Institute of Science, Poonas

INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

Wakad, Pune-411 057
Subject: (207) Research Methodology
M.B.A. Sem-II

Lecture
No.
Topic Sub Topic
1 Foundations of
Research
Meaning, Objectives, Motivation, Utility. Concept
of theory,
2 empiricism, deductive and inductive theory.
3 Characteristics of scientific method - Understanding
the language of research - Concept, Construct,
Definition, Variable. Research Process
4 Problem Identification
& Formulation
Management Question? Research Question?
Investigation Question
5 Measurement Issues - Hypothesis? Qualities of a
good Hypothesis?
6 Null Hypothesis & Alternative Hypothesis.
Hypothesis Testing - Logic & Importance
7 Research Design Concept and Importance in Research - Features of a
good research design, Exploratory Research Design,
concept, types and uses,
8 Descriptive Research Designs - concept, types and
uses. Experimental Design: Causal relationships,
9 Concept of Independent & Dependent variables,
concomitant variable, extraneous variable,
Treatment, Control group.
10 Qualitative and
quantitative research
Qualitative research, Quantitative research ,
Concept of measurement
11 Causality, generalization, replication. Merging the
two approaches.
12 Measurement Concept of measurement, what is measured?
Problems in measurement in management research
13 Validity and Reliability. Levels of measurement -
Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio
14 Attitude Scaling
Techniques
Concept of Scale, Rating Scales viz. Likert Scales,
Semantic Differential Scales, Constant Sum Scales
15 Graphic Rating Scales, Ranking Scales, Paired
Comparison & Forced Ranking.
16 Types of Data Secondary Data - Definition, Sources,
Characteristics. Primary Data - Definition




17 Personal Interviews, Telephonic Interview, Mail
Survey, Email/Internet survey
18 Sampling Concepts of Statistical Population, Sample,
Sampling Frame, Sampling Error, Sample Size, Non
Response. Characteristics of a good sample
19 Probability Sample? Simple Random Sample,
Systematic Sample, Stratified Random Sample &
Multi-stage sampling. Non Probability Sample
20 Judgment, Convenience, Quota & Snowballing
methods. Determining size of the sample - Practical
considerations in sampling and sample size.
21 Data Analysis Data Preparation, Univariate analysis (frequency
tables, bar charts, pie charts, percentages), Bivariate
analysis
22 Cross tabulations and Chi-square test including
testing hypothesis of association.
23 Interpretation of Data
and Report Writing
Layout of a Research Paper
Institute of Science, Poonas
INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
Wakad, Pune-411 057
ASSIGNMENT ON Research Methodology
M.B.A. SEM-II U.C. No. 207
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* There are 5 sections in this assignment.
* Students are required to solve any one question from each section.
* This assignment is also required for written internal examination. Hence, please do
not write anything on the question bank as students are supposed to bring it at the
time of examination.
* Please submit the assignment in spiral binding.
* Generally, each question below carries weightage of 14 marks.
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SECTION I
Q.1: Briefly describe the different steps involved in research process.
Q.2: What do you mean by research? Explain its significance in modern times.
Q.3: Distinguish between Research Methods and Research Methodology.
Q.4: Describe the different types of research, clearly pointing out the difference
between an experiment and a survey.
Q.5: What is research problem? Define the main issues which should receive the
attention of the researcher in formulating the research problem. Give suitable
examples to elucidate your points.

SECTION II
Q.1: Distinguish between the following
a) Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis
b) Parametric tests and non parametric tests
c) Type I error and Type II error.
Q.2: What is a hypothesis? What characteristics it must possess in order to be a good
research hypothesis?
Q.3: Summarize the steps of hypothesis testing. What is the virtue of this procedure?
Q.4: Explain the meaning and importance of a research design.
Q.5: Explain the meaning of the following in context of research design.
a) Extraneous variables
b) Experimental & control groups
c) Treatments


SECTION-III
Q.1: What do you mean by multivariate analysis? Explain how it differs from bivariate
analysis.
Q.2: What are the essential differences among nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio
scales? How do these differences affect the statistical analysis techniques we can
use?

Q.3: What is the meaning of measurement in research? Point out the possible sources of
error in measurement.
Q.4: Discuss the relative merits of and problems with
a) Rating and ranking scales
b) Likerts and differential Scales
Q.5: Enumerate the different methods of collecting data. Which one is the most
suitable for conducting enquiry regarding family welfare Programme in India?
Explain its merits and demerits.

SECTION IV
Q.1: Examine the merits and limitations of the observation methods in collecting
method. Illustrate your answer with suitable example.
Q.2: Explain the meaning and significance of the concept of Standard Error in
sampling analysis.
Q.3: Describe briefly the commonly used sampling distribution. Explain characteristics
of a good sample.
Q.4: Write a brief note on different types of analysis of data pointing out the
significance of each.
Q.5: How will you differentiate between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics?
Describe the important statistical measures often used to summarize the survey /
research data.
SECTION V
Write short notes on (any 2)
a) Empiricism
b) Deductive and inductive Theory
c) Motivation in research
d) Constant sum scales
e) Graphic rating scales
f) Paired comparison and forced
ranking
g) Sampling frame
h) Sampling error
i) Central limit theorem
j) Multivariate analysis
k) Bivariate analysis
l) Univariate analysis
m) Primary data
n) Chi-Square test
o) Depth interviews
p) Important aspects of a
questionnaire
q) Cluster and area sample
r) Systematic and stratified sampling
s) Simple factorial design
t) Research Hypothesis