UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2014/2015
ORDINARY EXAMINATION FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 2209 RESEARCH SKILLS AND DESIGN
DATE: APRIL, 2015 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and any other TWO
QUESTION ONE
a) You have been contacted by your university to conduct interviews with students
about their attitudes towards Biometric system at entrance gate.
i) State and explain any two advantages and limitation of interview method
of data collection. [4 Marks]
ii) Write any two hypothesis of the study [2 Marks]
iii) Write two research questions of this study [2 Marks]
b) In view of the above study define the population and explain sampling method
you would use. Give reasons for each case. 4 Marks]
c) By use of relevant examples distinguish between the following pair of research
concepts. [8 Marks]
i) Experiment and descriptive research
ii) Qualitative and Quantitative research
d) Define what is ‘Literature Review’ and discuss four benefits or purposes of
conducting it in academic research. [10 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Define what is a research proposal. [2 marks]
b). You are required to conduct a research with any of the following titles:
1. “Internet access in KCA University ”
2. “Use of mobile phones to E-learning platform in KCA University ”
3. “Access to computer laboratories for internet access in KCA University”
Choose one of the above title and a research proposal discusses the following subtopics:
i) Problem statement of the study [2 Marks]
ii) Main objective of the study [2 Marks]
iii) Three specific objectives of the study [3 Marks]
iv) Significance of the study [3 Marks]
iv) An appropriate sampling method [3 Marks]
v) An appropriate method of collecting the data in this study [3 Marks]
vi) Target population of this study [2 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) By use of relevant examples distinguish between the following pair of research terms
[8 marks]
i) Sampling and taking a census
ii) Sample and population
b) Briefly explain characteristics of a good sample [4 marks]
c) Write short notes on the following sampling techniques. Use examples for illustrating
your answer in each case.
i) Systematic Sampling [4 Marks]
ii) Stratified Sampling [4 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a) Briefly explain the meaning of the term ‘ Data collection’ [2 marks]
b) Explain four reasons for collecting data [4 marks]
c) State and explain any five sources of research ideas to a prospective researcher,
[5 Marks]
d) Write the difference between ‘primary data’ and ‘secondary data’. Give one example
for each case. [3 marks]
e) Discuss two main types of primary data at the disposal of a researcher in the process of
an investigation and methods that can be used to collect each type of data. Use
examples to illustrate your answers. [6 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Write short notes about the concepts as used in final report.
i) System requirements specifications [5 marks]
ii) Research methodology [5 marks]
b) Discuss ten elements of a good final report [10 Marks]
