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INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Post Graduate Diploma in Materials Management
Graduate Diploma in Materials Management
PAPER No. 13
Research Methodology
Date 19.06.2016 Max. Marks :100
Time 10.00 a.m to 1.00 pm Duration 3 Hrs.
Instructions
1. Part Four Questions 1 to Q 4). All questions are compulsory. Each Question carries 1 mark. (Total marks 32).
2. Part From Part B answer any three out of 5 questions. Each question carries 16 marks. (Total marks 48).
3. Part (Compulsory). Case study. Total marks 20)

PART- A 32 marks
Attempt all questions. Each Question carries 1 mark.
Q.1. Select and write in words the correct choice. (No marks will be given for only writing numbers/ ii,
or iii. as your answer.) 8 marks
Variables not desirable in experimental research are those which are
Independent Dependent (iii). Extraneous
b Research design for exploratory research is
Flexible Rigid (iii). Structured.
c A sample is considered a small sample if its size is
Less than 30 Greater than 30 (iii). Less than or equal to 30.
d The Median of the data 10 14 is
6 8 (iii). 10
e Multistage sampling is
Random Sampling Cluster sampling
(iii). A mix of the above and
f If Mean of a data is 24 and standard deviation is 4.6 then the coefficient
of variation is
5.22 19.17 (iii). 0.192
g ANOVA stands for
Analysis of variation Analysis of Variance
(iii). Analysis of values
June 2016
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h With sufficient increase in the size of a sample
Type I error increases Type II error does not reduce
(iii). Both Type I and type II decrease.
Q.2. State whether the following statements are true or false 8 marks
a Quantitative research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes.
b Research and scientific method are not closely related.
c In stratified sampling the sub-populations are individually homogeneous.
d If coefficient of determination between two variables is 1 then there is a strong relationship between
them.
e t-distribution is symmetrical.
f For a higher level of precision a relatively smaller sample is more appropriate.
g Mode is a measure of Dispersion.
h closed ended questions are more useful in exploratory research.
Q.3. Fill in the blanks out of the given choices 8 marks
1. Experiments are conducted to infer variables (association/ causality)
2. Research design is of research. (frame work/process)
3. . An index number calculated from a group of variables is called (complex/ composite) index)
4.. MIS stands for market information system market investment strategy)
5. Standard deviation is denoted by (alpha/sigma)
6. The objective of applied research Is (solving a problem gaining knowledge)
7. Greater the dispersion in the population data sample should be used
for more precision Smaller/Greater)
8. Dichotomous questions answers(two/more than two
Q.4. Match the following statements 8 marks
Column A Column B
1 Skewed data a. Time series
2 Data related to time period b. Data cleaning
3 Measurement of dispersion c. Relative measure
4. Warranty cards d. same measuring units
5 sampling distribution e. Data collection method
6 Absolute measure f. Lack of symmetry
7 Independent of measuring units g. Standard error
8 Missing values h. Range
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PART B
(Answer Any Three Questions) 3 x16 48 marks
Q.5. It is a guess that 20 percent of passengers in unreserved coaches travel without tickets. In a week
checking the tickets of 256 passengers selected at random from different coaches of different passenger
trains 36 passengers were found without tickets. would you regard the guess of 20% as true If not would
you say that it is most probably less than 20 0.05, Z=1.96)
Q.6. Determine the size of the sample required to be taken for 95% confident estimate of the mean of a
normal population whose standard deviation is 9.8 within plus/minus 3. at 95% Z =1.96)
Q.7. a Define coefficient of variation and explain its significant use
b Following table gives the statistics about the monthly sales of two companies X and Y as retrieved
from samples. Which company is likely to be more stable in sales
Company Mean Sale (units) Standard deviation

X 51 5.916
Y 105 4.265

Q.8. write short notes on any two of the following
a Research design b Testing of Hypotheses
c Different types of questionnaire d A good research report.
Q.9. Distinguish between
a A technical report and a General report
b A questionnaire and a schedule.
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PART- C Compulsory 20 marks
Q.10 CASE STUDY
A global clothing retailer AKIT had excellent financial results until recently. Its worldwide sales included
brightly colored knitwear and contemporary clothing. But for the last two years the results have been very
discouraging as sales have been declining. This was in spite of the fact that AKIT had opened more stores
at various locations in different countries.
A Descriptive research by the R D of the company revealed the following
a The Advertisements of AKIT in Magazines, posters, bill boards, TV. etc., were scanty and poor as
compared to those of competitors and rivals.
b Some of the old franchisee had closed at many locations on account of poor sales.
c A good number of AKIT products were not in tandem with the latest trends.
Questions
1. Would you recommend an exploratory research If yes why
2. Do you think that poor advertising is a major cause for lower sales and profit If not what other reasons
possibly
3. Give, in brief, some suggestions which you think will increase the growth and margins of AKIT