 marks)
2. Internal validity of the experiment: See that no rival hypothesis crops in to meddle with the study.

External validity of the experiment:                (3 marks)

13. Interview method: verbal conversation between two people with objective of collecting research information. i. Personal interview, ii. telephone interview, iii. Focus Group interview, iv. Depth interview, v. Projective technique. Observation method: refers to monitoring and recording of behavioural and non-behavioural activities in a systematic manner to obtain information on phenomenon of interest.
14. H₀: Cavities are independent of the brand of tooth paste used.

H_a:  Cavities are dependent of the brand of tooth paste used.

Applying  X² test =

 

Table of Expected Frequency

10	12	15	13	50
60	72	90	78	300
30	36	45	39	150
100	120	150	130	500

 

O	O	E	(O-E)2
9	10	1	0.100
63	60	9	0.150
28	30	4	0.133
13	12	1	0.083
70	72	4	0.056
37	36	1	0.028
17	15	4	0.267
85	90	25	0.278
48	45	9	0.200
11	13	4	0.308
82	78	16	0.205
37	39	4	0.103
∑[(O-E)2/E =   1.911

 

X² = ∑[(O-E)²/E =   1.911

v = (r-1) (c-1) =  (3-1) (4-1) = 6.   For v =3, X²_0.05  =12.59

the Calculate Value of X² <  Table Value X² _0.05 @ 5% LOS. The null hypothesis is accepted. Conclusion: Cavities are independent of the brand of tooth paste used

 

15. H₀: 1. Sales made by the four salesmen do not differ significantly

H₀: 2. Sales made during different months do not differ significantly

 

To facilitate easy computation deduct 50 from each given value

 

 

Water Temperature	Detergent   A	Detergent   B	Detergent  C	Total
May	+7	+5	+17	29
June	-1	+2	+18	19
July	+4	-4	+8	8
	10	3	43	56

 

Correction factor, i.e., CF= T²/N  = (56)² /9 = 348.44

 

Sum of squares between Detergents  (SSC)=

(∑X₁)²/N) + (∑X₂)²/N) + (∑X₃)²/N) –C.F.

[(10)²/3] + [(3)²/3]+ [(43)²/3] -CF  = 33.33 +3+ 616.33 –  348.44  = 304.22

Mean Sum of Squares  Between Columns (MSC)=       SSC/c-1 =     304.22/3-1 = 152.110

 

Sum of Squares BetweenWater Temperatures  (SSR)=    [(29)²/3]+ [(19)²/3]+ [(8)²/3]-348.44

= 280.33 + 120.33  + 21.33 – 348.44 = 73.55

Mean Sum of Squares between rows (MSR) = SSR/r-1 = 73.55/ 3-1 = 36.775

 

Total sum of squares (SSE) = [(7)² +(-1)² +(4)² +(5)² +(2)² +(4)² +(17)² +

(18)² +(8)²  – 348.44  = 439.56

 

Source of Variation	Sum of Squares	v	Mean Sum of Squares	F
Between Columns (Detergents)	304.22	2	152.11	152.11/15.4475= 9.85
Between Rows (Temperatures)	73.55	2	36.775	36.775/15.4475= 2.38
Residual	61.79	4	15.4475
Total	439.56	8

 

1. The Table Value of F_0.05 for v₁ =2 and v₂ =3, F_0.05 = 6.94

The Calculated Value is greater than the Table Value. Reject Null Hypothesis. There is significant difference in the three varieties of detergents

2. The Table Value of F_0.05 for v₁ =2 and v₂ =4, F_0.05 = 6.94.

The Calculated Value is less than the Table Value. Accept Null Hypothesis. Hence water temperatures do not make a significant difference.

Section – C

16. Compulsory Case study                                                 1 x 20 = 20 Mks

Questions:

1. What is the research design Sham is likely to recommend? Why?
   2. Identify the variables, hypothesis and the units under study

3 How could you improve the accuracy of the results obtained?

employee perception about the current organizational climate at Danish International

Variable Employee who is he employee

perception

Danish International provides adequate growth opportunities for workers (SA, A, DA)

OPEN END QUES

Organizational climate

Exploratory research design, case study method Focus group discussion

Unit of analysis – employee who works at Danish International

Hypotheses 1: there would be no significant difference between the new and old employees on the perception of the existing organizational climate at Danish International.

secondary resource analysis

expert opinion survey with human resource consultants

Descriptive design study:  Here again the students might argue for a cross-sectional design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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