Sub: Submission of Internal Assignment as part of Course requirement

The University is pleased to announce, that, for examinations to be held effective, April/May2013, as a prior requirement, students already enrolled with the University in its various Programs, will be required to submit assignments by uploading the same

onto the EduNxt portal, for evaluation by the Universitys pool of approved evaluators, including SMUDE Central faculty. All students are hereby directed to comply with this change in form of evaluation and upload their Assignments on time as per accompanying Template and Guidelines.

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ANS 1 a)

Research may be very broadly defined as systematic gathering of data and information and its analysis for advancement of knowledge in any subject. Research attempts to find answer intellectual and practical questions through application of systematic methods. Types of research can be classified in many different ways. Some major ways of classifying research include the following. Descriptive versus Analytical Research Applied versus Fundamental Research Qualitative versus Quantitative Research Conceptual versus Empirical Research Descriptive research concentrates on finding facts to ascertain the nature of something as it exists. In contrast analytical research is concerned with determining validity of hypothesis based on analysis of facts collected. Applied research is carried out to find answers to practical problems to be solved and as an aid in decision making in different areas including product design, process design and policy making. Fundamental research is carried out as more to satisfy intellectual curiosity, than with the intention of using the research findings for any immediate practical application. Quantitative research studies such aspects of the research subject which are not quantifiable, and hence not subject to measurement and quantitative analysis. In contrast quantitative research make substantial use of measurements and quantitative analysis techniques. Conceptual research is involves investigation of thoughts and ideas and developing new ideas or interpreting the old ones based on logical reasoning. In contrast empirical research is based on firm verifiable data collected by either observation of facts under natural condition or obtained through experimentation. 1 b) Research encourages scientific and inductive thinking, besides promoting the development of logical habits of thinking and organization. The increasingly complex nature of government and business has raised the use of research in solving operational problems. Research assumes significant role in formulation of economic policy, for both the government and business. Research assumes a significant role in solving various operational and planning problems associated with business and industry. In several ways, operations research, market research, and motivational research are vital and their results assist in taking business decisions. Market research is refers to the investigation of the structure and development of a market for the formulation of efficient policies relating to purchases, production and sales. Operational research relates to the application of logical, mathematical, and analytical techniques to find solution to business problems such as cost minimization or profit maximization, or the optimization problems. Motivational research helps to determine why people behave in the manner they do with respect to market characteristics. More specifically, it is concerned with the analyzing the motivations underlying consumer behavior. Research is equally important to social scientist for analyzing social relationships and seeking explanations to various social problems. It gives intellectual satisfaction of knowing things for the sake of knowledge. It also possesses practical utility for the social scientist to gain knowledge so as to be able to do something better or in a more efficient manner. This, research in social sciences is concerned with both knowledge for its own sake, and knowledge for what it can contribute to solve practical problems.

ANS 2) Validity refers to the extent we are measuring what we hope to measure and Reliability is concerned with questions of stability and consistency - does the same measurement tool yield stable and consistent results when repeated over time. A valid measure should satisfy four criteria. Face Validity This criterion is an assessment of whether a measure appears, on the face of it, to measure the concept it is intended to measure. This is a very minimum assessment - if a measure cannot satisfy this criterion, then the other criteria are inconsequential. We can think about observational measures of behavior that would have face validity. For example, striking out at another person would have face validity for an indicator of aggression. Content Validity Content validity concerns the extent to which a measure adequately represents all facets of a concept. Consider a series of questions that serve as indicators of depression. If there were other kinds of common behaviors that mark a person as depressed that were not included in the index, then the index would have low content validity since it did not adequately represent all facets of the concept. Criterion-related Validity Criterion-related validity applies to instruments than have been developed for usefulness as indicator of specific trait or behavior, either now or in the future. For example, think about the driving test as a social measurement that has pretty good predictive validity. That is to say, an individual's performance on a driving test correlates well with his/her driving ability. Construct Validity But for a many things we want to measure, there is not necessarily a pertinent criterion available. In this case, turn to construct validity, which concerns the extent to which a measure is related to other measures as specified by theory or previous research. Clinical observations in psychology had shown that people who had low self-esteem often had depression. Therefore, to establish the construct validity of the self-esteem measure, the researchers showed that those with higher scores on the self-esteem measure had lower depression scores, while those with low self-esteem had higher rates of depression. ANS 3 a) Literature review helps to

To build knowledge and identify research methodologies and seminal works in your field. To help focus and refine your research question by articulating the knowledge gap. Provide the intellectual context for your work and situate it within the field. Ensure you will not be replicating existing knowledge or reproducing technical errors. Identify other researchers in your field (a researcher network is a valuable resource). Identify the distinctive contribution your research will make and to produce a rationale and justification for your study. Learn how research findings are discussed and presented in your discipline area.

In addition to expanding your knowledge about a research area, undertaking a literature review is useful for: Information seeking, as it hones your ability to locate and peruse the relevant literature efficiently and effectively.

Critical analysis, as it enhances your ability to apply analytical principles in identifying unbiased and valid research in your area.

ANS 3 b) In order to have a good research problem we have eight criteria for a good research problem. 1. Question mark? The research problem can be in a declarative or in a question form, it is better to formulate your research problem as a question. 2. Possibility to respond Some questions are impossible to answer in a scientific way, for example: how beautiful is the color yellow. It must be possible to answer the question in a practical way so it must be researchable, meaning you have to be able to collect evidence that will answer the question. 3. Relevance in connection to the research goals The research problem and the research goals are closely connected to each other. If an answer to the problem doesnt meet the goal of the research, one of them should be adapted 4. Attainability The problem must be one that can be solved during the amount of time you have. So it cant be too broad. But it also cant be too narrow. 5. Open question The research problem should be an open question. That means it cannot be answered by yes or no. But also with open questions you should watch out for the possibility of a shallow answer. 6. Unambiguity Your research problem must be clear and there has to be only one way to interpret it. 7. Clarity The problem must be clearly specified. 8. Brevity Although your research problem should be specific and have clarity, not all fencings must be placed in your research problem. It must be a brief and fluent sentence. ANS 4) Hypothesis testing or significance testing is a method for testing a claim or hypothesis about a parameter in a population, using data measured in a sample. In this method, we test some hypothesis by determining the likelihood that a sample statistic could have been selected, if the hypothesis regarding the population parameter were true. The method of hypothesis testing can be summarized in four steps. 1. To begin, we identify a hypothesis or claim that we feel should be tested. The null hypothesis (H0), stated as the null, is a statement about a population parameter, such as the population mean, that is assumed to be true. The null hypothesis is a starting point. We will test whether the value stated in the null hypothesis is likely to be true. An alternative hypothesis (H1) is a statement that directly contradicts a null hypothesis by stating that that the actual value of a population parameter is less than, greater than, or not equal to the value stated in the null hypothesis. 2. We select a criterion upon which we decide that the claim being tested is true or not. Level of significance, or significance level, refers to a criterion of judgment upon which a decision is made regarding the value stated in a null hypothesis. The criterion is based on the probability of obtaining a statistic measured in a sample if the value stated in the

null hypothesis were true. In behavioral science, the criterion or level of significance is typically set at 5%. When the probability of obtaining a sample mean is less than 5% if the null hypothesis were true, then we reject the value stated in the null hypothesis. 3. Select a random sample from the population and measure the sample mean. The test statistic is a mathematical formula that allows researchers to determine the likelihood of obtaining sample outcomes if the null hypothesis were true. The value of the test statistic is used to make a decision regarding the null hypothesis. 4. Compare what we observe in the sample to what we expect to observe if the claim we are testing is true. There are two decisions a researcher can make: 1. Reject the null hypothesis. 2. Retain the null hypothesis. ANS 5 a) The key components of research design apply to all types of qualitative, deductive research, whether in the physical or social sciences. These components are as following: Theory and Hypothesis A theory is the over-reaching concept behind the research. In this first step, the researcher looks at previous research and literature about the problem at hand. A hypothesis is a testable statement based upon the theory Data Collection and Research Design After the hypothesis is defined, the researcher then decides how to collect data. Each type of experimental design has advantages and disadvantages. Questionnaires are cheap to distribute, but the sample returned will not be random. RD Info stresses the importance of a random sample. Random samples ensure that the results of the study are not skewed due to the makeup of the test group. Experimental designs suffer when conducted in an artificial environment. Drug tests involve many ethical issues, such as withholding a promising drug from a control group with a disease. The number of participants needed depends on the number of variables tested. Using the hypothesis above regarding couples and blood pressure, the variables tested would include blood pressure, the presence of a partner, age, marital status, general health, length of relationship, sex and income. Statistical Analysis and Reporting A statistical analysis will determine if the findings of the study support the hypothesis. A variety of statistical tests, such as T-tests, Chi-square tests and one-way analysis of variance are conducted depending on the type of data, number and types of variables and data categories. Reporting of findings in scientific journals and other venues enables others to learn from and critique the research. Revision of the Theory If the hypothesis about living with a partner can lead to lower blood pressure was found to be statistically significant for older adults but not for younger ones, the theory that led to the hypothesis would need to be revised to take the new finding into account.

ANS 5 b ) Research design may be for the convenience of study, categories and the
following heads: i. Exploratory design The exploratory research leads to a more precise definition of the research problem and at times also necessitates changes in research methodology and paradigm for data collection. The exploratory design must process the following characteristics, a) Business Significance b) Practical Aspect c) combination of theory d) Reliable and valuable facts. ii. Descriptive and diagnostic design

Descriptive research studies are those studies which make specific predictions regarding the outcome of research issue along with the descriptions of facts and other characteristics concerning the research sample or situations. On the other hand, diagnostic research studies look into the fact whether certain research variables have a causal association with other phenomena. In brief, diagnostic are based on cause and effect studies. iii. Experimental design Experimental design implies the options in design the research experiments to lead to possible outcomes on the research problem, which can lead to possible solution of the research problem. Experimental design is generally classified into two categories: i) Informal experimental design ii) Formal experimental design Informal experimental design is generally based on thumb rule rather than extensive scientific analysis. On the other hand, formal experimental design needs precise statistical procedure for both design and analysis. ANS 6 a) The case study method is a widely used systematic field research technique. This methodology has been widely used by anthropologist, historians, novelist and dramatists pertaining to their arrears of interest. Hence case study method can be considered as a multi-disciplinary in approach with its use increasing day by day. Major phases involved in case study are as follows: I. Recognition and determination of the status of the phenomenon to be investigated II. Collection of data, examination and history of given phenomenon III. Diagnosis and identification of causal factors as a basis for remedial or developmental treatment IV. Application of remedial measures The case study method is based on several assumptions; the important assumptions may be listed as follows: I. The assumption of uniformity in the basic human nature in spite of the fact that human behavior may vary circumstantially II. The assumption of studying the natural history of the unit concerned III. The assumption of comprehensive study of the unit concerned

b) The process of sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from
within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population. Each observation measures one or more properties (such as weight, location, color) of observable bodies distinguished as independent objects or individuals. In survey sampling, weights can be applied to the data to adjust for the sample design, particularly stratified sampling (blocking). Results from probability theory and statistical theory are employed to guide practice. In business and medical research, sampling is widely used for gathering information about a population. The sampling process comprises several stages: I. Defining the population of concern II. Specifying a sampling frame, a set of items or events possible to measure III. Specifying a sampling method for selecting items or events from the frame IV. Determining the sample size

V. VI.

Implementing the sampling plan Sampling and data collecting

Within any of the types of frame identified above, a variety of sampling methods can be employed, individually or in combination. Factors commonly influencing the choice between these designs include: I. Nature and quality of the frame II. Availability of auxiliary information about units on the frame III. Accuracy requirements, and the need to measure accuracy IV. Whether detailed analysis of the sample is expected V. Cost/operational concerns