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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