Rubric for Assignment 1

By Rama Krishna Kompella

Instructions
The objective of the assignment (inclass exam) is to make sure you recollect what is asked, rather than just write the answers without thinking Instead of coming up with rote / byhearted lines, try to come up with explanations in your own words

Instructions
The aim of the test is to know
How well you understood the concepts discussed in the class How well you can integrate them How you can use the concepts in some real life situations

Question 1
You have been hired by a company which is planning to enter the textile market offering uncrushable/wrinkle free shirts for the working executives. How would you define the marketing research problem in this case.

Question 1
In order to answer this question, you need to know the steps the company should follow in order to define its research problem Explain each step within the context of the companys situation

Question 2
Explain Validity & Reliability. What difficulties can a manager face while applying scientific methods to marketing research? You need to first explain the terms, and their relevance when used in research Have to provide at least one example for each and contrast both of them Give real life issues which a manager

Question 3
Write short notes on:
Methods of data collection in survey research. Secondary data analysis

Provide a list of various data collection methods used in survey research Explain each method along with the prerequisites to use the method Limitations of each method

Question 4
Distinguish between exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional designs. Give suitable examples for each. Do not copy paste the examples already provided in your textbook Need to explain each design of research Explain the differences among the methods, and the circumstances in

Case Study Konika case

You need to do some background research regarding the industry in order to come up with proper research questions and hypotheses The list of problems as well as research proposal needs to be as comprehensive as possible If required you can write some stuff in advance while writing your proposal

Case Study Konika case

In order to gain some understanding about the components of a research proposal, a guideline is provided, for your reference and will be posted on Facebook also The document will be just a guideline, and you need to use it as a framework for your report

The Components of a Research Proposal

1. Title page of the research proposal A research proposal should be submitted with a title page on which full particulars pertaining to the following appear: the name of the researcher; student number; course; and the following wording: Research proposal in preparation of a research project with the following proposed detail:"..... For example: "Consumer profiling and segmentation in the area of used cars in the Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and city of Hyderabad" related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

2. Introduction Emphasise the importance of the proposed research and describe the research topic or theme. This is usually done in one or two paragraphs. In all cases it should be stated whether a relationship exists between the proposed research and research undertaken before. If no such research has been undertaken previously, this should be pointed out.
Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

3. Motivation Present, as clearly as possible, the source of interest in the topic or theme. Also motivate why the topic justifies the research. Indicate what is proposed with the research. For example, the topic was selected because of practical problems experienced in the particular field.

Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

4. Preliminary survey/scrutiny of relevant literature Indicate that a literature survey was undertaken and that it enabled the researcher to demarcate the research problem clearly. Explain that relevant publications (books, legislation, documents, files, etc.) have been consulted to determine whether the envisaged research is not a duplication of previous research. However, bear in mind that the actual research will often require more than a survey of relevant literature. Therefore, it is necessary also to indicate the other sources from which data will be Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and obtained related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

5.Problem description/statement Give a clear and concise description of the research problem or question. The researcher should denote exactly what he or she intends to do and what he or she wants to achieve with the research. This description will later serve as the point of departure for the wording of the title of the research paper, dissertation or thesis.

Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

6. Formulation of a hypothesis Formulate a hypothesis which will form part of the research proposal. Indicate whether the hypothesis is inductive or deductive. Also indicate which variables apply. (Note from Mark Swilling: a hypothesis is not always necessary for qualitative research.)

Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

7. Research methodology (This is also referred to as the strategy for research) Clearly indicate
the methods of data collection either within a quantitative or qualitative methodology as well as the techniques for data collection, e.g. questionnaires, and measurement (the validation of the techniques).

Indicate whether field workers will be used to collect data and whether computer programmes will be employed to analyse the data.
Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

The Components of a Research Proposal

The researcher should also indicate in this section of the proposal which strategies will be followed during the research (i.e. the actions and their sequence) For example, a questionnaire will be constructed first, then the data will be analysed, followed by the writing of the relevant chapter. Motivate the particular actions and their sequence, and give target dates for their completion. Adapted from Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in (universe), Identify the target population Public Administration and
related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26

Questions?