Wolaita Sodo University

MSc in Information Technology

Sample Final Exam for Research Methodology in Information Technology
Time Allowed: 105 Minutes
Part I: Multiple Choices (2 Pts. each)
1. Why do you need review existing literature?
a. To make sure you have a long list of references
b. Because without it, you could never reach the required word-count
c. To find out what is already known about your area of interest
d. To help in your general study
2. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that deals with:
a. the nature of ethics c. the nature of existence
b. the nature of knowledge d. the nature of beauty
3. A systematic literature review is:
a. One which starts in your own library, then goes to on-line databases and, finally to
the internet.
b. A replicable, scientific and transparent process
c. One which gives equal attention to the principal contributors to the area.
d. A responsible, professional process of time-management for research

4. A set of interrelated propositions meant to explain a phenomenon.

a. Hypothesis d. methodology
b. Proposition
c. Theory
5. Qualitative research involves looking at _____ data.
a. Emotional c. Non-numerical
b. Categorical d. numerical
6. In design science research, implemented and prototype systems are called:
a. Instantiation c. Methods
b. Models d. Construct
7. What does the term 'reliability' indicate?
a. We can trust that the research has being carried out to a high standard.
b. That the results are accurate.
 c. That the researcher can be trusted.
d. That the tool of data collection can be regarded as measuring accurately and
consistently.
8. A student is writing a research question. What should his/her first step be?
a. Ensuring their ideas are researchable
b. Formulating a hypothesis
c. Specifying what the question is about
d. Indicating where the research funding is coming from
9. Which of the four data sets have more dispersion?
a. 88        91        90        92        89        91
b. 0          1          1          0          –1        –2
c. 3          5          2          4            1          5
d. 0          5          8          10        –2        –8
10. The measure of location which is the most likely to be influenced by extreme values in the
data set is:
a. Medium c. Mode
b. Range d. Mean
11. Conceptual framework is NOT:
a. It contains variables and their relationship to be investigated in the research
b. It serves as a guide for the research process
c. It is built from existing theory or prior experience of the researcher
d. An abstraction of realities that serve as a guide for future practice
12. Reflect high-level approaches to conducting research:
a. Research Methodology c. Theory
b. Design Science d. Qualitative research
13. Mean, Median and Mode are:
a. Measures of deviation c. Measures of central tendency
b. Ways of sampling d. None of the above
14. Research is:
a. Searching again and again
b. Finding solution to any problem
c. Working in a scientific way to search for truth of any problem
d. None of the above
15. Which of the following is the first step in starting the research process?
a. Searching sources of information to locate problem.
b. Survey of related literature
c. Identification of problem
d. Searching for solutions to the problem

Part III: Answer the following questions. (3 Pts. each)

1. Describe the questions raised / points discussed by critical reader to evaluate the
arguments of others.
2. Research is defined as an activity that contributes to the understanding of a phenomenon.
Describe the terms, “activity”, “understanding” and “phenomenon” in the above definition.
3. What are the advantages of Interview compared with Questioners?
4. What is research problem? And, explain the classification of research.
5. What is the significance of correlation and chi-square in research?
6. Briefly describe the six steps involved in design research process.
7. Mention the criteria to evaluate IT artifacts developed using design science research
method.
8. Explain the features of good hypothesis.
9. Explain the need of review of the literature and enumerate the sources of review of
literature.
10. Describe the methods employed in data collection.