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BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

INTENAL ASSESSMENT- II

ASSIGNMENT ON
1. Distinguish Between :- (i) Pure and applied research
(ii) Survey and case study
(iii) Action and experimental research
2. Explain briefly the various types of hypothesis?
3. What are all the major decision areas involved in question
construction?
4. Briefly explain different methods of data collection?

Submitted To:
Prof. Usharani
Department of Commerce

Submitted By:
Mohammad Mohiuddin Ansari
R16BC079
B.Com V semester – A sec
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Ques1. State the difference between the following:-

(i) Pure Research and Applied Research

PURE RESEARCH APPLIED RESEARCH

1. Pure Research refers to the study that Applied Research is the research that is
is aimed at expanding the existing base designed to solve specific practical
of scientific knowledge. problems or answer certain questions.

2.Theoretical Practical

3.Universal Limited

4.Developing scientific knowledge and Development of technology and technique

predictions

5. To add some knowledge to the To find out solution for the problem at hand.
existing one.

(ii) Action Research and Experiment Research.

ACTION RESEARCH EXPERIMENT RESEARCH

1. It is an Immediate and quick solution It takes time to create and apply the actual
of a problem. solution of a problem. It follows the trial and
error methods.

2. Action Research solves practical This research solves the practical problem by
problems, classroom problems and for putting those into social psychological
development of educational practices. laboratory and finds out the real causes and
remedies for those problems.

3. Its programme does not need more Experimental research needs more preparation.
preparation
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ACTION RESEARCH EXPERIMENT RESEARCH

4. When any problem is experimented to Any problem found in the educational

find out its cases at that time. This departments may be put under experiments to
research becomes active to manipulate find out the real causes.
it.

5. It is not a method of research but it

actually implements the principles of Experimental research is a method of research.
other methods like historical method,
survey method, etc.

(iii) Survey and Case Study

SURVEY CASE STUDY

1. It refers to data gathered from an entire It refers to an in depth study in which an

population in order to comprehend the individual, group or a particular situation
options on a matter. is studied.

2. It is mostly used in quantitative research. It is used in qualitative research.

3. Surveys produce numerical data Case studies produce rich in depth

data.

4. A larger population can be used as Relatively small population is chosen.

sample.

Ques.2 Explain briefly the various types of hypothesis.

Hypothesis
A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. For a
hypothesis to be a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one
can test it. Scientists generally base scientific hypotheses on previous observations that
cannot satisfactorily be explained with the available scientific theories. Even though the
words "hypothesis" and "theory" are often used synonymously, a scientific hypothesis is
not the same as a scientific theory. A working hypothesis is a provisionally accepted
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hypothesis proposed for further research, in a process beginning with an educated guess
or thought.
Types of hypothesis
1. Simple Hypothesis
2. Complex Hypothesis
3. Empirical Hypothesis
4. Null Hypothesis
5. Alternative Hypothesis
6. Logical Hypothesis
7. Statistical Hypothesis

Simple Hypothesis

Simple hypothesis is that one in which there exists relationship between two variables
one is called independent variable or cause and other is dependent variable or effect. For
example

1. Smoking leads to Cancer

2. The higher ratio of unemployment leads to crimes.

Complex Hypothesis

Complex hypothesis is that one in which as relationship among variables exists. I

recommend you should read characteristics of a good research hypothesis. In this type
dependent as well as independent variables are more than two. For example
1. Smoking and other drugs leads to cancer, tension chest infections etc.
2. The higher ration of unemployment poverty, illiteracy leads to crimes like dacoit,
Robbery, Rape, prostitution & killing etc.

Empirical Hypothesis

Working hypothesis is that one which is applied to a field. During the formulation it is an
assumption only but when it is pat to a test become an empirical or working hypothesis.

Alternative Hypothesis
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Firstly many hypotheses are selected then among them select one which is more
workable and most efficient. That hypothesis is introduced latter on due to changes in the
old formulated hypothesis. It is denote by “HI”.

Logical Hypothesis

It is that type in which hypothesis is verified logically. J.S. Mill has given four cannons of
these hypothesis e.g. agreement, disagreement, difference and residue.

Statistical Hypothesis

A hypothesis which can be verified statistically called statistical hypothesis. The statement
would be logical or illogical but if statistic verifies it, it will be statistical hypothesis.

Null Hypothesis
This is the conventional approach to making a prediction. It involves a statement that says
there is no relationship between two groups that the researcher compares on a certain
variable. The hypothesis also may state that there is no significant difference when
different groups are compared with respect to a particular variable. For example, “There
is no difference in the academic performance of high school students who participate in
extracurricular activities and those who do not participate in such activities” is a null
hypothesis. In many cases, the purpose of a null hypothesis is to allow the experimental
results to contradict the hypothesis and prove the point that there is a definite relationship.
Non directional Hypothesis
Certain hypothesis statements convey a relationship between the variables that the
researcher compares, but do not specify the exact nature of this relationship. This form
of hypothesis is used in studies where there is no sufficient past research on which to
base a prediction. Continuing with the same example, a non-directional hypothesis would
read, “The academic performance of high school students is related to their participation
in extracurricular activities.”
Directional Hypothesis
This type of hypothesis suggests the outcome the investigator expects at the end of the
study. Scientific journal articles generally use this form of hypothesis. The investigator
bases this hypothesis on the trends apparent from previous research on this topic.
Considering the previous example, a researcher may state the hypothesis as, “High
school students who participate in extracurricular activities have a lower GPA than those
who do not participate in such activities.” Such hypotheses provide a definite direction to
the prediction.
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Causal Hypothesis
Some studies involve a measurement of the degree of influence of one variable on
another. In such cases, the researcher states the hypothesis in terms of the effect of
variations in a particular factor on another factor. This causal hypothesis is said to be
bivariate because it specifies two aspects -- the cause and the effect. For the example
mentioned, the causal hypothesis will state, “High school students who participate in
extracurricular activities spend less time studying which leads to a lower GPA.” When
verifying such hypotheses, the researcher needs to use statistical techniques to
demonstrate the presence of a relationship between the cause and effect. Such
hypotheses also need the researcher to rule out the possibility that the effect is a result
of a cause other than what the study has examine.

Ques.3 What are all the major decision areas involved in question construction?

The following are involved in the questionnaire design format:

(a) Quantitative design process

Quantitative is a systematic data collection technique consist of a series of

questions required to be assured by the respondents to identify their attribute,
experience and behavior towards the subject of research.

(b) Question Wording

One of the major difficulties in writing good survey question is going through the
wording right even sight wording difference in confuse the respondent or head
to incorrect interpretation of the question.

(c) Response form or type of question

The response process is similar in established survey conducted with a similar

or specific topic requested from a data based on the questions.

(d) Checklist

These questions are representative of the type of question in the other checklist,
most are simple Yes/No questions. So you know immediately what are simple
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being offered. Some questions have spaces of the contraction to explain his
answer.

(e) Reason analysis

Reason analysis is a set of procedure used in a survey method.

Ques.4 Briefly explain different methods of data collection.

Data Collection Methods

Data collection is a process of collecting information from all the relevant sources to find
answers to the research problem, test the hypothesis and evaluate the outcomes. Data
collection methods can be divided into two categories: secondary methods of data
collection and primary methods of data collection.
I Primary data collection

The basic aim of any research study is to find out true, authentic, reliable and unbiased
answer to the research question. The researcher uses several tools to accomplish this
task, for this purpose he/she collects and analyze data and in the end find out solutions
to the research problem. He can use any of the variety of methods to collect data.
Basically these methods are characterized into primary methods and secondary methods.
There are many subtypes of these two methods of data collection.

The primary method of data collection is the most original and authentic method of data
collection. Primary data is actually unvarnished data that have never been manipulated
before. Therefore, primary data are preferred in any research. Primary data increases the
reliability and authenticity of research and in most of the scientific researches primary
data are used.

Types of Primary data collection

1. Observation
2. Interview
3. Questionnaire
4. Experiment
1. Observation

Observation is the most commonly used method of data collection in the humanities and
social sciences. To some extent this method is also used in natural sciences. In natural
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sciences observation is conducted in natural settings while in the social sciences an

artificial situation can also be created where the observer can observe the participants.
Observation can be conducted without the knowledge and awareness of the participant’s
even, if the participants are aware or not aware of the observation the observer should
understand the ethics of the privacy of the participants. In disguise observations the
observer has the best opportunity to observe the participants, the observer get true and
unbiased results.
In observation chances of personal biases are high as the observer observes the situation
in his/her own way. The observer should observe the situation without any biases or
personal interests. He/ she should become as natural as possible and records the
observer’s responses accurately. In natural sciences observation can be conducted along
with the other methods that the researcher is using. Observation alone cannot suffice in
natural sciences.

2. Interviews

Interviews are another important method of primary data collection. Interviews are
expensive as compared to other methods of data collection. In the interview the
interviewer collects information from each respondent independently. Due to this reason
it becomes costly as well as time consuming. Interview as a research tool can only be
used if the researcher has plenty of time and resources, otherwise it will be wastage of
time and money to start interviewing. Interviews are more reliable as compared to
observation. In the interview the interviewer not only asks several questions from the
interviewee but he/she observes the respondent too. This facilitates in depth knowledge
of the situation, phenomena or individual. The most important limitation of interview is the
time that is required to conduct it properly. To obtain reliable results interview should be
conducted by a single interviewer rather than having many. Sometimes the interviewees
live in distant areas, reaching each respondent becomes difficult.

3. Questionnaire
Questionnaire is one of the most commonly used methods of data collection in research.
Questionnaires are formulated to get to the point information on any subject area. The
questionnaire is an inexpensive method of data collection as compared to other methods
of primary research. Questionnaires can be submitted by the vast audience at a time and
the responses can be obtained easily. The only drawback of questionnaire is the low
feedback as several people do not return questionnaires on time. Several respondents
do not show true responses in questionnaires. In the interview the interviewer can
observe the gestures of the respondents but in questionnaires the respondents do not
know whether the answers are genuinely true or not.

4. Experiments
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Experiments are the most reliable source of data collection in natural sciences.
Experiments can be conducted in any area of scientific study, whether it is chemistry,
biology, physiology, physics, astronomy or mathematics. Experiments consist of logical
series of actions that result in the answer to your query. Experiments can be conducted
in a controlled environment as well as in natural situations. In experiments the
experimenter controls the external factors while looking for the effect of internal factors.
Experiments can be conducted in the field as well as in laboratories. In most of the natural
science studies a research question is formulated in which the researcher formulates one
or several hypotheses. Later the experimenter design experiments that can help him
approve or disapprove his hypothesis. The results of the experiments are analyzed using
suitable statistical tests and on the basis of these results conclusion is drawn.
II Secondary data collection
Secondary data in research consists of several sources. Sometimes primary data cannot
be obtained or it becomes difficult to obtain primary data, in such cases the researcher is
bound to use secondary data. The reliability, authenticity and generalizability of
secondary data is less as compared to primary data as it has been already manipulated
and used by other people. Obtaining primary data requires more human and non-human
resources like time, money and energy, therefore in some studies researchers consider
secondary data much better and feasible.

Published Data is the most basic secondary source of information for data collection.
Published data can be obtained from various sources like books, magazines,
newspapers, journals and periodicals etc. Published data is the most reliable secondary
source of information. The validity of published data is greater than unpublished data.
Personnel records can also be very useful in research if data is unavailable in published
from. Some personal sources like letters and diaries are invaluable assets. Letters and
diaries can have a personal bias as they are written by human beings and they contain
personal judgment. The chances of bias should be eliminated before using these sources
for references.
Electronic Data like movies, documentaries and television programs can also be sued
for recording data in secondary research. In the social sciences and humanities it can be
a good source of information.

Government Records are available in the form of government surveys, tax records,
census data and other statistical reports. They are easily available and widely used in
research studies.

Public Sector Records are available in NGOs as well as some other public sector
organization keeps records. These records can be published or unpublished but they
carry information that cannot be obtained from other sources.
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Internet in today’s world is the fastest growing source of information. The internet has
become mature and today you can get any information from the internet. Most of the
books are available on the internet in e-book format. You can get information while staying
at home. The information can be obtained faster than you can obtain from any other
source. On the internet you can get e-books, e-journals, e-periodicals and e-magazines.
The internet is a multiple source of information as all of the above mentioned sources can
be obtained from the internet. Most recent and most up to date information can be
obtained from the internet as it won’t be available in books and other forms.