Test Papers / Previous Question Papers of IGNOU MS95 Research Methodology for Management Decisions December 2005

MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Term-End Examination

December, 2005

MS95 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

Time: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 100
(Weightage 70%)

SECTION A

1. A sports goods company wishes to test two types of tennis rackets in order to determine which one is "best". (15)
(a) Propose and defend a precise definition of "best".
(b) What is the set of hypotheses that should be tested? Discuss.

2. What is Discriminant Analysis ? What are the differences between Regression Analysis and Discriminant Analysis ? List out a few research studies where Discriminant Analysis has possible applications. (15)

3. "Random sampling owes its importance to the fact that we can assess the results obtained from it in terms of probabilities otherwise the reliability of the estimates remains a matter of individual opinion." Elucidate this Statement. (15)

4. What are the different categories of research reports ? Explain each of these categories in detail. Also give two examples of reports from each of these categories. (15)

5. Write short notes on any three of the following : (15)
(a) Endogenous variables and Exogenous variables
(b) Scrutiny of secondary data
(c) Routine and Non-routine decisions
(d) Eements of Communication Dimension
(e) Type of Bibliographies

SECTION B

6. Define Dichotomous data and the Guttman Scale. Mention two reasons which make Guttman Scale an impractical tool for the measurement of attitudes. (20)

7. The weight (gms) of 31 books picked from a consignment are as follows :
106, 107, 76, 82, 106, 107, 175, 93, 187, 95, 123, 125, 111, 92, 86, 70, 127, 68, 130, 129, 139, 119,115, 128, 100, 186, 84,99, 113, 204, 111
Test whether this sample may be treated as random. (20)