UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
MISM5401 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS
DATE: AUGUST, 2018 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) Correlation and regression are important statistical techniques in empirical research. State
a research situation where each of these methods are appropriate. (4 Marks)
c) Briefly describe the differences between triangulation and chain of evidence in
qualitative research (4 Marks)
d) The t-test is a common data analytic technique used in quantitative research. Briefly
describe a research problem where the use of t-test could be appropriate to analyze the
data. Be sure to identify the variables in the study and their scale of measurement
(4 Marks)
e) Briefly explain the difference between a true-experimental and quassi-experimental in
quantitative research (2 Marks)
QUESTION TWO (15 MARKS)
Foa et al. (1991) conducted a study evaluating four different types of therapy for rape victims. The
Stress Inoculation Therapy (SIT) group received instructions on coping with stress. The Prolonged
Exposure (PE) group went over the events in their mind repeatedly. The Supportive Counseling
(SC) group was taught a general problem-solving technique. The Waiting List (WL) control group
received no therapy. The dependent variable (outcome) was the Severity Rating (SR) of a series of
mental health symptoms. The following descriptive statistics were obtained from SPSS based on
data from a random sample of 45 rape victims:
Descriptive Statistics
Dependent Variable: SR
a) State a statistical model and null hypothesis appropriate for data analysis in this study
(4 Marks)
b) Test the null hypothesis you stated above at 0.05 level of significance. Include the critical
value, the observed test statistic, the decision rule, and your decision (6 Marks)
c) Provide a brief interpretation of the findings of the analysis above (3 Marks)
d) Name one limitation of statistical model used in this analysis in the context of the data
(2 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 “reliability” and “validity” in quantitative research
(5 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR (15 MARKS)
Moore and McCabe (1989) found some interesting data below on the consumption of alcohol
and tobacco that illustrate an important statistical concept. The data was taken from Family
Expenditure survey of the British Department of Employment:
The dependent variable is the average weekly household expenditures on alcohol and
tobacco.
a) Make a scatterplot of this data (5 Marks)
b) Briefly describe the relationship between alcohol and tobacco consumption in these 11
regions of Great Britain (3 Marks)
c) Popular stereotypes have the Irish as heavy drinkers. Does the data above support that
stereotype? (3 Marks)
d) What effect does the inclusion of Northern Ireland have on the relationship? What is the
best way to describe this data point? (4 Marks)
