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Research Methods Question Paper

Research Methods

Course:Bachelor Of Commerce

Institution: Kenyatta University question papers

Exam Year:2009

KENY ATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2007/2008
FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR
OF COMMERCE
BMS 305: RESEARCH METHODS
DATE: Wednesday 5th December 2007
TIME: 2.00 - 4.00 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer any FOUR questions.
Question One
(a)
What is meant by Business Research?
[2 marks]
(b)
Distinguish between basic research and applied research.
[4 marks]
-
(c)
You have been appointed the divisional manager of a large corporation,
- .-
supervising five animal feed plants scattered over the country. Corporate
headquarters asks you to conduct an investigation to determine whether any of
these plants should be closed, expanded, moved, or reduced. Discuss the
possible conflicts between your roles as a researcher and manager.
[7 marks]
(d)
Describe the characteristics of the scientific method.
[12 marks]
Question Two
(a)
Research begins when a researcher identifies a research idea, question or
problem and follows methodologically, step by step, to study and investigate
the problem.
(i)
What is meant by research ideas?
[6 marks]
(ii)
Briefly discuss any two sources of research ideas.
[6 marks]
(b)
What is research topic?
[4 marks]
(c)
Describe the purpose of extensive search and readings commonly done after a
researcher identifies a research topic.
[9 marks]

Question Three
(a)
As a manager in a major company, you come across
a report with a
competitor's logo, marked "Confidential - Restricted Circulation".
Your
corporation hired an ethicist who has since revised the firm's Business
Conduct Guidelines. They now require company employees in possession of a
competitor's information to return it or face dismissal.
(i)
What are the most prudent decisions you can make about your
responsibilities to yourself and others?
(ii)
What are the implications of these decisions even if there is no
violation of those decisions?
(b)
Explain the meaning of Research Design.
(c)
Distinguish between the following:
(i)
Exploratory formal studies.
(ii)
Experimental and ex-post facto' designs.
(iii)
Descriptive and causal studies.
Question :Four
(a)
Why is it important to use samples in research?
[8 marks]
(b)
Discuss two important considerations that determine the validity of a sample.
[4 marks]
(c)
Describe the steps in sampling design.
[7 marks]
(d)
What are some of the principles that influence sample size?
[6 marks]
Question Five
(a)
Define the term 'scaling' as used in research.
[1mark]
(b)
The selection or construction of measurement scales may use any of six
approaches available for decision making. Explain each of the approaches.
[12 marks]
(c)
Discuss the following three techniques of measurement scale construction:
(i)
Arbitrary scaling
[4 marks]
(ii)
Item analysis scaling
[4 marks]
(Hi)
Factor scaling.
[4 marks]
2

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