Assignment # 02

Research Methods (STA630)

Spring Semester 2007
Total Marks: 30

Instructions:

1. This assignment is the first part of a semester long project which is divided
into three parts. The second and third part will be assigned to you after the
mid-term exams. Each part carries 30 marks.
2. Last date for submission of assignment is 18/04/2007.
3. Upload your assignment with in due date and time.
4. No assignment will be accepted after the due date and time.

5. No credit will be given to copied assignments.

6. Be specific & precise, avoid irrelevant and extra details.

7. You will be provided reference letter by the university on request. You will
have to specify the name of the organization and addressee.

8. Your report will include:

a. Title page (a sample title page is given at the end).
b. Acknowledgement
c. Table of contents
d. Introduction of the topic
e. Detailed research
f. Findings
g. One copy of your Questionnaire

9. You will follow these guidelines for report writing.

i) Font size should be 12.
ii) Page size A4.
iii) Heading bold & or underlined.
iv) Margin Left..1.25
Right.1.00
Bottom.1.00
Top.1.00
 PROJECT FOR STA630

Consulting the Lesson No. 11 and 12 of your course; you are required to select a
research topic. This is going to be a semester long project. You can select any topic of
your interest whether it is any social or organizational issue.
Select any broad topic for research and then narrow down the topic to some specific
aspect of interest. The method you have to adopt to narrow down the topic can be:

1- Literature review

Through literature review, you can get access to the work already done and
published (Secondary data) and that have relevance to your topic, e.g. one broad topic
can be child labor. You can get lots of literature on this topic.
Like child labor practices in the third world countries. Whether it is legal?
Different reasons for child labor, etc. Similarly some other broad topics can be Traffic
Discipline problems, the effect of downsizing on the morale of existing employees,
etc.

2- Talk over ideas with others.

You can get ideas and discuss them with different people who hold different or
same opinion as yours.
On the basis of this discussion you can get a clear picture of your topic and further
narrow down it.

3- Apply to some specific context

Apply your topic to some specific context e.g. any specific time period, any
particular social class or geographical unit. For example, in the case of child labor
(broad topic), the topic can be Child Labor in some specific city (narrow topic).
Traffic problems in any particular area. You may find out the effects of downsizing
on the motivational level of the employees in any particular organization.

4- Define the Problem Statement

There can be many areas on which you can make research and make your
problem statement. Some possible problem statements can be:

i) Identification of various factors leading to child labor.

ii) Identification of various campaigns and organizations working against child
labor in the city that you have selected and how much successful they are in
their campaign.
iii) Suggestions in providing skills, education and training to these deprived
children.
Other sample topics can be
i) Reasons for high employee turnover ( in any organization)
ii) Preference of packed milk over open milk
iii) Why students go for Tuitions? (Tuition Trend)
iv) Bill depositing habits and their alternates.

Note: You are not allowed to select the topic of Child Labor for your research.
 Sample Title Page

A RESEARCH REPORT
ON
CHILD LABOR

SUBMITTED BY:
STUDENTS NAME
STUDENTS ID
SESSION

Virtual University of Pakistan

 Virtual University of Pakistan
Success Guidelines
(For the academic visit to an organization)
"Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it
is unattainable. However, they, who aim at it, and
persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose
laziness and despondency make them give it up as
unattainable."
--Lord Chesterfield

Pre-Visit Preparation

Prepare a questionnaire.
Seek for appointment and ask for the concerned person.
Dress up nicely.
Get secondary information about the organization prior to your visit.
The possible sources of information include website, newspaper, television,
promotional campaign if any..
You must have certain things with you including a pen, a writing pad,
questionnaire.
Greet the concerned person with a pleasant smile.

Interview

Introduce yourself with particular reference to your institution.

Communicate effectively.
Speak confidently.
Clearly describe the purpose and context of your assignment.
 Ask the questions clearly and record the answers afterwards.
Mind it that it is better to record your answers in black and white rather than
relying merely on your memory.
Nicely close the discussion with a token of thanks.
Send a soft copy of your assignment to the concerned as a gesture of goodwill.

Dos

Do realize that your host is a busy person, so try to consume the minimum
possible time.
Be confident
You will be confident only if you are well prepared.
Ask questions in a proper sequence.
Start with open ended questions to create interest of the interviewee.
Gradually turn to the specific questions once the discussion is in flow.
Maintain the eye contact with your host.

Donts

Avoid spreading your belongings.

Avoid repetition.
Avoid asking confidential questions.
Avoid discussing the politics of company.
Avoid making unnecessary jesters.
Avoid asking the secrets of the business.
Avoid giving unpleasant remarks about the organization.
Avoid laughing if the interviewee has made some mistake.
Make sure that your visit carries a twofold impact with
marketing your school as a latent need.