Business Research Methodology and Consulting Set 1

 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. "Business research is a systematic inquiry that provides information to guide managerial decisions." Explain this statement with examples.
2. Differentiate between exploratory, descriptive, and causal research designs. Provide examples of business problems where each design would be most appropriate.
3. Define hypothesis testing in research. Explain the steps involved in hypothesis testing with an example.
4. What is sampling? Compare probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Which method is more suitable for a market research study on consumer preferences for a new product? Justify your answer.
5. Discuss the importance of questionnaire design in research. What are the key principles to consider while designing a structured questionnaire?
6. Write short notes on any two of the following: (2 × 4 = 8)
   a) Primary vs. Secondary Data
   b) Ethical Issues in Business Research
   c) Significance of Literature Review in Research

Section B: Analytical/Application-Based Questions (2 × 15 = 30)

Attempt any two questions.

7. A retail company wants to assess customer satisfaction regarding its online shopping platform.
   a) Develop a research problem and research objectives for this study.
   b) Design a research framework, including the type of research (exploratory/descriptive/causal), data collection method, and sampling technique.
   c) Construct a Likert-scale questionnaire (5 questions) to measure customer satisfaction.
8. A consulting firm is hired to evaluate the impact of employee training programs on productivity in a manufacturing company.
   a) Formulate a null and alternative hypothesis for this study.
   b) Which statistical test (t-test, ANOVA, regression) would you use to analyze the data? Justify your choice.

c) Interpret the following regression result:

• Regression Equation: Productivity = 2.5 + 0.8(Training Hours)
• R-squared = 0.65
• P-value of Training Hours = 0.01
8. "Qualitative research provides deeper insights than quantitative research in understanding consumer behavior." Do you agree? Compare the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches. Provide examples where qualitative research would be more beneficial.

Section C: Case Analysis (1 × 30 = 30)

10. Read the case below and answer the questions that follow.

Case: Market Research for a New Health Drink NutriLife, a health and wellness company, plans to launch a new protein-based health drink targeting fitness enthusiasts. Before the launch, the company wants to conduct market research to assess demand, pricing sensitivity, and consumer preferences.

Research Challenges:

• The product is new, so limited secondary data is available.
• Competitors already have established brands in the market.
• The target audience includes gym-goers, athletes, and health-conscious individuals.

Questions:

1. What type of research design (exploratory/descriptive/causal) should NutriLife adopt? Justify your answer.
2. Develop a sampling plan, including the sampling technique and sample size determination.
3. Design a focus group discussion guide (5 key questions) to understand consumer preferences.
4. How can NutriLife use conjoint analysis to determine the optimal product features (flavor, price, packaging)?
5. Discuss ethical considerations NutriLife should keep in mind while conducting this research.

The four levels of interacting with text

 The four levels of interacting with text—literal comprehension, interpretation, critical thinking, and assimilation—represent a progression from basic understanding to deeper engagement and personal application. Here's a breakdown of each level:

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1. Literal Comprehension (Surface Understanding)

• Focus: Grasping the explicit meaning of the text.

• What it involves: Identifying facts, details, and information directly stated in the text.

• Skills used: Reading for basic comprehension, recognizing key ideas, and recalling specific information.

• Example: Answering questions like "What is the main idea?" or "Who are the characters in the story?"

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2. Interpretation (Reading Between the Lines)

• Focus: Understanding implied meanings and making connections.

• What it involves: Drawing inferences, identifying themes, and analyzing the author's intent.

• Skills used: Critical thinking, reasoning, and contextual analysis.

• Example: Answering questions like "What does the author imply about the character's motivations?" or "What is the deeper meaning of this event?"

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3. Critical Thinking (Evaluation and Analysis)

• Focus: Judging the quality, validity, and significance of the text.

• What it involves: Evaluating arguments, assessing the author's purpose, tone, or bias, and forming opinions.

• Skills used: Critical analysis, synthesis, and reflection.

• Example: Answering questions like "Is the author's argument convincing?" or "How does the author use language to persuade the reader?"

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4. Assimilation (Application and Integration)

• Focus: Applying the text's ideas to new contexts or personal experiences.

• What it involves: Connecting the text to real-world situations, personal insights, or creative projects.

• Skills used: Creativity, problem-solving, and synthesis.

• Example: Answering questions like "How does this text relate to your life?" or "What would you do differently based on what you've learned?"

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Key Differences Between the Levels

1. Literal Comprehension: Focuses on what is explicitly stated.

2. Interpretation: Focuses on what is implied or inferred.

3. Critical Thinking: Focuses on evaluating and analyzing the text.

4. Assimilation: Focuses on applying and integrating the text into broader contexts.

20 From Analysis to Essay: Writing a Close Analysis Essay on “Slam, Dunk, & Hook” by Yusef Komunyakaa

 From Analysis to Essay: Writing a Close Analysis Essay on “Slam, Dunk, & Hook” by Yusef Komunyakaa

1. Understanding the Poem

• Theme: The poem explores basketball as a metaphor for resilience, escape, and self-expression.
• Tone and Mood: Energetic, rhythmic, and reflective.
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of movement, intensity, and emotion.

2. Analyzing Literary Elements

• Diction and Syntax: Strong, action-packed verbs and short, rhythmic lines create momentum.
• Figurative Language:
  • Metaphor: Basketball as a means of survival and empowerment.
  • Personification: The ball and the court are given life-like qualities.
• Sound Devices:
  • Alliteration & Assonance: Enhance the musicality and energy of the game.
  • Onomatopoeia: Captures the sounds of basketball in action.

3. Structuring the Essay

• Introduction:

  • Brief introduction to Yusef Komunyakaa.
  • Overview of the poem’s main themes.
  • Thesis statement: How the poet uses language and imagery to depict basketball as a metaphor for resilience.

• Body Paragraphs:

  • Paragraph 1: The role of imagery in capturing the energy and movement of the game.
  • Paragraph 2: The significance of figurative language in connecting basketball to broader themes.
  • Paragraph 3: The impact of sound devices in creating rhythm and intensity.

• Conclusion:

  • Restate thesis.
  • Discuss the poem’s broader significance in literature and culture.
  • Final thoughts on how Komunyakaa’s style enhances meaning.

4. Writing Tips

• Use textual evidence to support analysis.
• Maintain a formal and analytical tone.
• Avoid summary—focus on interpretation and critical insights.
• Revise for clarity and coherence.

From Analysis to Essay: Writing a Close Analysis Essay on Yusef Komunyakaa’s "Slam, Dunk, & Hook"

Introduction

Yusef Komunyakaa’s poem Slam, Dunk, & Hook captures the intensity and spirit of basketball, transforming it into a powerful metaphor for resilience, escape, and expression. The poem conveys not only the physicality of the game but also its deeper emotional and psychological significance. Through vivid imagery, figurative language, and rhythm, Komunyakaa illustrates basketball as more than a sport—it becomes a means of survival and self-empowerment. This essay will explore how the poet’s use of language and literary devices reflects the themes of strength, movement, and emotional depth.

Imagery and Energy of the Game

One of the defining features of Slam, Dunk, & Hook is its rich, kinetic imagery that brings the game to life. The poem is filled with powerful visual descriptions, such as “We outmaneuvered the footwork / of bad angels” and “muscles were a bright motor.” These images capture the speed, precision, and physicality of basketball while simultaneously suggesting a deeper struggle, possibly against societal obstacles or personal hardships. The phrase “bad angels” introduces a sense of opposition—perhaps external pressures or inner demons—that the players must overcome. By comparing their bodies to “bright motors,” Komunyakaa highlights the relentless energy and determination required to play the game.

Figurative Language and Deeper Meanings

Beyond imagery, Komunyakaa employs metaphor and personification to elevate basketball beyond mere sport. The court becomes a battlefield, the players warriors, and the game itself an act of defiance. The metaphor of basketball as an act of survival is reinforced through lines like “Dribble, drive to the inside, & glide / like a sparrow hawk.” The comparison to a hawk suggests agility, precision, and a predatory instinct, illustrating how the players move with grace but also with an underlying aggression born from necessity. The ball, too, takes on a life of its own, personified as something with agency and force. By imbuing the sport with these layered meanings, Komunyakaa presents basketball as a means of escape from struggle, grief, or oppression.

Sound Devices and Rhythm

The poem’s rhythm mirrors the movement of the game, creating a dynamic and almost musical quality. Komunyakaa’s use of alliteration, as in “fast breaks, lay ups, with Mercury’s / insignia on our sneakers,” enhances the poem’s energetic flow, reinforcing the speed and agility of the players. The reference to Mercury, the Roman god of speed, not only emphasizes their quickness but also suggests a kind of divine connection to the game. Additionally, the use of onomatopoeia—though subtle—can be felt in the poem’s clipped, fast-paced phrasing, mimicking the sounds of dribbling, running, and dunking. This rhythmic quality makes the poem feel like a real-time experience of the game, drawing the reader into its pulse and excitement.

Conclusion

Yusef Komunyakaa’s Slam, Dunk, & Hook is a masterful depiction of basketball as both a physical and symbolic act. Through vivid imagery, powerful figurative language, and a rhythmic structure that mimics the game’s intensity, the poet presents basketball as more than recreation—it is a form of resistance, a space of liberation, and a testament to resilience. The poem ultimately suggests that, for the players, basketball is not just about winning or losing but about transcending hardship through motion, energy, and sheer willpower. Komunyakaa’s unique stylistic choices make Slam, Dunk, & Hook an unforgettable piece that resonates with both athletes and literary enthusiasts alike.