RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY AND ADVISORY APRIL 2022 PAST PAPER

WEDNESDAY: 6 April 2022. Afternoon paper.

Time Allowed: 3 hours.

Answer ALL questions. Marks allocated to each question are shown at the end of the question. Do NOT write anything on this paper.

QUESTION ONE

1.         Summarise four objectives of research.                                                                                                                        (4 marks)

2.          In the context of group decision making, explain the six thinking hats: technique as propositioned by Edward de Bono.    (6 marks)

3.           The interview method of collecting data involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses.

With reference to the above statement, discuss five merits of using the above method during data collection.               (10 marks)

(Total: 20 marks)

 

QUESTION TWO

1.         With respect to research design, explain the term “confounded relationship”.                                 (2 marks)

2.         With regard to hypothesis testing, distinguish between ‘type I’ and ‘type U error’.                                                (2 marks)

3.        Outline six benefits of coaching at the workplace.                                                                                                       (6 marks)

4.        Evaluate five factors that could lead to systematic bias in research.                                                                       (10 marks)

(Total: 20 marks)

 

QUESTION THREE

1.         Identify five activities involved in the diagnosis stage of the consultancy process.                                  (5 marks)

2.        Outline five research areas for accurate diagnosis of organisational problems according to Marvin Weisbord. (5 marks)

3.        Explain six potential ethical problems that could arise from a consultancy undertaking.                                      (6 marks)

4.        In research, interpretation is essential for the simple reason that the usefulness and utility of research findings lie in proper interpretation.

With reference to the above statement, explain the importance of effective interpretation.                               (4 marks)

(Total: 20 marks)

 

QUESTION FOUR

1.         Summarise five persuasion skills that a consultant requires while engaging with a client.                                    (5 marks)

2.         Organisations in pursuit of resilience are increasingly hiring consultants to help them deal with the negative effects of Covid -19 pandemic. In order to have a framework for effective organisational resilience, there are certain principles that need to be adhered to.

Outline five of these principles.                                                                                                                                     (5 marks)

3.          Summarise rise five characteristics of a good hypothesis.                                                                                             (10 marks)

(Total: 20 marks)

 

QUESTION FIVE

1.        Identify seven qualities of a good research_                                                                                                                      (7 marks)

2.        Analyse four competencies of a good advisor,                                                                                                                  (4 marks)

3.        Summarise five components of terms of reference in a consulting engagement.                                                              (5 marks)

4.        Outline four benefits of using search engine optimisation in marketing your consultancy services.                                  (4 marks)

(Total: 20 marks)