Research Methodology Questions

GM07 Research Methodology

Assignment No.I

Assignment Code: 2013GM07A1 Last Date of Submission: 15th April 2013 Maximum Marks:100

Attempt all the questions. All the questions are compulsory and carry equal marks.

Section-A Ques. 1 You have been hired by a company which is planning to enter the textile market offering uncrushable/wrinkle free shirts for the working executives. How would you define the marketing research problem in this case.

Ques. 2 Explain ‘Validity’ & ‘Reliability’. What difficulties can a manager face while applying scientific methods to marketing research?

Ques. 3 Write short notes on: (a) Methods of data collection in survey research. (b) Secondary data analysis

Ques. 4 Distinguish between exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional designs. Give suitable examples for each. Do not copy paste the examples already provided in your textbook.

Section-B

KONIKA PHOTO FILMS

In 1988, Japan-based Konika Corporation, decided to have a representative in India and started scouting around for a distributor. It selected Goa-based Photophone Industries Ltd. Thereafter there have been several developments for the company.

The present position is, however, not as good as the company would like to see. It is facing severe competition from Kodak and Fuji, who have been spending heavily on brand building. Kodak had also established its manufacturing base in India in 1995.

During the ten year period from 1988 to 1997 – the market share of Konika has declined. In view of this, Konika got keen to increase its market share. It would like to build up its image and strengthen itself from the grass root level.
Questions:
1. What is the major problem being faced by Konika Corporation Limited? 2. Assuming that marketing research can help Konika to achieve its objective, prepare a suitable research proposal for the proposed study.

GM07 Research Methodology

Assignment No.II

Assignment Code: 2013GM07A2 Last Date of Submission: 15th May 2013 Maximum Marks:100

Attempt all the questions. All the questions are compulsory and carry equal marks.

Section-A Ques. 1 What comprises the research report? What are the pitfalls that the researcher needs to avoid while preparing the research report?

Ques. 2 Are an equal number of home-based businesses owned by men & women? A recent study of 899 home-based businesses reported that 369 were owned by women. Is there evidence that there are an equal number of home-based businesses owned by men & women? Use a 0.05 level of significance.

Ques. 3 A Company manufactures steel bars. If the production process is working properly, it turns out steel bars with an average length of at least 2.8 meters with a standard deviation of 0.20 meter (as determined from the engineering specifications of the production equipment involved). Longer steel bars can be used or altered, but shorter bars must be scrapped. A sample of 25 bars is selected from the production line. The sample indicates an average length of 2.73 meter. The company wishes to determine whether the production equipment needs an alignment. If the company wishes to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance, what decision would it make using the critical value approach to hypothesis testing?

Ques. 4 When one can use observation as a useful technique for market research? Explain the classifications associated with observational research.

Section-B

Consumer Satisfaction
A company is engaged in the manufacture of washing machines and a few other products. But, the former accounts for a sizeable proportion of its total production. Of late, the company has been finding it increasingly difficult to maintain its competitiveness on account of the availability of washing machines of a number of companies within the affordable price range. There are 17 brands which together are offering 88 models.

The top management of this company has considered the problem of increasing competition and declining sales. It is of the opinion that a survey should be conducted to ascertain the customer satisfaction in respect of its washing machines. However, before undertaking a detailed survey, it would like to be clear on the concept of consumer satisfaction.

Questions: 1. How would you identify parameters which can effectively measure consumer satisfaction? 2. Construct a suitable scale using the parameters identified in Question 1.