MB0050- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
MBA Semester III MB0050
MB0050 – Research Methodology
ASSIGNMENTAssignment
SET 1Set – I
Q 1. Why should a manger know about research when the job entails managing
people, products, events, environments, and the like?
The manager, while managing people, products, events, and environments will invariably
face problems, big and small, and will have to seek ways to find long lasting effective
solutions. This can be achieved only through knowledge of research even if consultants are
engaged to solve problems.
The primary purpose for applied research (as opposed to basic research) is discovering,
interpreting, and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human
knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe. Research
can use the scientific method, but need not do so. The goal of the research process is
to produce new knowledge, which takes three main forms (although, the boundaries
between them may be fuzzy):
Exploratory research, which structures and identifies new problems Constructive research,
which develops solutions to a problem Empirical research, which tests the feasibility of a
solution using empirical evidence.
The research room at the New York Public Library, an example of secondary research in
progress. Research can also fall into two distinct types:
Primary research
Secondary research
In social sciences and later in other disciplines, the following two research methods can be
applied, depending on the properties of the subject matter and on the objective of the
research:
Qualitative research
Quantitative research
Research is often conducted using the hourglass model Structure of Research. The
hourglass model starts with a broad spectrum for research, focusing in on the required
information through the methodology of the project (like the neck of the hourglass), then
expands the research in the form of discussion and results.
Research and development is nowadays of great importance in business as the level of
competition, production processes and methods are rapidly increasing. It is of special
importance in the field of marketing where companies keep an eagle eye on competitors and
customers in order to keep pace with modern trends and analyze the needs, demands and
desires of their customers.
,MBA Semester III MB0050
Unfortunately, research and development are very difficult to manage, since the defining
feature of research is that the researchers do not know in advance exactly how to
accomplish the desired result. As a result, higher R&D spending does not guarantee “more
creativity, higher profit or a greater market share.
Q2. a. How do you evolve research design for exploratory research? Briefly analyze.
b. Briefly explain Independent dependent and extraneous variables in a research
design.
Answer:
a. Research design in case of exploratory research studies Exploratory research studies are
also termed as formulative research studies. The main purpose of such studies is that of
formulating a problem for more precise investigation or of developing the working hypothesis
from an operational point of view. The major emphasis in such studies is on the discovery of
ideas and insights. As such the research design appropriate for such studies must be flexible
enough to provide opportunity for considering different aspects of a problem under study.
Inbuilt flexibility in research design is needed because the research problem, broadly defined
initially, is transformed into one with more precise meaning in exploratory studies, which fact
may necessitate changes in the research procedure for gathering relevant data. Generally,
the following three methods in the context of research design for such studies are talked
about:
1. The survey of concerning literature happens to be the most simple and fruitful method of
formulating precisely the research problem or developing hypothesis. Hypothesis stated by
earlier workers may be reviewed and their usefulness be evaluated as a basis for further
research. It may also be considered whether the already stated hypothesis suggests new
hypothesis. In this way the researcher should review and build upon the work already done
by others, but in cases where hypothesis have not yet been formulated, his task is to review
the available material for deriving the relevant hypothesis from it. Besides, the bibliographical
survey of studies, already made in one‟s area of interest may as well as made by the
researcher for precisely formulating the problem. He should also make an attempt to apply
concepts and theories developed in different research contexts to the area in which he is
himself working. Sometimes the works of creative writers also provide a fertile ground for
hypothesis formulation as such may be looked into by the researcher.
2. Experience survey means the survey of people who have had practical experience with
the problem to be studied. The object of such a survey is to obtain insight into the
relationships between variables and new ideas relating to the research problem. For such a
survey, people who are competent and can contribute new ideas may be carefully selected
as respondents to ensure a representation of different types of experience. The respondents
so selected may then be interviewed by the investigator. The researcher must prepare an
interview schedule for the systematic questioning of informants. But the interview must
ensure flexibility in the sense that the respondents should be allowed to raise issues and
questions which the investigator has not previously considered. Generally, the experience of
,MBA Semester III MB0050
collecting interview is likely to be long and may last for few hours. Hence, it is often
considered desirable to send a copy of the questions to be discussed to the respondents
well in advance. This will also give an opportunity to the respondents for doing some
advance thinking over the various issues involved so that, at the time of interview, they may
be able to contribute effectively. Thus, an experience survey may enable the researcher to
define the problem more concisely and help in the formulation of the research hypothesis.
This, survey may as well provide information about the practical possibilities for doing
different types of research.
3. Analyses of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples are also a fruitful method for suggesting
hypothesis for research. It is particularly suitable in areas where there is little experience to
serve as a guide. This method consists of the intensive study of selected instance of the
phenomenon in which one is interested. For this purpose the existing records, if nay, may be
examined, the unstructured interviewing may take place, or some other approach may be
adopted. Attitude of the investigator, the intensity of the study and the ability of the
researcher to draw together diverse information into a unified interpretation are the main
features which make this method an appropriate procedure for evoking insights. Now, what
sorts of examples are to be selected and studied? There is no clear cut answer to it.
Experience indicates that for particular problems certain types of instances are more
appropriate than others. One can mention few examples of „insight-stimulating‟ cases such
as the reactions of strangers, the reactions of marginal individuals, the study of individuals
who are in transition from one stage to another, the reactions of individuals from different
social strata and the like. In general, cases that provide sharp contrasts or have striking
features are considered relatively more useful while adopting this method of hypothesis
formulation. Thus, in an exploratory of formulative research study which merely leads to
insights or hypothesis, whatever method or research design outlined above is adopted, the
only thing essential is that it must continue to remain flexible so that many different facets of
a problem may be considered as and when they arise and come to the notice of the
researcher.
b. Dependent and Independent variables: A magnitude that varies is known as a variable.
The concept may assume different quantitative values, like height, weight, income, etc.
Qualitative variables are not quantifiable in the strictest sense of objectivity. However, the
qualitative phenomena may also be quantified in terms of the presence or absence of the
attribute considered. Phenomena that assume different values quantitatively even in decimal
points are known as „continuous variables‟. But, all variables need not be continuous.
Values that can be expressed only in integer values are called „non-continuous variables‟. In
statistical term, they are also known as „discrete variable‟. For example, age is a continuous
variable; where as the number of children is a non-continuous variable. When changes in
one variable depends upon the changes in one or more other variables, it is known as a
dependent or endogenous variable, and the variables that cause the changes in the
dependent variable are known as the independent or explanatory or exogenous variables.
For example, if demand depends upon price, then demand is a dependent variable, while
price is the independent variable.
, MBA Semester III MB0050
And if, more variables determine demand, like income and prices of substitute commodity,
then demand also depends upon them in addition to the own price. Then, demand is a
dependent variable which is determined by the independent variables like own price, income
and price of substitute.
2. Extraneous variable: The independent variables which are not directly related to the
purpose of the study but affect the dependent variable are known as extraneous variables.
For instance, assume that a researcher wants to test the hypothesis that there is relationship
between children‟s school performance and their self-concepts, in which case the latter is an
independent variable and the former, the dependent variable. In this context, intelligence
may also influence the school performance. However, since it is not directly related to the
purpose of the study undertaken by the researcher, it would be known as an extraneous
variable. The influence caused by the extraneous variable on the dependent variable is
technically called as an „experimental error‟. Therefore, a research study should always be
framed in such a manner that the dependent variable completely influences the change in
the independent variable and any other extraneous variable or variables.
Q3. A. Differentiate between ‘Census survey’ and ‘ Sample Survey’.
b. Analyze multi-stage and sequential sampling.
Answer:
Surveys are done all over the world to collect information from the populace to arrive at
conclusions that help in improving the products or services of a company. There are many
techniques of survey out of which sample survey and census survey are very popular.
Though there are many similarities between these two methods, there are many differences
in features and also the results obtained. It depends upon time available and other
circumstances to engage in either of the two types of surveys. This article will discuss the
features of two types of surveys to clear the doubts in the minds of the readers.
Before we begin to differentiate, it is pertinent to note that sample is a portion of the
population whereas census takes into consideration everyone in the population. This
obviously means that a census survey is a much bigger exercise in nature and procedures
than a sample survey. Census survey also is a very time consuming exercise as information
needs to be collected from each and every individual from the population. On the other hand,
sample survey is easier as a representative sample is taken from the population and the
results obtained are extrapolated to fit the entire population.
There are times and requirements where governments have to indulge in census survey
even if it is time consuming and very expensive as it needs to formulate policies and welfare
programs for the population. For example, when a government has to count heads of the
population, it cannot conduct a sample survey to count the number of people in the country.
But when government is planning on a welfare program for cancer patients, it can conduct a
sample survey of some of the cancer patients and then extrapolate the results on the section
of the population that is undergoing treatment for cancer.
