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