Q1.a. Distinguish between Double sampling and multiphase sampling. Ans.

Double sampling refers to the subsection of the final sample form a preselected larger sample that provided information for improving the final selection. When the procedure is extended to more than two phases of selection, it is then, called multi-phase sampling. This is also known as sequential sampling, as sub-sampling is done from a main sample in phases. Double sampling or multiphase sampling is a compromise solution for a dilemma posed by undesirable extremes. The statistics based on the sample of n can be improved by using ancillary information from a wide base but this is too costly to obtain from the entire population of N elements. Instead, information is obtained from a larger preliminary sample nL which includes the final sample n. Q1.b. What is called replicated or interpenetrating sampling? Ans. It involves selection of a certain number of sub-samples rather than one full sample from a population. All the sub-samples should be drawn using the same sampling technique and each is a self-contained and adequate sample of the population. Replicated sampling can be used with any basic sampling technique: simple or stratified, single or multi-stage or single or multiphase sampling. It provides a simple means of calculating the sampling error. It is practical. The replicated samples can throw light on variable non sampling errors. But disadvantage is that it limits the amount of stratification that can be employed. Q2. What are the difference between observation and interviewing as methods of data collection? Give two specific examples of situations where observation or interviewing would be more appropriate. Ans. Observation means viewing or seeing. Observation may be defined as a systematic viewing of a specific phenomenon in its proper setting for the specific purpose of gathering data for a particular study. Observation is classical method of scientific study. The main virtue of observation is its directness; it makes it possible to study behavior as it occurs. Data collected by observation may describe the observed phenomena as they occur in their natural settings. Observations is more suitable for studying subjects who are unable to articulate meaningfully, e.g. studies of children, tribal, animals, birds etc. Observation is less demanding of the subjects and has less biasing effect on their conduct than questioning. Mechanical devices may be used for recording data in
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order to secure more accurate data and also of making continuous observations over longer periods. Interviewing is one of the prominent methods of data collection. It may be defined as a two way systematic conversation between an investigator and an informant, initiated for obtaining information relevant to a specific study. It involves not only conversation, but also learning from the respondents gesture, facial expressions and pauses, and his environment. Interviewing requires face to face contact or contact over telephone and calls for interviewing skills. It is done by using a structured schedule or an unstructured guide. Interviewing may be used either as a main method or as a supplementary one in studies of persons. Interviewing is the only suitable method for gathering information from illiterate or less educated respondents. It is useful for collecting a wide range of data from factual demographic data to highly personal and intimate information relating to a persons opinions, attitudes, values, beliefs past experience and future intentions. When qualitative information is required or probing is necessary to draw out fully, and then interviewing is required. Where the area covered for the survey is a compact, or when a sufficient number of qualified interviewers are available, personal interview is feasible. Interview is often superior to other data-gathering methods. People are usually more willing to talk than to write. Once report is established, even confidential information may be obtained. It permits probing into the context and reasons for answers to questions. Interview can add flesh to statistical information. It enables the investigator to grasp the behavioral context of the data furnished by the respondents. Though both observation and interviewing are great techniques of data collection, they have their own strengths and weaknesses. It is important to keep in mind which one of the two will produce desired results before finalizing. Difference between observation and interview: 1) Observation can only take place when the observer normally must be at the scene of the event when it takes place where as in interview the interviewer need not to be present at the time of the occurrence of scene. 2) Observation poses difficulties in obtaining a representative sample. For interviewing the selection of a random sampling can be rapidly ensured. But observing people of all types does not make the sample a random one.
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3) Observation is of no use, studying past events or activities. One has to depend upon interviews for studying such things. 4) Observation requires precise analysis by the researcher and often produces most accurate results although it is very time consuming. 5) Interviewing is easier but suffers from the fact that participants may not come up with honest replies. Observation is suitable for a variety of research purposes. It may be used for studying 1) The behavior of living creatures like child, birds, animals etc. 2) Flow of traffic and parking problems Interview is suitable for the following purposes: 1) Interview can suitably be used with illiterate persons. 2) It is also useful for gathering information on sensitive topics such as divorce, social discrimination, class conflict, generation gap, drug-addiction etc. It provides opportunity to explore the various aspects of the problem in an unrestricted manner. Q3. How case study method is useful to business Research? Ans. In-depth analysis of selected cases is of particular value to business research when a complex set of variables may be at work in generating observed results and intensive study is needed to unravel the complexities. For instance, an indepth study of a firms top sales people and comparison with the worst sales people might reveal characteristics common to stellar performers. The exploratory investigator is best served by the active curiosity and willingness to deviate from the initial plan, when the finding suggests new courses of enquiry, might prove more productive. Q4. Would case studies be considered as scientific research? Why or Why not? Ans. Case studies would not be considered as scientific research as blummer points out that independently, that the case documents hardly fulfill the criteria of reliability, adequacy and representativeness, but to exclude them from any scientific study of human life will be blunder in as much as these documents are necessary and significant both for theory building and practice.
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Q5. What are the contents of research reports? Ans. The outline of a research report is given below: 1) Prefatory Items: 1) Title page 2) Declaration 3) Certificates 4) Preface/acknowledgements 5) Table of contents 6) List of tables 7) List of graphs/figures/charts 8) Abstract or synopsis 2) Body of the Report: 1) Introduction 2) Theoretical background of the topic 3) Statement of the problem 4) Review of literature 5) The scope of the study 6) The objectives of the study 7) Hypothesis to be tested 8) Definition of the concepts 9) Models if any 11) Design of the study 12) Methodology 13) Method of data collection 14) Sources of data 15) Sampling plan 16) Data collection instruments 17) Field work 18) Data processing and analysis plan 19) Overview of the report 20) Limitation of the study 21) Results: findings and discussions 22) Summary, conclusions and recommendations

3) Reference Material: 1) Bibliography 2) Appendix 3) Copies of data collection instruments 4) Technical details on sampling plan 5) Complex tables 6) Glossary of new terms used. Q6. Write short notes on the following: a. Median Ans. Median is the middlemost item of a given series. In individual series, we arrange the given data according to ascending or descending order and take the middlemost item as the median. When two values occur in the middle, we take the average of these two values as median. Since median is the central value of an ordered distribution, there occur equal number of values to the left and right of the median. The formula for calculating median in an individual series is: Median = (N+ 1 / 2) th item To find the median of a discrete series, we first of all, cumulate the frequencies. Locate median at the size of (N+ 1) / 2 th cumulative frequency. N is the cumulative frequency taken. Steps are: 1) Arrange the values of the data in ascending order of magnitude. 2) Find out cumulative frequencies 3) Apply the formula (N+ 1) / 2 th item 4) Look at the cumulative frequency column and find the value of the variable. To find the median of a continuous series, with class interval, we first of all, cumulate the frequencies. Locate median at the size of (N) / 2 th cumulative frequency. Apply the interpolation formula to obtain the median Median = L1 + (N/2 m) / f X C L1 = Lower limit of the median Class N/2 = Cumulative frequency/ 2 m = Cumulative frequency of the class preceding the median class f = frequency of the median class
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C = Class interval The merits of Median are: 1) Median is easy to calculate and simple to understand. 2) When the data is very large median is the most convenient measure of central tendency. 3) Median is useful finding average for data with open-ended classes. 4) The median distributes the values of the data equally to either side of the median. 5) Median is not influenced by the extreme values present in the data. 6) Value of the median can be graphically determined. The demerits of Median are: 1) To calculate median, data should be arranged according to ascending order. This is tedious when the number of items in a series is numerous. 2) Since the value of median is determined by observation, it is not a true representative of all the values. 3) Median is not amenable to further algebraic treatment. 4) The value of median is affected by sampling fluctuation. Q6.b. Standard Deviation Ans. Standard deviation is the most important measure of dispersion. It satisfies most of the properties of a good measure of dispersion. It was introduced by Karl Pearson in 1893. Standard deviation is defined as the mean of the squared deviations from the arithmetic mean. Standard deviation is denoted by the Greek letter.Mean deviation and standard deviation are calculated from deviation of each and every item. Standard deviation is different from mean deviation in two respects. First of all, algebraic signs are ignored in calculating mean deviation. Secondly, signs are taken into account in calculating standard deviation whereas, mean deviation can be found from mean, median or mode. Whereas, standard deviation is found only from mean. Steps to calculate standard deviation in individual series are: 1) Calculate the actual mean of the series x / N 2) Take deviation of the items from the mean ( x-mean) 3) Find the square of the deviation from actual mean (x-mean)2 / N
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4) Sum the squares of the deviations ( x-x)2 5) Find the average of the squares of the deviations ( x-x)2 / N 6) Take the square root of the average of the sum of the deviation. Standard deviation can be computed in two methods: 1) Taking deviation from actual mean: The formula is: (x-x)2 / N 2) Taking deviation from assumed mean: The Formula is: (x-x) 2 / N - {(x-x) / N} 2 Standard deviation can be obtained by three methods in discrete series: 1) Direct method 2) Short cut method 3) Step deviation.