UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/ APPLIED COMPUTING
BIT 2209/ BAC 1305: RESEARCH SKILLS AND DESIGN
FULLTIME/ PART TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
ORDINARY EXAMINATIONS
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2017 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
a) i) Define the term ‘literature review’ (2 Marks)
ii) Describe THREE formats for organizing the literature review chapter when writing a
proposal document (3 Marks)
iii) Discuss five benefits of conducting literature review in research (5 Marks)
b) Peter is a second year student in KCA University. He has difficulty in finding a legitimate
problem for research and has come to you for advice. Outline FOUR pieces of advice you
would offer him about where or how can he get started (4Marks)
c) Distinguish between the following terms and give examples of each:
i) Conceptual research and empirical research (4 Marks)
ii) Accuracy and reliability (4 Marks)
e) Discuss any FOUR problems that characterize research (8 Marks)
QUESTION TWO [20 MARKS]
a) A properly formatted proposal has a number of benefits. Describe any four of these benefits
(4
Marks)
b) Describe the following types of observation strategies:
i) Participant observation (2 Marks)
ii) Non-participant observation (2 Marks)
iii) Natural observation (2 Marks)
c) What is data collection, and which purposes does it serve? (4 Marks)
d) Primary data refers to data that is collected from the field under the control and supervision
of an investigator (researcher). Discuss benefits and limitations of using this data (6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]
a) Describe the following types of observation strategies: (6 Marks)
i) Problem formulation,
ii) Data evaluation,
iii) Public presentation.
b) Differentiate between a sample and population. Give an example for each case (4 Marks)
c) Briefly describe the following sections of a final report:
i) Discussion (2 Marks)
ii) Conclusions (2 Marks)
d) Explain the usefulness of sampling and outline the characteristics of a good sample design
(6 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
In a town of 120,000 people, smoking has been banned in all restaurants. A group of researchers
wants to find out what the whole town thinks of this new law.
a) With proper justification, describe the sampling method that the researchers can adopt.
Explain this sampling method (4 Marks)
b) Describe FOUR factors that would affect the sample size (8 Marks)
c) Discuss any FOUR ethical principles that will guide this research (8 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
a) Explain the following terms as they apply to research:
i) Analysis
ii) Replication
iii) Hypothesis
iv) Research findings (8 Marks)
b) Identify FOUR properties a well written final report (4 Marks)
c) Distinguish between the following types of research. Discuss one example to illustrate each
type:
i) Descriptive research and experimental research (4 Marks)
ii) Quantitative research and qualitative research (4 Marks)
