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)