HARAMBEE UNIVERSITY FICHE CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT
Business Research Method Final Exam
Date: 26/09/2017
Time allotted: 80 min
Instructor: Ayele Asefa (MBA)
General instructions
 Understand questions fully before answering.
 Attempt every part; partial credit possible.
 Allocate time wisely per question.
 Phones/electronics must be off and stored.
 Academic dishonesty leads to penalties and disqualified your exam
 Check answers if time allows.
 Request clarification if needed.
Name _____________________________ id.________________sec_______________
1. What is the primary limitation of the observation method?
a) High cost c) Limited data
b) Subjectivity d) Complexity
2. Which scale permits arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction?
a) Nominal c) Interval
b) Ordinal d) Both b and c
3. In the context of sampling, what does "n" represent?
a) Population size c) Sampling frame
b) Sample size d) Confidence level
4. What is the primary purpose of measurement in research?
a) To assign numbers to objects c) To analyze data
b) To conduct experiments d) To formulate hypotheses
5. Which method allows for the collection of data on a large scale without direct interaction?
a) Interview method c) Questionnaire method
b) Telephone interviews d) Observation method
6. What is the key characteristic of a nominal scale?
a) Ranks objects c) Classifies without order
b) Measures distance d) Has a true zero

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7. What does a high coefficient of variation indicate?
a) Low variability c) High variability
b) High precision d) Low reliability
8. Which of the following is true about interval scales?
a) They have a true zero c) They have equal intervals
b) They allow for ranking only d) They are purely qualitative
9. What is the main purpose of content analysis?
a) To conduct surveys c) To gather statistical data
b) To analyze verbal materials d) To perform experiments
10. The method of paired comparisons is used in which scaling technique?
a) Rank-order scaling c) Cumulative scaling
b) Rating scaling d) Interval scaling
11. Which measure of central tendency is suitable for ordinal data?
a) Mean c) Median
b) Mode d) Variance
12. What is the primary focus of qualitative research?
a) Numerical data c) Understanding underlying reasons
b) Statistical analysis d) Hypothesis testing
13. The term "sampling error" refers to:
a) Errors due to measurement c) Bias introduced by the researcher
b) Random variations in sample estimates d) Errors in data processing
14. What type of error occurs when a respondent misunderstands a question?
a) Sampling error c) Systematic error
b) Measurement error d) Non-sampling error
15. Which sampling method would ensure each customer has an equal chance of selection?
a) Quota sampling c) Judgement sampling
b) Simple random sampling d) Snowball sampling
16. What is the main feature of a ratio scale?
a) It has an arbitrary zero c) It has a true zero
b) It allows for ranking d) It is non-quantitative

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17. In hypothesis testing, the null hypothesis is typically denoted as:
a) Ha c) H0
b) H1 d) H2
18. Which scale allows for the ranking of items?
a) Nominal scale c) Interval scale
b) Ordinal scale d) Ratio scale
19. What is essential for ensuring clarity in a research report?
a) Complex language c) Logical organization
b) Use of jargon d) Lengthy explanations
20. The method of collecting data through direct observation is known as:
a) Interview method c) Observation method
b) Questionnaire method d) Survey method
21. Which type of statistics is typically used for interval scales?
a) Frequency c) Mean and standard deviation
b) Median and range d) Mode
22. What is the main goal of stratified sampling?
a) To reduce costs c) To simplify data collection
b) To ensure representation of sub-groups d) To increase sample size
23. In the Likert-type scale, how many degrees of agreement are typically used?
a) 3 c) 7
b) 5 d) 10
24. What statistical operation is associated with ordinal scales?
a) Arithmetic operations c) Geometric mean
b) Rank ordering d) Variance
25. Which section of a report typically includes the research methodology?
a) Introduction c) Methodology
b) Literature Review d) Conclusion
26. What is the primary purpose of analysis in research?
a) To collect data c) To formulate hypotheses
b) To summarize findings d) To present results

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27. The primary disadvantage of using telephone interviews is:
a) Cost c) High response rate
b) Lack of personal interaction d) Flexibility
28. Which type of scale is used for counting frequencies in each category?
a) Ordinal c) Interval
b) Nominal d) Ratio
29. A case study is primarily used for:
a) Quantitative analysis c) In-depth analysis
b) Broad surveys d) Statistical testing
30. What does "Inferential Statistics" involve according to the diagram?
a) Only analyzing one variable c) Collecting primary data
b) Making generalizations from sample data d) Summarizing data
31. Which scale allows for the comparison of two or more objects?
a) Nominal scale c) Interval scale
b) Ordinal scale d) Comparative scale
32. What should be included in the conclusion of a research report?
a) Detailed statistical data c) Raw data
b) Recommendations d) Acknowledgments
33. After editing, which step follows in the data processing flow?
a) Data Analysis c) Classification and tabulation
b) Coding d) Inferential statistics
34. Which of the following is a key advantage of using questionnaires?
a) High response rate c) In-depth responses
b) Low cost d) Immediate feedback
35. In the context of the figure, what is classified under "Descriptive Statistics"?
a) Univariate analysis c) Editing
b) Data entry d) Inferential statistic
36. What is the purpose of depth interviews?
a) To gather quantitative data c) To conduct surveys
b) To explore underlying motives d) To collect statistical data

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37. Which type of analysis involves examining the relationships between two or more variables?
a) Descriptive analysis c) Correlation analysis
b) Inferential analysis d) Causal analysis
38. In report writing, what is the advantage of using visual aids like charts and graphs?
a) They make the report longer c) They enhance understanding
b) They confuse the reader d) They are not useful
39. A researcher wants to estimate the average income of households in a city. He decides to use a
stratified sampling technique. What must he first identify?
a) The total population c) The sample size
b) The strata within the population d) The data collection method
40. Which analysis technique is used for more than two variables as per the diagram?
a) Univariate c) Multivariate
b) Bivariate d) Descriptive
41. What is a primary advantage of using a structured questionnaire?
a) Flexibility c) Ease of analysis
b) Depth of information d) Rich qualitative data
42. In a case study, the focus is primarily on:
a) Quantitative data c) In-depth analysis of a unit
b) Broad surveys d) Statistical inference
43. Which of the following is important when interpreting data findings?
a) Ignoring biases c) Focusing only on averages
b) Contextual understanding d) Excluding outliers
44. What is the first step in the data processing sequence?
a) Coding c) Classification and tabulation
b) Editing d) Data Analysis
45. If a researcher uses cluster sampling to study consumer preferences in a large city, what is the
first step?
a) Identify individual consumers cluster
b) Define clusters based on geography d) Analyze the collected data
c) Randomly select consumers from each

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46. Which scale allows for the use of arithmetic operations on actual quantities?
a) Nominal c) Interval
b) Ordinal d) Ratio
47. In the context of sampling, the term "N" typically represents:
a) Sample size c) Number of strata
b) Population size d) Respondent count
48. Which type of statistics focuses on understanding relationships between two variables?
a) Univariate c) Bivariate
b) Descriptive d) Multivariate
A company wants to survey customer satisfaction across 5 regions with varying population sizes:
Region A: 2000 customers Region D: 2500 customers
Region B: 1500 customers Region E: 1000 customers
Region C: 3000 customers The company plans a sample size of 500.
49. If using proportionate stratified sampling, how many respondents should be selected from
Region C?
a) 50 c) 150
b) 100 d) 200

50. Which method of data collection involves direct interaction with respondents to gather
qualitative information?
a) Observation method c) Interview method
b) Questionnaire method d) Content analysis

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ANSWER SHEET

NAME __________________________ ID.NO________________SEC_____________

S.No S.No S.No S.No S.No

1. 11. 21. 31. 41.

2. 12. 22. 32. 42.

3. 13. 23. 33. 43.

4. 14. 24. 34. 44.

5. 15. 25. 35. 45.

6. 16. 26. 36. 46.

7. 17. 27. 37. 47.

8. 18. 28. 38. 48.

9. 19. 29. 39. 49.

10. 20. 30. 40. 50.

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