Research Methods Question Paper

Research Methods

Course:Bachelor Of Commerce

Institution: Kenyatta University question papers

Exam Year:2010

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2009/2010
INSTITUTE OF OPEN LEARNING EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
BMS 305: RESEARCH METHODS

DATE: Wednesday 21st July, 2010 TIME: 8.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m.
________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS
Answer questions ONE and any other TWO questions.

QUESTION ONE
The management director of a company, established before the dawn of independence is
facing a problem. The company which was initially profitable and attracted very many
graduates to work with and is currently unprofitable. It is operating, in the MD’s opinion,
inefficiently. The company offers a wide range of communications facilities including
parcel services in the country, region and world wide. Initially, the company was a
monopolist but with the changing world market trends and globalization, survival will be
more difficult in the future. In particular, many communications and parcel service
delivery companies are bypassing its services by not only offering door to door delivery
but also offering the services at affordable rates. In addition many of the companies that
have joined the communication and parcel services have stationed themselves in various
strategic positions so that customers can reach at their service delivery points at ease. As a research consultant, the MD has commissioned you to undertake a comprehensive study
on the firm as a whole to determine possible strategies the company can undertake to face
the existing problem
Required:-
(a)
State an appropriate research title for the research. [2 marks]
(b)
“A research problem exists only if some conditions are met”. With reference to
the above, highlight the conditions. [5 marks]
(c)
Formulate three possible research objectives for the proposed study. [3 marks]
(d)
In formulating your objectives above, what factors did you take into consideration? [2 marks]
(e)
Develop a conceptual framework for the above problem, clearly indicating the various types of variables. [5 marks]
(f)
Briefly describe how you would undertake the following:
i.
Selection of the sample
[2 marks]
ii.
Collection of the data
[2 marks]
iii.
Data analysis
[2 marks]
(g)
Briefly explain three ways that would help you improve the reliability of the study. [3 marks]
(h)
Explain any four ethical considerations that you would bear in mind while conducting your research. [4 marks]

QUESTION TWO
(a)
Briefly explain FOUR sources of measurement differences in data collection. [6 marks]
(b)
Discuss the factors that a researcher should consider in developing a sample design. [6 marks]
(c)
Discuss the importance of literature review in a research proposal. [8 marks]

QUESTION THREE
(a)
Creative management, whether in public administration or private industry, depends on methods of inquiry that maintain objectivity, clarity, accuracy and consistency”. Discuss this statement clearly indicating the significance of research. [10 marks]
(b)
Discuss the reasons why it is important to write a proposal before engaging in any field research exercise. [10 marks]

QUESTION FOUR
(a)
Compare and contrast questionnaires and interviews as instruments of collecting primary data. [10 marks]
(b)
Briefly explain the probabilistic sampling techniques that a researcher may use to select a sample from the population giving an advantage and disadvantage for each. [10 marks]

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