June / July 2011 BRM Question Paper

Lakshmish.G

Explain the Various Steps involved in Sampling Process ? 7 Marks.

The Main Steps involved in the planning and execution of sample survey are :
1.

Objectives: The first task is to lay down in concrete terms the basic objective of
the survey. Failure to do so will clearly undermine the purpose of carrying out the survey itself. For example If National bank wants to study saving bank account holders perception of the service quality rendered over a period of one year, the objective of the sampling is here to analyze the perception of the account holders in the bank.

2.

Population to be Covered: Based on the objective of the survey, the

population should be well defined. The characteristics concerning the population under study should also be clearly defined. For example To analyze the perception of the savings bank account holders about the service rendered by the bank, all the account holder in the bank constitute the population to be investigated.

3.

Sampling Frame: In order to cover the population decided upon, there should
be some list, map or other acceptable material (called the frame) which serves as a guide to the population to be covered. The sampling frame will help us in the selection of sample. All the account numbers of the saving bank account holders in the bank are the sampling frame in the analysis of perception of the customers regarding the service rendered by the bank.

Explain the Various Steps involved in Sampling Process ? Cont 7 Marks.

4.

Sampling Unit: For the purpose of sample selection, the population should be
capable of being divided up into sampling units. The division of the population into sampling units should be unambiguous. Each account holder of the savings bank account in the bank, form a unit of the sample as all the savings bank account holders in the bank constitute the population.

5.

Sample Selection: The size of the sample and the manner of the selecting the
sample should be defined based on the objective of the statistical investigation. The estimation of population parameter along with their margin of uncertainty are some of the important aspects to be followed in sample selection.

6.

Collection of Data: The method of collecting of information has to be decided,

keeping in view the costs involved and the accuracy aimed at. Physical observation interviewing respondents and collecting data through mail are some of the methods that can be followed in collection of data.

7.

Analysis of data: The collected data should be properly classified and

subjected to an appropriate analysis. The conclusions are drawn based on the results of the analysis.

Explain Different type of Research ? 10 Marks.

1.

Descriptive Research: Descriptive research concentrates on finding facts to

ascertain the nature of something as it exists. It tries to discover answer to question where, what, when and how. Here researcher has no control over the variable.

2.
3.

Analytical Research: analytical research is concerned with determining validity of

hypothesis based on analysis of facts collected.

Explanatory Research: It goes beyond description and attempts to explain the

reasons for the phenomenon that the descriptive study only observes. Research that studies the relationship between two or more variable is also referred to as Correlation Study.

4.

Predictive Research: If we can provide a possible explanation for an event after it

has occurred, it is desirable to be able to predict when and in what situation of predictive.

5.

Applied Research: Applied research is carried out to find answers to practical

problems to be solved and as an aid in decision making in different areas including product design, process design and policy making. The research deals with real life situation.

6.

Pure/Fundamental OR Basic Research: Fundamental research is carried out as

more to satisfy intellectual curiosity, than with the intention of using the research findings for any immediate practical application.

Explain Different type of Research ? Cont

7.

10 Marks.

Scientific Research: Is Systematic, controled, empirical and critical

investigation of nature phenomenonguided by theories and hypothesisabout the presumed relation among such phenomenon.

8.

Conceptual Research: Conceptual research is involves investigation of

thoughts and ideas and developing new ideas or interpreting the old ones based on logical reasoning.

9.

Empirical Research: Empirical research is based on firm verifiable data

collected by either observation of facts under natural condition or obtained through experimentation.

10.

Clinical or Diagnostic Research: It follows case study method or indepth

approach to reach the vasic causl relations. It goes deep into the cause of thing or events.

What are the Methods of Primary Data Collection ? 7 Marks

There are several methods of collecting primary data, particularly in surveys and descriptive research. Important ones are:
1.

Observation Method: According to Concise Oxford Dictionary Observation is

accurate watching and noting of phenomenon as they occure in nature with regard to cause and effect or mutual relation . Thus, observation is not only a systamatic watching but it also involves listening and reading, coupled with consideration of the seen phenomena.

2.

Survey Method: Survey means a planned effort to collect the desired

information from a representative sample to the relavant population. It can also be termed as systematic gathering of data from respondents through questionnaires. Types of survey are.

i.

Interview Method: Interview is a conversation between two or more people

where question are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.It involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oralverbal responses.

ii.

Questionnaire method: The term questionnaire usually refers to a selfadministered process where by the respondant himself reads the question and records his answers without the assistance of an interviewer

What are the Methods of Primary Data Collection ? Cont

iii.

7 Marks

Schedules: According to Goode and Hatt Schedule is that name usually applied
to a set of questions which are asked and filled in by an interviewer in a face-toface situation with another person.

3.

Other Methods of Data Collection: Warranty Cards: warranty cards are usually postal sized cards, which are used
by dealers of consumer durables to collect information regarding their products. The information sought is printed in the form of questions on the warranty cards which is placed inside the package along with the products with a request to the consumer to fill in the card and post it back to the dealer.

i.

ii.

Distributior or Store Audits: Distributors get the retail stores audited through
salesman and use such information to estimate market size, market share etc. The data obtained in such audits not by questioning but by observation.

What are the Methods of Primary Data Collection ? Cont

iii.

7 Marks

Consumer Panels: Where as set of consumers are arranged to come to an

understanding to maintain detailed daily records of their consumption and the same is made available to investigator on demands. In other words, a consumer panel is essentially a sample of consumers who are interviewed repeatedly over a period of time.

iv.

Depth Interview: when an interview is held without the aid of a structured

questionnaire, the interviewer has freedom in conducting it in the manner he desires. Such interviews are not subject to a well-defined and rigid procedure and are known as informal interviews. They are more appropriate in case of sensitive issues, which may require more probing.

Explain different concepts of research design? 10 marks

1.

Dependent Variable (DV) and Independent Variable (IV): A concept

which can take on different quantitative values is called variable eg hight, weight, income etc A continuous variable is that which can assume any numerical value within a special range. A variable for which the individual values fall on the scale only with distinct gaps is called as Discrete variable. Eg: Hight (DV) = Age (IV) + Gender (IV)

2.

Extraneous Variable (EV): Independent variable that are not related to the
purpose of the study, but may affect the Dependent variable. Self-concept (IV) = Social Study achievement (DV) + Intelligence (EV)

3.

Control: Is used when we design the study minimising the effects of extraneous
Independent variable. Control is used to refer to restrain Experiamental conditions.

4.

Confounded Relationship: Dependent Variable is influenced by Extraneous

variable the relationship between them is said to be confounded by an Extraneous variable.

Explain different concepts of research design? Cont... 10 marks

5.

Research Hypothesis: is a predictive statement that relates as Independent

variable to a Dependent variable.

6.

Experiamental and Non-Experiamental hypothesis: Research in which

the Independent Variable is manipulated is experiamental hypothesis-testing research. Research in which an Independent variable is not manipulated is NonExperiamental Hypothesis Testing Research.

7.

Experiamental and Controled groupes: In an experiamental hypothesis

testing research when a group is exposed to usual conditions-control group, but when the group is exposed to some special condition is experiamental group.

8.

Treatments: The different conditions under which experimental and control

groups are put. Yield (Wheat) = 3 variety (fertilizers) ie 3 treatments.

9.
10.

Experiament: The process of examining the truth of a stastical hypothesis

relating to some research problem.

Experiamental unit: The pre-determined plots or the blocks, where different

treatments are used are known as Experiamental units.

What do You mean by Cross Tabulation? 3 Marks.

A.
Cross tabulation is the process of creating a contingency table from the multivariate frequency distribution of statistical variables. Heavily used in survey research, cross tabulations (or crosstabs for short) can be produced by a range of statistical packages, including some that are specialised for the task. Survey weights often need to be incorporated. Unweighted tables can be easily produced by some spreadsheets and other business intelligence tools, where they are commonly known as pivot tables.

What are the advantages of Literature Survey? 3 Marks.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Literature reviews are versatile. They can be conducted for almost any topic and can provide information either at the overview level or in-depth. Literature reviews are relatively inexpensive and efficient.A large amount of data can be collected quickly at minimal cost. No scheduling or coordination is involved. The cooperation of others is not required. The only resources needed are a good library or online database and a competent reviewer. Literature reviews provide a conceptual framework for further planning and study.