A1.) (a.

) The first and the foremost step in any research process is finding a gap between
what has been researched already and what is still left to be done.
The research problem that I’ve chosen is:
“What kind of new training programs and schedules should be designed for the fresh
management trainees at ABC Corporation?”
(b.) For conducting the research audit, any of the following can be suggested:
 Many other organizations, similar to ours, must be conducting training modules for its
employees and management trainees, therefore, we can take their references in
order to create our own training modules.
 One obvious method is conducting secondary research on training modules that
have been successfully carried out in the past.
(c.) The research objective that I’ve chosen is: 
To identify and analyse the specific domains where each and every employee is weak
and thus, requires training.
Hypothesis:
The training requirements of each and every employee is different.

A2.) A Research design is defined as a framework that has been created to seek answers to
research questions. Whereas, a research method is a technique for collecting the necessary
information required. A research design is based on a framework and provides a direction to
the investigation being conducted in the most effective manner.
Each well-design research design includes 3 things:
1. Converting a research question and hypothesis’ into operational variables.
2. Specify the variables that would be followed.
3. Specify the control mechanism that would be used.
A two-tiered research design involves the formulation of research questions and design
framework.
A research design can be divided into:
1. Exploratory research design
2. Conclusive research design:
 Causal research
 Descriptive research:
 Longitudinal design
 Cross-sectional design:
 Single cross-sectional design
 Multiple cross-sectional design
Exploratory research:
It allows the researcher to gain a better understanding of the concept and provides direction
in order to initiate a more structured research.
Types:
1. Projective technique
2. Literature review
3. Depth interview
4. Focus group discussion: It’s used for consumer and motivational research studies.
5. Comprehensive case method: Intricately designed and reveals a complete
presentation of facts as they occur. It’s focus is on a single entity.
6. Ethnography
7. Expert opinion survey: Conducted when no previous information is available.
8. Secondary data research: Contains the details of previously collected findings.
Conclusive research:
The findings and propositions developed as a consequence of exploratory research might be
tested and authenticated by conclusive research.
1. Causal research: It’s concerned with exploring the effect of one variable on another.
It required a rigid sequential approach to sampling, data collection and data analysis.
It is done to test the hypothesis.
 2. Descriptive research: It provides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the
phenomena under study. However, it lacks the precision and accuracy of
experimental designs.
Types:
 Longitudinal studies: A single sample of identified population that is studied
over a stretched period of time. It’s also referred to as a time-series design
due to the repeated measurements taken over time.
 Cross-sectional studies: It investigates a specific chunk of population, carried
out at a single moment in time and thus, the applicability is most relevant for a
specific period. These studies are carried out on a section of respondents
from the population units under study. Cross-sectional survey is conducted on
different sample groups at different time intervals, it’s also called Cohort
Analysis.

Ans 4(Aaditya). 

a. The sampling method followed here is Systematic Sampling. The reasons are:

 In systematic sampling, the entire population is arranged in a particular order. Here

also, the population is first arranged in an alphabetical order.

 In systematic sampling, a sampling interval is decided after following the formula

K=N/n, where K is the Interval, N is the Population Size and n is the Sample Size.
Any number is selected randomly from 1 to K. Let us call it Z. So, the first element
would be Z. The next element Z+K, 3rd Element Z+2K and so on. This goes on till
the sample of size n is selected. Here, the same method is followed.

 Here, K=9, Z=8. So, the elements of sample would be as follows: -

 First Element: Z=8

 Second Elements: Z+K= 8+9 = 17
 Third Element: Z+2K= 8+2(9) = 26
 Fourth Element: Z+3K= 8+3(9) =35 

And so on. This would continue till Sample of Size n is selected.

b. The sampling method followed here is Stratified Random Sampling. The reasons are:

 In Stratified Random Sampling, the population is divided into two or more groups
called strata, according to some criterion, such as geographic location, grade level,
age, or income, and subsamples are randomly selected from each strata.

 Here, the same method is followed. The population is divided as per geographical
area into 25 smaller areas and then subsamples are selected from 5 areas, which
are selected at random.

c. The sampling method followed here is Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling.

The reasons are:
  Here, the executives are divided as per their occupation and random samples are
taken from each group. This is similar to the method followed in Stratified Random
Sampling.

 It is Proportionate Stratified Sampling because sample results were weighted

according to the number in the group relative to the total. 

Q 5. What is sampling? Discuss different sampling methods?

Ans. Sampling is the process of selecting an adequate number of elements from the
population so that study of the sample will not only help in understanding the characteristics
of the population but will also enable us to generalize the results. 
Sampling methods can be broadly classified into two categories: 
 (1) Probability sampling methods- In this type, each and every element of the population
has a known chance of being selected in the sample. It can be further classified as:
a. Simple random sampling with replacement - Every member and set of members
has an equal chance of being included in the sample. In this sample once selected, it
can again participate in the process of being selected as a sample. For ex: If there
are 100 elements in the population and 10 are to be selected. Then, the first sample
will be chosen with the probability of 1/100 and the 2nd sample is chosen with 1/100
probability and so on. 

b. Simple random sampling without replacement - Every member and set of

members has an equal chance of being included in the sample.In this sample once
selected, it cannot again participate in the process of being selected as a sample.
For ex: If there are 100 elements in the population and 10 are to be selected. Then,
the first sample will be chosen with the probability of 1/100 and the 2nd sample is
chosen with 1/99 probability, 3rd with 1/98 probability and so on till 20 samples are
drawn. 
b. Systematic sampling - Members of the population are marked in a hierarchical
order. A starting point is selected at random and afterwards that every kth element is
chosen. kth element is chosen by, K = N/n, where N = The size of the population
and n = the size of the sample. For ex: N = 500, n=50. Now, the random selected
number is 5. Afterwards, a sample will be chosen with an interval of 10 (Kth value).
Therefore, samples will be 5, 15, 25,.....and so on till 50 samples are selected. 
b. Stratified random sampling - The population is divided into two or more groups
called strata, according to some criterion, such as geographic, location, grade level,
age, etc. 
In proportionate stratified sampling, the size of the sample in each stratum is
proportional to the size of the population of the starta. For ex: We have to work out
the relative percentage of each group at a university e.g. Engineering 10%, Social
Sciences 15%, English 20%, Sciences 25%, Languages 10%, Law 5%, Medicine
15% The sample must then contain all these groups in the same proportion as in the
target population (university students).
In disproportionate stratified sampling, the size of the sample in each stratum is
disproportionate to the size of the population of the strata. 
e. Cluster sampling - In it, the entire population is divided into various clusters in such
a way that the elements within the clusters are heterogeneous. However, there is
homogeneity between the cluster.
 (2) Non-Probability sampling methods - In this type, each and every element of the
population has an unequal or unknown chance of being selected in the sample. It can be
further classified as:
a. Convenience sampling - It is used to obtain information quickly and inexpensively.
The only criterion for selecting sampling units in this scheme is the convenience of
the researcher. Mostly, the samples are neighbours, friends, family members,
colleagues and passers-by. 
b. Judgemental sampling - In it, experts in a particular field choose what they believe
to be the best sample for the study in question. It is mainly used when the required
information is possessed by a limited number/category of people. For ex: A retail
outlet may select only frequent buyers for their survey. 
c. Snowball sampling - It is generally used when it is difficult to identify the members
of the desired population. For ex: deep -sea divers, doctors, etc. Under this design,
after being interviewed, each respondent is asked to identify one or more experts in
the field to be surveyed. 
d. Quota sampling - In it, the sample includes a minimum number from each specified
subgroup in the population. It is selected on the basis of certain demographic
characteristics such as age, gender, occupation,education, income, etc.  For ex: A
researcher wants to measure the job satisfaction level across three different levels of
organisation, having employees in the proportion of 20, 30 and 50 percent. The
sample to be taken is 200, then 40, 60 and 100 samples will be chosen from across
three different levels of organisation. 
Q.6 Difference between a questionnaire and schedule? Steps involved in questionnaire
design?

While many people think that questionnaires and schedules are the same
but there is a difference between them. One of the most important
differences is that While a questionnaire is filled by the informants
themselves, enumerators fill schedules on behalf of the respondent. Other
differences are explained below:

BASIS FOR QUESTIONNAIRE SCHEDULE

COMPARISON

Definition Questionnaire is a technique The questions and

through which the data is structure in a schedule
collected. It consists of is formal. Over here the
different written questions questions are provided
along with alternative to enumerators (people
answers. These alternative who are skilled and
answers have to be filled by know the objective and
the respondent. These importance of the
answers can be done either research) who then ask
through MCQs or Likert these questions to the
Scale. other respondents while
communicating them
what the question
means and then writing
the answer of these
respondents.

Answering the Questionnaires are to be Schedules are filled by

questions directly filled by the Enumerators. These
Respondents. Thus, enumerators take
respondents fill the question answer from the
directly respondents and then
 fill in the research.
Thus, respondents fill
the questions
indirectly

People who fill or The response rate is Low in The response rate is
answer our questionnaire method as High as they are filled
questions many respondents do not by enumerators who get
answer the question and answers to every
often give false or question.
unnecessary answers.

Geographical The coverage or The coverage or

area geographical area where the
respondents can be is very
high as the questions can be
sent through mail or through
other electronic mediums
where the reach can be
maximum
geographical area where
the respondents can be
is comparatively
small as the questions
have to be sent with the
help of enumerators.
Thus, it would not be
possible to reach large
area as there is physical
barrier or middlemen as
enumerator in the cycle.

Cost The cost to the researcher is The cost to researcher is

Economical and less high and thus is
compared to schedule expensive for the
researcher. These costs
are mainly increased
due to

1.     salary paid to the

enumerators.

2.  training cost

  for
enumerators.
 Important factor It is the Quality of the It is the quality of
for success questionnaire which is enumerator that is
most important and forms a most crucial and
key differentiating factor. As differentiating factor for
there are no enumerators the success of schedule. If
questionnaire should be the enumerator knows
simple so that respondents all the question and can
can easily understand the easily make all the
question. respondents understand
the questions in the
research then only the
schedule can be
successful.

Level of There might be cases that As there are

education respondent does not know
what the question wants to
convey. In this case the
questionnaire might not be
successful. Thus, a both
questionnaire can only be
successful when there is a
comparatively good level
of education and could be
used only for literate
persons.
enumerators who are
literate persons. These
enumerators can
explain the questions to
literate and
illiterate people. Thus,
this method can be used
for both literate and
illiterate people.

Steps involved in question design

1. Decide the information required.

The first step is to decide 'what are the things one needs to know from the respondent in
order to meet the survey's objectives. Thus, first a basic plan and structure to be kept in
mind before setting the questions.
2. Define the target respondents.
A research should be specialised and not generalised. A researcher should always have a
target group or target respondents in mind. A researcher should always target the right
respondent so that the objectives of the research can be accurately fulfilled. 

3. Choose the method(s) of reaching your target respondents.

The method of contacting the target respondent will influence not only the questions the
researcher is able to ask but the phrasing of those questions. The main methods available in
survey research are:

· personal interviews
· group or focus interviews
· mailed questionnaires
· telephone interviews.

4. Decide on question content.

The content of each question should be such that the question can be easily understood by
the respondents and should be clear,crisp and precise. The questions that can help in
fulfilling the research objective of the researcher should only be used.

5. Put questions into a meaningful order and format.

The questions should be put in a meaningful order and format such that their is a structured
approach for asking the questions and the thought process of the respondent should not be
derailed in the process. There should be a proper structure.
First the researcher should ask personal information
Then the researcher should ask questions relating to general understanding of the topic
At last the researcher should ask questions about specific things in the research problem 

6. Pre-test the questionnaire.

This stage is also known as pilot testing in this stage the researcher performs the research in
a very small area or market. This is generally done to understand how the respondents
would react to each question in the questionnaire. A feedback is given by the people who do
the pre-test to the researcher. The researcher then based on the feedback tweaks the
questionnaire.

7. Develop the final survey form.

This is the final step in which the final survey form is developed. This form would then be
given to the respondents who would give their responses and on the basis of which further
analysis would be done.