UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2019/2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
3RD YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
ARTS ECONOMICS
COURSE CODE/TITLE:BEC B304: RESEARCH METHODS
END OF SEMESTER:I
DURATION: 2 HOURS
DAY/TIME: THURSDAY:12.00 TO 2.00 P.M.
DATE:30/1/2020-PL3
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer ALL questions in Section A and any other two questions in Section B.
2. Your work should be NEAT. Show all your workings where necessary.
SECTION A: (40 MARKS): ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
Question One
a) What is research and why is it important?
(4 marks)
b) Are Research methods and Research methodology the same? Explain
(4 marks)
Question Two
Distinguish between the following:
a) Descriptive and Analytical research
b) Quantitative and Qualitative data
(4 marks)
(4 marks)
Question Three
Research is a process and follows certain well known steps. List the critical steps in a
research process.
(8 marks)
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Question Four
Data cleaning is a critical in research. Discuss some of the procedures used in cleaning
data.
(8 marks)
Question Five
Outline the major ethical issues in research
(8 marks)
SECTION B: (30 MARKS): ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS
Question Six (15 marks)
Write short notes on the following as used in research methods.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Sampling
Population
Work Plan
Budget
(5 marks)
(4 marks)
(3 marks)
(3 marks)
Question Seven
Hinde Kwehu Economic consulting company has employed you as a researcher to
help them implement data collection on the role of credit on Small and Microenterprises
(SME) involved in fishing in Kilifi County. As an expert, advice the CEO of the company
on the following:
a) Describe the population of interest and how they can be sampled. (5 marks)
b) List the expected biases in data collection and how to mitigate them (10 marks)
Question Eight
A research proposal is a critical document in research. Discuss the components of a
research proposal.
(15 marks)
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