PCU – MMEM/MMHA/MMHOA/MMPA 2T SY 2019-20 Summer Class

Page 5.: Quantitative Techniques in Decision Making/

Final Exam

Test I. A 10-item online multiple choice exam.

Test II – Explain the following questions exhaustively.

1. Base from the insights you gain from the professional encounter that
we have, how will you define quantitative techniques in decision
making? (5 pts.)

Quantitative techniques are methods/tools focused on objective

measurement and analysis of numbers or by using
mathematical and statistical models in order to arrive at a
conclusion on a given problem. Hence, quantitative techniques
are the scientific approach to managerial decision-making.

2. How has quantitative analysis changed the current scenario in the

management world today? (15 pts.)

Quantitative analysis is used in order to analyze and understand

a certain behavior/problem presented using a mathematical
model. Mathematical modeling is a critical part of the
quantitative approach to decision making. Mathematical
modeling employs measurable data to reach comparable and
useful results, assume alternative plans for achieving
objectives, and careful use of the estimates of the parameters
for forecasting and planning purposes since they derived from
historical data. Quantitative factors can be measured in terms of
money or quantitative units. For example, real estate tax rates,
personal income tax rates, etc.
Qualitative factors in decision making are the factors relevant to
a decision that are difficult to measure/quantify in terms of
money. Qualitative factors may include: (1) effect on employee
morale, schedule and other internal elements; (2) relationship
with and commitments to suppliers;(3) effect on present and
future customers; and (4) long-term future effect on profitability.
In some decision-making situations, qualitative aspects are
 more important than immediate financial benefit from a
decision.
Both quantitative and qualitative factors are considered in order
to choose the optimal decision based on a case-to-case basis or
when there is a set of circumstances to follow e.g. minimize
cost/expense in a project

3. What are the techniques? Briefly explain the cluster sampling

technique. (10 pts.)
Statistical Techniques are as follows:
1) Measures of Central Tendency
2) Measures of Dispersion
3) Correlation
4) Regression Analysis
5) Time Series Analysis
6) Index Numbers
7) Sampling and Statistical Inference
Probability sampling techniques:
a. Simple random sampling
b. Systematic sampling
c. Stratified sampling
d. Clustered sampling
Non-Probability sampling techniques:
a. Convenience sampling
b. Quota sampling
c. Judgement (or Purposive) Sampling
d. Snowball sampling
Cluster sampling is a probability sampling technique wherein
subgroups of the population are used as the sampling unit,
rather than individuals. The population is divided into
subgroups, known as clusters, which are randomly or
systematically selected to be included in the study. Clusters are
usually already defined, for example a population (the entire
student population of a certain university) are divided into
different clusters (students’ residence in terms of
municipalities/cities). Then a number of clusters are selected
and included in the study.

4. Explain how to make a research paper. (20 pts.)

The first step in writing a research paper is the Problem

Identification, wherein you will be selecting a researchable topic
which interests you and should be answerable/solvable.
Focusing on a limited aspect, narrowing it down, for example
“Religion” to “World Religion” to “Islam.”
The paper will be presented as follows:

I. INTRODUCTION - an overview of the issue you are

examining, which should include your main assertion or
argument (thesis statement). Also, a short justification is
considered, such that it will discuss as to why your readers
or target audience should care about your research paper
(study importance). Finally, a brief explanation of the paper’s
scope and planned methodology to be used in examining the
issue is discussed. This may include the discussion of the
history behind the issue. It may also contain information on
how this issue impacts society and the critical factors
impacting this issue. Any possible solutions to be explored
in your study are also considered. Should answer the
following questions:
 What is the research all about?
 What is the issue / problem you want to justify?
 What is the concern being addressed “behind” this
study?
 What is the situation of the problem you want to study?

Additional Components of the Introduction:

 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Theoretical Framework: Theory based studies is a
discussion of the theory which serves as the basis for the
study, also known as a ready–made map for the study. In
formulating the theoretical framework for the study, the
various theories upon which one can base the study may
be considered. Used when the variables have been
studied before and have been found to be related to one
another.
Conceptual Framework are studies based on a specific
conceptual model wherein it explains how variables in the
study are expected to relate to each other. Used when the
literature does not contain a specific theory that explains
the relationship between study variables
 Paradigm of the study is illustration of a certain theory
being applied in the study
 Statement of the Problem is simply the statement the
problem/issue in a question form wherein the problem
should express a relation between two or more variables
and should imply possibilities for testing.
 Hypothesis is a formal statement of the expected
 relationship(s) among variables. Should consider
tentative statements as solutions to the problem. It should
follow a null hypothesis format that essentially states that
there is no significant relationship/effect between the two
variables in the study.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW/ REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

may consider the following:
a. Theories, constructs and concepts (journal articles,
textbooks and relevant publications) wherein description
of related theories used to explain the issue or theories
used to propose a solution to the issue and relevance of
the major theories used to explain the issue. May answer
the question: How were concepts or theoretical constructs
defined?
b. Empirical literature (journal articles) which is the overview
of the relevant empirical studies done to date and
summary of methodology. May answer the question(s):
What were the major findings of your study? and What
were limitations raised regarding findings of the study?
c. A discussion based on what you discovered in literature
review. Description of unique aspect(s) of issue that you
will be examining and the method that suits best for your
own research. May answer the question: Whose concept(s)
and definition(s) are you going to borrow or use in your
own research (if applicable)?
Additional considerations:
 Review recent relevant literatures at least 10 years back
(use 2005 to the present resources) and the number of
related literature should be a minimum of 35 to 100.
 The discussion and information should be presented in an
inverted pyramid format or funnel approach.

III. METHODOLOGY should contain the following:

 Research Method - the method being used in the study is
presented and brief explanation of the justification or
rationale as to why you chose this specific method.
 Research Environment – description of the place or
location of the study or a map if necessary to show the
location of the place.
 Respondents – are the subjects of the study. This is
where you explain who the respondents are and where
they from are. Other demographic characteristics may be
reported, such as gender, age, ethnic identity, and any
other available demographics that might help readers
determine to what populations your results may
generalize well. The qualifications of informants may also
 be stated. This is also where you specify how the
respondents were chosen and the sampling techniques
adopted in selecting the respondents. Use of a table or
matrix to show the number of respondents may be
utilized. If researcher units are humans, they are most
often referred to us “participants”.
 Data Gathering Procedure – is where enough detail on the
process of data collections to allow another person to
repeat the research is provided. This is where how the
groups were formed, instructions to the subjects were
given and the treatment of the independent variables and
other variables were stated.
 Research Instruments/Questionnaire – where what
specific instrument was used. For example, a
questionnaire is a set of questions, arranged in a
sequence and designed to be self – administered. The
instructions in the questionnaires are directed to the
respondents.
 Statistical Tools – where the statistical treatment for each
sub – problem (Percentages, Ranking, Anova, T – Test,
etc.) were discussed. Also the scales to be used and
qualitative description were stated.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION should contain the description

or list of the major findings. Results of the findings may be
presented in tables, charts and graphical illustration. A
discussion of the relevance of findings in light of previous
studies may be included. This may include a description of
the table and establishment of the connection between and
among the data. You may link the present findings with the
previous literature and cite any updated related literature.
Also, in the explanation of the results, you may draw out
implications and relate the results to the statement of the
problem/objectives and hypotheses (if you had hypotheses)
and you discuss the theoretical and practical implications of
your results, which is the most important part of the
discussion section. Additional considerations:
 The statistical analysis of the data collected and use
tables and figures to summarize data are presented.
 Include descriptive statistics (such as means and
standard deviations or standard errors) and give
significance levels of any inferential statistics
 The results section is the most condensed and
standardized of all the sections in the text of a report
 Each result must refer to the statement of the problem /
objectives and hypothesis
 No data interpretation. Statistical results are presented
 through tables and figures but are not usually discussed
in this section. Discuss results in the discussion section.
 State what alpha level was adopted ex. alpha level of 0.05
 Report main effects before reporting contrasts or
interactions.
 The goal is to make your results section both succinct or
concise and quantitatively informative
 Write the discussions after the results in graphs or tables
are presented (textual).

V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION – is a brief recap of

the issue examined, the method used and major finding(s).
Briefly remind the readers about the original goal of this
study, what you accomplished in your research work and
describe how future researchers can expand or build on your
work.
The Conclusions are based from the results that answered
the statement of the problem/objectives/research questions.
Numbers or percentages are not presented in the conclusion.
The Recommendations are based from the conclusions.
Recommendations are recommendatory/suggestive not
imposing. Be polite in stating the recommendations.

Additional Considerations:
 For longer research papers, dissertations and theses, writing
an abstract is an essential part of the process, as it
summarizes the entire research paper. Information should be
arranged in the same order as the sections in the paper:
introduction, method, results and discussion. Each section
of the paper requires at least one sentence in the abstract,
however, methods and results usually require more than one
sentence each.
 In the References, list all authors cited in the text in
alphabetical order. Space once after all punctuation except
inside abbreviations, ratios, and URL’s where no space is
required. Space once after the periods in references and
initials.
 Spacing for the entire paper should be double – spaced
 Margins should be APA specifies 1-inch all round (top,
bottom, left, right).
 Pagination upper-right-hand-corner should have one inch
from the right-hand edge of the page
 Font size should be 12 and Font style should be Bookman
old style

Submitted by:
JEAN D. DELA CRUZ

Submitted to:

NERISSA A. RESENTE, PhD