Managerial research methods question paper - a sample paper for students to practice and benefit from.

1. MODEL QUESTION PAPER
2.2 MANAGERIAL RESEARCH METHODS
TIME: 3 HOURS MARKS: 70
SECTION A
Attempt any five questions from the following. Each question carries 5 marks.
(5 x 5 =25)
1. Explain the meaning of research. Highlight the features of a good research study.
2. Distinguish between exploratory and analytical (causal) research design.
3. Enumerate the important factors to be considered while deciding the sample
size.
4. How is quantitative research different from qualitative research?
5. Explain the relevance of focus group discussion in research. What are its
limitations?
6. Distinguish between Management Decision Problem and Management Research
Problem. Give examples to support your answer.
7. Write short notes on a) Cronbach Alfa b) Literature Review
SECTION B
Attempt any three questions. Each question carries 10 marks. (3 x 10 = 30)
8. Describe the format of a research report. Explain the significance of the research
report.
9. A researcher wished to examine the “outside eating habits” of individuals.
Develop a questionnaire for the same. Use Likert scale, Semantic differential
scale and Stapel scale besides nominal and ordinal scales. List the research
objectives for the study.

2. 10.The training manager at ABC Corporation wishes to identify the kind of training
programmes that should be offered to management trainees. Along with specific
job training modules, the trainees have to be imparted five additional general
management problems. Formulate the research problem. Identify the sources to
be used to conduct a problem audit. Write the research objectives and the
research hypotheses. What is the research design that you will recommend?
11.How is probability sampling different from non-probability sampling? Explain the
various types of probability and nonprobability sampling techniques.
SECTION C: CASE STUDY (COMPULSORY)
(1 X 15 =15)
Kumar Soft Drinks Bottling Company
The company came into operation in 2008 and was operating in the NCR of Delhi and in
the states of Punjab and Haryana. The turnover of the company was Rs 3 crores in
2013 and it was growing at the rate of 5% per annum. The chairman of the company is
interested in studying the effect of flavour and price on sales. He is also interested in
examining the interaction effect of these variables on sales. He is contemplating a
change in the product mix if required. Three types of flavours – pineapple, mango and
orange were considered. Three levels of prices were considered (Rs 10, Rs 12 & Rs
14). An experiment was conducted by randomly choosing a sample of 18 stores where
the flavour of the soft drink and the price level were varied. The results of the
experiment are shown below.
Value Label N
Flavour 1 Pineapple 6
2 Mango 6
3 Orange 6
Price 1 Rs.10/- 6
2 Rs.12/- 6
3 Rs.14/- 6

3. The ANOVA results are reported in Table below.
Source
Type II
Sum of
Squares
Degrees of
freedom
Mean
Square
F Sig.
Corrected
Model
20.748 8 2.593 7.554 0.003
Intercept 219.102 1 219.102 638.162 0.000
Flavour 1.408 2 0.704 2.050 0.185
Price 17.981 2 8.991 26.186 0.000
Flavour * Price 1.359 4 0.340 0.989 0.461
Error 3.090 9 0.343
Total 242.940 18
Corrected
Total
23.838 17
The computed F statistic corresponding to flavour, price and interaction are
respectively. Assuming α = 0.05, the table values are
.
Answer the following questions:
1. Identify the dependent variable and independent variable.
2. Construct hypotheses for the study.
3. From the ANOVA table, what conclusions will you draw? Based on your
interpretations, what actions should the company take?