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Msf 503 Research Methods Town Campus Question Paper

Msf 503 Research Methods Town Campus

Course:Masters Of Science In Commerce

Institution: Kca University question papers

Exam Year:2014

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2013/2014
EXAMINATION FOR THE MASTERS OF SCIENCE (MSC) IN COMMERCE
(FINANCE AND INVESTMENT)
MSF 503 RESEARCH METHODS TOWN CAMPUS
DATE: AUGUST, 2014
TIME: 3 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One and Any Other Three Questions
QUESTION ONE (31 MARKS)
A study was done using a self-administered questionnaire that comprised of both close-ended and
open-ended questions. Pre-testing the research instrument was done through a pilot study covering 20
respondents. The variables of interest hypothesized to influence access to finance included age of
SME, size, collateral, business information, location of business, industry sector, incorporation,
managerial competence, gender of owner, and relationship with bank. Access to finance was measured
as a dichotomous variable and the study aimed to examine the effect of the independent variables on
the dependent variable. Further the study proposed that data would be analyzed using SPSS and that
statistical analysis would include descriptive statistics, correlation and logistic regression.
a) Discuss the weaknesses of using survey research as implemented in this study.
(6 Marks)
b) Explain why each of the selected data analysis techniques are inadequate for analyzing the
study data. (9 Marks)
c) Identify the predictor and explanatory variables of the study. (2 Marks)
d) Discuss the weaknesses of measuring access to finance as a dichotomous variable.
(3 Marks)
e) Determine the level of measurement of each of the variables in the study.
f) State how you would operationalize collateral, incorporation, access to finance, gender and
managerial competence.
(6 Marks)
(5 Marks)
1
QUESTION TWO: (23 MARKS)
a) Discuss what it means to situate a research in extant literature.
b)
(3 Marks)
Explain how the following moves are used in problematization of literature.
(i) Synthesized coherence (4 Marks)
(ii) Progressive coherence (4 Marks)
(iii) Non-coherence (4 Marks)
c) Define a conceptual framework.
d) Discuss the importance of experiential knowledge and theory in the construction of a
conceptual framework.
(2 Marks)
(6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE: (23 MARKS)
A study was made of a sample of masters’ students taking STAT 645 unit. The students in the study
were all 1st semester students and were distributed across 7 departments. Students were randomly
distributed to 3 groups. Over the first 5 weeks of a semester, group 1 was given easy problem
assignments, group 2 received moderately difficult problem assignments, and group 3 received very
difficult assignments. The groups were then compared on their self-ratings of the usefulness of
statistics. No attempt was made to assess student differences in math background. Some students
received special statistics tutoring during the 1st 5 weeks of the semester unbeknownst to the
researcher.
Required:
a) Discuss potential threats to internal validity faced by this study. (9 Marks)
b) Describe three ways to deal with the threats discussed in (a) above. (6 Marks)
c) Explain the significance of random assignment of students to the groups. (2 Marks)
d) Discuss two potential threats to external validity and describe how to deal with the threats
(6 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR: (23 MARKS)
a) Distinguish between factor analysis, path analysis and regression analysis
b)
(6 Marks)
Discuss when it is appropriate to use the following tests
i. Chi-square test
ii. Two sample t-test
iii. F-test
(6 Marks)
2
c) Define exploratory data analysis.
(2 Marks)
d) Discuss any two techniques of exploratory data analysis. (4 Marks)
e) Differentiate between mediator, moderator and control variables (6 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE: (23 MARKS)
A study was done to investigate the impact of perceived job autonomy on job satisfaction. The primary
purpose was to estimate the extent to which the degree of job autonomy influenced various dimensions
of job satisfaction. The variable of interest is the degree of perceived autonomy that workers enjoy in
the way they do their job. Several individual domains of job satisfaction identified include satisfaction
with pay, fringe benefits, promotion prospects, job security and importance / challenge of work. Two
groups of explanatory variables are identified: (1) those relating to the personal characteristics of the
respondent, such as age, gender, race, marital status and number of children; (2) those relating to the
job itself, such as job autonomy, income earned and hours worked. Job autonomy refers to
independence, freedom and discretion in scheduling their work.
Required:
a) Prepare a Likert scale questionnaire for job satisfaction and autonomy (16 Marks)
b) Explain how you would test the validity and reliability of the questionnaire (7 Marks)
QUESTION SIX: (23 MARKS)
The analysis below represents the relationship between 3 predictors (X1, X2, and X3) and a response
variable (Y).
Correlation Coefficients
Y
X1
X2
Y 1.0000 X1 0.1965 1.0000 X2 0.1620 0.6484 1.0000
X3 -0.1389 -0.0468 0.0038
3
Regression coefficients table
Coeff. X1 0.185 0.057
X2 0.069 0.046
X3 -0.644 0.167
Constant
a)
Std error
10.825 0.582
Interpret the meaning of the coefficients (column 2) in the coefficients’ table above.
(8 Marks)
b) Explain the meaning of the correlation coefficients.
(6 Marks)
c) Write a regression model for the relationship represented above.
(1 Marks)
d) Identify, with reasons, the variables that have a significant influence on the response variable.
(8 Marks)
4

Msf 503 Research Methods Town Campus Question Paper

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