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MB 0050 Research Methodology

Contents Unit 1 An Introduction to Research Unit 2 The Importance of Measurement in Research Unit 3 Selection and Formulation of a Research Problem Unit 4 Hypothesis Unit 5 Research Design Unit 6 Case Study Method Unit 7 Sampling Unit 8 Sources of Data
Edition: Spring 2010 BKID B1206 10 June 2010
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Unit 9 Observation Unit 10 Schedule and Questionnaire Unit 11 Interviewing Unit 12 Processing Data Unit 13 Research Report Writing Unit 14 Ethics in Research Acknowledgements, References & Suggested Readings 209 198 187 129 108 101 92

Dean Directorate of Distance Education Sikkim Manipal University Board of Studies Chairman HOD Management & Commerce SMU DDE Additional Registrar SMU DDE Controller of Examination SMU DDE Dr. T. V. Narasimha Rao Adjunct Faculty & Advisor SMU DDE Prof. K. V. Varambally Director, Manipal Institute of Management, Manipal Content Preparation Team Content Writing Prof. Xavier V. K. Christ College, Bangalore Format Editing Ms. Shulagna Sarkar Former Lecturer, Dept. of Management & Commerce SMU DDE, Manipal Edition Printed : Spring 2010 : June 2010 Content Modification & Review Vimala Parthasarathy Assistant Professor SMU DDE Language Editing Mr. Radhakrishna Rao Lecturer in English UPMC, Udupi

Mr. Pankaj Khanna Director HR, Fidelity Mutual Fund Mr. Shankar Jagannathan Former Group Treasurer Wipro Technologies Limited Mr. Abraham Mathew Chief Financial Officer Infosys BPO, Bangalore Ms. Sadhna Dash Ex-Senior Manager, HR Microsoft India Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd.

This book is a distance education module comprising of written and compiled learning material for our students. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form by any means without permission in writing from Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim. Printed and Published on behalf of Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim by Mr. Rajkumar Mascreen, GM, Manipal Universal Learning Pvt. Ltd., Manipal 576 104. Printed at Manipal Press Limited, Manipal.

SUBJECT INTRODUCTION
Research simply means a search for facts answer to questions and solutions to problems. It is a purposive investigation. It is an organized inquiry. It seeks to find explanations to unexplained phenomenon to clarify the doubtful facts and to correct the misconceived facts. Research is a scientific endeavour. It involves scientific method. The scientific method is a systematic step-by-step procedure following the logical processes of reasoning. Scientific method is a means for gaining knowledge of the universe. It does not belong to any particular body of knowledge; it is universal. It does not refer to a field of specific subject of matter, but rather to a procedure or mode of investigation. Unit 1 : An Introduction to Research Meaning of research Purpose of research Types of research Significance of research in Social and Business Sciences Unit 2 : The importance of Measurement in Research Definition and Purpose of Measurement Levels of Measurement Characteristics of Good Measurement Unit 3 : Selection and Formulation of a Research Problem Choosing the problem Review of literature Formulating the problem Criteria of a good research problem Unit 4 : Hypothesis Hypothesis Meaning and Examples of hypothesis Types of hypothesis Testing of hypothesis Unit 5 : Research Design Needs of research design Components of research design Different research designs Research design for studies in commerce and management.

Unit 6 : Case Study Method Assumptions of case study method Advantages and disadvantages of case study method Making case study effective Case study as a method of business research Unit 7 : Sampling Sampling procedure Characteristics of good sample Methods of sampling Unit 8 : Sources of Data Primary sources of data Methods of collecting primary data Secondary sources of data Unit 9 : Observation General characteristics of observation method Process of observation Use of observation in business research Unit 10 : Schedules and Questionnaire Process of data collection Importance of questionnaire Distinction between schedules and questionnaire Unit 11 : Interview Types of interviews Approach to the interview Qualities of interview Interview techniques in business research Unit 12 : Processing Data Checking Editing Coding Transcriptions and Tabulation Data analysis

Unit 13 : Report Writing Types of reports Contents, styles of reporting Steps in drafting reports Editing the final draft Evaluating the final drafts Unit 14 : Ethics in Research Meaning of Research Ethics Ethical issues in the overall research process Ethical issues in Gaining Access to Participants Ethical issues in Data Collection Ethical issues related to data analysis and reporting Ethically questionable research situations Responsibility for ethics in research

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