Business Research Methodology and Consulting : Question Set 3

POKHARA UNIVERSITY
Business Research Methodology and Consulting (RES 611)
Model Question Paper
Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 60

Section A: Conceptual Questions (5 × 8 = 40)
Attempt any five questions.

1. Critically analyze how research paradigms influence methodological choices in business research, with specific examples from positivist and interpretivist approaches. [Unit I]
2. "The research onion model provides a robust framework for methodological decisions." Evaluate this statement by applying the model to design a study on digital transformation challenges in Nepalese SMEs. [Unit III]
3. Compare and contrast systematic and narrative literature reviews in terms of their rigor and applicability to evidence-based management decisions. [Unit II]
4. Develop a comprehensive problem tree analysis for a research study examining the declining productivity in Nepal's manufacturing sector. [Unit I]
5. Evaluate the appropriateness of grounded theory versus case study research for investigating leadership challenges in family-owned businesses in Nepal. [Unit III]
6. Write short notes on any two:
   a) The ethical implications of big data analytics in business research
   b) Trustworthiness criteria in qualitative research
   c) The role of conceptual frameworks in theory building

Section B: Analytical/Application-Based Questions (2 × 15 = 30)
Attempt any two questions.

7. A commercial bank plans to study customer satisfaction with its digital banking services:
   a) Design a mixed-methods research framework combining surveys and in-depth interviews
   b) Develop appropriate measurement scales for key variables
   c) Justify your choice of sampling strategy for urban and rural customers
8. As a consultant evaluating a corporate wellness program:
   a) Design a quasi-experimental study with control groups
   b) Operationalize "employee wellbeing" and "program effectiveness"
   c) Outline the statistical analysis plan to assess program impact
9. Critically assess the statement: "Qualitative research lacks the rigor required for strategic decision-making." Support your arguments with examples from organizational research.

Section C: Case Analysis (1 × 30 = 30)
Read the case and answer the questions that follow.

Case: Market Entry Strategy for a Health-Tech Startup
A Singapore-based health-tech company wants to enter the Nepalese market with AI-powered diagnostic tools. The management needs insights on:

• Healthcare provider adoption readiness
• Regulatory challenges
• Pricing sensitivity
• Competitive landscape

Questions:

1. Develop three specific research objectives that would guide this market entry study
2. Design a comprehensive research methodology that includes:
   a) Primary and secondary data collection approaches
   b) Sampling framework for different stakeholder groups
   c) Data analysis plan
3. How would you use conjoint analysis to determine optimal product features and pricing?
4. What ethical considerations are particularly relevant for this health-tech research?
5. Prepare an executive summary (1 page) outlining key methodological approaches and expected outcomes

 

Business Research Methodology and Consulting: MBA Question Set 4

 Business Research Methodology and Consulting: Question Set 4

POKHARA UNIVERSITY
Business Research Methodology and Consulting (RES 611)
Advanced Practical Question Set
Time: 3 Hours Full Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 60

 

Section A: Applied Conceptual Questions (5 × 8 = 40)

Attempt any five questions.

1. "Research philosophy determines methodological rigor more than the research question itself." As a consultant for a Nepalese FMCG company launching a new product line, justify your choice between positivist and interpretivist approaches. What data collection tools would you prioritize for each?
2. Compare deductive vs. inductive reasoning in business research. Using Nepal's tourism sector as context, design two distinct studies (one deductive, one inductive) to analyze post-pandemic recovery strategies.
3. Operationalization challenge: For a study on "employee engagement" in Nepalese commercial banks:
• Identify 3 key dimensions to measure
• Develop corresponding Likert-scale items for each
• Justify your choice of measurement scales
4. You're evaluating a government entrepreneurship program. Design a sampling matrix that:
• Incorporates both urban and rural entrepreneurs
• Uses stratified sampling by industry type
• Ensures representation of gender and age diversity
5. A client claims their customer satisfaction score of 4.2/5 is "excellent." As a consultant:
• What 3 statistical validation tests would you perform?
• How would you contextualize these results against industry benchmarks?
6. Short analytical notes (choose 2):
   a) Ethical triage: Your client wants to withhold negative findings from stakeholders - develop a response framework
   b) Data paradox: When is "more data" actually detrimental to research quality?
   c) Cultural validity: Challenges in directly applying Western research instruments in Nepal

Section B: Complex Methodology Design (2 × 15 = 30)

Attempt any two questions.

7. Nepal Telecom wants to predict customer churn after price hikes:
   a) Design a longitudinal mixed-methods study (6-month timeframe)
   b) Specify:
• 3 predictive variables with operational definitions
• Appropriate machine learning techniques
• Qualitative validation process
  c) Create a data collection timeline with milestones
8. Evaluating a microfinance impact study:
   a) Audit the methodology:
• Identify 3 potential sources of sampling bias
• 2 threats to internal validity
• 1 ethical red flag in informed consent
  b) Redesign using a matched pair experimental approach
  c) Develop a field implementation checklist
9. "Our survey found 68% employee satisfaction - no further analysis needed."
   a) Deconstruct this claim using:
• Measurement error analysis
• Statistical power considerations
• Qualitative dissonance potential
  b) Propose an integrated validation protocol combining:
• Focus groups
• HR analytics
• Observational methods

Section C: Live Consulting Simulation (1 × 30 = 30)

Scenario:
Nepal's largest dairy cooperative faces:

• 18% sales decline in Kathmandu valley
• New competitors offering plant-based alternatives
• Supply chain disruptions

Your Deliverables:

1. Diagnostic Framework (10 marks)
• Create a research problem map linking symptoms to root causes
• Prioritize 2 key research questions using an impact-feasibility matrix
2. Methodology Blueprint (12 marks)
   Design:
• A retailer ethnography protocol (3 key observation parameters)
• A discrete choice experiment for product reformulation
• A supply chain simulation model with 3 critical variables
3. Actionable Reporting (8 marks)
   Prepare:
• A one-page visual dashboard of key metrics
• A stakeholder communication plan for sensitive findings

 

Business Research Methodology and Consulting: Question Set 5 MBA

 Business Research Methodology and Consulting: Question Set 5

POKHARA UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Management Studies
Business Research Methodology and Consulting (RES 611)
Model Question Paper
Time: 3 Hours | Full Marks: 100 | Pass Marks: 60

 

Section A: Conceptual Questions (5 × 8 = 40)

Attempt any five questions.

1. Define research philosophy and explain how positivism and interpretivism influence business research design. Provide one example each from management studies. (Unit I: 1.1, 1.10)
2. Compare narrative and systematic literature reviews in terms of process and outcomes. Which is more suitable for a study on "Impact of Digital Marketing on Nepalese SMEs"? Justify. (Unit II: 2.2, 2.3)
3. Describe the elements of a good research design for a study examining "Employee Turnover in Nepalese Commercial Banks." (Unit III: 2.6, 2.12)
4. Differentiate between probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Recommend the most appropriate method for a nationwide study on consumer preferences for electric vehicles in Nepal. (Unit IV: 4.6, 4.7)
5. What are the characteristics of a good questionnaire? Design three Likert-scale questions to measure customer satisfaction with e-commerce platforms. (Unit V: 5.3, 5.4)
6. Write short notes on: (Choose any two)
   a) Nominal vs. Ratio measurement scales (Unit IV: 4.2)
   b) Ethical issues in business consulting (Unit VII: 7.3)
   c) Structure of a research proposal (Unit VI: 6.6, 6.7)

 

Section B: Applied Questions (2 × 15 = 30)

Attempt any two questions.

7. A study aims to analyze "Factors Affecting Tourism Recovery in Pokhara."
   a) Formulate three research objectives and corresponding hypotheses. (Unit I: 1.7, Unit III: 2.10)
   b) Design a descriptive research framework including:
• Data collection methods (Unit V: 5.2)
• Sampling technique (Unit IV: 4.6)
• Measurement scales for key variables (Unit IV: 4.2)
8. You are consulting for a FMCG company launching a new product.
   a) Develop a focus group discussion guide (5 questions) to assess consumer perceptions. (Unit V: 5.2, 5.10)
   b) Explain how you would ensure reliability and validity of collected data. (Unit IV: 4.3)
   c) Outline the data analysis plan using descriptive statistics. (Unit V: 5.6)
9. Critically evaluate the statement: "Secondary data is sufficient for business decision-making." Discuss its advantages, limitations, and when primary data becomes essential. (Unit V: 5.1, 5.5)

Section C: Case-Based Question (1 × 30 = 30)

Case: Improving Service Quality at ABC Bank
ABC Bank has received customer complaints about long queues and poor online banking services. Management wants to:

1. Identify root causes of dissatisfaction
2. Benchmark services against competitors
3. Propose data-driven solutions

Tasks:

1. Research Design (10 marks):
• Select appropriate research type (exploratory/descriptive/causal) and justify. (Unit III: 2.7)
• Create a mixed-methods research plan combining surveys and interviews. (Unit V: 5.2, 5.10)
2. Instrument Development (10 marks):
• Design a 10-item questionnaire (include demographic, Likert-scale, and open-ended questions). (Unit V: 5.3)
• Develop an observation checklist for branch service quality. (Unit V: 5.2)
3. Reporting & Ethics (10 marks):
• Outline the structure of the final research report for stakeholders. (Unit VI: 6.2)
• Identify three ethical considerations while collecting customer data. (Unit I: 1.9, Unit VII: 7.3)