UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS STUDIES

BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS (BS216)
PRACTISE QUESTIONS
Question 1
a) The goal of Research is to expand the known frontier and reduce the
unknown part”. In light of this statement, discuss the reasons why business
organisations carry out research.
b) Before undertaking any research, there are preliminary checks and
evaluations to be done to ascertain the validity of the intended research.
Identify and explain such checks.

Question 2
a) Suppose you are the Marketing Manager in an organisation, explain how
you can utilise research findings.
b) Outsourcing of research is inevitable. Using specific business-related
examples, discuss this assertion.

Question 3
a) Distinguish between research methodology and research methods.
b) It is important to develop a plan on how to undertake a research. Explain the
importance of a research plan.
c) Explain the sources of data in research. Outline the advantages and
disadvantages for each source.
d) Why is it that research questions are important?
Question 4
a) Discuss the importance of knowledge of data type in research.
b) Explain the different data measurement scales and their properties.
Question 5
a) Distinguish between the following terms:
i. Qualitative and quantitative data. Give examples for each.
ii. Discrete and continuous data.
b) Explain the three factors that influence data quality.
Question 6
a) Explain the importance of reviewing literature in research.
b) Why is it important to give references when writing a research report?
Question 7
a) Modern firms have research departments in their organisational structures
because of the realisation that research is very important. However, other
organisations “outsource research”. Discuss this assertion.
b) Some researchers argue that qualitative research is the best since it rich in
information, but proponents of quantitative research argue that qualitative
research lacks facts hence is less superior. In your own opinion, which one is
the best? Justify your choice.

Question 8
a) Reviewing literature and referencing the sources are seen as critical
requirements in research. Discuss.
b) Ethical consideration is inevitable in any research. Discuss the research
ethics which are pertinent to:
i) The researcher.
ii) The institution.
iii) The participants.
Question 9
a) Suppose that you have been asked to investigate the lifestyle of rural
residents in a particular district of Zimbabwe. Discuss how and why you
would use:
i. Ethnographic research strategy.
 ii. Participative enquiry.
iii. Community meetings.
b) In light of the task to be done in (a) above, justify why you would use simple
random sampling techniques to gather data.
c) Analyse the challenges associated with carrying out research using case
studies.
Question 10
a) The validity and reliability of research findings usually depends on the
quality of data used. Discuss how a researcher can improve the quality of
data.
b) A research proposal is very useful to anyone who intends to carry out
research. Explain the usefulness of a research proposal.
Question 11
a) Sampling in research is not free from bias. Explain the term Sampling and
justify why sampling is done.
b) Distinguish between random and non-random sampling.
c) Identify the sources of biases in sampling and suggest measures to minimise
the biases.
d) Using business-related examples, compare and contrast cluster sampling and
stratified random sampling.
Question 12
a) Critically analyse the merits of collecting data using the following
techniques:
i. Observations,
ii. Interviews,
iii. Questionnaires,
iv. Focus group discussions
b) For each data collection technique given in a) above, discuss the associated
challenges that are likely to threaten the quality of research results.
Question 13
a) Analyse the three factors that determine the choice of a research method.
b) Suppose that you gathered data (both quantitative and qualitative data) using
a questionnaire, explain how you would sort out the data to be ready for
analysis?
c) Discuss the factors to consider when designing a questionnaire.
Question 14
a) Define the terms sampling error and non-sampling error.
b) Using business related examples, explain how researches are classified
c) Discuss the significance of reviewing recent and relevant literature sources.

Question 15
a. Compare and contrast online personal interviews and focus group
discussions, and face to face interviews
b. Self-administered questionnaires are usually associated with low response
rate. Explain the term response rate, and outline ways in which the response
rate can be enhanced.