Download What is a research design? how is it formulated?

Question paper 1997
1)What is a research design?
How is it formulated?
• It is a framework or blueprint for conducting
the marketing research project
• It specifies the details of the procedure
necessary for obtaining the information
needed to structure and/or solve marketing
research problem
• It lays the foundation for conducting the
project
Steps involved in the formulation of
research design
• Design the exploratory, descriptive and/or
causal phases of the research
• Define the information needed
• Specify the measurement & scaling procedures
• Construct and pretest a questionnaire or an
appropriate form for data collection
• Specify the sampling process & sampling size
• Develop a plan of data analysis
2)What is meant by experimental
research?
• It is classified under social science research
• It is based on experiments conducted in the
laboratory
• Investigator creates an artificial environment
under which he controls and manipulate the
variable
• Experimental research enable the investigator
to quantify the findings, to apply statistical &
mathematical tools and measure the results
thus quantified
3)Distinguish between null hypothesis
& alternate hypothesis?
• Hypothesis
• An unproven proposition or supposition that
tentatively explains certain facts or phenomena
• A proposition that is empirically testable
• Null hypothesis
• A statement about a status quo ascertaining
that any change from what has been thought to
be true will be due entirely at random error
• Alternate hypothesis
• A statement indicating the opposite of the null
hypothesis
4)What is meant by systematic
sampling? Is this method free from
bias?
• A probability sampling technique in which the
sample is chosen by selecting a random
sampling point and picking every ‘I’th element
in succession from the sampling frame
• It is an easier and less costlier method of
sampling and can be conventionally used even
in case of large population
Limitations of systematic sampling
• systematic sampling is biased in the following
cases
• If the sampling frame has any periodicity that
parallels the sampling rates
• If the frame is arranged in way ascending or
descending order of some attribute, then the
location of the first sample element may affect
the result of the study
Distinguish between experimental
design and factorial design?
• Experimental design
• It is a set of procedures specifying
1. The test units & sampling procedures
2. Independent variables
3. Dependent variables
4. How to control the extraneous variables
Factorial design
• It is used to measure the effects of two or more
independent variables at various levels and to
allow for interactions between variables
• An interaction is said to take place when the
simultaneous effect of two or more variables is
different from the sum of their separate effects
• Simple factorial design and complex factorial
design are the two major categories of factorial
design
Examine the relevance of pilot
study in social research ?
• The term 'pilot studies' refers to mini versions of a fullscale study (also called 'feasibility' studies), as well as
the specific pre-testing of a particular research
instrument such as a questionnaire or interview
schedule.
• Pilot studies are a crucial element of a good study
design. Conducting a pilot study does not guarantee
success in the main study, but it does increase the
likelihood.
• Pilot studies fulfil a range of important functions and
can provide valuable insights for other researchers.
There is a need for more discussion amongst
researchers of both the process and outcomes of pilot
studies
Standard error
• The standard deviation of sampling
distribution of a statistic is known as its
standard error and is considered the key
to sampling theory.
• the standard error helps in testing whether
the differences between observed and
expected frequencies could arise due to
chance.
• Standard error gives an idea about the
reliability and precision of a sample.
• Standard error enables us to specify the
limits within which the parameters of the
population are expected to lie with a
specified degree of confidence
Chi square as a test of goodness of
fit
• Chi square enable us to see how well
does the assumed theoretical distribution
fit to the observed data.
• If the calculated value of chi-square is less
than the table value at a certain level of
significance, the fit is considered to be a
good one
• If it is greater than the table value, the fit is
not considered to be a good one
Steps in testing of hypothesis
•
•
•
•
Making formal statement
Selecting a significant level
Deciding the distribution to use
Selecting a random sample and computing
an appropriate value
• Calculation of the probability
• Comparing the probability
11.(a)What is a research problem ?Define
the main aspects which would receive the
attention of the researcher in formulating
the research problem? Give suitable eg.
• A research problem refers to some kind of
problem which a researcher experiences or
observes in the context of either a theoretical
or a practical situation
• A research problem can be identified on the
basis of
• The researchers familiarity and experience in
the field of study
• Personal interest and aptitude in the field of
study
• Availability of data and other information
relating to a particular field of study
Factors to be considered while
selecting a research problem
•
•
•
•
•
Definition of the problem
Scope of the problem
Justification of the problem
Feasibility of the problem
Originality of the problem
Steps involved in defining a problem
•
•
•
•
•
Stating the problem in a general way
Understanding the nature of the problem
Surveying the available literature
Developing the ideas through discussion
Rephrasing the research problem into a
working proposition
Q. Define Rank Correlation ?
• It is a Non parametric test of statistical dependence
for a random sample of paired observations.
• A rank correlation is the study of relationships
between different rankings on the same set of items.
• A rank correlation coefficient measures the
correspondence between two rankings and
assesses its significance.
• Rank Correlation Coefficient is used when the
population not normal.
• r = 1 – 6 ∑D² ÷ N (N³ – 1), where
• D = Difference of rank between paired items in two
•
Series
• N = Number of observations