MANIPAL UNIVERSITY JAIPUR

SET-1

1. Describe in detail each step of the Research Process.

Answer - The research process is a series of steps that researchers follow to investigate a
particular problem or question.

 These steps include:

1. Identify the Research Problem: This step involves identifying a gap in knowledge or
an area of uncertainty in a particular field that warrants further investigation.
Researchers may use a variety of methods to identify research problems, including
reading scholarly articles, attending conferences, talking with colleagues, and
conducting preliminary studies.

2. Conduct a Literature Review: A literature review is a critical analysis of the existing

literature on a particular topic. It involves gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing
information from various sources, including scholarly articles, books, and other
publications. The literature review helps researchers identify gaps in knowledge and
develop a more focused research question or hypothesis.

3. Formulate a Research Question or Hypothesis: The research question or hypothesis is

the central question that the study seeks to answer. The research question is typically
more exploratory in nature, while the hypothesis is a specific statement that predicts
the relationship between two or more variables.

4. Choose a Research Design: The research design is the overall plan for conducting the
study. It outlines the methods that will be used to collect and analyze data, as well as
the criteria for selecting study participants. Common research designs include
experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, and descriptive designs.

5. Collect Data: Data collection involves gathering information from study participants
using a variety of methods, including surveys, interviews, observations, and
experiments. Researchers must ensure that their data collection methods are ethical,
valid, and reliable.

6. Analyse Data: Data analysis involves transforming raw data into meaningful
information. This may involve using statistical software to analyse quantitative data or
conducting a qualitative analysis of narrative data. The goal of data analysis is to
identify patterns or relationships that can help answer the research question or test the
hypothesis.

7. Draw Conclusions: The conclusions drawn from the study should be based on the
analysis of the data. The researcher should be cautious not to draw conclusions that go

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beyond the data collected. The conclusions may support the hypothesis or research
question, or they may suggest new directions for future research.

8. Communicate Results: The final step in the research process is to communicate the
results of the study. This may involve writing a research report, publishing a scholarly
article, or presenting findings at a conference or other professional gathering. The
communication of results is important to advance the field and inform other
researchers and practitioners.

Overall, the research process is a systematic and iterative process that involves a series of
steps, each of which is designed to help researchers investigate a problem or question and
draw valid conclusions based on empirical evidence.

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using questionnaires and interviews as

data collection methods.

Answer - Questionnaires and interviews are popular methods of data collection used in
various research studies. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, which
researchers must consider before deciding on the appropriate method.

 Questionnaires are pre-designed sets of questions that are administered to a group of

individuals. Questionnaires are structured forms that are designed to elicit information

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from respondents. One of the main advantages of questionnaires is that they are cost-
effective and can be administered to large samples quickly.

a. One of the advantages of using questionnaires is that they are easy to administer
to a large number of people, and the data collected is standardized, making it easy
to analyse. Additionally, questionnaires can be self-administered, which makes
them cost-effective and eliminates the need for an interviewer.

b. However, there are some disadvantages of using questionnaires. One major

limitation is the possibility of respondents not taking the questionnaire seriously,
which can result in inaccurate data. Questionnaires are also limited in their ability
to probe deeper into a respondent's answers or provide contextual information. As
such, it is challenging to obtain detailed information from a questionnaire.
Additionally, some people may not be able to read or understand the questions,
which could affect the accuracy of the data collected.

 Interviews, on the other hand, are face-to-face or phone conversations between a

researcher and a participant. One of the advantages of using interviews is the ability to
get detailed information and provide contextual information to the researcher. Interviews
can also be used to probe deeper into a respondent's answers, which can result in more
insightful data. Additionally, the researcher can clarify questions that respondents may
not understand, which reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation.

a. However, one of the main disadvantages of using interviews is that they are time-
consuming and costly. Interviews also require skilled interviewers who can
establish rapport with respondents, ask open-ended questions, and ensure that the
data collected is accurate. Additionally, interviews are subject to interviewer bias,
where the interviewer's opinions or beliefs can influence the responses of the
respondents.

In conclusion, both questionnaires and interviews have their advantages and disadvantages.
Researchers must consider the type of data they want to collect, the sample size, and the
resources available before deciding on the most appropriate data collection method. The
choice of method depends on the research question, the available resources, and the
characteristics of the study population. Researchers should consider the strengths and
weaknesses of both methods before deciding on the most appropriate method for their
research.

3. Explain any four of the different probability sampling techniques

Answer – Probability sampling techniques are used in research to ensure that a representative
sample of a population is selected. Here are four different probability sampling techniques:

1. Simple Random Sampling: In this technique, each member of the population has an
equal chance of being selected. This technique is done by selecting a random sample

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of the population from a sampling frame or a list of all the members of the population.
This technique is used when the population is homogeneous and no prior knowledge
of the population is available.

For example, if a researcher wants to sample 500 students from a university of 50,000
students, they could assign each student a unique number, and then use a random
number generator to select 500 numbers

2. Stratified Sampling: In this technique, the population is divided into homogenous

subgroups called strata. The strata are based on a characteristic that is relevant to the
research question. A sample is then randomly selected from each stratum. Stratified
sampling ensures that the sample is representative of the population and reduces the
sampling error.

For example, a researcher may want to conduct a survey to estimate the average
income of a population. The researcher can divide the population into strata based on
income levels and then sample from each stratum in proportion to its size.

3. Cluster Sampling: In this technique, the population is divided into heterogeneous

subgroups called clusters. The clusters are based on a characteristic that is relevant to
the research question. A sample of clusters is then randomly selected and all members
of the selected clusters are included in the sample. Cluster sampling is often used
when it is difficult or impractical to obtain a complete list of the population.

For example, a researcher may want to sample households in a city. They could divide
the city into several neighbourhoods and randomly select a few neighbourhoods.
Then, they could survey all the households in each selected neighbourhood.

4. Systematic Sampling: In this technique, the sample is selected by using a fixed

interval between each selection. For example, every fifth member of the population is
selected to be part of the sample. Systematic sampling is used when the population is
large and a complete list of members is available. This technique can reduce the time
and cost of sampling compared to simple random sampling. However, it may
introduce some bias if there is a pattern in the list of the population.

For example, if a researcher wants to select a sample of 500 from a population of

10,000, they could choose every 20th member of the population (10,000/500=20).
This technique is less random than simple random sampling, but still provides a
representative sample. However, if there is a pattern in the population, such as a
cyclical trend, systematic sampling may introduce bias.

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SET – 2

4. Discuss any four Scaling Techniques of your choice.

Answer -Scaling is the process of assigning numeric values to variables or objects according
to a set of rules or criteria. Scaling is a critical aspect of research methodology as it enables
researchers to measure and quantify various phenomena. In this answer, I will discuss four
scaling techniques commonly used in research methodology: nominal, ordinal, interval, and
ratio scaling.

1. Nominal scaling: Nominal scaling is the simplest form of scaling, and it involves
assigning numbers to objects or variables to categorize them. Nominal scales are used
to label or identify objects without assigning any order or magnitude to them. For
instance, assigning numbers to different types of sports, such as 1 for football, 2 for
cricket, and 3 for tennis, etc. In nominal scaling, numbers are only used as labels, and
they do not indicate any particular ranking or order.

2. Ordinal scaling: Ordinal scaling involves assigning numbers to variables based on

their rank or order. In other words, the variables are arranged in a particular order, and
the assigned numbers reflect this order. Ordinal scales do not have any fixed interval
or measurement unit, but they do have an underlying order or sequence. For instance,
ranking students based on their academic performance from the highest to the lowest,
and assigning numbers such as 1 for the top performer, 2 for the second, and so on.

3. Interval scaling: Interval scaling involves assigning numbers to variables that have a
fixed interval or measurement unit. In interval scaling, the distance between two
consecutive points is equal. For example, temperature measurement using Celsius or
Fahrenheit scales is a good example of interval scaling. The difference between 20°C
and 25°C is the same as the difference between 25°C and 30°C.

4. Ratio scaling: Ratio scaling is the most advanced form of scaling, and it involves
assigning numbers to variables that have a fixed interval, measurement unit, and a
true zero point. In ratio scaling, the ratio between two numbers is meaningful, and it is
possible to compare two values. Examples of ratio scaling include measuring height,
weight, and time, where a true zero point exists.

In conclusion, scaling techniques play an essential role in research methodology, as

they enable researchers to quantify and measure various phenomena. Nominal,
ordinal, interval, and ratio scaling are four commonly used scaling techniques, each
with its own unique characteristics and applications. It is crucial for researchers to
choose the appropriate scaling technique based on the nature of their research
question, research design, and data collection methods.

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5. Provide illustrative explanations for the ideas of validity and reliability, focusing on
why these concepts are important.

Answer – Validity and reliability are two important concepts in research methodology.
They are critical for ensuring that the data collected from a study is trustworthy, accurate,
and meaningful.

i. Validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately measures what it claims to
measure. In other words, a study is considered valid if it measures what it is intended
to measure. For example, if a study aims to measure the effects of a new drug on a
particular health condition, the study must ensure that the drug is the only factor
influencing the results. Validity can be threatened by factors such as bias,
confounding variables, and measurement errors.

There are several types of validity

a. Internal validity - refers to the degree to which a study is free from

confounding variables that could impact the results.
b. External validity - refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be
generalized to other populations or settings.
c. Construct validity - refers to the degree to which a measurement tool
accurately measures the construct it is intended to measure.
d. Face validity- refers to the extent to which a measurement tool appears to be
measuring what it claims to measure.

ii. Reliability, on the other hand, refers to the consistency and stability of a
measurement tool or study. If a study is reliable, it should produce consistent results if
repeated under the same conditions. For example, if a survey is used to measure a
particular attitude, it should yield the same results if administered multiple times to
the same group of people. Reliability can be threatened by factors such as random
error and inconsistencies in data collection procedures.

There are several types of reliability

a. Test-retest reliability refers to the degree to which a measurement tool

produces consistent results when administered multiple times to the same
group of people.
b. Inter-rater reliability refers to the extent to which different rates or observers
produce consistent results when using the same measurement tool.
c. Internal consistency reliability refers to the extent to which different items on
a measurement tool are measuring the same underlying construct

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Both validity and reliability are important because they help researchers to ensure that
their findings are accurate and meaningful. If a study is not valid, its results cannot be
trusted, and its conclusions may be flawed. Similarly, if a study is not reliable, it may
be difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the data. Without these two
concepts, the results of a study may be misleading or even completely invalid. By
carefully considering these factors during the research process, researchers can ensure
that their findings are rigorous and trustworthy.

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6. A brand manager is concerned that his brand’s share may be unevenly distributed
throughout the country. In a survey in which the country was divided into four
geographical regions, a random sampling of 100 consumers in each region was
surveyed, with the following results:

  REGION  
North North South South
  East West East West TOTAL
Purchase the
brand 40 55 50 45 190
Do not purchase 60 45 50 55 210
TOTAL 100 100 100 100 400

Answer - To determine whether the brand's share is evenly distributed throughout the
country, we can conduct a chi-squared test of independence. The null hypothesis is that the
proportion of consumers who purchase the brand is the same in all four regions, while the
alternative hypothesis is that the proportion of consumers who purchase the brand varies by
region.

To conduct the test, we first need to calculate the expected frequencies under the null
hypothesis. We can do this by multiplying the total number of consumers who purchased the
brand (190) by the proportion of consumers in each region.

For example, the expected frequency of consumers who purchased the brand in the North
East region would be:

Expected frequency = (100/400) * 190 = 47.5

We can calculate the expected frequencies for all four regions and both purchase categories
and summarize them in a table:

REGION North East, North West, South East, South West Purchase the brand 47.5
47.5 47.5 47.5
Do not purchase 52.5 52.5 52.5 52.5

Next, we can calculate the chi-squared test statistic using the formula:
χ² = Σ (O - E) ² / E

where O is the observed frequency and E is the expected frequency. We can calculate
the test statistic for our data as follows:

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χ² = [(40 - 47.5) ² / 47.5] + [(55 - 47.5) ² / 47.5] + [(50 - 47.5) ² / 47.5] + [(45 - 47.5)
² / 47.5] + [(60 - 52.5) ² / 52.5] + [(45 - 52.5) ² / 52.5] + [(50 - 52.5) ² / 52.5] + [(55 -
52.5) ² / 52.5]

χ² = 3.37

To determine the p-value associated with this test statistic, we need to consult a chi-
squared distribution table with (4-1) * (2-1) = 3 degrees of freedom. From the table,
we find that the p-value is less than 0.05, indicating that we can reject the null
hypothesis at the 5% significance level.

Therefore, we conclude that the proportion of consumers who purchase the brand is
not the same in all four regions, and the brand's share is unevenly distributed
throughout the country.

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