BUACC5931 2017 Sem1 exam paper
1) Describe the research process and give an example. (2 times)
• Literature Review
• Concepts and Theories
• Research Questions
• Sampling: E.g. In survey research or case study research
• Data Collection : E.g. structure interview and particular observation
• Data Analysis: E.g. Transcriptions, coding, thematic analysis, secondary
analysis
• Writing Up: Generally to include the literature review, research methods,
results, discussion and conclusion
2) Outline the main differences between quantitative and qualitative research
Quantitative research Qualitative research
1) Quantitative research is a research 1) Qualitative research is a research
study strategy that emphasizes study strategy that emphasizes words
quantification in the collection and rather than quantification in the
analysis of data. collection and analysis of data.
2) Numerical and statistical data are 2) Word, texts and stories data are
used. used.
3) Deductive theory testing. 3) Inductive approach theory emerges
from data.
4) Common research designs are 4) Common methods are interviews
surveys and experiments. and ethnography.
3) Give an example of a particular kind of research design, and describe its
advantages and disadvantages.
a) Experimental research design: Experimental research design is used to
establish a relationship between the cause and effect (E.g. Age groups) of a
situation.
Advantages Disadvantages
- very simple and convenient - Not feasible
- suitable research design for the -Not ethical
beginners
- Powerful for testing cause and effect - Same variables cannot be
hypothesis manipulated
b) Cross- sectional research design: A cross- sectional study involves looking at
people who differ on one key characteristic at one specific point in time.
The data is collected at the same time from people who are similar in other
characteristics but different in a key factor of interest such as age, income level or
geographic location.
The collection of data is more than one case.
Advantages Disadvantages
- Used to prove or disprove - Not used to analyse behaviour
assumptions
- Cheap and quick -Unless for determining cause and
effect
-Multi variables at the time of data -Snapshot timing may not be
snapshot representative.
c) Longitudinal research design: A longitudinal study is a research design that
involves repeated observations of the same variables (E.g. people) over short or
long period of time.
Survey of the same sample is for no more than one occasion.
Advantages Disadvantages
- more powerful than cross-sectional - It required huge amount of time
studies
-High flexible - It requires large sample size
-It provides high accuracy when -More expensive compare with cross-
observing changes. sectional studies
d) Case study research design: Case studies are based on an in-depth
investigation of a single individual, group or event
It is used for detailed and intensive analysis of one case.
Advantages Disadvantages
- Relatively low cost. - They required proper control group.
- Shorter duration due to events having - Based on previous record
already occur information.
- Risk approximation by calculating the -Does not allow calculating the relative
odds ratio risk.
e) Comparative research design: comparative research essentially compares two
groups in an attempt to draw a conclusion about them.
Using the same methods to compare two or more meaningful contrasting cases.
