1.Define Research?

Defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, Collecting,

organising and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last carefully
testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalising to extend,
correct of verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the
practice of an art.

2.State the features of snow ball sampling.
Snow ball sampling-initial respondent are selected by probability sample, additional respondents
are obtained by referral from initial respondents.
It is low at cost, used in special situations and useful in locating members of rare populations.
3.What are the types of Research?
Descriptive, Analytical, Applied, Fundamental, Quantitative, Qualitative, Conceptual, Empirical,
Longitudinal, Laboratory, Exploratory, Historical.
4.What are the benefits of a non probability sampling?
Sample guaranteed to meet a specific objective. It requires no list of population. Useful in
locating members of rare populations, Low cost.
5.What are the benefits of a probability sampling?
Easy to analyse data and compute error, simple to draw sample and easy to check, Assures
representation of all groups in sample, Depends on techniques combined.
6.What do you mean by Exploratory Research?
It is conducted to clarify ambiguous problems. It is conducted with the expectation that
subsequent research will be required to provide conclusive evidence.
7.What is Research design?
A master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analysing the needed
information.
8.Define causal research
Research conducted to identify cause and effect relationships among variables when the research
problem has already been narrowly defined.
9.What do you mean by Business Research?
The systematic and objective process of gathering, recording, and analyzing data for aid in
making business decisions.
10.What do you mean by Research objectives
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not
been discovered as yet.
11.What are the various types of reliability?
The degree to which measures are free from error and therefore yield consistent results. The two
aspects of reliability are Stability aspect and Equivalence aspect.
12.Define cluster Sampling?
An economically efficient sampling technique in which the primary sampling unit is not the
individual element in the population but a large cluster of elements.
13.What do you mean by Convenient Sampling?
The sampling procedure used to obtain those units or people most conveniently available.
14.What is probability sampling?
A sampling technique in which every member of the population has a known, nonzero probability
of selection.
15.What is non-probability sampling?
A sampling technique in which units of the sample are selected on the basis of personal
judgement of convenience.

16.What do you mean by Exploratory Research?
It is conducted to clarify ambiguous problems. It is conducted with the expectation that
subsequent research will be required to provide conclusive evidence.
17.What is "Primary Data" collection?
Data gathered and assembled specifically for the research project at hand.
18.How does one frame research objectives?
Once the research questions and / or hypotheses have been stated, the research objectives are
derived from the problem definition.
The objectives must, however, specify the information needed to make a decision.
19.Define causal research
Research conducted to identify cause and effect relationships among variables when the research
problem has already been narrowly defined.
20.Quota Sampling Define?
A nonprobability sampling procedure that ensures that certain characteristics of a population
sample will be represented to the exact extent that the investigator desires.
21.What do you mean by problem definition stage?
The indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some
research questions.
22.What is judgement sampling?
A nonprobability sampling technique in which an experienced individual selects the sample based
upon some appropriate characteristic of the sample members.
23. What is systematic sampling?
A sampling procedure in which an initial starting point is selected by a random process and then
every nth number on the list is selected.
24.Define Hypothesis?
An unproven proposition or supposition that tentatively explains certain facts or phenomena; a
proposition that is empirically testable.
25. What do you mean by Secondary data?
Data that have been previously collected for some project other than the one at hand.
26.Pilot study Define.
Any small-scale exploratory research technique that uses sampling but does not apply rigorous
standards.
27.What is the significance of null hypothesis?
The null hypothesis, Ho, represents a theory that has been put forward, either because it is
believed to be true or because it is to be used as a basis for argument, but has not been
proved. For example, in a clinical trial of a new drug, the null hypothesis might be that
the new drug is no better, on average, than the current drug.

We would write Ho: there is no difference between the two drugs on average.

KEYWORDS AND ITS MEANING
Variable - Anything that may assume different numerical values.
Pilot Study - Any small-scale exploratory research technique that uses sampling but does not apply
rigorous standards.
Primary Data Data gathered and assembled specifically for the research project at hand.
Secondary Data- Data that have been previously collected for some project other than the one at hand.
Research Design A master plan specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the
needed information.
It is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine
relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.
Research Project-A specific research investigation; a study that completes or is planned to follow the
stages in the research process.
Dependent Variable-A criterion or a variable that is to be predicted or explained.
Independent Variable-A variable that is expected to influence the dependent variable. Its value may be
changed or altered independently of any other variable.
Extraneous variable-These are the variables other than the independent variables which influence the
response of test units to treatments. It can weaken the results of the experiment performed to establish a
cause-and-effect relationship.
Hypothesis-An unproven proposition or supposition that tentatively explains certain facts or phenomena;
a proposition that is empirically testable.
Research Objective-The purpose of the research, expressed in measurable terms; the definition of what
the research should accomplish.
Features of good research design- The design which minimises bias and maximises the reliability of the
data collected and analysed is considered a good design. A design which yields maximal information and
provides an opportunity for considering many different aspects of a problem is considered most
appropriate and efficient.
Case Study method-An exploratory research technique that intensively investigates one or a few
situations similar to the researchers problem situation.
Focus Group Interview-An unstructured, free-flowing interview with a small group of people.
Projective Technique-An indirect means of questioning that enables a respondent to project beliefs and
feelings on to a third party, an inanimate object, or a task situation.
Word Association Test-A projective research technique in which the subject is presented with a list of
words, one at a time, and asked to respond with the first word that comes to mind.
Sentence Completion-A projective technique in which respondents are required to complete a number of
partial sentences with the first word or phrase that comes to mind.
Role playing-A projective technique that requires the subject to act out someone elses behaviour .
Depth Interview- A relatively unstructured, extensive interview used in the primary stages of the
research process.
Cross-sectional study-A study in which various segments of a population are sampled at a single point in
time.
Longitudinal Study-A survey of respondents at different points in time, thus allowing analysis of
response continuity and changes over time.
Panel Study-A longitudinal study that involves collecting data from the sample of individuals or
households over time.
Participant Observation-Situation in which an observer gains firsthand knowledge by being in or
around the social setting being investigated.
Content analysis- A research technique for the objective, systematic, and quantitative description of the
manifest content of communication.
Random Sampling Error-A statistical fluctuation that occurs because of chance variation in the
elements for a sample.
Randomization-A procedure in which the assignment of subjects and treatments of groups is based on
chance.
Internal validity-Validity determined by whether an experimental treatment was the sole cause of
changes in a dependent variable.
External validity-The ability of an experiment to generalize the results to the external environment.
Factorial Design-An experimental design that investigates the interaction of two or more independent
variables.
Latin square Design- A balanced, two-way classification scheme that attempts to control or block out
the effect of two or more extraneous factors by restricting randomization with respect to row and column
effects.
Rule of Measurement-An instruction to guide assignment of a number or other measurement
designation.
Nominal Scale-A scale in which the numbers or letters assigned to objects serve as labels for
identification or classification; a measurement scale of the simplest type.
Ordinal Scale-A scale that arranges objects or alternatives according to their magnitudes.
Interval Scale-A scale that not only arranges objects or alternatives according to their magnitudes but
also distinguishes this ordered arrangement in units of equal intervals.
Ratio Scale-A scale having absolute rather than relative quantities and possessing an absolute zero, where
there is an absence of a given attribute.
Attribute-A single characteristic or fundamental feature of an object, person, situation or issue.
Reliability-The degree to which measures are free from error and therefore yield consistent results.
Validity-The ability of a scale or measuring instrument to measure what it is intended to measure.
Sensitivity-A measurement instruments ability to accurately measure variability in stimuli or responses.
Likert Scale- A measure of attitudes designed to allow respondents to indicate how strongly they agree or
disagree with carefully constructed statements that range from very positive to very negative toward an
attitudinal object.
Semantic differential-An attitude measure consisting of a series of seven-point bipolar rating scales
allowing response to a concept.
Numerical Scale-an attitude rating scale similar to a semantic differential except that it uses numbers
instead of verbal descriptions as response options to identify response positions.
Constant-sum scale- A measure of attitudes in which respondents are asked to divide a constant sum to
indicate the relative importance of attribute.
Staple Scale-An attitude measure that places a single adjective in the center of an even number of
numerical values.
Graphic Rating scale-A measure of attitude consisting of a graphic continuum that allows respondents to
rate an object by choosing any point on the continuum.
Various types of reliability- The degree to which measures are free from error and therefore yield
consistent results. The two aspects of reliability are Stability aspect and Equivalence aspect.

Frequently asked big questions.(UNIT 1,2&3)
Briefly explain the the various types of research and their relative merits and demerits.
Explain the difference between primary data and secondary data

Explain the difference between collection of data through questionnaire and schedule
Briefly explain the Research Process.
Describe some important research design used in experimental hypothesis testing research study.

Explain the probability and non probability sampling methods.
Explain the various types of primary source of data collection and their significance.
Enumerate the different types of Research Design. Explain with examples?
Examine the merits and limitations of observation method in collecting information.
Describe the different methods of scale construction, pointing out the merits and demerits of each.
Differentiate between stratified Sampling and cluster Sampling, give examples of each.
What are the various types of scales and their importance? Discuss.
Describe the importance of editing, Coding classification, Tabulation and presentation of data.
In the research process, why is the problem definition stage probably the most important stage
Diff b/w basic and applied research giving 2 examples each
Explain the various types of primary source of data collection and their significance.
Diff b/w qualitative research and quantitative research with examples