MERU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

P.O. Box 972-60200 – Meru-Kenya.

Tel: +254 (0) 799 529 958, +254 (0) 799 529 959, +254 (0) 712 524 293
Website: www.must.ac.ke Email: info@must.ac.ke

University Examinations 2017/2018

THIRD YEAR, SEMESTER SPECIAL / SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATION FOR

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF COMMERCE

SES 2151: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

DATE: SEPTEMBER, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question one and any other two questions.

QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)

a) Identify a research / study area of your interest and carry out the following tasks.
(i) Develop a suitable topic of the study. (2 Marks)
(ii) Develop a statement of the research problem. (4 Marks)
(iii) State the general purpose of the study. (2 Marks)
(iv) State three objectives of the study. (6 Marks)
(v) Develop a conceptual framework of the study. (6 Marks)
b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a questionnaire as a data collection
instrument. (10 Marks)

QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)

The research process consists of a number of closely related activities. Explain any 10 steps
followed in carrying out a research project. (20 Marks)

QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)

a) Discuss any five methods of carrying out a survey. (10 Marks)

b) Briefly illustrate five characteristics of a good research. (10 Marks)

Meru University of Science & Technology is ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Foundation of Innovations Page 1
QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)
a) A variable is a concept which can take on different Quantitive values identify any five types
of variables used in research design and explain the importance of each. (10 Marks)
b) Briefly explain the use of the following sampling methods as initialized in research.
(i) Simple random
(ii) Systematic
(iii) Stratified sampling
(iv) Cluster sampling (10 Marks)

QUESTION FIVE (20 MARKS)

a) Discuss the importance of pilot-testing as used in research. (10 Marks)
b) Discuss the importance of the following parts of a research report.
(i) Abstract
(ii) Assumptions of the study
(iii) Limitations of study
(iv) Data analysis
(v) References (10 Marks)

Meru University of Science & Technology is ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Foundation of Innovations Page 2