1|Page

BBA Semester 2
BBA201 Research Methods
Assignment Set - I
Q.1. (a). Discuss the various steps involved in research process with a suitable
diagram.

Ans: Scientific research involves a systematic process that focuses on being objective
and gathering a multitude of information for analysis so that the researcher can come to
a conclusion. This process is used in all research and evaluation projects, regardless of
the research method (scientific method of inquiry, evaluation research, or action
research).
The Steps of Research process are as follows:

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Step 2: Review the Literature

Step 3: Clarify the Problem

Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts

Step 5: Define the Population

Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan

Step 7: Collect Data

Step 8: Analyze the Data

2|Page

Step 1: Identify the Problem

The first step in the process is to identify a problem or develop a research question.
The research problem may be something the agency identifies as a problem, some
knowledge or information that is needed by the agency, or the desire to identify
aRecreation trend nationally. In the example in table 2.4, the problem that the
agency has identified is childhood obesity, which is a local problem and concern
within the community. This serves as the focus of the study.

Step 2: Review the Literature

Now that the problem has been identified, the researcher must learn more about the
topic under investigation. To do this, the researcher must review the literature related to
the research problem. This step provides foundational knowledge about the problem
area. The review of literature also educates the researcher about what studies have
been conducted in the past, how these studies were conducted, and the conclusions in
the problem area. In the obesity study, the review of literature enables the programmer
to discover horrifying statistics related to the long-term effects of childhood obesity in
terms of health issues, death rates, and projected medical costs. In addition, the
programmer finds several articles and information from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention that describe the benefits of walking 10,000 steps a day. The
information discovered during this step helps the programmer fully understand the
magnitude of the problem, recognize the future consequences of obesity, and identify a
strategy to combat obesity (i.e., walking).

Step 3: Clarify the Problem

3|Page

Many times the initial problem identified in the first step of the process is too large or
broad in scope. In step 3 of the process, the researcher clarifies the problem and
narrows the scope of the study. This can only be done after the literature has been
reviewed. The knowledge gained through the review of literature guides the researcher
in clarifying and narrowing the research project. In the example, the programmer has
identified childhood obesity as the problem and the purpose of the study. This topic is
very broad and could be studied based on genetics, family environment, diet, exercise,
self-confidence, leisure activities, or health issues. All of these areas cannot be
investigated in a single study; therefore, the problem and purpose of the study must be
more clearly defined. The programmer has decided that the purpose of the study is to
determine if walking 10,000 steps a day for three days a week will improve the
individuals health. This purpose is more narrowly focused and researchable than the
original problem.

Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts

Terms and concepts are words or phrases used in the purpose statement of the study
or the description of the study. These items need to be specifically defined as they apply
to the study. Terms or concepts often have different definitions depending on who is
reading the study. To minimize confusion about what the terms and phrases mean, the
researcher must specifically define them for the study. In the obesity study, the concept
of individuals health can be defined in hundreds of ways, such as physical, mental,
emotional, or spiritual health. For this study, the individuals health is defined as physical
health. The concept of physical health may also be defined and measured in many
ways. In this case, the programmer decides to more narrowly define individual health
to refer to the areas of weight, percentage of body fat, and cholesterol. By defining the
terms or concepts more narrowly, the scope of the study is more manageable for the
programmer, making it easier to collect the necessary data for the study. This also
makes the concepts more understandable to the reader.

Step 5: Define the Population

4|Page

Research projects can focus on a specific group of people, facilities, park development,
employee evaluations, programs, financial status, marketing efforts, or the integration of
technology into the operations. For example, if a researcher wants to examine a specific
group of people in the community, the study could examine a specific age group, males
or females, people living in a specific geographic area, or a specific ethnic group.
Literally thousands of options are available to the researcher to specifically identify the
group to study. The research problem and the purpose of the study assist the
researcher in identifying the group to involve in the study. In research terms, the group
to involve in the study is always called the population. Defining the population assists
the researcher in several ways. First, it narrows the scope of the study from a very large
population to one that is manageable. Second, the population identifies the group that
the researchers efforts will be focused on within the study. This helps ensure that the
researcher stays on the right path during the study. Finally, by defining the population,
the researcher identifies the group that the results will apply to at the conclusion of the
study. In the example in table 2.4, the programmer has identified the population of the
study as children ages 10 to 12 years. This narrower population makes the study more
manageable in terms of time and resources.

Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan

The plan for the study is referred to as the instrumentation plan. The instrumentation
plan serves as the road map for the entire study, specifying who will participate in the
study; how, when, and where data will be collected; and the content of the program.
This plan is composed of numerous decisions and considerations that are addressed in
chapter 8 of this text. In the obesity study, the researcher has decided to have the
children participate in a walking program for six months. The group of participants is
called the sample, which is a smaller group selected from the population specified for
the study. The study cannot possibly include every 10- to 12-year-old child in the
community, so a smaller group is used to represent the population. The researcher
develops the plan for the walking program, indicating what data will be collected, when

5|Page

and how the data will be collected, who will collect the data, and how the data will be
analyzed. The instrumentation plan specifies all the steps that must be completed for
the study. This ensures that the programmer has carefully thought through all these
decisions and that she provides a step-by-step plan to be followed in the study.

Step 7: Collect Data

Once the instrumentation plan is completed, the actual study begins with the collection
of data. The collection of data is a critical step in providing the information needed to
answer the research question. Every study includes the collection of some type of
datawhether it is from the literature or from subjectsto answer the research
question. Data can be collected in the form of words on a survey, with a questionnaire,
through observations, or from the literature. In the obesity study, the programmers will
be collecting data on the defined variables: weight, percentage of body fat, cholesterol
levels, and the number of days the person walked a total of 10,000 steps during the
class.

The researcher collects these data at the first session and at the last session of the
program. These two sets of data are necessary to determine the effect of the walking
program on weight, body fat, and cholesterol level. Once the data are collected on the
variables, the researcher is ready to move to the final step of the process, which is the
data analysis.

Step 8: Analyze the Data

All the time, effort, and resources dedicated to steps 1 through 7 of the research
process culminate in this final step. The researcher finally has data to analyze so that
the research question can be answered. In the instrumentation plan, the researcher
specified how the data will be analyzed. The researcher now analyzes the data
according to the plan. The results of this analysis are then reviewed and summarized in
a manner directly related to the research questions. In the obesity study, the researcher

6|Page

compares the measurements of weight, percentage of body fat, and cholesterol that
were taken at the first meeting of the subjects to the measurements of the same
variables at the final program session. These two sets of data will be analyzed to
determine if there was a difference between the first measurement and the second
measurement for each individual in the program. Then, the data will be analyzed to
determine if the differences are statistically significant. If the differences are statistically
significant, the study validates the theory that was the focus of the study. The results of
the study also provide valuable information about one strategy to combat childhood
obesity in the community.

As you have probably concluded, conducting studies using the eight steps of the
scientific research process requires you to dedicate time and effort to the planning
process. You cannot conduct a study using the scientific research process when time is
limited or the study is done at the last minute. Researchers who do this conduct studies
that result in either false conclusions or conclusions that are not of any value to the
organization.

Q.1. (b). How is a research problem formulated?

Ans: Formulating the research problem and hypothesis acts as a major step or phase in
the research methodology. In research, the foremost step that comes into play is that of
defining the research problem and it becomes almost a necessity to have the basic
knowledge and understanding of most of its elements as this would help a lot in making
a correct decision. The research problem can be said to be complete only if it is able to
specify about the unit of analysis, time and space boundaries, features that are under
study, specific environmental conditions that are present in addition to prerequisite of
the research process.

Research Process

7|Page

Research process is very commonly referred to as the planning process. One important
point to be kept in mind here is to understand that the main aim of the research process
is that of improving the knowledge of the human beings.

The research process consists of the following stages

1.

The Primary stage : This stage includes

a.

Observation The first step in the research process is that of the observation,

research work starts with the observation which can be either unaided visual
observation or guided and controlled observation.It can be said that an observation
leads to research, the results obtained from research result in final observations which
can play a crucial part in carrying out further research. Deliberate and guided
observations also play an important part in this primary stage. This method is very
simple and helps a great deal in framing of the hypothesis as it is very accurate in
nature but it also has some major limitations like some of the occurrences may not be
open to the observation and the occurrences which may be open for observation may
not be studied conveniently.

b.

Interest As studied in the above paragraph, research starts with the

observation and it leads to a curiosity to learn and gain more and more about what has
been observed. Hence it can be said that observation results in the creation of an
interest in the mind of the researcher.The interest can be either academic in nature or it
may be a policy making interest. It may be a self interest or a group interest. Group
interest is also referred to as the social interest.

c.

Crystallization It can be defined as the process involving the designing of the

definite form of research to be used in the study of the subject matter that has been
observed. During this stage, the research project gets a concrete shape and structure.

8|Page

d.

Formulating a research problem A research problem can belong to one of

the following two categories it can belong to the category in which there can be
relationships between various variables or it may belong to the other category, which is
based on nature. In the beginning, it is important for a researcher to find out the general
interest or the subject matter, which he wants to study. By this the researcher will be
able to state a problem more broadly and also in a much generalized form then the
ambiguities linked to the problem can be referred and understood. This really supports
in the formulation of a problem of a research. Although this process is not that simple
and requires many fruitful discussions in order to achieve a proper conclusion or a
decision.

e.

Primary Synopsis Before starting with the actual study work, it is very

necessary for a researcher to prepare a summary or a plan about the activities he has
to perform in connection with research operation. This will help him a lot to get a definite
idea or an understanding of what would be written in the final report.

f.

Conceptual Clarity It is very much important for a researcher to have in depth

knowledge and understanding of the subject or the topic he has to study as it helps a lot
in achieving ones goal and objectives in a much easier and also a comparatively much
simpler way.

g.

Documentation The documents help in providing important information to a

researcher, document is something in writing it can be a record, files or diaries etc. may
be published or unpublished in nature. Documents can be extracted and can be used in
the research work. Various documents can be classified as

a.

Personal documents

Written by or on behalf of individuals.

May

include

autobiographies,

observations and inscriptions.

biographies,

diaries,

memories,

letters,

9|Page

Can be used in research activities.

b.

Company documents

Most important type of documents compared to other document types.

Play an essential role in management research.

May include balance sheets, files, records, policy statements, resolutions,

performance records etc.

c.

Consultants reports and published materials

Include professional consultants reports, commodity boards records, chambers

of commerce, trade union documents etc.

d.

Public documents

Can be published or unpublished in nature.

Consist of government records, finance commission records, especial enquiry

commission records, company law board reports, population census reports etc.

Can be useful only if they are reliable.

h.

Literature Survey Having complete knowledge about the literature is almost a

necessity for a researcher to be successful in his research operation. With the
help of literature survey, one is helped in having correct concepts and also the
right theories.

2.

Secondary stage: This stage of the research consists of all the features that
are actually required to run a research project. This stage includes the following

10 | P a g e

a.

Research project planning: Involves selection of the future courses of action

for conducting and directing a research project. A research project plan gives a
rational approach to research by which one is able to decide in advance about
what to do, how to do, when to do, where to do and who is to do a particular task
in a specific activity.

b.

Research Project formulation: After the planning of the project has been
done the researcher follows this with a practical approach in order to carry out
the project. This step of the secondary stage involves the systematic setting forth
of the total research project, with an aim of conducting a systematic study.

c.

Data collection: This step involves the in depth meaning for the concepts that
are to be investigated and looks forward to data analysis, data requirement etc
Sources of understatement or overstatement should be avoided and the data
should be free from any type of error. The data collection planning should be
done or implemented in a very careful manner, with the help of specialist
researchers. The data should be good and meaningful in nature should not only
be a collection of words but should provide meaningful information.

d.

Classification and tabulation Classification can be defined as the

arrangement of the data into groups and classes depending on the resemblance
and the similarities. By classification, the data can be condensed in a very
elegant way by which the various important features can be easily noticed i.e.
one can easily highlight the various salient features of the data at a glance.
Tabulation of the data can be defined as the orderly arrangement of the data in
columns and the rows this step also helps a great deal in the condensation of the
data and also in the analysation of the relations, trends etc.

e.

Data Analysis In this step, the collected data is arranged according to some
pattern or a particular format and this analysation of the data is done mainly to
provide the data with a meaning. It is actually the computing of the some of the

11 | P a g e

measures supported by the search for the relationship patterns, existing among
the group of the data.

f.

Testing of a hypothesis: This step of testing acts as the back bone of the
data analysis. Various tests like t test, z test. Chi square test are used by the
statisticians for the testing of the hypothesis.

g.

Interpretation of results: It is very important that the results are interpreted

into action recommendations and the results should be able to refer to a decision
i.e. should help in drawing a conclusion.

3.

Final Stage :- This stage involves

a.

Conclusions and recommendations This act as the crux of the research

project work. Recommendations are based on the conclusions obtained and
further these conclusions are based on the interpretation of the results of data
analysis. But a major point to be kept in mind here is that all these conclusions
and the recommendations should be linked to the research hypothesis stated.

b.

Report Writing - For the researcher as well as the reader, report writing is very
crucial as it acts as the best way for communication between the two. Report
written must be very simple in nature with easy language, high clarity. Report
writing cannot be done by everyone and requires an especial skilled person for
this purpose.

Q.2. What are the characteristics of good research design?

Ans: characteristics of good research design are as follows:

12 | P a g e

The type of experimental design used for an experiment depends on many factors.
However, there are good experimental designs and bad experimental designs. There
are many basic designs used for experiments, depending on the objective. These
designs all take important design features into account. Many of these designs minimize
error and are based on statistical sampling methods.

Sampling:

A sample is the number or items, objects or people that are used as the measurement
of a specific population. An important part of experimental deign is the type of sampling
that is used. Proper sampling means that the measurements are representative of that
population. Measuring the entire population is very difficult as many populations are just
too large, some populations may be inaccessible, the observation may be destructive,
and sampling can actually be a more accurate way to take measurements then
sampling a population as a whole. It is important to design the sampling method to
minimize any error or response bias. You will need to determine the size of the
necessary sample and type of sample needed for the study.

Treatments:

An important part of the design is determining the treatments that are being tested. The
treatments are the feature that is being tested or is different between the groups. An
example of a treatment is looking at the growth habit of plants. The main difference
between the plants is the amount of light that each plant is given every day. It is best to
only change one factor as problems can arise if you change the light and water supply.
If a difference does occur, then you do not know if it is a result of the light source or the
quantity of water.

Control:

All experiments must have a control. The control is the sample that all the treatments
are compared against. For example, the control of plant growth would be a plant that

13 | P a g e

receives light for a normal day, about eight hours. All the other light treatments are then
compared to this control. The results will show which treatment produces a different
result as some treatments may not differ from the control while others will.

Randomization

Randomizing the sampling is the main way to eliminate any bias within the design.
Individuals and objects are randomly assigned to the experimental group, creating a
homogeneous group. Designs can be completely randomized or use a randomized
block design. A block design first splits the subjects into homogenous blocks and then
randomly assigns the treatment to each block. A block design uses a control within the
randomization.

Replication

Replication is necessary to ensure that the result from the experiment is actually true. If
a treatment is completely effective then the result will be the same for all replication. If
the treatment is not effective, then the replication results will not be the same. Most
research uses triplicate samples or treatments. This way, if one result is different from
the first, then the third sample will show which result is true and which result may be a
fluke. Replication increases the significance of results. These significant results can
then be used to compose conclusions based on the experiment.

Generally a good research design minimizes bias and maximizes the reliability of the
data collected and analyzed. The design which gives the smallest experimental error is
reported to be the best design in scientific investigation. Similarly, a design which yields
maximum information and provides a opportunity for considering different aspects of a
problem is considered to be the most appropriate efficient design . Thus the question of
a good design is related to the purpose or objective of the research problem and also

14 | P a g e

with the nature of the problem to be studied. A good research design should satisfy the
following four conditions namely objectivity, reliability, validity and generalization of the
findings.

1.Objectivity: It refers to the findings related to the method of data collection and
scoring of the responses. The research design should permit the measuring instrument
which are fairly objective in which every observer or judge scoring the performance
must precisely give the same report. In other words, the objectivity of the procedure
may be judged by the degree of agreement between the final scores assigned to
different individuals by more than one independent observer.

This ensures the

objectivity of the collected data which shall be capable of analysis and drawing
generalizations.

2. Reliability: Reliability refers to consistency through out a series of measurements.

For eg: if a respondent gives out a response to a particular item, he is expected to give
the same response to that item even if he is asked repeatedly. If he is changing his
response to the same item, the consistency will be lost. So the researcher should frame
the items in a questionnaire in such a way that it provides consistency or reliability.

3. Validity: Any measuring device or instrument is said to be valid when it measures

what it is expected to measure. For eg: an intelligence test concucted for measuring the
I.Q should measure only the intelligence and nothing else, and the questionnaire shall
be framed accordingly.

4. Generalizability: It means how best the data collected from the samples can be
utilized for drawing certain generalisations applicable to a large group from which
sample is drawn.

Thus a research design helps an investigator to generalize his

findings provided he has taken due care in defining the population, selecting the
sample, deriving appropriate statistical analysis etc.

while preparing the research

design. Thus a good research design is one which is methodologically prepared and
should ensure that:

15 | P a g e

a) The measuring instrument can yield objective, reliable and valid data.

b) The population is clearly defined.

c) Most appropriate techniques of sample selection is used to form an appropriate

sample.

d) Appropriate statical analysis has been carried out, and

e) The findings of the study is capable of generalizations.

Q.3. Explain the criteria for the sampling technique

Ans. Sample Design:

A sample design is a definite plan for obtaining a sample for a given population. It refers
to the technique or the procedure the researcher would adopt in selecting items for the
sample. Sample design is determined before the data collected.

Steps in Sample Design:

1. Type of Universe:

The first step in developing any sample design is to clearly define the set of objects or
universe. Either the universe is finite or infinite or other features of the universe.

2. Sampling Unit:

A decision has to be taken concerning a sampling unit before selecting sample. It may
be a geographical one such as a city, state etc. or a construction unit such as house,

16 | P a g e

flat etc. or it may be social unit such as family, club, school etc. or it may be individual.
The researcher will have to decide one or more such units that he has to select for
study.

3. Source List:

It is also known as 'Sampling Frame' from which sample is to be drawn. It contains of all
items of a universe. It is extremely important for the source list to be as representative
of population as possible.

4. Size of Sample:

This refers to the number of items to be selected from the universe to be constituting a
sample. It's an important step because the size of sample should neither be excessively
large, nor too small. It should be optimum which fulfills the requirement of efficiency,
representativeness, reliability and flexibility.
5. Parameters of interest:

In determining the sample design, one must consider the question of specific population
parameters which are of interest.

6. Budgetary Constraint:

Cost have a major impact upon the decision relating to size of sample but also to the
type of sample.

7. Sampling Procedure:

The researcher must decide about the technique to be used in selecting the items for
the sample. There are many techniques, out of which the researcher must choose one
for his study. Criteria of selecting sampling procedure a researcher must consider all the

17 | P a g e

points which can create a error in our result. And all those points and error must
consider which comes in sampling procedure. These factors and error are following: Inappropriate sampling frame.
Defective measuring device: if our measuring devices are defective like wrong or non
proper questioner and interview creates error in our result.
Indeterminacy principal: Some time we find that individuals act differently when kept
under observation than what they do when kept in non-observed situations.

Characteristics of a Good Sample Design:

Sample design must result in a truly representative sample.
Sample design must be such which results is a small sampling error.
Sample design must be viable in the context of funds available for the research study.
Sample design must be such so that systematic first or error can be controlled in better
way.
Sample should be such that the results of the sample study can be applied.

18 | P a g e