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SUBJECT : BA5202 BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

SEM / YEAR: II/I

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UNIT I - INTRODUCTION
Business Research – Definition and Significance – the research process – Types of Research – Exploratory and
causal Research – Theoretical and empirical Research – Cross –Sectional and time – series Research –
Research questions / Problems – Research objectives – Research hypotheses – characteristics – Research in an
evolutionary perspective – the role of theory in research.

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Q.NO UNIT I - PART A LEVEL Competence
1 Define Research Remembering
BTL1
2 State the objectives of research? Understanding
BTL2
3 Identify the criteria of good research.
ee Applying
BTL3
4 Compare Quantitative Vs Qualitative Research. Analyzing
BTL4
5 Rank the benefits of Cross Sectional Research. Evaluating
BTL5
6 Based on what you know explain Laboratory Research. Creating
BTL6
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7 What is H0 and H1? Remembering
BTL1
8 Classify the types of hypothesis. Understanding
BTL2
9 Illustrate the term Hypothesis. Applying
BTL3
10 Compare Conceptual Vs Empirical Research. Analyzing
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BTL4
11 Summarize descriptive research from analytical research Evaluating
BTL5
12 What judgment would you make by Clinical Or Diagnostic Research? Creating
BTL6
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13 What are the characteristics of good hypothesis? Remembering

BTL1
14 Explain Research Design. Understanding
BTL2
Identify the significance of research design.
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15 BTL3 Applying
16 Prioritize you description about research process? Analyzing
BTL4
17 What is meant by Descriptive research? Remembering
BTL1
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18 State the objectives of doing analytical research? Understanding

BTL2
19 What is empirical research? Remembering
BTL1
20 What is the role of theory in research? Remembering
BTL1

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Q.NO UNIT I - PART B LEVEL Competence
Define research. How a person can conduct Research? Give the essential features
1 Remembering
of it?
BTL1
Examine the various types of research and their relative merits and demerits with
2 Understanding
suitable examples from the business management point of view.
BTL2

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3 What is business research? Why it is required? Applying
BTL3

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4 Bring out the procedure for hypothesis testing. Analyzing
BTL4
5 Explain the research process in detail. Evaluating
BTL5
6 Write in detail about the factors affecting business research. Creating
BTL6
What is a research design? Discuss various types of research designs.

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7 BTL1 Remembering
Describe Research Hypothesis. Describe the steps in testing in Hypothesis.

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8 BTL2 Understanding
i) Demonstrate how does one frame Research Objectives? (7 Marks)
9 Applying
ii) What are the characteristics of Hypothesis? (6 Marks)
BTL 3
10 What do you meant by Historical Research? Analyzing
ee BTL4
Briefly explain the techniques involved in defining a Research Problem with an Remembering
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example.
BTL1
Explain Research Problem? How do you select a Research Problem and establish Understanding
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Research Objective? Illustrate your answer.
BTL2
Why is hypothesis required in research? What are the different types of Analyzing
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hypothesis? Gives Examples.
BTL4
14 Discuss the role of theory in Research. Remembering
BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT I - PART C

1 A company manufacturing brand new personal cars would like to identify potential market segment for their
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brand. Suggest suitable research design to identify market potential.

2 Is there an advantage in stating the hypothesis both in the null and in the alternate? Justify your answer with
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an example.
3 How would you distinguish between a management decision problem and a management research problem?
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Do all decision problems require research? Explain and illustrate with example?
4 “Research is much concerned with proper fact finding, analysis and evaluation”. Do you agree with this
statement? Give reasons in support of your answer.

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UNIT II -RESEARCH DESIGN AND MEASUREMENT

Research design – Definition – types of research design – exploratory and causal research design –
Descriptive and experimental design – different types of experimental design – Validity of findings –
internal and external validity – Variables in Research – Measurement and scaling – Different scales –
Construction of instrument – Validity and Reliability of instrument.

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Q.NO Competence
UNIT II - PART A LEVEL
1 What is research design? Remembering
BTL1
2 Explain the term Experimental Research design. Understanding
BTL2
3 How would you identify the Exploratory Study? Applying
BTL3

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4 List down the advantages of experimental design. Analyzing
BTL4

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5 Assess any two demerits of Experimental and Control Design. Evaluating
BTL5
6 Explain Internal Validity. Creating
BTL6
7 What is casual research design? Remembering
ee BTL1
8 Can you explain the term Likert Scale? Understanding
BTL2
9 Illustrate the difference between exploratory and descriptive research
Applying
design. BTL3
10 What is meant by Data Analysis? Analyzing
BTL4
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11 What is meant by Descriptive Studies? Evaluating
BTL5
12 Creating
Explain Casual Relationship/ experimental research Design? BTL6
13 How would you show your understanding by measurement? Remembering
BTL1
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14 Contrast “Content Validity”. Understanding

BTL2
15 Interpret the different types of Validity. Applying
BTL3
16 Explain Factor Scales? Analyzing
BTL4
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17 What is a Rating scaling? Remembering

BTL1
18 What can you say about Experimental Research design? Understanding
BTL2
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19 Give meaning for the term “Reliability”. Remembering

BTL1
20 What is a “Variable” in Research? Remembering
BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT II - PART B LEVEL Competence

1 What are the types of informal experimental design? Remembering

BTL1
Classify the Research Design process, types and benefits in the context of
2 Understanding
any functional management Research.
BTL2

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i) Where casual research can be used? (7 Marks)

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3 Applying
ii) What are the pros and cons of casual research? (6 Marks)
BTL3
4 Explain the types of Experimental Designs used in Business. Analyzing
BTL4
Evaluate the Research Design process, types and benefits in the context

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5 Evaluating
of any functional management Research.
BTL5

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Narrate the procedure for developing a scalogram and illustrate the same
6 Creating
by an example.
BTL6
i) Define causal Research. Give the basic principles of Causal

7
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ii) What are the different types of Causal Research?
(7 Marks)
(6 Marks)
BTL1
Remembering

What do you mean by Research Variable? Give different types of

8 Understanding
Research Variable.
BTL2
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9 Sketch the importance of Experimental Group and Control Group. Applying
BTL 3

10 How do you design a Marketing Research Programme? Analyzing

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BTL4
Describe the concept of “Trade-Off between internal validity and external Remembering
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validity”.
BTL1
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Discuss the various types of Measurement Scales and also their pros and Understanding
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cons.
BTL2
Analyze the step by step course of action of constructing a Research Analyzing
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Scale and give an outline of a scale on a title of your choice.
BTL4
Compare Likert’s scale and Semantic Differential Scale, What are the Remembering
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special features of the semantic differential Scale?
BTL1

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Q.NO UNIT II - PART C

1 Whenever possible, it is advisable to use instruments that have already been developed and repeatedly
used in published studies, rather than develop our own instruments for our studies. Do you agree?

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Discuss the reasons for your answer.

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2 You are employed by the product manager of Tarai Foods Ltd. Who wants to know the ideal price
differential between the company frozen vegetables and those marketed by Mother diary. The
customers of the frozen vegetables are mostly working women. Identify the Variables, test units,

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Hypotheses and research design.

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3 You are the HRD Manager with ABB (India) .ABB has recently taken over a major unit in Kolkata.
You are sent on a posting there and are given the task of introducing a new operation scheme which
your parent organization feels will improve efficiency. But you perceive during your stay that there is
an underlying dissatisfaction amongst the employees and it is essential to gauge their views and
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opinion about the takeover and their expectations before introducing the scheme.
What is the recommended research design? What would be the variables, hypotheses and the
population under study?
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4 Develop a likert scale to measure the perception of bank customers towards the concept of internet
banking.
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UNIT III DATA COLLECTION

Types of data – Primary Vs Secondary data – Methods of primary data collection – Survey Vs
Observation – Experiments – Construction of questionaire and instrument – Validation of questionaire –
Sampling plan – Sample size – determinants optimal sample size – sampling techniques – Probability Vs
Non–probability sampling methods.

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Q.NO UNIT III - PART A LEVEL Competence

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1 What is Primary data? Remembering
BTL1
2 Explain the meaning of Secondary Data. Understanding
BTL2
3 Interpret the difference between primary data and secondary data. Applying
BTL3
Correlate any two problems faced in collection of data through

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4 Analyzing

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schedules.
BTL4
5 State Pilot Study. Evaluating
BTL5
6 What do you mean by Interview? Creating
BTL6
7 Tabulate the different methods of collection of Data.
ee Remembering
BTL1
8 What do you mean by Observation? Understanding
BTL2
9 Prepare the Characteristics of a good sample design. Applying
BTL3
10 Categorize the features of Snowball Sampling? Analyzing
BTL4
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11 Conclude your understanding about “Quota Sampling”. Evaluating
BTL5
12 Formulate the advantages of survey method. Creating
BTL6
13 Describe how to avoid sampling errors. Remembering
BTL1
14 Explain the benefits of Non-Probability Sampling. Understanding
BTL2
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15 Identify the advantages of sampling. Applying

BTL3
16 What is Sampling Plan? Analyzing
BTL4
What are the government sources of data?
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17 BTL1 Remembering
18 Explain structured interview. Understanding
BTL2
19 What is meant by Feedback? Remembering
BTL1
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List the major strength and weakness of probability and non-probability

20 Remembering
sampling techniques.
BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT III - PART B LEVEL Competence
1 What do you mean by Observation? Explain various types of
Remembering
observation.
BTL1
2 Explain interview? Can you elaborate the steps involved in interview
Understanding
method of data collection? How To Make Interview Successful?
BTL2
3 Illustrate about the construction of questionnaire. Applying

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BTL3
4 Prioritize the methods available for collecting primary data? Explain in

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Analyzing
detail the construction of Questionnaire.
BTL4
5 Evaluate about in-depth interviews. Evaluating
BTL5
6 Write in detail on focus group interview and also state its advantages
Creating

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and disadvantages.
BTL6

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7 Why a researcher needs to collect data? What are the different sources
Remembering
of collecting research data? Which source is better one?
BTL1
8 Discuss the role of direct observation as a Business Research Method. Understanding
BTL2
9 Illustrate the different sampling techniques? State their advantages and
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disadvantages.
BTL 3
10 Describe the methods of determining Sample Size. Analyzing
BTL4
A population is divided into three strata so that N1+5000, N2=2000, and Remembering
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N3=3000. Respective standard deviations are 15,18,and 5. How should
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a sample size n=84 be allocated to three strata if an optimum allocation
using disproportionate sample design is required?
BTL1
12 Interpret the importance of Sampling Design. Understanding
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BTL2
Analyze the merits and demerits of various probability sampling Analyzing
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techniques.
BTL4
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14 Describe the probability and Non-Probability Sampling Methods. Remembering

BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT III - PART C
1 In a large organization there have been an increasing number of strikes. You are required to find out
the various causes of strikes:
1. What information needs to be collected?
2. Methodology and sampling procedure.

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3. A suitable Questionnaire.

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4. A few lines of starting and ending of your report.

2 Explain the principles of Wording, Stating how these are important in questionnaire design, citing a
few examples.

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3 “Every Data collection method has its own built-in-biases. Therefore, resorting to in Multi-Methods

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of Data collection is only going to compound the biases”. How would you critique this statement?

4 Suggest suitable methods of data collection by big business houses in recent times.
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UNIT IV DATA PREPARATION AND ANALYSIS

Data Preparation – editing – Coding –Data entry – Validity of data – Qualitative Vs Quantitative data
analyses – Bivariate and Multivariate statistical techniques – Factor analysis – Discriminant analysis –
cluster analysis – multiple regression and correlation – multidimensional scaling – Conjoint Analysis -
Application of statistical software for data analysis.
Q.NO UNIT IV Part - A LEVEL Competence

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1 Remembering
What you mean by Multivariate? BTL1

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2 Understanding
Explain what is meant by Factor Analysis? BTL2
3 Applying
Construct a Dummy Variable? BTL3
4 Analyzing
Point out the meaning of Discriminant Analysis. BTL4
5 Evaluating
Measure your understanding by “Data Coding”.

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BTL5
6 Creating

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Illustrate the research uses of Multiple Regression? BTL6
7 Remembering
What is meant by Exploratory variable? BTL1
8 Understanding
What is meant by Multiple Regressions? BTL2
9 Applying
How would you use the Criterion Variable?
ee BTL3
10 Analyzing
Distinguish between Observable & Latent variable? BTL4
11 Summarize about Acceptance Region and Rejection Region. BTL5 Evaluating
12 Creating
Formulate the application of statistical software for data analysis. BTL6
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What is MDS? BTL1 Remembering
14 Understanding
Explain the concepts of Multicollinearity? BTL2
15 Applying
Relate the meaning of One-tail Test and Two-Tail Test. BTL3
Distinguish between Multiple regression analysis and multiple
16 Analyzing
discriminant analysis. BTL4
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17 Remembering
Define Bivariate Analysis. BTL1
18 Understanding
State the formula for pearson's Rank corelation. BTL2
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19 Remembering
What is meant by Cluster Analysis? BTL1
20 Remembering
What is meant by Canonical Correlation Analysis? BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT IV - Part - B LEVEL Competence

Identify how the data is processed? Explain in detail. Give its advantages. Remembering
1 BTL1
Describe the various types of analysis of data and state the assumptions
Understanding
made and significance of it.
2 BTL2

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Sketch the purpose of using Descriptive Analysis? Applying
3 BTL3

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Write short note on Cross-Tabulation. (3 Marks)
Write short notes on Multi-collinearity. (3 Marks)
Analyzing
Write short notes on Coefficient of Variation. (3 Marks)
Write short notes on Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). (4 Marks)

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4 BTL4
Explain the various types of Analysis of Data pointing out the

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Evaluating
assumptions and significance of each.
5 BTL5
Statistical software is useful for data analysis - Justify? Creating
6 BTL6
List the steps in Cluster Analysis. Remembering
7 ee BTL1
Describe the Bivariate Data Analysis procedures. Understanding
8 BTL2
i) Construct the purpose and basic principles of Factor Analysis.

9 (7 Marks) Applying
BTL 3
ii) How do you interpret the results of Factor Analysis? (6 Marks)
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Enumerate the series of steps to be taken in the application of
Analyzing
Multivariate Regression. Give Example.
10 BTL4
What is the significance of using Multiple Discriminant Analysis? Remembering
11
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Explain the technical details involved in such a Technique.

BTL1
Analyze the objective, process and application of Multiple Regression Understanding
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and Correlation Analysis to solve business research Problems.
BTL2
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What is Discriminant analysis? What are the methods involved in Analyzing

13
Discriminant Analysis?
BTL4
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Explain the factors of SPSS with its Features? Remembering

14
BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT IV - PART C

1 A Tax consultant wonders whether he should be more selective about the class of clients he serves so
as to maximize his income. He usually deals with four categories of clients: the very rich, rich, upper
middle class, and middle class. He has records of each and every client served, the taxes paid by
them, and how much he has charged them. Since many particulars in respect of the clients

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vary(number of dependents, business deductibles, etc.,) irrespective of the category they belong to, he
would like an appropriate analysis to be done to see which among the four categories of clientele he
should choose to continue to service in the future. What kind of analysis should be done in the above
case and why? Justify.

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2 “The procedure of testing hypothesis requires a research to adopt several steps”. Describe in brief all

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such steps.
3 The table below presents the ranks which were assigned by three judges to the works of ten artists:
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Judge A
Judge B
5
4
7
8
4
3
1
2
3
7
2
1
9
10
8
6
10
9
6
5
Judge C 8 6 2 10 4 1 3 9 5 7
Compute the spearman’s Rank order correlation coefficient for each pair of ranking and decide.
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Which two judges are most alike in their opinions about these artists?
Which two judges are different in their opinions about their artists?

4 Distinguish between correlation and regression with the help of an example.

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UNIT V REPORT DESIGN, WRITING AND ETHICS IN BUSINESS RESEARCH

Research report – Different types – Contents of report – need of executive summary – chapterization –
contents of chapter – report writing – the role of audience – readability – comprehension – tone – final
proof – report format – title of the report – ethics in research – ethical behaviour of research –

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subjectivity and objectivity in research.

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Q.NO UNIT V - Part - A LEVEL Competence
Define research report? Remembering
1 BTL1
What is the main idea of preparing a report? Understanding
2 BTL2
Relate any four features of a good Research Report.

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3 BTL3 Applying
Analyze the meaning of “Research Proposal”.

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4 BTL4 Analyzing
How do findings differ from conclusions in Research Report? Evaluating
5 BTL5
Explain the ethics in research? Creating
6 BTL6
What are the different types of Research Reports? Remembering
7 ee BTL1
Discuss “Synopsis”. Understanding
8 BTL2
Interpret the term ”Refercing”. Applying
9 BTL3
Prioritize the meaning of Interpretation. Analyzing
10 BTL4
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Assess the difference between subjectivity and objectivity. Evaluating
11 BTL5
Construct the part of executive summary. Creating
12 BTL6
Define Bibliography. Remembering
13 BTL1
What is meant by the footnotes? Understanding
14 BTL2
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Analyse the need for effective documentation. Applying

15 BTL3
Compare oral presentation with written presentation? Analyzing
16 BTL4
How do you overcome subjectivity in Research?
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17 BTL1 Remembering
What is meant by Ethical Dilemma? Understanding
18 BTL2
What is meant by Quotations? Remembering
19 BTL1
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What is meant by Glossary? Remembering

20 BTL1
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Q.NO UNIT V - Part - B LEVEL Competence

1 Elaborate the significance of report writing? Remembering
BTL1
2 Define the report writing and what are the steps involved in Report writing? Understanding
BTL2
Demonstrate the components of Research Report. How would you do final
Applying
3 proof reading? Explain.

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BTL3
4 What are the main components that should be taken into account in the

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Analyzing
mechanisms of thesis writing?
BTL4
Assess the structure and components of a Research Report. Add a note on
the importance of executive summary and chapterization in a research Evaluating

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5 report.
BTL5

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Formulate the features to be adopted while writing a Technical Research
Creating
6 Report.
BTL6
7 Examine the ethical issues involved in Research? Explain in Detail. Remembering
BTL1
8 Explain briefly the various elements included in a research report?
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BTL2
Describe the research ethics by emphasizing on
i) Ethical treatment of respondents and subjects. (4 Marks)
Applying
ii) Ethics and the client. (4 Marks)
BTL 3
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9 iii) Researchers and team members. (4 Marks)
Explain the application of Graphic Technique in the preparation of a
Analyzing
10 Research report.
BTL4
i) Write short notes on the characteristics of a Good Research Report. Remembering
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(7 Marks)
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ii) Write short notes on Bibliography and its importance in context of
Research Report. (6 Marks)
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BTL1
12 Contrast the precautions in writing a Research Report. Understanding
BTL2
Categorize the importance of objectivity in writing a Marketing/Finance/ Analyzing
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Human Resource Research Report.
BTL4
Examine the importance of language, cauterization, tone and proof reading Remembering
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in a Research Report Preparation.

BTL1
.

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Q.NO UNIT V - PART C

1 How have technological advancements helped in writing and presenting research reports? Why is it
necessary to specify the limitation of the study in the Research Report?

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2 Discuss in detail the steps that a researcher needs to follow to formulate a good research report. Do
the criteria become different for different kinds of reports? Explain with examples.

3 Identify an organization and prepare a report which contains recommendations for improving its

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operations in India.

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4 Visual representations of results are best understood by a reader thus special care must be taken for
this formulation. Examine the truth of this statement by giving suitable examples.
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