Example exam Research Skills Part 1: Multiple choice questionsPlease note: In the final exam there will be 10 MC questions

Question 1:Saunders & Lewis (2012) use the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle to explain the process of analyzing qualitative data. Using this metaphor, how can doing inductive research be described?A. Making a puzzle without a picture on the lid of the box.B. Making a puzzle of more than 1000 pieces.C. Making a puzzle while some pieces are missing.D. Making a puzzle in the dark.Question 2:Which statement is CORRECT?A. A regression coefficient can have a value between -1 and +1, a correlation coefficient can have a value between 0 and 1.B. A regression coefficient and a correlation coefficient can have a value between 0 and 1.C. A regression coefficient can have a value between 0 and 1, a correlation coefficient can have a value between -1 and +1.D. A regression coefficient and a correlation coefficient can have a value between -1 and +1.Question 3:Suppose that two different researchers interpret the same data in different ways. This could be an indication of the occurrence ofA. Subject errorB. Observer biasC. Interviewee biasD. Subject bias

Question 4:Before you can analyze your data, you need to check your data for errors. One type of error is called "illogical relationships". What does this mean?A. Relationships between illegitimate codesB. Relationships that are not in your data matrixC. Relationships that are not in your code bookD. Relationships that are very unlikely to occur in your data

Question 5:Secondary data can be grouped based on the sources of the data. There are three main groups discussed in the text of Saunders and Lewis (2012). Which of the following is NOT a group?A. Survey secondary dataB. Quantitative secondary dataC. Documentary secondary dataD. Multiple source secondary data

Part 2: Open questionsThe following text is based on a recent master thesis, written in the Department of Management. It introduces a problem. There are several ways to approach this problem. Choose one approach and formulate a problem statement for a master thesis. Use this problem statement as the starting point for the remaining questions. Please note that consistency is very important.Problem Indication Since 2008, the percentage of alumni without a job doubled (Berkhout, Prins, & Van der Werff, 2013). Another trend is the increasing amount of time alumni spend on looking for a suitable job (Berkhout, Prins, & Van der Werff, 2013). Research shows that students who do succeed in finding a job, obtain a temporary contract rather than a permanent contract (Kalleberg, 2000). There are several possible reasons for this phenomenon. First, the current economic crisis is an obstacle for alumni together with the increasing competition among students. Second, an increasing amount of students with an academic degree leads to a higher supply of academics, whereas the demand for academics is decreasing in this period of economic crises. Therefore, alumni have a hard time finding a job. A third reason for this problem is that employers have become stricter in selecting academics, because they have many options to choose from (Stewart & Knowles, 2000). According to Heckman, Ichimura, and Todd (1997) academics do not get proper application training at the university and they do not learn how to present themselves in a proper manner to the potential employer and therefore their chances of finding a job decrease. Next to that, employers believe that the skills graduates bring in are not sufficient and that more internal education is needed after graduation (Stewart & Knowles, 2000). The aim of this thesis is to see how students can do a better job in satisfying recruiters needs. ReferencesBerkhout, E., Prins, J. & Van der Werff, S. (2013) Studie & Werk 2013: Hboers en academici van het afstudeerjaar 2010/11 op de arbeidsmarkt. SEO economisch onderzoek, SEO-rapport nr. 2013-23.Heckman, J.J., Ichimura, H. & Todd, P.E. (1997) Matching as an econometric evaluation estimator: Evidence from evaluating a job training programme. Review of Economics Studies, 64 (4) 605-654. Kalleberg, A.L. (2000) Nonstandard employment relations: part-time, temporary and contractual work. Annual Review Sociology, 26, 341-365.Stewart, J. & Knowles, V. (2000) Graduate recruitment and selection practices in small businesses. Career Development International, 5 (1) 21-38.1. Problem statementFormulate a problem statement based on the problem indication. The problem statement is the central question dealt with in the thesis. Keep in mind that it should follow logically from the problem indication.

2. Research questionsTo deal with the problem, it is necessary to split it up into a number of research questions. The research questions are the questions that must subsequently be answered to be able to solve the problem. In this section you should three formulate research questions in order to investigate your problem statement. Use your knowledge from the lectures and tutorials.

3. Research design3.1 PurposeDecide on the basis of available research whether the purpose of your study is exploratory, descriptive or explanatory and motivate your answer. Motivate your decision.

3.2 Type of study and time horizonDecide whether you conduct a qualitative or quantitative study and mention the time horizon. Motivate your decisions.

3.3 SamplingDescribe the sampling strategy and motivate your answer.

3.4 Data collectionDescribe the data collection methods you will use for gathering data and motivate your choice of method. Indicate for each method why it is relevant to your study.

Interviews

Survey

Secondary data

3.5 Data analysisDescribe the data analysis methods you will use, and indicate for which type of data you use them.

Coding

Statistical analysis

Data display

3.6 Validity and reliabilityDescribe 2 possible treats to validity and 2 threats to reliability for your thesis and what you will do to avoid these threats.

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