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5599-Business Research Methods (AIOU)


ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
Commonwealth of Learning Executive MBA/MPA Program

WARNING
1.         PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2.         SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN “AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

ASSIGNMENT No. 1
(Block 1-4)
Course: Business Research Methods (5599)                        Semester: Autumn, 2010
Level: Executive MBA/MPA                                                            Total Marks: 100

Instructions:
(a)     All written assignment must be well organized, presented in an easy-to-read format, and neat. If your handwriting is not legible, type or compose the written assignment. Moreover, pay particularly close attention to grammar, spelling punctuation and understandability. Communication is extremely important in this course.
(b)     Documentation is likewise very important. Un-supported statements or opinions are worth less to the reader who desires to verify your finding. Complete and specific documentation is mandatory. Also, your references should be to primary sources, except in rare unusual situation.
(c)     Quoting should be kept to an absolute minimum.
(d)     Before writing the assignment, you are advised to thoroughly study the guidelines for assignment writing.

Q. 1  Briefly explain each step of research process.                                                 (20)

Q. 2  Explain                                                                                                          (20)
a)      Problem Definition
b)      Research Design
c)      Data Collection
d)      Data Analysis
e)      Interpretation of Results

Q. 3  (a)     Elaborate the concept of independent variable, dependent variable, demographic variable, dummy variables and hypothesis in detail,
         (b)     What are the elements of research problem? Keeping in view of all these elements, Formulate any management related research problem and develop a hypothesis for that problem.        (20)

Q. 4  (a)     Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative analysis.                      (20)
         (b)     What are the methods of collecting primary data?

Q. 5  Compare primary and secondary data? Explain collection and security of secondary data.                 (20)


ASSIGNMENT No. 2
Marks: 100
Instructions:
1.             This assignment is a research-oriented activity. You are required to develop a term paper and submit to the tutor for evaluation prior to the final examination. The last date of this assignment will be notified separately by our directorate of regional services and the same will be communicated to you directly as well as through approved study centers assigned to you.
2.             You will have to participate in the activity fully, actively, and practically to be eligible to sit in the final examination of the course.
3.             For the preparation of this assignment, you should first thoroughly review the conceptual framework of the topic and develop a scholarly material of the same giving references, quotations, and extracts of various scholars and experts. Then visit any business/commercial organization and study the relevant practical aspects there. Combining the theoretical and practical aspects, develop a comprehensive paper consisting of at least 20 to 25 typed pages to be submitted to your tutor.
4.       Include the following main headings in your assignment:
a)            Introduction to the topic
b)            Important sub-topics
c)            Practical study of the organization with respect to the topic
d)            Review of theoretical and practical situations, merits, de-merits deficiencies or
strengths of the organization with respect to the topic under study.
e)            Conclusion and recommendation
f)             Annex, if any

5.             Prepare a copy of this assignment and submit to your tutor for your evaluation.
6.             You should add any illustrative material/data/tables/analysis for effective submission.
7.             If you fail to submit this assignment in the class, then you will not be able to sit in the final examination conducted by AIOU.
5.             A number of topics given below are the general aspects of the course and you are required to select one of the topics according to the last digit of your roll number. For example, if the roll number is N-9337241, you will select topic number 1, and if the roll number is O-3427185 then you will select topic number 5 (the last digit).
0.            One Sample Test
1.            Types of Samples
2.            Designing, Pretesting of Questioner and Techniques of Interview
3.            Four strategies used for Data Collection
4.            Multivariate Analysis
5.            Simple Random Sampling
6.            Regression Analysis
7.            Non Probability Sampling Methods
8.            Types of Models In Research




RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR
MANAGEMENT DECISIONS (5599)
Course Outline

BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

UNIT-1: IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN DECISION MAKING
              Meaning of Research
              Role of Research in Important Areas
              Process of Research
              Types of Research
         SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Meaning of Managerial and Business Research
              Methods of Knowing
              The Managerial and Business Research Mechanism
              Research as a Belief System
              Research as an Established Body of Knowledge
              Research as a Collection of Methods
              Research as a Purposeful or Functional Activity
              Research as a Process Carried on by People
              Empirical Research
              Criticisms on Empirical Research
              Rules of Objectivity in Managerial and Business Research

UNIT-2:    DEFINING RESEARCH PROBLEM AND FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESIS
              Points to Ponder on Research
              Units of Analysis
              Tie and Space Coordinates
              Characteristics of Interest
              Environmental Conditions
              Research Problem as Hypothesis Testing
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Variables and Hypotheses

UNIT-3:    EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS
              Completely Randomized Design
              Randomized Complete Block Design

              Latin Square Design
              Factorial Design
              Analysis of Covariance
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Experimental Designs for Managerial and Business Research

BLOCK 2: DATA COLLECTION AND MEASUREMENT

UNIT-4:    METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF DATA COLLECTION
              Primary and Secondary Data
              Methods of Collecting Primary Data
              Merits and Demerits of Different Methods of Collecting Primary Data
              Designing a Questionnaire
              Pre-testing a Questionnaire
              Editing of Primary Data
              Technique of Interview
              Collection of Secondary Data
              Scrutiny of Secondary Data
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Mail Surveys
              Telephone Surveys
              Personal Interviews
              Focus Group Interviews
              Introduction to Qualitative Research
              Participant Observation
              Stages in Participatory Observation
              Selection of a Site and Definition of Problems, Concepts and Indicators
              Strategy to Move into the Research Setting
              Selecting People and Events to Observe
              Develop Relationship with the Participants
              Analyzing Observations
              Final Analysis and Interpretation
              Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative Research
              Secondary Data Analysis
              Locating the Data
              Evaluate the Data
              Verify the data
              Data entry issues
              Prepare the Data Collection Instrument and Collect The Data
              Prepare the Data Dictionary or Codebook
              Prepare the Data Matrix Worksheets
              Prepare Instructions for Data Entry and Data Analysis


UNIT-5:    SAMPLING AND SAMPLING DESIGNS
              Advantage of Sampling Over Census
              Simple Random Sampling Frame
              Probabilistic Aspects of Sampling
              Stratified Random Sampling
              Other Methods of Sampling
              Sampling Design
              Non-Probability Sampling Methods
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Sampling
              Types of Sample
              Sample Size
              Sample Quality

UNITS-6:  ATTITUDE MEASUREMENT AND SCALES
              Attitude Attributes and Beliefs
              Issues in Attitude Measurement
              Scaling of Attitudes
              Deterministic Attitude Measurement Models the Guttman Scale
              Thurston's Equal Appearing Interval Scale
              The Semantic Differential Scale
              Summative Models
              The Q-Sort Technique
              Multidimensional Scaling
              Selection of an Appropriate Attitude Measurement Scale
              Limitations of Attitude Measurement Scales
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Measurement and Scales

BLOCK 3: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

UNIT-7:    DATA PROCESSING
              Editing of Data
              Coding of Data
              Classification of Data
              Statistical Series
              Tables as Data Presentation Devices
              Graphical Presentation of Data


UNIT-8:    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA NONPARAMETRIC TESTS
              One Sample Test
              Two Sample Tests
              K Sample Tests

UNIT-9:    MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF DATA
              Regression Analysis
              Discriminant Analysis
              Factor Analysis
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Multivariate Data Analysis


UNIT-10:  MODEL BUILDING AND DECISION MAKING
              Models and Modeling
              Role of Modeling in Research in Managerial Decision Making
              Types of Models
              Objectives of Modeling
              Model Validation
              Simulation Models

BLOCK 4: REPORT WRITING AND PRESENTATION

UNIT-11:  SUBSTANCE OF REPORTS
              Proposal
              Categories of Report
              Reviewing the Draft
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
              Reporting Research
              Audience
              Oral Presentation
              Written Reports
              Charts and Tables
              Ethical Concerns
              Data Storage
              Steps in Empirical Research

UNIT-12:  FORMATS OF REPORTS
              Parts of a Report Cover and the Title Page
              Introductory Pages
              Text

              Reference Section
              Typing Instructions
              Copy Readings
              Proof Reading

UNIT-13:  PRESENTATION OF REPORT
              Communication Dimensions
              Presentation Package
              Audio-Visual Aids
              Presenter's Poise

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