Reg.No.

MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Manipal University, Manipal 576 104
I SEM. M.TECH (ALL BRANCHES) NOVEMBER 2012
SUBJECT: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
(HSS-501)
REVISED CREDIT SYSTEM
(28/11/2012)
Time: 2 Hours.
MAX.MARKS: 40
Instructions to Candidates:
Answer ANY THREE FULL questions from PART-A.
PART-B is compulsory
PART-A
1A)

People trust their ears less than their eyes. Explain the underlying
idea in this statement in the context of nonverbal behavior during
communication. Also, mention any four basic precautions while
designing a PowerPoint presentation.

(04)

1B)

a) Flipkart.com requires you to conduct a survey on the payment

modes made by their customers in and around Udupi District,
through research they have found out that their customer base
is 25000 with a gender (Male: Female) ratio 3:2. Which type of
sampling technique would you prefer to get a more realistic
answer if the sample size calculated is 200?
b) The District commissioner of certain area has asked you to
conduct a research on Drug abuse in urban youth. You are
asked to conduct a sample survey among 189 drug addicts and
study their responses empirically. Which sampling technique
shall hold good for this case.

(06)

2A)

What are the two basic data collection sources? Give examples of
each. Also, mention the advantages and limitations of both.

(03)

2B)

Mention the three classifications in the Quantitative approaches to

research and explain with an example.

(05)

2C)

Point out the important limitations of tests of Hypotheses.

(02)

(HSS-501)

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3A)

With the help of a normal distribution curve (Gaussian distribution),

explain the concept of 95% confidence level indicating clearly the
acceptance and rejection region. Also, explain the concept of Errors in
Hypothesis testing with an example.

(06)

3B)

With examples, explain any two methods each in probability sampling

and random sampling.

(04)

4A)

Classify research based on intent and methods of study.

(04)

4B)

In a research work, the researcher has referred the following sources

of information for writing a report. Cite the same as references as per
Harvard referencing techniques.

(06)

a. Cite an in-text reference (in both formats) for the paragraph from
the journal paper by Carrillo, P. and Chinowsky, P. in 2006, titled
Exploiting knowledge management: the engineering and
construction perspective, relevant pages were 02-10, the paper
was published in the 22 Volume, 1st issue at the ASCE
Management in Engineering Journal.
Although employees play a vital role in ensuring the
successfulness of an organization, the significance of peoplerelated practices in providing effective KM solutions within
construction firms, particularly in relation to rewards and
encouragement for KM, has received a lack of coverage in the
literature.
b. Also, for the above mentioned research paper, mention how shall
it be written in the Reference section of the article.
c. Book on Management Information system by K.C. Laudon and
J.P. Laudon, published by Pearson Education, New Delhi in the
year 2005.
d. Internet reference, Gartners Hype curve, Retrieved on 28
October, 2012, By Mr. David M. Gartner, Consultant, from
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hypecycle.jsp

PART-B (COMPULSORY)
5)

Select a hypothetical research, draw a neat sketch of the various

sections of the research framework proposed by William G. Zikmund,
2007 and then elaborate on the relevant sections of the sketch based
on the hypothetical research problem defined by you.

(HSS-501)

(10)

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