Business Research Methodology

St. Joseph’s College of Commerce    (Autonomous)

END SEMESTER EXAMINATION – APRIL 2011

M.Com. – II Semester

Business Research Methodology

 

Time: 3 hrs.                                                                                                       Max. Marks: 100

SECTION – A

 

I)Answer any TEN questions from the  following fifteen:                               (10 x 2 = 20)

 

(Your answers have to be precise, max. four sentences!)

1. What is the purpose of literature survey? What is meant by ‘Research Gap’?
2. What is Exploratory Research? How is it different from Pilot Study?
3. Define: Intervening variable and Moderating Variable with a simple example
4. What is Likert Scale? Why is it called a Summated Scale?
5. Explain Stratified Random Sampling.
6. What is a dichotomous question? How is it different from a polytomous question?
7. How does a ‘construct’ differ from a ‘concept’?
8. Judgemental or Purposive Sampling.
9. Define deontology and relativism in business research.
10. How is Causal Research different from Ex Post Facto research?
11. Explain with an example: Variable and Parameter of Interest in a population.
12. What are ‘Outliers’? How do they affect data interpretation?
13. What are the two main reasons for Sampling Error?
14. What is Data Mining? What is its ultimate goal?
15. Give any two common methods of Projective Techniques.

 

SECTION – B

 

1. II) Answer any FOUR questions from the following six: ( 4 x 5 = 20)

 

(Your answers have to be analytical and to the point!)

 

1. Explain the Management Research Question Hierarchy (MRQH) with an example, in which you play the role of a beleaguered Advertisement Manager of a news paper.
2. What do you understand by the F-distribution? Give a simple explanation of ANOVA and its use.
3. Explain with a simple example each and using graphs: Frequency Polygon and Ogive.
4. What are Secondary Data? What are the methods used in collecting them?

What are their advantages and disadvantages?

1. What are Multi-variate analytical tools? Name at least two each used for parametric and non-parametric analysis respectively, briefly giving examples.
2. Are the following Nominal, Ordinal, Interval or Ratio data? Why? Explain your reasoning briefly:

• Temperature measured on the Kelvin scale

 

(b) Military ranks

(c) Social security numbers

(d) Number of passengers on a flight from Mumbai to Delhi.

(e) Code numbers given to the religion of persons.

 

SECTION – C

 

III)Answer any THREE questions from the following five:                             (3 x 15 = 45)

 

(Your answers have to be descriptive and of essay type!)

 

1. “The interview is a very widely used means of primary data collection and is central

to most Research  Designs” – elaborate! What are the different methods and types        of interviews?

What are the pre-requisites and basic tenets of interviewing?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of interviews in data collection?

What are the issues of subjectivity and objectivity in interviewing?

 

23. What are “Scales” of measurement in Research Methodology? What are the three main

characteristics of good measurement? Classify and describe the different types of

Scaling techniques, giving an example to explain each one.

What are the three main errors which occur in Scaling?

Construct a “Stapel Scale” for the rating of Infosys as a global leader for any three

attributes.

 

24. Explain in detail “Regression Analysis” and “Correlation” with an example each.

What are the main differences between Regression analysis and Correlation analysis?

What are Scatter-plots? What is meant by “goodness of fit”?

 

25. What is research? What are the various steps involved in planning the research

process?

What are the main headings of a good “Research Proposal”? Write a Research Proposal

based on a hypothetical research problem in a business organisation – you can choose

your problem from any area of management.

 

26. Give at least four valid reasons for using Sampling in research. Explain in detail at

least nine different methods of sampling techniques used under the two broad

headings: Random and Non-random sampling, giving an example for each method.

 

SECTION – D

IV)Answer any ONE question from the following two:                              ( 1 x 15 = 15)

 

(1) What do you understand by the expression: “Probability Sampling Distribution”? Explain by means of the typically used Frequencies vs. Variables Uni-modal Graph.

Explain briefly the terms: Confidence Interval, Central Limit Theorem, One-tailed and Two-tailed Tests and Degrees of Freedom.

What is a Student “t-test”?

Solve the following problem using the “t-test”:

A manufacturer of car batteries claims that the average capacity of a certain type of battery that the firm produces is at least 140 AH (ampere hours) with a standard deviation of 2.66 AH. An independent sample of 20 batteries gave a mean of 138.47 AH. Test at 5% level of significance the null hypothesis that the mean life is 140 AH against an alternative that is lower. Can the manufacturer’s claim be sustained on the basis of the sample?

 

Help:

(i) The t-test Formula can be written as: t = (  x̄  –  μ Ho) / [ s /sqrt (n) ]

(ii)From the Distribution Table: Given α = 0.005,  for 19 D.F. the Critical Value of  t = +/- 1.729

OR

 

(2) What is meant by Hypothesis Testing? Explain with a simple example: Null Hypothesis and Alternative         Hypothesis. Briefly explain: (a) Level of Significance, (b) Decision Rule, and (c) Type I & Type II Errors.

 

What are Non-Parametric Tests of Significance? Explain Chi Square (c²) Test with a simple example. What are the steps in using the Chi Square (c²) Test in Hypothesis Testing?

 

Solve the following problem using the “c² – test”:

“The frequency of farms depending mainly upon raagi crops for an income is not related to underlying soil type.”

 

(A) State Ho and H1.

(B) Draw the necessary tables and work out the problem systematically

 

Data:

Area    Soil Type                   Number of raagi Farms

 

I           Marl                2

II          Chalk              10

III        Sandstone      8

IV        Clay                2

V         Limestone     4

 

Help:

(i)  The c² Formula can be written as: c² = Sigma (O –E) ² / E

(ii) The Table of Critical Values for c² shows that with D.F. = 4, the Critical Value of c²  is 9.49 at α = 0. 05

 

 

 

1. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF COMMERCE (AUTONOMOUS)

End Semester Examinations – APRIL 2012

M.Com. – II Semester

Business Research Methodology

Duration: 3 Hrs                                                                                                             Max. Marks: 100 

Section – A

1. Answer Seven questions out of Ten.                             (7 x 5 = 35)

 

1. Write briefly on the characteristics of Business Research.
2. Explain the terms induction and deduction with suitable examples.
3. Discuss briefly the significance of literature review.
4. What is a research problem? What are the techniques of formulating a research problem?
5. Explain briefly the various types of errors that can result from a hypothesis test.
6. What is meant by observation method? What are the different methods of observation?
7. What is meant by snowball sampling? Explain with suitable examples.
8. What precautions are to be taken before writing research reports?
9. MRF company finds that tire life is normally distributed with a mean of 40,000 kms and standard deviation of 3000 kms. A change in production process was effected. As a result a better product was developed. A sample of 64 tires has been selected. The mean life of new tires is 41,000 kms. Can it be concluded that the new tires is significantly better than the old one?
10. Prices of shares of a company on different days in a month were found to be:

66, 65, 69, 70, 69, 71, 70, 63, 64, 68. Discuss whether the mean price of the shares be 65. (the table value of t= 2.262)

Section – B

1. II) Answer any THREE questions out of Five.                                                 (3 x 15 = 45)

 

11. How would you define research? What are the different types of research studies?

 

12. What are the essentials of a good research design? State its importance. Write on the research designs meant for different types of studies.

 

13. Can a questionnaire be used in all situations? Why/why not? What are the important factors that have to be considered while framing questionnaire? Distinguish between a questionnaire and a schedule.

 

14. Discuss in detail the steps that a researcher needs to follow to formulate a good research report. Do the criteria become different for different kinds of report.

 

15. A movie producer is bringing out a movie. In order to map out his advertisement campaign, he wants to determine whether the movie will appeal most to a particular age group or whether it will appeal equally to all age groups. The producer takes a random simple from persons attending a preview of the new movie and obtain the following results:

 

Respondents	Age Groups
	Under 20	20-39	40-59	60 & over	Total
Liked the movie	146	78	48	28	300
Disliked the movie	54	22	42	22	140
Indifferent	20	10	10	20	60
Total	220	110	100	70	500

 

(for v = 5, X²_0.05 = 11.1; v=6, X²_0.05 = 12.59, v=7, X²_0.05 = 14.1)

What inference will you draw from this data?

 

Section – C

16. Compulsory Case study                                                 (1 x 20 = 20)

 

Mr. Mehta has a chain of restaurants in many cities of northern parts of India and was interested in diversifying his business. His only son, Kamal never wanted to be in the hospitality line. To settle Kamal into a line which would interest him, Mr. Mehta decided to venture into garment manufacturing. He gave this idea to his son, who liked it very much. Kamal has already done a course in fashion designing and wanted  to do something different for the customers of this industry. An idea struck him that he should design garments for people who are very bulky but want a lean look after wearing readymade garments. The first thing that came to his mind was to have an estimate of people who wore large sized shirts (40 size and above) and large sized trousers (38 size and above).

A meeting was called of experts from the garment industry and a number of fashion designers to discuss on how they should proceed. A common concern for many of them was to know the size of such a market. Another issue that was bothering them was how

 

 

to approach the respondents. It was believed that asking about the size of their shirt or trouser may put them off and there may not be any worthwhile response. A suggestion that came up was that they should employ some observers at the entrance of various malls and their job would be to look at people who walked into the mall and see whether the concerned person was wearing a big sized shirt or trouser. This would be a better way of approaching the respondents. This procedure would help them to estimate in a very simple way the proportion of people who wore big sized garments.

Questions:

• Name the sampling design that is being used in the study. Do you think it is a suitable method.

 

• What are the limitations of the design so chosen?

 

• Can you suggest a better design?

 

• What method of data collection is being employed? What other methods can be employed?

 

 

St. Joseph’s College of Commerce (Autonomous)

End Semester Examinations – March / April 2014

MIB –II Semester

 BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Time: 3 Hrs                                                                                                      Max Marks: 100

 

Section – A

1. Answer any SEVEN Each carries 5 marks.                           (7 x 5 = 35)
2. Give qualities of a good researcher. Describe social research in
3. Write the steps for preparation of questionnaire. Write the limitations of a questionnaire.

1. Explain ‘conditions for applying ANOVA test’.
2. Enumerate the different sources of secondary data and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each source.
3. Define marketing research? What are the applications in Marketing Research? Explain.

6. The systolic blood pressure (Hg / mm) of 15 patients under treatment for hypertension has been noted as shown:

150	97	107	139	118	157	152	138	151	133
165	150	122	188	151

Apply t-test and examine is there any evidence that this sample represents a population of patients having a normally distributes blood pressure with mean samples?  The critical value at 0.01 level of significance is 1.761.

7. The sample size of 100 students is taken from a large population. The mean height is 64 inches and Std Deviation 4 inches. Can it be reasonably regarded population mean height is 66 inches. Apply Z test assume that there is no significant association between sample mean and hypothetical population mean. Significant level at 1% and the table value is 2.58.

1. Discuss the uses of t-test and explain the importance of chi-square test in business research
2. What do you mean by sampling techniques?  Discuss the following sampling techniques

• Systematic sampling (b) Stratified sampling (c) Judgmental sampling

 

1. Review the need of Foot -Note and bibliography in your research work

Section – B

1. Answer any THREE out of FIVE questions. Each carries 15 marks.  (3x 15 = 45)

 

11. In order to test the significance of variance of the retail prices of a commodity in three cities, four shops were chosen at random from each city and prices observed in rupees were as follows:

City	Shops
A	16	8	12	12
B	14	10	10	06
C	04	10	08	10

Use analysis of variance to test that the prices in three cities are significantly different?  State the Null and alternative hypothesis and test the significance.

12. (i) A pharma company claims that it has developed an ointment which can cure dandruff. In an experiment on 500 persons, half were given the ointment and the other had continued to use the usual shampoo. The results are given below :

Products	Helpful	Harmful	No Effect	Total
Ointment	145	30	75	250
Shampoo	135	40	75	250
Total	280	70	150	500

Apply Chi-square test. Test at 5% significance level if there is any significant difference between ointment and shampoo in controlling dandruff? State Null and alternative hypothesis.

12 (ii) Write Short Notes on:  (a) Case Study (b) Pilot Study (c) Scaling Techniques

13. Describe the different steps involved in research process
14. What do you understand by ‘Hypothesis Testing’? State the various hypothesis testing procedures
15. Explain the significance of research report and what could be the structure and general layout for writing a dissertation?

Section – C

• ONE Compulsory Case study                                                  ( 1 x 20 = 20)

16. Enhancing The Utility Of Sports Utility Vehicles

An industry that has taken advantage of online focus groups is the automobile industry specifically Nissan.  While designing the Zterra Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Nissan conducted several online focus groups to get feedback on designs, as well as find out what their target market wanted to see in an SUV.  The market, consisting of young, active, athletic people was eager to participate.  They wanted an SUV that could carry sporting and camping equipment inside the vehicle or on racks, but they wanted it to be offered at a reasonable price.  The focus groups discussed topics such as the features they were looking for such as racks on the top and the back of the SUV, four doors, a sporty design, trendy colors and lots of room inside the vehicle.  Nissan delivered in all of these areas, and has been successful.  The Zterra became a success.

On-line focus groups revealed that many automobile buyers wanted custom-built vehicles.  Therefore, Nissan become the first major automaker to announce web-enabled build-to-order manufacturing.

Questions:

1. Comment on the qualitative research and construct a research design for Nissan.
2. Based on the case develop a Model Research report.

 

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MIB- End Semester Examinations – March / April’ 2014

 

Semester –II

 

Business Research Methodology

 

Synopsis of Answer Keys

Section – A                                                                                                                  7 x 5 = 35

 

Answer any SEVEN questions

1. Give qualities of a good researcher. Describe social research in

• Interest
• Motivation
• Inquisitiveness
• Commitment
• Sacrifice
• Excelling
• Knowledge
• Recognition
• Scholarly approach, and

2. Write the steps for preparation of questionnaire. Write the limitations of a questionnaire.

• Formulate the research question and research objectives / goals – what do you wish to ascertain?
• Define the target population – who do you wish to target?
• Formulate the questions in order to answer the research question(s)
• Organize the questions
• Consult experts
• Do a pilot study among a small group of respondents similar to those in the target population
• Adhere to ethical standards

Limitations

• It is reliable and valid, but
• Pre-coding questions can deter them from answering.
• Pre-coded questions can bias the findings towards the researcher.
• Postal questionnaire offer little opportunities to check the truthfulness of the answers.
• It cannot be used with illiterate and small children.

 

3. Explain ‘conditions for applying ANOVA test’.

• Calculation of “T” sum of all samples
• Calculation of Correction Factor CF (T²/n)
• Calculation of sum square variance for observed value within samples
• Calculation of sum square variance Between samples
• Calculation of ANOVA
• Calculation of “F” value
• Decision making

4. Enumerate the different sources of secondary data and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each source.

Secondary sources – Data can be collected from the following sources Journal, Books, Annual Reports, Newsletter, Balance Sheet, Official Documents, Online resources etc.,

5. Define marketing research? What are the applications in Marketing Research? Explain.

A set of techniques and principles for systematically collecting, recording, analyzing, and interpreting data that can aid decision makers who are involved with marketing goods, services or ideas.

Applications Gathering data from markets

• Conducting customer surveys
• Determining the needs of your customers
• Evaluating customer response to advertising
• Gathering sales and market share data on your competitors
• Testing your products in the marketplace
• Estimating potential product sales

6. Refer attached sheet
7. Refer attached sheet
8. Discuss the uses of t-test and explain the importance of chi-square test in business research

• Data sets should be independent from each other except in the case of the paired-sample t-test
• Where n<30 the t-tests should be used
• The distributions should be normal for the equal and unequal variance t-test
• All individuals must be selected at random from the population
• All individuals must have equal chance of being selected
• Sample sizes should be as equal as possible but some differences are allowed

9. What do you mean by sampling techniques? Discuss the following sampling techniques

The terminology “sampling” indicates the selection of a part of a group or an aggregate with a view to obtaining information about the whole. This aggregate or the totality of all members is known as Population although they need not be human beings. The selected part, which is used to ascertain the characteristics of the population, is called Sample.

• Systematic sampling: A sample where the units are selected at equal interval.
• Stratified sampling: A sample collected by dividing the entire population into a number of subgroups and selecting a simple random sample from each subgroup.
• Judgmental sampling: It’s a procedure where the sample is selected through judgment or expertise.

10. Review the need of Foot -Note and bibliography in your research work

• Footnotes: A reference, explanation, or comment¹ placed below the main text on a printed page.
• Footnotes are numbered consecutively throughout a research paper, except for those notes accompanying special material (figures, tables, etc.).
• “Footnotes are used to provide additional content or to acknowledge copyright permission status.
• Bibliography: Bibliography is an alphabetical list of all the sources used in your research.
• It appears at the end of your report or essay.
• It must be written in a specific format.

 

Section – B

Answer any THREE out of FIVE                                                              3 x 15   = 45

 

11. Refer attached sheet
12. (i) Refer attached sheet

 

 

12 (ii) Write Short Notes on:

• (a) Case Study: It is an in-depth/intensive study of a unit or problem under study. It is a comprehensive study of a firm or an industry, or a social group, or an episode, or an incident, or a process, or a programme, or an institution or any other social unit.
• Pilot Study: A pilot, or feasibility study, is a small experiment designed to test logistics and gather information prior to a larger study, in order to improve the latter’s quality and efficiency. A pilot study can reveal deficiencies in the design of a proposed experiment or procedure and these can then be addressed before time and resources are expended on large scale studies.

Objectives of Pilot Study

• Integrity of study protocol
• Testing of data collection forms or questionnaires
• Randomization procedure
• Recruitment and consent
• Acceptability of intervention
• Selection of most appropriate outcome measure
• Sample size calculation
• Scaling Techniques
• Nominal
• Ordinal
• Interval
• Ratio (scale)

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Describe the different steps involved in research process
14. What do you understand by ‘Hypothesis Testing’? State the various hypothesis testing procedures

Hypotheses are formulated to explain observed facts, conditions, or behaviour and to serve as a guide in the research process. The statements or tentative generalizations which constitute hypotheses are partly based on facts and explanations, and partly conceptual.

Testing of Hypothesis

• Testing hypothesis is an important activity in the research process. As a researcher you should know the important steps in testing hypothesis.

The steps are:

1) State the research hypothesis (H₁)

2) Formulate the null hypothesis (H₀)

3) Choose a statistical test

4) Specify a significance level

5) Compute the statistical test

6) Reject/accept the H₀

7) Draw the inference i.e. Accept/Reject H₁

15. Explain the significance of research report and what could be the structure and general layout for writing a dissertation?

• A research report is an end product of a project work. It contains the description of events, pertinent facts discovered during investigation, conclusion and recommendation.
• Research Report emphasizes that:
• A research report is a tangible product or output especially a written/printed or published document for communicating specific data and ideas to an audience.
• It contains information which are observed or investigated with a specific purpose.
• It is a record for future use by other researchers.
• A scholarly outlet to disseminate ideas and information.

Section – C

  ONE Compulsory Case study                                                                           1 x 20 = 20

16. Case Study evaluation should be based on

• Individual presentation – 5 Marks
• Formulation of research problem – 5 Marks
• Research Design-5 Marks
• Questionnaire- 5 Marks