Example exam Research Skills

Part 1: Multiple choice questions

Please note: In the final exam there will be 10 MC

questions
Question 1:
Saunders & Lewis (2012) use the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle to explain the
process of analyzing qualitative data. Using this metaphor, how can doing
inductive research be described?
A. Making a puzzle without a picture on the lid of the box.
B. Making a puzzle of more than 1000 pieces.
C. Making a puzzle while some pieces are missing.
D. Making a puzzle in the dark.
Question 2:
Which statement is CORRECT?
A. A regression coefficient can have a value between -1 and +1, a
correlation coefficient can have a value between 0 and 1.
B. A regression coefficient and a correlation coefficient can have a value
between 0 and 1.
C. A regression coefficient can have a value between 0 and 1, a
correlation coefficient can have a value between -1 and +1.
D. A regression coefficient and a correlation coefficient can have a value
between -1 and +1.
Question 3:
Suppose that two different researchers interpret the same data in different
ways. This could be an indication of the occurrence of
A. Subject error

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B. Observer bias
C. Interviewee bias
D. Subject bias

Question 4:
Before you can analyze your data, you need to check your data for errors.
One type of error is called "illogical relationships". What does this mean?
A. Relationships between illegitimate codes
B. Relationships that are not in your data matrix
C. Relationships that are not in your code book
D. Relationships that are very unlikely to occur in your data

Question 5:
Secondary data can be grouped based on the sources of the data. There are
three main groups discussed in the text of Saunders and Lewis (2012). Which
of the following is NOT a group?
A. Survey secondary data
B. Quantitative secondary data
C. Documentary secondary data
D. Multiple source secondary data

Part 2: Open questions

The following text is based on a recent master thesis, written in the
Department of Management. It introduces a problem. There are several ways
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to approach this problem. Choose one approach and formulate a problem
statement for a master thesis. Use this problem statement as the starting
point for the remaining questions. Please note that consistency is very
important.
Problem Indication
Since 2008, the percentage of alumni without a job doubled (Berkhout, Prins,
& Van der Werff, 2013). Another trend is the increasing amount of time
alumni spend on looking for a suitable job (Berkhout, Prins, & Van der Werff,
2013). Research shows that students who do succeed in finding a job, obtain
a temporary contract rather than a permanent contract (Kalleberg, 2000).
There are several possible reasons for this phenomenon. First, the current
economic crisis is an obstacle for alumni together with the increasing
competition among students. Second, an increasing amount of students with
an academic degree leads to a higher supply of academics, whereas the
demand for academics is decreasing in this period of economic crises.
Therefore, alumni have a hard time finding a job. A third reason for this
problem is that employers have become stricter in selecting academics,
because they have many options to choose from (Stewart & Knowles, 2000).
According to Heckman, Ichimura, and Todd (1997) academics do not get
proper application training at the university and they do not learn how to
present themselves in a proper manner to the potential employer and
therefore their chances of finding a job decrease. Next to that, employers
believe that the skills graduates bring in are not sufficient and that more
internal education is needed after graduation (Stewart & Knowles, 2000). The
aim of this thesis is to see how students can do a better job in satisfying
recruiters needs.
References
Berkhout, E., Prins, J. & Van der Werff, S. (2013) Studie & Werk 2013: Hboers en academici
van het afstudeerjaar 2010/11 op de arbeidsmarkt. SEO economisch onderzoek, SEO-rapport
nr. 2013-23.
Heckman, J.J., Ichimura, H. & Todd, P.E. (1997) Matching as an econometric evaluation
estimator: Evidence from evaluating a job training programme. Review of Economics
Studies, 64 (4) 605-654.
Kalleberg, A.L. (2000) Nonstandard employment relations: part-time, temporary and
contractual work. Annual Review Sociology, 26, 341-365.
Stewart, J. & Knowles, V. (2000) Graduate recruitment and selection practices in small
businesses. Career Development International, 5 (1) 21-38.

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1. Problem statement
Formulate a problem statement based on the problem indication. The
problem statement is the central question dealt with in the thesis. Keep in
mind that it should follow logically from the problem indication.

2. Research questions
To deal with the problem, it is necessary to split it up into a number of
research questions. The research questions are the questions that must
subsequently be answered to be able to solve the problem. In this section
you should three formulate research questions in order to investigate your
problem statement. Use your knowledge from the lectures and tutorials.

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3. Research design
3.1 Purpose
Decide on the basis of available research whether the purpose of your study
is exploratory, descriptive or explanatory and motivate your answer.
Motivate your decision.

3.2 Type of study and time horizon

Decide whether you conduct a qualitative or quantitative study and mention
the time horizon. Motivate your decisions.
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3.3 Sampling
Describe the sampling strategy and motivate your answer.

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3.4 Data collection

Describe the data collection methods you will use for gathering data and
motivate your choice of method. Indicate for each method why it is relevant
to your study.
Interviews

Survey

Secondary data

3.5 Data analysis

Describe the data analysis methods you will use, and indicate for which type
of data you use them.

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Coding

Statistical analysis

Data display

3.6 Validity and reliability

Describe 2 possible treats to validity and 2 threats to reliability for your
thesis and what you will do to avoid these threats.

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