1. Explain the steps of a research process.

In what categories can research be classified on the basis of the fundamental objectives of research? 2. Given below are three questions that belong to a questionnaire for finding out reader's attitudes for a leading monthly magazine say Reader's Digest. Comment on each as to whether it is a good question. Give reasons for your answer. (a) Do you read Reader's Digest regularly? (b) What percentage of your time is spent on attending meetings in your office? (c) How much discretionary buying power do you have per year? 4. Discuss different elements of communication that you keep in mind while presenting a report. 5. According to the National Retail Federation and Center for Retailing Education at the University of Florida, the four main sources of inventory shrinkage are employee theft, shoplifting, administrative error, and vendor fraud. The estimated annual dollar amount in shrinkage ($millions) associated with each of these data sources are as follows : Employee theft Shop lifting Administrative error Vendor fraud Total $ 17918.6 $ 15191.9 $ 7617.6 $ 2553.6 $43281.7

Construct a ple chart to depict these data. SECTION B 6. Write short notes on any four of the following : (b) Null and Alternate Hypotheses What points must be kept in mind while defining a research problem ? Briefly mention the advantages of considering these points while defining a research problem. (15) 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) A local supermarket has experienced a decline in unit sales and little change in rupee value sales. Profits have almost vanished. The chief executive in searching for ways to revitalize the operation, was advised to increase the number of hours the market is open for business. He comes to you for advice in structuring a research problem that will provide relevant information for decision making, Define the research problem taking care to : (15) (a) state the relevant question. (b) enumerate the alternative answers. (c) clearly define the units of analysis and characteristics of interest. 2. "A sample may be large yet worthless because it is not random; or it may be random but unreliable because it is small." Comment upon the above statement and explain the importance of sampling in daily life. (15) 3. What do you understand by factor analysis ? Mention the purpose and uses of factor analysis. (15) 4. What are the seven elements of communication, which are relevant for making a presentation ? Discuss. (15) 5. Write short notes on any three of the following : (15) (a) Objective characteristics and Inferred characteristics

(b) Editing of primary data (c) Operating and Strategic decisions (d) Ordinal Scale (e) Audio-visual aids in presentation of reports SECTION B 6. Describe the semantic differential scale. Use the semantic differential technique to develop the profile of three television manufacturing companies in India. (20) 7. A random sample of 30 students obtained the following marks in a class test : (20) Test the hypothesis that their median score is more than 50.
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