Download HRM 207 Presentation and Assignment Questions for Sept. 2007

HRM 207 Presentation and Assignment Questions for Sept. 2007
1. Discuss content analysis as a research method citing its advantages and
disadvantages.
2. Discuss survey research and the various methods involved in this strategy. When
does one engage in survey research? What are the merits and demerits of survey
research?
3. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of either the positivist or interpretivist
research paradigms.
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the following
(a) Post/ mail questionnaire
(b) Unstructured interviews
© Participant observation
5. (a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using each of the three measures
of central tendency (mean, median and mode).
(b) Discuss the difference between cluster sampling and stratified
© Outline the characteristics of snowball sampling and expert sampling
6. (a) By aid of examples outline the reasons for the rise of feminist research.
(b) Discuss whether having a sexual relationship with your respondents is ethical or
not. Give case studies to support your argument (refer to gearing, J. 1995 “ fear and
loving in the west Indies: research from the heart (as well as the head)” in D. Kullick
and M. Wilson (eds) Taboo:sex, identity and erotic subjectivity in anthropological
fieldwork London: Routledge pp 186-218 and Bolton, R. 1995 “ tricks, friends and
lovers: erotic encounters in the field” in D. Kullick and m. Wilson (eds) Taboo: sex,
identity and erotic subjectivity in anthropological fieldwork London: Routledge.
7. Define the following terms giving appropriate examples
(a) Hypothesis
(b) Survey
(c) Randomization
(d) Reliability
(e) Validity
8. (a) find the weighted mean of the following measures; 10, 14, 15, 18, 20, if they are
given weights of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively.
(b) An alloy is made by mixing 3 parts by volume of material A with 5 parts by volume
of material B. if the density of material A is 5gm per cubic centimeter, and that of
material b is 9gm per cubic centimeter, find the density of the alloy.
© Find the geometric mean of the following sets of numbers (correct to one decimal
place) (i) 2,18 (ii) 2,3,5 (iii) 3,4,5 (iv) 2,3
(d) the following is the age of distribution of 20 respondents to a national survey
age
frequency
10-12
3
7-9
10
4-6
3
1-3
4
Find the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, variance, range and median.
9. Discuss the reasons for experimental research. What are the limitations of using the
laboratory experiment and how can a researcher overcome these?
10. Discuss the reasons for triangulation in research. By aid examples, outline the
major types of triangulation.
11. What are the reasons for secondary analysis? Evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of this method of research.
12. Select one method of qualitative data analysis and discuss its characteristics,
advantages and disadvantages showing how one analyses data using this method.
13. By aid of case studies outline the steps involved in conducting focus group
discussions showing the strengths and weaknesses of this method of research.
14. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the following longitudinal studies; (a)
trend analysis/ repeated cross sectional surveys (b) prospective panels (c) cohort
studies (d) retrospective panels (refer to Ruspini 1995 in the main library).
Assignment questions (select one)
Either
1. “ Qualitative research is only as good as the investigator”, (Denzin and Lincoln
1998:66). Discuss.
OR
2. What is participatory action research (PAR)? Discuss the merits and demerits of
this research strategy.
OR
3. To what extent is a qualitative researcher a “ bricoleur”? Discuss with reference
to qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. (Refer to Denzin and
Lincoln 1998:03)