UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2010/2011
SECOND YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 2301: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
DATE: AUGUST 2011 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions
Question One: 30 Marks (Compulsory)
a) The research process requires the principle problem to be divided into sub problems for
manageability. Discuss four characteristics of sub-problems. (8 Marks)
b) Differentiate between null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis. (4 Marks)
c) Describe the following documents written during the research process. (6 Marks)
i. Research proposal
ii. Research report
d) In your own view describe six roles served by carrying out Literature Review in the process of
research. (6 Marks)
e) Data collection is a planned activity that requires the researcher to answer four important questions
about the data. Discuss the questions as well as provide the answers to the questions. (6 Marks)
Question Two :20 Marks
a) Describe the following sampling techniques stating when each is applicable (4 Marks)
i. Systematic sampling
ii. Cluster sampling
b) Some common problems in research proposals are related to the design and methodology of the
research project. Discuss six such problems. (6 Marks)
c) Discuss six characteristics of a hypothesis (6 Marks)
d) Giving examples differentiate between structured and unstructured questions. (4 Marks)
Question Three: 20 Marks
a) Describe the following types of research indicating when it is appropriate to them. (4 Marks)
i. Survey
ii. Case study
b) Describe what is contained in the following sections of the research proposal
(2 Marks)
i. Operational definition.
ii. Delimitation
c) Giving examples discuss six contributions of research. (6 Marks)
d) Discuss the ethical issues that you would put in consideration when gathering data from human
subjects (8 Marks)
Question Four: 20 Marks
a) Read and understand the frequency table below, then answer the questions that follow
Score (x) Frequency (f)
10 1
20 2
35 3
40 3
45 4
50 7
60 6
80 4
i. Complete the table so that you will be able to do part (ii) through (iv) (4 Marks)
ii. Calculate the mean (2 Marks)
iii. Calculate the variance (2 Marks)
iv. Calculate the standard deviation (2 Marks)
b) The table below shows the means of marks for the units indicated for the three trimester’s
examinations for the academic years 2010 and 2011 respectively. Study it and answer the
question that follows.
Required: Draw a bar chart to show the comparisons of unit performance between the same trimesters
in the two academic years (10 Marks)
Question Five: 20 Marks
a) Otieno is a third year student in KCAU. He has difficulty finding a legitimate problem for research.
He has come to you for advice. Discuss six pieces of advice you would offer him about where or
how can he get started? (6 Marks)
b) Define the term “Data Interpretation” giving four reasons why you think it is important to interpret
data. (6 Marks)
c) Differentiate between the following
i. Primary data and secondary data (2 Marks)
ii. Qualitative data and quantitative data (2 Marks)
d) Name and describe two tools used in the interview method of data collection. (4 Marks)
