OPTS6011– BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Unit I
Introduction to Research Methodology
 COURSE OUTLINES
Sessions Topics to be discussed
UNIT-I: Introduction to Research Methodology
7 hrs Importance of research methodology, types of research methods, research process,
identification of the problem, hypothesis formulation, types of research design.

UNIT-II: Sample design

9 hrs Census Vs Population, determination of sample size, sampling techniques- data collection -
primary data, secondary data- methods of collecting primary data: Interview, observation
techniques, and questionnaire, and Sources of secondary data. Guidelines and design of
questionnaire: Levels of measurement scales and scaling techniques.
UNIT-III: Data Processing & Reporting writing
11 hrs Data processing: Editing, coding, classification, tabulation, diagrammatic and graphical
representation of the data using Excel/SPSS; Interpretation; Report Writing – Importance of
Report, types of reports, report preparation – report format, report writing, guidelines for tables
and graphs; presentation of reports.
UNIT-IV: Hypothesis Testing & Parametric tests
12 hrs Components of hypothesis, Hypothesis testing procedure, parametric tests Z test, t distribution
(single, independent, paired sample tests), ANOVA - one way and two ways test. (With
numerical Problems)
UNIT-V: Non-Parametric tests & Multivariate Analysis
8 hrs Non-Parametric tests- Chi-Square test, Mann-Whitney 'U' test, Kruskal-Wallis test (with
numerical Problems). Introduction to multivariate analysis, discriminant Analysis, factor
analysis (only theory and application)
 Introduction

The research really begins when the researcher perceives some problem
demanding a solution falling within the area of the general topic he selects. This
general area of interest merely defines the range of subject matter within which the
researcher has to see and pose a specific problem of research. The general area
only demarcates where to seek for the problem without specifying the exact
problem.
In this case the researcher may be concerned to specifying more exactly the
conditions that influence a particular phenomenon in specific way

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 Step 1: Problem Definition
 A research problem needs to be
identified and clearly defined.
 The research problem defines the goal
of the research in clear terms.
 Make sure that you understand your
assignment.

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 Process of Problem Identification
• Management decision problem
• Discussion with subject experts
• Review of literature
• Qualitative survey
• Management Research problem

The researcher has to identify and refine the

most likely reason of the problem and
formalizing it as the research problem.

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 Define Research Problem

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 Research Design Formulation

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 Data Collection

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 Data Preparation and Analysis

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 Report Preparation and
Presentation

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Thank You