mb0050 b1700 answer key

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SIKKIM MANIPAL UNIVERSITY - DDE

Master of Business Administration MBA Semester III

MB0050Research Methodology4 Credits

(Book IdB1700)

Model Question Paper

Duration: 3 hours Total marks: 140

__________________________________________________________________________

Section A

ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS (10 Marks each)

[Please answer Any Fouressay type questions in a separate page answer sheet especially

provided for the purpose]

1.

Briefly describe the different steps involved in a research process. Distinguish between

descriptive and causal research studies.

Refer Unit 1

2. a. Explain the steps involved in hypothesis testing.

b. It is known form past studies that the monthly average household expenditure on the food

items in a locality is Rs. 2700 with a standard deviation of Rs. 160. An economist took a random

sample of 25 households from the locality and found their monthly household expenditure on

food item to be Rs. 2790. At 0.01 level of significance, can we conclude that the average

household expenditure on the food items is greater than Rs. 2700?

Refer Unit 10

3. The choice of the measurement scale has implications for the statistical technique to be used

for data analysis. Discuss the types of measurement scales with examples.

Refer Unit 5

4. Distinguish between primary and secondary methods of data collection. Explain the Interview

method of data collection.

Refer Unit 4

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Case Study

Keep Your City Clean: Environmental Concerns

Over the last decade, recycling of household waste has become an extremely important

behaviour across the nations. However, in Asian countries this fluctuates from one country to the

other. China is the leader amongst waste management while India, an equally large country, still

has a long way to go. Though these are essentially policy driven or community driven initiatives,

there are a number of attitudinal and motivational barriers to recycling, acting at an individual

level.

Punita Nagarajan, a business studies graduate with a keen interest in environmental issues, read

about this in a special report in the newspaper. She recognized a potential business opportunity.

It seemed obvious to her that there was scope for a potentially lucrative business related to some

aspect of household recycling. All she had to do was work out some way of alleviating the

inconvenience people associated with recycling.

Punita decided that a door-to-door recycling service may be a profitable way to get people to

recycle. She believed that households would be willing to pay a small fee to have their waste

collected on a weekly basis, from outside their home. Punita discussed this idea with a few

friends, who were very receptive, reinforcing Punitas views that this was indeed a goodbusiness

opportunity. However, before she developed a detailed business plan, she decided it was

necessary to confirm her thoughts and suspicions regarding the consumers views about

recycling. In particular, she needed to check that her ideas, about convenience and recycling,

were on the right track. To do this, she decided to conduct some research into attitudes towards

household recycling.

5. What is the kind of research design you would advocate here? Can you suggest any alternative

design? Why/Why not?

6. Formulate the research problem and the objectives of the study. Identify the variables and the

population under study.

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Section B

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

[Please answer allthe following questions]

1. Action-oriented research is termed as ______________.

a. Applied research

b. Basic research

c. Exploratory research

d. Conclusive research

2. ____________________ is used to gain a deeper understanding of the issue or problem that

is troubling the decision maker.

a.

Conclusive research

b. Exploratory research

c. Descriptive research

d. Causal research

3. ___________________ is the first and the most critical step of the research journey.

a. Formulating the research hypothesis

b. The management dilemma

c. Defining the research problem

d. Developing the research proposal

4. The area of _________________________ is vast and includes asset pricing, corporate

finance and capital markets, market based accounting, modelling and forecasting in

volatility, risk etc.

a. Personnel and Human resource management

b.

Financial and Accounting research

c. Productions and Operations management

d. Marketing

5. The formulated framework which is explained verbally is called a _______________.

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a. Verbal model

b. Graphical model

c. Mathematical model

d. Theoretical model

6. Any variable that can be stated as influencing or impacting the dependent variable is

referred to as ______________________.

a. Dependent variable

b. Moderating variables

c. Independent variable

d. Extraneous variables

7. _________________ is a statement about the magnitude, trend or behaviour of a population

under study.

a. Relational hypothesis

b. Descriptive hypothesis

c. Quantitative hypothesis

d. Qualitative hypothesis

8. A formal document that presents the research objectives, design of achieving these

objectives and the expected outcomes/deliverables of the study is a _______________

a. Research proposal

b. Research hypothesis

c. Research variables

d. Research objectives

9.

______________ is the working section of the proposal as it indicates the logical and

systematic approach intended to be followed to achieve the listed objectives.

a. Academic research

b. Business research

c. Research design

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d. Scheduling the research

10.___________________ are the simplest and most loosely structured research designs.

a. Exploratory designs

b. Descriptive Research designs

c. Experimental designs

d. Longitudinal studies

11.In __________________ designs, the researcher can randomly assign test units and

treatments to an experimental group.

a. Pre-experimental

b.

True experimental

c. Quasi-experimental

d. Statistical

12._____________ design is used when a researcher is investigating the effect of one

independent variable on the dependent variable.

a. Randomized block

b. Completely randomized

c. Factorial design

d. True experimental

13.________________is conducted using focus group discussion, secondary data, analysis of

case study and expert opinion survey.

a. Descriptive research

b. Experimental research

c.

Statistical design

d. Exploratory research

14.In comparison to primary data, secondary data can be collected

a. Rapidly and easily

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b. At a relatively low cost

c. In a short time

d. All of the above

15.________________ refer users to the articles, research papers, abstracts, other printed news

contained in other sources and are called bibliographic databases.

a. Source databases

b. Online databases

c. CD-ROM databases

d. Reference databases

16.

________________ is a highly versatile and dynamic method of collecting primary data

from a representative group of respondents and involves a moderator who steers the

discussion on the topic under study.

a. Observation method

b. Personal Interview method

c. Focus group discussion

d. Structured interviews

17.Which of the following is not a type of personal interview?

a. Low structured

b. Unstructured

c. Semi- structured

d. Structured

18.A focus group discussion where there are two moderators, one being responsible for the

managing the group discussion and the other trying to optimize group performance, is

called a __________________________.

a. Two-way focus group

b. Fencing -moderator group

c. Dual-moderator group

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d. Respondent-moderator group

19.__________ is the lowest level of measurement.

a. Ordinal scale

b. Interval scale

c. Nominal scale

d. Ratio scale

20.In the ______________scale, there is only one item to measure a given construct.

a. Single item

b. Multiple item

c.

Comparative

d. Non-comparative

21.In the _____________________ scaling, respondents are presented with several objects

simultaneously and asked to order or rank them according to some criterion.

a. Q-sort technique

b. Paired comparison

c. Rank Order

d. Constant sum rating

22.____________ is concerned with consistency, accuracy and predictability of the scale.

a. Validity

b. Predictive validity

c. Sensitivity

d. Reliability

23._________________kind of structured questionnaire is easy to administer and is frequently

used by all management researchers.

a. Formalized and concealed

b. Formalized and unconcealed

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c. Non-formalized and unconcealed

d. Non-formalized and concealed

24.The first step in the questionnaire design process is __________________.

a. Convert the research objectives into information areas

b. Method of administration

c. Content of the questionnaire

d. Determining the type of questions

25.________________ questions are restrictive alternatives and provide the respondents only

with two answers.

a.

Dichotomous

b. Open-ended

c. Multiple-choice

d. Scales

26.The reason for the respondents inability to answer the questions in a questionnaire could be

because of:

a. The person might not have the required information

b. The person might not remember the answer

c. The person might not be able to articulate the answer

d. All of the above

27.The process of testing and administering the designed instrument on a small group of

people from the population under study in order to refine it and arrive at the final version is

called

a.

Primary testing

b.Draft testing

c.Pilot testing

d.Field testing

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28.A sampling frame

a. Is a list of all the elements of a population with proper identification from which a

sample is drawn.

b. Is a form of probability sampling.

c. Is a form of non-probability sampling.

d. Gives unbiased estimates.

29._______________________design takes care of the limitation of the simple random

sampling and the entire population is arranged in a particular order ie. the first element is

chosen at random and the remaining elements are picked up by adding the sampling interval

to it successively.

a.

Cluster sampling

b. Stratified sampling

c. Systematic sampling

d. Simple random sampling

30.Which of the following is not a probability sampling design?

a. Systematic sampling

b. Simple random sampling

c. Snowball sampling

d. Stratified random sampling

31. Requesting people to volunteer to test products is an example of

a. Quota sampling

b. Judgmental sampling

c. Random sampling

d.

Convenience sampling

32.The process of going back to the respondent to get the answers to inconsistencies or non-

response is called________________________

a. Allocating missing values

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b. Backtracking

c. Plug value

d. Discarding unsatisfactory responses

33. The process of identifying and denoting a numeral to the responses given by the

respondent is called________________________

a.Coding

b.Tabulating

c.Field validation

d.Data analysis

34.

______________________ involves an orderly arrangement of data into an array that is

suitable for statistical analysis and usually is an orderly arrangement of rows and columns.

a. Data analysis

b. Cumulative frequencies

c. Stem and leaf display

d. Tabulation of data

35.For which type of measurement, the coefficient of variation can be computed.

a. Nominal scale

b. Ordinal scale

c. Interval scale

d. Ratio scale

36.The median can be computed for

a. Ordinal, interval or nominal scale data

b.

Ratio, ordinal and nominal scale data

c. Ratio, interval or ordinal scale data

d. Ratio, interval or nominal scale data

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37.___________ measures the degree of association between two variables and could be

positive, negative or zero

a. Variance

b. Cross tabulation

c. Simple correlation

d. Coefficient of variation

38.Which of the following could be labelled as a null hypothesis?

a. 25

b. > 25

c. = 25

d.

25

39.What is a Type I error?

a.Reject when it is true.

b.Accept when it is false.

c.Reject when it is false.

d.Accept when it is false

40. Which of the following statement is false?

a. t distribution is symmetrical

b. z distribution is symmetrical

c. t distribution is flatter than the normal distribution

d. t distribution is applicable only when sample size n is greater than 50

41.The null hypothesis to test the equality of two population means using t test would be

a =

b =

c >

d =

42.If there are 3 rows and 3 columns, the degrees of freedom for Chi-square test are :

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a. 6

b. 9

c. 0

d. 4

43.For the application of a chi-square test of independence, the sample should be selected at

random and the expected frequency in each cell should be at least _______.

a. 5

b. 6

c. 7

d. 8

44.The correction factor in an analysis of variance can be computed as

a. Sum total of all observations

b.

c. Z

2

d. None of the above

45.

In analysis of variance, which of the following test statistics is used to compare the variance

between the samples and the variance within the sample?

a. t statistic

b. F statistic

c. Z statistic

d. Chi-square statistic

46.

___________________ are written for the purpose of recording the process carried out interms of scope and framework of the study, the methodology followed and instrument

designed.

a. Survey reports

b. Technical reports

c. Business reports

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d. Basic reports

47.The ______________ in the Preliminary Section of the Research Report should be crisp

and indicative of the nature of the project.

a. Letter of transmittal

b. Title

c. Letter of authorization

d. Table of contents

48.The methodology of research section includes all the following except:

a. Sampling design

b.

Research framework or design

c. Data collection methods

d. Glossary of terms

49.In the ____________________, along with the details of the cited work, brief information

about the nature of information sought from the article/paper is also given.

a. Selected bibliography

b. Annotated bibliography

c. Complete bibliography

d. Glossary of terms

50.Once the researcher has clearly communicated the purpose, the nature and likely outcome

of the study, it is advisable to make a mutual written or unwritten _____________.

a. Coercion

b. Sensitivity

c. Contract

d. Experimentation

51.i. The Census carried out by the Government of India is an example of

_________________

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ii. _________________ studies explore the effect of one thing on another and more

specifically, the effect of one variable on another.

a. i. Descriptive research, ii. Causal research

b. i. Causal research, ii. Descriptive research

c. i. Exploratory research, ii. Descriptive research

d. i. Causal research, ii. Exploratory research

52. i. ______________ is original and collected first hand for the problem under study.

ii. _______________ is information that has been collected and compiled earlier for

some other problem or purpose.

a. i. Primary data, ii. Secondary data

b.

i. Secondary data, ii. Primary data

c. i. Quanlitative data, ii. Quantitative data

d. i. Secondary data, ii. Quanlitative data

53.State whether the following statements are True or False:

1. A research problem can be defined as a gap or uncertainty in the decision makers

existing body of knowledge which inhibits efficient decision making.

2. A literature review is a comprehensive collection of the information obtained from

published and unpublished sources of data in the specific areas of interest of the

researcher.

a. 1-False, 2-True

b. 1-True, 2-False

c. 1-True, 2-True

d. 1-False, 2-False

54.i. The outcome or effect that is being studied in research is called _______________

ii. ________________ are the one that have a strong effect on the relationship between the

independent and dependent variables

a. i. Moderating variable, ii. Extraneous variable

b. i. Extraneous variable, ii. Moderating variable

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c. i. Dependent variable, ii. Moderating variable

d. i. Independent variable, ii. Extraneous variable

55.i.___________________ are oriented towards solving immediate problems, conducted

within an organisation and are submitted to the management for approval and funding.

ii. _______________ have the base or origin within the company but the scope and nature

of the study requires a more structured and objective research.

a. i. Internal organisational proposals, ii. External organisational proposals

b. i. Academic research proposals, ii. Internal organisational proposals

c. i. External organisational proposals, ii. Academic research proposals

d. i. External organisational proposals, ii. Internal organisational proposals


1. Case study method requires an in-depth study and is focused on a single unit of

analysis.

2. Focus group discussions technique originally from sociology is actively used in

business research in which 6-10 people discuss the topic being researched.

a. 1-False, 2-True

b. 1-True, 2-False

c. 1-True, 2-True

d. 1-False, 2-False

57.i. The _____________________study is carried out at a single moment in time on a section

of respondents from the population units and the applicability is most relevant for a specific

period.

ii. A single sample of the identified population that is studied over a long period of time

is termed as ____________________

a. i. Longitudinal study, ii. Cross sectional study

b. ii. Exploratory study, ii. Experimental study

c. i. Cross sectional study, ii Longitudinal study

d. i. Exploratory study, ii. Cross sectional study

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1. External validity tries to examine whether the observed effect on a dependent variable

is actually caused by the treatments (independent variables) in question.

2. Internal validity refers to the generalisation of the results of an experiment.

a. 1- True, 2-False

b. 1- True, 2 True

c. 1- False, 2- True

d. 1- False, 2-False


1. Statistical designs allow for statistical control and analysis of external variables.

2. A factorial design may be employed to measure the effect of one or more independent

variables at various levels

a. 1- True, 2- False

b. 1- False, 2- True

c. 1- True, 2- True

d. 1- False, 2- False

60.i. A focus group discussion where one respondent group sits and listens to the other and

after learning from them or understanding the needs of the group, they carry out a

discussion amongst themselves is called________________

ii. A focus group discussion where two moderators take opposite sides on the topic being

discussed and ensure that all perspectives are thoroughly explored is

called______________

a. i. Two way focus group, ii. Fencing- moderator group

b.

i. Friendship group, ii. Mini-group

c. i.Creativity group, ii. Online focus group

d. i. Dual moderator group, ii. Brand obsessive group

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61.i. _________________ method involves viewing and recording individuals, groups,

organisations or events in a scientific manner in order to collect valuable data related to the

topic under study.

ii._____________ is a one to one interaction between the investigator/interviewer and the

interviewee and the purpose of the dialogue is research specific.

a. i. Observation method, ii Personal interview method

b. i. Focus group discussion, ii. Experimental method

c. i. Content analysis, ii. Focus group discussion

d. i. Personal interview method, ii. Observation method

62.Which of the following statements is true?

a.

A Likert scale is an example of a comparative scale.

b. A Semantic differential scale is an example of an itemized rating scale.

c. There is no difference between itemized and graphic rating scale.

d. If a scale is reliable, it must have a high validity

63.i. __________________validity is called face validity and involves subjective judgement

by an expert for assessing the appropriateness of the construct.

ii. ____________________validity involves the ability of a measured phenomena at one

point of time to predict another phenomenon at a future point of time

a. i. Content validity, ii. Predictive validity

b. i. Reliability, ii. Sensitivity

c. i. Content validity, ii. Sensitivity

d. i. Reliability, ii. Predictive validity

64.i. Any question that provides a clue to the respondents in terms of the direction in which

one wants them to answer is called _____________

ii. Questions that address sensitive issues are termed as ____________

a. i. Leading question, ii. Loaded questions

b. i. Double barrelled questions, ii. Leading question

c. i. Loaded question, ii. Double barrelled questions

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d. i. Loaded questions, ii. Leading question


1. A sampling unit is a single member of the sample.

2. Sample is a subset of the population and comprises only some elements of the

population.



c. 1- True, 2- True


66.

State whether the following statements are True or False:

1. Quota sampling is an example of a probability sampling design.

2. Quota sampling is same as the stratified random sampling.



c. 1- True, 2- True


67.For a 95% confidence (use Z = 1.96), the required sample size with margin of error equal to

100 and estimated population standard deviation equal to 500 is given by:

a. 96

b. 156

c. 500

d. 1000

68.

The editing process is carried out at two levels, the first of these is ____________ and the

second is _________________.

a. Field editing, Coding

b. Central editing, Tabulation

c. Classification, Tabulation

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d. Field editing, Central editing


1. Inferential analysis refers to the transformation of raw data into a form that will

facilitate easy understanding and interpretation.

2. Under descriptive analysis, inferences are drawn on population parameter based on

sample results.



c. 1- True, 2- True


70.Sample data of 10 days sales from the two month data collected on daily basis is given. The

sample variance is

Sales

in

units

15 28 32 16 19 26 38 40 25 13

a.

90.4b.

80.4

c. 70.4

d. 100.4

71.In the case of grouped data, Mode is given by the formula:

a.X

s x 100

b.n

Xi

c. hf

CF2

N

hfff2

ff

21

1

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d.


1. Accepting a null hypothesis when it is false is called Type II error.

2. The alternate hypothesis H1 : 35 is an example of a two- tailed test.



c. 1- True, 2- True


73.

i. Chi-square test statistic for independence of variables is given by:ii. The degrees of freedom for Chi-square test for Independence of Variables are given

by:

i.

c

1j ij

2

ijijr

1i

2

E

EO, ii. (r-1) (c-1)

i.

c

1j ij

2

ijr

1i

2

E

O, ii. (r-1)

i.

c

1j ij

2

ijr

1i

2

E

E, ii. (c-1)

i.

c

1j ij

2

ijr

1i

2

E

O, ii. (c-1)


1. Using analysis of variance, it is possible to compare the means of more than two

populations simultaneously.

2. In Completely Randomized Design, the dependent variable is metric (interval/ratio

scale), whereas the independent variable is categorical (nominal scale).



hfff2

ff

21

1

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c. 1- True, 2- True



1. The tone of the letter of transmittal can be slightly informal and indicative of the rapport

between the client-reader and the researcher.

2. Endnotes include all the supportive documents used to prepare the report.



c. 1- True, 2- True


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