UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
MISM 5401: ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS
DATE: DECEMBER, 2017 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (20 MARKS)
a) Probabilities of Type I Error, Type II Error, effect size, and statistical power are important
concepts in test of hypothesis in most data-based decision making. Define each of these
terms and explain how they relate to sample size. (6 Marks)
b) Random sampling and random assignment are important concepts in empirical research.
Define each of these concepts and briefly explain their importance in research.
(4 Marks)
c) Briefly describe the differences between research design and research methodology. What
are some of the research conditions that informs the choice of a research design?
(4 Marks)
d) The linear regression model is a common data analytic technique used in quantitative
research. Briefly describe a research problem where the use of linear regression model
could be appropriate to analyze the data. Be sure to identify the variables in the study
and their scale of measurement
(6
Marks)
QUESTION TWO (15 MARKS)
In a study to assess the impact of access to internet on the number of pages read by college students
at one sitting, the following descriptive statistics were obtained from SPSS based on data from a
random sample of 140 students:
Descriptive Statistics
b) State the statistical model for this analysis (3 Marks)
c) Test the null hypothesis you stated in (b) above at 0.05 level of significance. Include the
critical value, the observed test statistic, the decision rule, and your decision (3 Marks)
d) Provide a one sentence interpretation of the findings of the analysis above (3 Marks)
QUESTION THREE (15 MARKS)
a) What is commonly referred to as “negative findings” is not desirable in most research
situations. What is the meaning of the term “negative findings” and how can the chances
of its occurring be minimized in a study? (5 Marks)
b) Triangulation is a useful approach that enhances the credibility of a qualitative research.
Define triangulation. Briefly describe how you could use triangulation in a study.
(5 Marks)
c) Explain the difference between “True – experiment” and “Quasi-experiment” and
indicate the potential challenge each will present in a research project. (5 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR (15 MARKS)
Identify and briefly describe the distinctive features of any FIVE of the following concepts as
used in research:
a) True-experimental research (3 Marks)
b) Statistical power (3 Marks)
c) Quasi-experiment research (3 Marks)
d) Non-experimental research (3 Marks)
e) Significance level (3 Marks)
f) Type I error (3 Marks)
g) Coefficient of determination (3 Marks)
