Key Answers for Management Ph.

D Entrance Examination March 2017

Question No Answer
1 3
2 4
3 2
4 2
5 2
6 4
7 3
8 2
9 4
10 1
11 3
12 1
13 3
14 2
15 3
16 2
17 1
18 1
19 2
20 3
21 1
22 4
23 3
24 3
25 3
26 1
27 4
28 3
29 4
30 1
31 4
32 4
33 2
 34 4
35 1
36 2
37 1
38 1
39 4
40 2
41 2
42 1
43 2
44 2
45 3
46 2
47 3
48 2
49 3
50 1

Q.1. 4 marks
It is important for us to be able to explain the importance of the research you are conducting by
providing valid arguments.
Rationale for the study needs to be specific and ideally, it can relate to the following points:
Firstly, the research needs to contribute to the elimination of a gap in the literature.

Secondly, the research can be conducted to solve a specific problem. A study into the reasons of
high employee turnover at Hanson Brick

Thirdly, the study has to contribute to the level of professional development of the researcher.

Q 2 4 marks

1. State the problem in a sentence.

2. Make the problem statement into a question.

3. Restate the question in five ways.

4. Give yourself thinking quotas

5. Knock your questions.

6. Decide upon your new problem-solving question.

Q3. 5 marks

Sampling error is the error that arises in a data collection process as a result of taking a sample
from a population rather than using the whole population.

Sampling error is one of two reasons for the difference between an estimate of a population
parameter and the true, but unknown, value of the population parameter. The other reason is non-
sampling error. Even if a sampling process has no non-sampling errors then estimates from
different random samples (of the same size) will vary from sample to sample, and each estimate
is likely to be different from the true value of the population parameter.

The sampling error for a given sample is unknown but when the sampling is random, for some
estimates (for example, sample mean, sample proportion) theoretical methods may be used to
measure the extent of the variation caused by sampling error.
Types of Sampling errors

Sample error: Error caused by taking a sample

Non Sample error: Non-sampling error is the error that arises in a data collection process as a
result of factors other than taking a sample.

Non-sampling errors have the potential to cause bias in polls, surveys or samples.

There are many different types of non-sampling errors and the names used to describe them are
not consistent. Examples of non-sampling errors are generally more useful than using names to
describe them.

Q 4. 4 marks

To the point enquiry

Development of research techniques

Separating relevant from irrelevant observation

Selecting required facts

Direction of research

Acts as a guide

Prevents blind research

Accuracy and precision

Link between theory and investigation

Link between assumption and observation

Provide answer for a question

Save time ,money and energy(and other related resources)

Proper data collection and conclusion

Q 5. 4 marks

Make a formal statement (State the hypothesis)

Selecting a significance level

Deciding the distribution to use

Selecting a random sample and computing an appropriate value

Calculation of the probability

Comparing the probability

Q 10. 4 marks

Research reports are detailed and accurate accounts of the conduct of disciplined studies
accomplished to solve problems or to reveal new knowledge. (Busha and Harter, 1988).

Stages of Research report

Stage 1 Describe the subject of the report; give an account of why you are investigating this
subject; and give an account of how you will investigate it. This stage is often organised into the
introduction and methodology sections of the report.
Stage 2 Describe what you found out from your investigation and your analysis of what those
findings mean. This stage is often organised into the results/findings and discussion sections of
the report.

Stage 3 Present your final conclusions from your investigation and analysis; and specify the
action that should be taken as a result. This stage is often organised into the conclusion and
recommendation sections of the report.

Q 11. 4 marks

Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with specified steps to be taken
in a specified sequence in accordance with the well defined set of rules. Systematic characteristic
of the research does not rule out creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use of guessing
and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
Good research is logical: This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical reasoning
and the logical process of induction and deduction are of great value in carrying out research.
Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the whole whereas deduction is the process
of reasoning from some premise to a conclusion which follows from that very premise. In fact,
logical reasoning makes research more meaningful in the context of decision making.
Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one or more aspects of
a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for external validity to research
results.
Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results to be verified by
replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.