MS-95 Research Methodology for Management Decisions Exam Paper

MBA - Master of Business Administration

Note: Answer any 3 questions from section A. Section B is compulsory.

1. a) In the research process, why is the problem definition stage probably the most important stage? Wht are the key issues that need to be addressed at this stage?

b) What is "unit of analysis" in the research process? How is it different from "characteristics of interest"?

2. railway commutes in delhi have been facing various problems during travel. You have been assigned the task of finding their problems. Design a suitable questionnaire to be used in this study. Use Likert scale for designing ten questions.

3. a) What are the most commonly used scales for measurement of attitudes in a research? Your answer should be supported by example for each scale.

b) If a semantic differential has seven scale items, should all the seven items have to be phrased as either positive or negative statements, or can both positive and negative statements be used? You answer should be supported by example.

4. a) Why is tabulation considered essential in a research study? Give the characterists of a good table..

b) Computer graphics will have an impact on the research report writing format. Elaborate this in the light of computer application of report writing.

5. Write short notes on any four of the following:

a) Dependent and independent variables in regression analysis
b) Importance of factor analysis
c) Mathematical model building
d) Hypothesis testing through chi square test
e) Run test of randomness
f) Cluster vs stratified sampling

SECTION B

6. a) Distinguish the differences between parametric and nonparametric test. What are the importances of nonparametric test?

b) The credit manager of Plaza stores obtained the data of a random sample of credit customers and recorded the data given below in table. The times for credit collection are divided into three categories: 15 days, 15 to 30 days and above 30 days. The sampling is done in three regions: urban, suburban and rural region. Perform a chi-square test, at 5 % level, of the hypothesis that time to pay is independent of residence region. State both the null and alternate hypothesis.

The chi-square value at 5% significance level and 4 degrees of freedom is 9.488.