MBA SEMESTER III ASSIGNMENT

NAME: GEORGE VARUGHESE PARADAYIL

ROLL NO.: 530910788

MB0035: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY – SET 1

1. What do you mean by research? Explain its significance in social and

business sciences?

Research simply means a search for facts –answers to questions and solutions to
problems. It is a purposive investigation. It is an organized inquiry. It seeks to find
explanations to unexplained phenomenon to clarify the doubtful facts and to correct
the misconceived facts.

The search for facts may be made through either Arbitrary or Scientific Method:

 Arbitrary (or unscientific) Method: It’s a method of seeking answers

to question consists of imagination, opinion, blind belief or impression.
E.g. it was believed that the shape of the earth was flat; a big snake
swallows sun or moon causing solar or lunar eclipse. It is subjective; the
finding will vary from person to person depending on his impression or
imagination. It is vague and inaccurate.

 Scientific Method: this is a systematic rational approach to seeking

facts. It eliminates the drawbacks of the arbitrary method. It is
objectives, precise and arrives at conclusions on the basis of verifiable
evidences.

Young defines Research as “a scientific undertaking which, by means of logical and

systematic techniques, aims to:
 Discover of new facts or verify and test old facts,
 Analyze their sequences, interrelationships and causal explanations,
 Develop new scientific tools, concepts and theories which would facilitate
reliable and valid study of human behaviour.
 Kerlinger defines research as a “systematic, controlled, empirical and critical
investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations
among natural phenomena.

Characteristics of Research
 It is a systematic and critical investigation into a phenomenon.
 It is a purposive investigation aiming at describing, interpreting and
explain a phenomenon.
 It adopts scientific method.

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  It is objective and logical, applying possible test to validate the measuring
tools and the conclusions reached.
 Its is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.
 Research is directed towards finding answers to pertinent questions and
solutions to problems
 It emphasized the development of generalization, principles of theories.
 The purpose of research is not only to arrive at an answer but also to
stand up the test of criticism.

Significance of Research
According to a famous Hudson Maxim, “All progress in born of inquiry Doubt is
often better than over confidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to
invention”. It brings out the significance of research, increased amounts of which
makes progress possible. Research encourages scientific and inductive thinking ,
besides promoting the development of logical habits of thinking and organization.

The role of research in applied economics in the context of an economy or business

is greatly increasing in modern times. The increasingly complex nature government
and business has raised the use of researching solving operational problems.
Research assumes significant role in provides the basis for almost all government
policies of an economic system. Government budget formulation, for example,
depends particularity on the analysis of needs and desires of the people, and the
availability of revenues, which requires research. Research helps to formulate
alternative policies, in addition to examining the consequences of these
alternatives. Thus, research also facilitates the decision making of policy –makers,
although in itself it is not a part of research. In the process. Research also helps in
the proper allocation of country’s scare resources. Research is also necessary for
collecting information on the social and economic structure on an economy to
understand the process of change occurring in involves various research problems.
Therefore, large staff of research technicians or experts is engaged by the
government these days to undertake this work. Thus, research as a tool of
government economic policy formulation involves three distinct stages of operation
which are as follows:
 Investigation of economic structure through continual compilation of facts
 Diagnoses of events the are taking place and the analysis of the forces
underlying them, and
 The prognosis. i.e., the prediction of future developments.

Research also assumes a significant role in solving various operational and planning
problems associated with business and industry. In several ways, operations
research, market research, and motivational research are vital and their results
assist in taking business decisions. Market research is refers to the investigation of
the structure and development of a market for the formulation of efficient policies
relating to purchases, production and sales. Operational research relates to the
application of logical, mathematical, and analytical techniques to find solution to
business problems such as cost minimization or profit maximization, or the
optimization problems. Motivational research helps to determine why people believe

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in the manner they do with respect to market characteristics. More specifically, it is
concerned with the analyzing the motivations underlying consumer behavior. All
these researches are very useful for business and industry, which are responsible
for business decision making.
Research is equally important to social scientist for analyzing social relationships
and seeking explanations to various social problems. It gives intellectual
satisfaction of knowing things for the sake of knowledge. It also possesses practical
utility for the social scientist to gain knowledge so as to be able to do something
better or in a more efficient manner. This, research in social sciences is concerned
with both knowledge for its own sake, and knowledge for what it can contribute to
solve practical problems.

2. What is meant by research problem? What are the characteristics of a

good research problem?

Research really begins when the researcher experiences some difficulty, i.e., a
problem demanding a solution within the subject –are of his discipline. This general
area of interest, however, defines only the range of subject matter within which the
researcher would see and pose a specific problem for research. Personal values
play an important role in the selection of a topic for research. Social conditions do
often shape the preference of investigators in the subtle and imperceptible way.

The formulation of the topic into a research problem is the first step in a scientific
enquiry. A problem in simple words is some difficulty experienced by the researcher
in a theoretical or practical situation. Solving this difficulty is the task of research.

R.L. Ackoffs analysis affords considerable guidance in identifying problem for

research. He visualizes five components of a problem.
a. Research-consumer: There must be an individual or a group which
experiences some difficulty.
b. Research-consumer’s Objectives: The research-consumer must have
available, alternative means for achieving the objectives he desires.
c. Alternative Means to Meet the Objectives: The research-consumer must have
available, alternative means for achieving the objectives he desires.
d. Doubt in Regard to Selection of Alternatives: The existence of alternative
courses of action in not enough; in order to experience a problem, the
research consumer must have some doubt as to which alternative to select.
e. There must be One or More Environments to which the Difficulty or Problem
Pertains: A change in environment may produce or remove a problem. A
research-consumer may have doubts as to which will be the most efficient
means in one environment but would have no such doubt in another.

Choosing the Problem:

The selection of a problem is the first step in research. The term problem means a
question or issue to be examined. The selection of problem for research is not an
easy task; it self is a problem. It is least amenable to formal methodological
treatment. Vision, an imaginative insight, plays an important role in this process.

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One with a critical, curious and imaginative mind and is sensitive to practical
problems could easily identify problems for study.

The sources from which one may be able to identify research problem or develop
problems awareness are:

 Review of literature
 Academic experience
 Daily experience
 Exposure to field situations
 Consultations
 Brain storming
 Research
 Intuition

Characteristics of a good research problem:

Horton and Hunt have given following characteristics of scientific research:

1. Verifiable evidence: That is factual observations which other observers can see
and check.

2. Accuracy: That is describing what really exists. It means truth or correctness of

a statement or describing things exactly as they are and avoiding jumping to
unwarranted conclusions either by exaggeration or fantasizing.

3. Precision: That is making it as exact as necessary, or giving exact number or

measurement. This avoids colorful literature and vague meanings.

4. Systematization: That is attempting to find all the relevant data, or collecting

data in a systematic and organized way so that the conclusions drawn are reliable.
Data based on casual recollections are generally incomplete and give unreliable
judgments and conclusions.

5. Objectivity: That is free being from all biases and vested interests. It means
observation is unaffected by the observer’s values, beliefs and preferences to the
extent possible and he is able to see and accept facts as they are, not as he might
wish them to be.

6. Recording: That is jotting down complete details as quickly as possible. Since

human memory is fallible, all data collected are recorded.

7. Controlling conditions: That is controlling all variables except one and then
attempting to examine what happens when that variable is varied. This is the basic
technique in all scientific experimentation – allowing one variable to vary while
holding all other variables constant.

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8. Training investigators: That is imparting necessary knowledge to investigators
to make them understand what to look for, how to interpret in and avoid inaccurate
data collection.

3. What is hypothesis? Explain the procedures for testing hypothesis?

A hypothesis is an assumption about relations between variables. It is a tentative

explanation of the research problem or a guess about the research outcome.
Before starting the research, the researcher has a rather general, diffused, even
confused notion of the problem. It may take long time for the researcher to say
what questions be had been seeking answers to. Hence, an adequate statement
about the research problem is very important. What is a good problem statement?
It is an interrogative statement that asks: what relationship exists between two or
more variables? It then further asks questions like: Is A related to B or not? How
are A and B related to C? Is A related to B under conditions X and Y? Proposing a
statement pertaining to relationship between A and B is called a hypothesis.

According to Theordoson and Therdoson, “a hypothesis is a tentative statement

asserting a relationship between certain facts”. Kerlinger describes it as “a
conjectural statement of the relationship between two or more variables”.
Batementlack and Champion have described it as “a tentative statement about
something, the validity of which is usually unknown”. This statement is intended to
be tested empirically and is either verified or rejected. If the statement is not
sufficiently established, it is not considered as a scientific law. In other words, a
hypothesis carries clear implications for testing the stated relationship. It contains
variables that are measurable and specifying how they are related. A statement
that lacks variables or that does not explain how the variables are related to each
other is not hypothesis in scientific sense.

Procedures for testing hypothesis:

To test a hypothesis means to tell (based on the data researcher has collected)
whether or not the hypothesis seems to be valid. In hypothesis testing the main
question is: whether the null hypothesis or not to accept the null hypothesis?
Procedure for hypothesis testing refers to all those steps that we undertake for
making a choice between the two actions i.e., rejection and acceptance of a null
hypothesis. The various steps involved in hypothesis testing are stated below:

1. Making a Formal Statement

The step consists in making a formal statement of the null hypothesis (Ho) and also
of the alternative hypothesis (Ha). This means that hypothesis should clearly state,
considering the nature of the research problem. For instance, Mr. Mohan of the Civil
Engineering Department wants to test the load bearing capacity of an old bridge
which must be more than 10 tons, in that case he can state his hypothesis as
under:
Null hypothesis HO: μ =10 tons
Alternative hypothesis Ha: μ >10 tons

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Take another example. The average score in an aptitude test administered at
the national level is 80. To evaluate a state’s education system, the average
score of 100 of the state’s students selected on the random basis was 75. The state
wants to know if there is a significance difference between the local scores and the
national scores. In such a situation the hypothesis may be state as under:

Null hypothesis HO: μ =80

Alternative hypothesis Ha: μ ≠ 80

The formulation of hypothesis is an important step which must b accomplished with

due care in accordance with the object and nature of the problem under
consideration. It also indicates whether we should use a tailed test or a two tailed
test. If Ha is of the type greater than, we use alone tailed test, but when Ha is of
the type “whether greater or smaller” then we use a two-tailed test.

2. Selecting a Significant Level

The hypothesis is tested on a pre-determined level of significance and such the
same should have specified. Generally, in practice, either 5% level or 1% level is
adopted for the purpose. The factors that affect the level of significance are:
 The magnitude of the difference between sample ;
 The size of the sample;
 The variability of measurements within samples;

Whether the hypothesis is directional or non – directional (A directional hypothesis

is one which predicts the direction of the difference between, say, means). In brief,
the level of significance must be adequate in the context of the purpose and nature
of enquiry.

3. Deciding the Distribution to Use

After deciding the level of significance, the next step in hypothesis testing is to
determine the appropriate sampling distribution. The choice generally remains
between distribution and the t distribution. The rules for selecting the correct
distribution are similar to those which we have stated earlier in the context of
estimation.

4. Selecting A Random Sample & Computing An Appropriate Value

Another step is to select a random sample(S) and compute an appropriate value
from the sample data concerning the test statistic utilizing the relevant distribution.
In other words, draw a sample to furnish empirical data.

5. Calculation of the Probability

One has then to calculate the probability that the sample result would diverge as
widely as it has from expectations, if the null hypothesis were in fact true.

6 .Comparing the Probability

Yet another step consists in comparing the probability thus calculated with the
specified value for α, the significance level. If the calculated probability is equal to
smaller than α value in case of one tailed test (and α/2 in case of two-tailed test),

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then reject the null hypothesis (i.e. accept the alternative hypothesis), but if the
probability is greater than accept the null hypothesis. In case we reject H0 we run a
risk of (at most level of significance) committing an error of type I, but if we accept
H0, then we run some risk of committing error type II.

Flow Diagram for Testing Hypothesis

Testing of Hypothesis

The hypothesis testing determines the validity of the assumption (technically

described as null hypothesis) with a view to choose between the conflicting
hypotheses about the value of the population hypothesis about the value of the
population of a population parameter. Hypothesis testing helps to secede on the
basis of a sample data, whether a hypothesis about the population is likely to be
true or false. Statisticians have developed several tests of hypothesis (also known
as tests of significance) for the purpose of testing of hypothesis which can be
classified as:

 Parametric tests or standard tests of hypothesis ;

 Non Parametric test or distribution – free test of the hypothesis.

Parametric tests usually assume certain properties of the parent population from
which we draw samples. Assumption like observations come from a normal
population, sample size is large, assumptions about the population parameters like

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mean, variants etc must hold good before parametric test can be used. But there
are situation when the researcher cannot or does not want to make assumptions. In
such situations we use statistical methods for testing hypothesis which are called
non parametric tests because such tests do not depend on any assumption about
the parameters of parent population. Besides, most non-parametric test assumes
only nominal or original data, where as parametric test require measurement
equivalent to at least an interval scale. As a result non-parametric test needs more
observation than a parametric test to achieve the same size of Type I & Type II
error.

4. Write an essay on the need for research design and explain the
principles of experimental designs:

The research designer understandably cannot hold all his decisions in his head. Even
if he could, he would have difficulty in understanding how these are inter-related.
Therefore, he records his decisions on paper or record disc by using relevant
symbols or concepts. Such a symbolic construction maybe called the research
design or model.
A research design is a logical and systematic plan prepared for directing a research
study. It specifies the objectives of the study, the methodology and techniques to
be adopted for achieving the objectives. It constitutes the blue print for the
collection, measurement and analysis of data. It is the plan, structure and strategy
of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions. The plan
is the overall scheme or program of research. A research design is the program that
guides the investigator in the process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting
observations. It provides a systematic plan of procedure for the researcher to follow
elltiz, Jahoda and Destsch and Cook describe, “A research design is the
arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims
to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.”

Characteristics of a Good Research Design

 It is a series of guide posts to keep one going in the right direction.
 It reduces wastage of time and cost.
 It encourages co-ordination and effective organization.
 It is a tentative plan which undergoes modifications, as circumstances
demand, when the study progresses, new aspects, new conditions and new
relationships come to light and insight into the study deepens.
 It has to be geared to the availability of data and the cooperation of the
informants.
 It has also to be kept within the manageable limits

Needs of Research Design

The need for the methodologically designed research:
a. In many a research inquiry, the researcher has no idea as to how accurate
the results of his study ought to be in order to be useful. Where such is the
case, the researcher has to determine how much inaccuracy may be
tolerated. In a quite few cases he may be in a position to know how much

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 inaccuracy his method of research will produce. In either case he should
design his research if he wants to assure himself of useful results.
b. In many research projects, the time consumed in trying to ascertain what the
data mean after they have been collected is much greater than the time
taken to design a research which yields data whose meaning is known as
they are collected.
c. The idealized design is concerned with specifying the optimum research
procedure that could be followed were there no practical restrictions.

Principles of Experimental Designs

Professor Fisher has enumerated three principles of experimental designs:

i. The principle of replication: The experiment should be reaped more than

once. Thus, each treatment is applied in many experimental units instead of
one. By doing so, the statistical accuracy of the experiments is increased. For
example, suppose we are to examine the effect of two varieties of rice. For
this purpose we may divide the field into two parts and grow one variety in
one part and the other variety in the other part.
We can compare the yield of the two parts and draw conclusion on that basis.
But if we are to apply the principle of replication to this experiment, then we
first divide the field into several parts, grow one variety in half of these parts
and the other variety in the remaining parts.
We can collect the data yield of the two varieties and draw conclusion by
comparing the same. The result so obtained will be more reliable in
comparison to the conclusion we draw without applying the principle of
replication. The entire experiment can even be repeated several times for
better results. Consequently replication does not present any difficulty, but
computationally it does. However, it should be remembered that replication
is introduced in order to increase the precision of a study; that is to say, to
increase the accuracy with which the main effects and interactions can be
estimated.

ii. The principle of randomization: It provides protection, when we conduct

an experiment, against the effect of extraneous factors by randomization. In
other words, this principle indicates that we should design or plan the
‘experiment in such a way that the variations caused by extraneous factors
can all be combined under the general heading of “chance”. For instance if
we grow one variety of rice say in the first half of the parts of a field and the
other variety is grown in the other half, then it is just possible that the soil
fertility may be different in the first half in comparison to the other half. If
this is so, our results would not be realistic. In such a situation, we may
assign the variety of rice to be grown in different parts of the field on the
basis of some random sampling technique i.e., we may apply randomization
principle and protect ourselves against the effects of extraneous factors. As
such, through the application of the principle of randomization, we can have
a better estimate of the experimental error.

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iii. Principle of local control: It is another important principle of experimental
designs. Under it the extraneous factors, the known source of variability, is
made to vary deliberately over as wide a range as necessary and this needs
to be done in such a way that the variability it causes can be measured and
hence eliminated from the experimental error. This means that we should
plan the experiment in a manner that we can perform a two-way analysis of
variance, in which the total variability of the data is divided into three
components attributed to treatments, the extraneous factor and
experimental error. In other words, according to the principle of local control,
we first divide the field into several homogeneous parts, known as blocks,
and then each such block is divided into parts equal to the number of
treatments. Then the treatments are randomly assigned to these parts of a
block. In general, blocks are the levels at which we hold an extraneous
factors fixed, so that we can measure its contribution to the variability of the
data by means of a two-way analysis of variance. In brief, through the
principle of local control we can eliminate the variability due to extraneous
factors from the experimental error.

5. Distinguish between primary and secondary data collection. Explain the

features, uses, advantages and limitations of secondary data. Which is the
best way of collecting the data for research “primary or secondary”?
Support your answer.

Primary Sources of Data

Primary sources are original sources form which the researcher directly collects
data that have not been previously collected e.g.., collection of data directly by the
researcher on brand awareness, brand preference, brand loyalty and other aspects
of consumer behavior from a sample of consumers by interviewing them,. Primary
data are first hand information collected through various methods such as
observation, interviewing, mailing etc.

The search for answers to research questions is called collection of data. Data are
facts, and other relevant materials, past and present, serving as bases for study
and analyses. The data needed for a social science research may be broadly
classified into (a) Data pertaining to human beings, (b) Data relating to
organization and (c) Data pertaining to territorial areas.

Secondary Sources of Data

These are sources containing data which have been collected and compiled for
another purpose. The secondary sources consists of readily compendia and already
compiled statistical statements and reports whose data may be used by researchers
for their studies e.g., census reports , annual reports and financial statements of
companies, Statistical statement, Reports of Government Departments, Annual
reports of currency and finance published by the Reserve Bank of India, Statistical
statements relating to Co-operatives and Regional Banks, published by the
NABARD, Reports of the National

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sample survey Organization, Reports of trade associations, publications of
international organizations such as UNO, IMF, World Bank, ILO, WHO, etc., Trade
and Financial journals newspapers etc
Secondary sources consist of not only published records and reports, but also
unpublished records. The latter category includes various records and registers
maintained by the firms and organizations, e.g., accounting and financial records,
personnel records, register of members, minutes of meetings, inventory records
etc.

Features of Secondary Sources

Though secondary sources are diverse and consist of all sorts of materials, they
have certain common characteristics.
First, they are readymade and readily available, and do not require the trouble of
constructing tools and administering them.
Second, they consist of data which a researcher has no original control over
collection and classification. Both the form and the content of secondary sources
are shaped by others. Clearly, this is a feature which can limit the research value of
secondary sources.
Finally, secondary sources are not limited in time and space. That is, the researcher
using them need not have been present when and where they were gathered.

Advantages of Secondary Data:

Secondary data, if available can be secured quickly and cheaply. Once their source
of documents and reports are located, collection of data is just matter of desk work.
Even the tediousness of copying the data from the source can now be avoided,
thanks to Xeroxing facilities. Wider geographical area and longer reference period
may be covered without much cost. Thus, the use of secondary data extends the
researcher’s space and time reach. The use of secondary data broadens the data
base from which scientific generalizations can be made. Environmental and cultural
settings are required for the study.
The use of secondary data enables a researcher to verify the findings bases on
primary data. It readily meets the need for additional empirical support. The
researcher need not wait the time when additional primary data can be collected.

Disadvantages of Secondary Data

The most important limitation is the available data may not meet our specific
needs. The definitions adopted by those who collected those data may be different;
units of measure may not match; and time periods may also be different.
The available data may not be as accurate as desired. To assess their accuracy we
need to know how the data were collected.
The secondary data are not up-to-date and become obsolete when they appear in
print, because of time lag in producing them. For example, population census data
are published tow or three years later after compilation, and no new figures will be
available for another ten years.

Finally, information about the whereabouts of sources may not be available to all
social scientists. Even if the location of the source is known, the accessibility

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depends primarily on proximity. For example, most of the unpublished official
records and compilations are located in the capital city, and they are not within the
easy reach of researchers based in far off places.

The best way of collecting data is “SECONDARY” because:

1. The secondary sources consist of readily compendia and already compiled
statistical statements and reports. They do not require the trouble of
constructing tools and administering them.
2. They can be secured quickly and cheaply.
3. Secondary sources are not limited in time and space, that is, the researcher
using them need not have been present when and where they were
gathered.
4. Wider geographical area and longer reference period may be covered without
much cost. Thus, the use of secondary data extends the researcher’s space
and time reach.
5. The use of secondary data broadens the data base from which scientific
generalizations can be made.

6. Describe the interview method of collecting data. State the conditions

under which it is considered most suitable. You have been assigned to
conduct a survey on the reading habits of the house wives in the middle
class family. Design a suitable questionnaire consisting of 20 questions you
propose to use in the survey.

Interview method of collecting data:

Interviewing is one of the prominent methods of data collection. It may be defined
as a two way systematic conversation between an investigator and an informant,
initiated for obtaining information relevant to a specific study. It involves not only
conversation, but also learning from the respondent’s gesture, facial expressions
and pauses, and his environment. Interviewing requires face to face contact or
contact over telephone and calls for interviewing skills. It is done by using a
structured schedule or an unstructured guide.
Interviewing may be used either as a main method or as a supplementary one in
studies of persons. Interviewing is the only suitable method for gathering
information from illiterate roles educated respondents. It is useful for collecting a
wide range of data from factual demographic data to highly personal and intimate
information relating to a person’s opinions, attitudes, values, beliefs past
experience and future intentions. When qualitative information is required or
probing is necessary to draw out fully, and then interviewing is required. Where the
area covered for the survey is a compact, or when a sufficient number of qualified
interviewers are available, personal interview is feasible.
Interview is often superior to other data –gathering methods. People are usually
more willing to talk than to write. Once report is established, even confidential
information may be obtained. It permits probing into the context and reasons for
answers to questions.
Interview can add flesh to statistical information. It enables the investigator to
grasp the behavioral context of the data furnished by the respondents.

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Qualities of Interviews
The requirements or conditions necessary for a successful interview are:

Data availability: the needed information should be available with the respondent.
He should be able to conceptualize it in terms to the study, and be capable or
communicating it.

Role perception: the respondent should understand his role and know what is
required of him. He should know what is a relevant and how complete it should be
he can learn much of this from the interviewer’s introduction, explanations and
questioning procedure.

The interviewer should also know his role: he should establish a permissive
atmosphere and encourage frank and free conversation, he should not affect the
interview situation through subjective attitude and argumentation.

Respondent’s motivation : the respondent should be willing to respond and give

accurate answer. This depends partly on the interviewer’s approach and skill. The
interview has interest in it for the purpose of his research, but the respondent has
no personal interest in it. Therefore, the interviewer should establish a friendly
relationship with the respondent, and create in him an interest in the subject –
matter of the study. The interviewer should try to reduce the effect of de-
motivating factors like desire to get on with other activities, embarrassment at
ignorance, dislike of the interview content , suspicious about the interviewer, and
fear of consequence, he should also try to build up the effect of motivation actors
like curiosity, loneliness, politeness, sense of duty, respect of the research agency
and liking for the interviewer.

The above requirement reminds that the interview is an interaction process. The
investigator should keep this in mind and take care to see that his appearance and
behavior do not distort the interview situation.

Conditions under which interview method is most suitable:

1. For gathering information from illiterate or less educated respondents

2. For collecting a wide range of data from factual demographic data to highly
personal and intimate information relating to a person’s opinions, attitudes,
values etc..
3. When qualitative information is required or probing is necessary to draw out
fully, and then interviewing is required.
4. Where the area covered for the survey is a compact, or when a sufficient
number of qualified interviewers are available.

Reading habits of the house wives - Survey Questionnaire

1. Have you read an entire book in the last 12 months?

 Yes.
 No.

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2. Do you enjoy reading?
 Yes
 No
3. Do you share the knowledge you acquire by reading, with your family.
 Yes
 No
4. What are your best 3 interested topics for reading?
5. Do you get bored while reading or do you read book while you are bored?
6. How much time do you spend reading each day?
 I don’t read.
 Less than two hours.
 Two to four hours.
 Five or more hours.
7. Where do you read? Check all that apply.
 During leisure.
 While cooking.
 When kids are not at home.
 In bed.
 At the computer.
 In the kitchen or family room.
 At the library.
8. Have you ever pretended that you read a book when you hadn’t?
 Yes.
 No.
9. Why do you usually read a book?
 Because I think I should.
 Because it was assigned to me.
 Because I am interested in the topic or author.
 I don’t read books.
10. Have you ever pretended that you read a web page when you hadn’t?
 Yes.
 No.
11. What is the last book that you read? If you haven’t read a book, write
“Not Applicable.”
12. Is being able to read is important?
 Yes.
 No.
13. Do you read books on web pages?
 Yes
 No
 Occasionally
14. Do you like to eat or drink something while you read? If so, what are your
foods and beverages of choice?
15. How do you get hold of the books? Do you buy them at a bookstore, visit an
online store, borrow from a friend or family member, or do you use the library?
16. At what point do you give up on a book?
17. How do you find about new books and authors?
18. Best reading-related memory?

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19. Worst reading-related memory?
20. Favourite genres? (Do you read mainly fiction or non-fiction? Do you have a
soft spot for horror, sci-fi, or romance?)

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