Research ProjectAn exploratory research study on attitude of MBA

students towards Major Research Project

Guided By:- Submitted By:-

Dr. Vivek Sharma Sonam Jain

Sourabh Moyal

Harshdeep Bhatia

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT1

It was a great opportunity working on this project of research. This project is written in simple and lucid style for better understanding and appreciation of

study. It has been compiled systematically to enable one to evaluate details of report.

We are extremely grateful to all those who have shared their expertise and knowledge with us.

Needless I am deeply indebted to my guide Dr. Vivek Sharma sir and Sangeeta Jain mam for the fruitful

guidance and enormous support.

I would also like to thank our director Dr. Rajendra singh for providing facility to work in college and

conduct the research.

No words can crystallize in expressing my respect and deep sense of gratitude to my teachers, parents, friends and everybody who supported me in the

project.

LIST OF CONTENTS2

INTRODUCTION REVIEW OF LITERATURE RATIONAL OF STUDY OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OD DATA

CONCLUSIONS SUGGESTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

REFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

INTRODUCTION Major Research Project is a essential part of curriculam now a days as per UGC guidelines and instructions.

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It is basically conducted in 4th semester of MBA. Students are allotted topics of research on basis of their subject of specialization. They are required to conduct research under the supervision of their guide faculty and submit the research report by the end of the semester.

This research report have a marks obligation for them and it is mandatory for all the students as per UGC orders to submit this report.

The research report is carried on in various stages and include the following points in it-

1. Introduction2. Literature Review and Conceptual Framework3. Methodology4. Data Analysis and Findings5. Conclusions and Recommendations6. Bibliography

Taking into consideration the above points and topic of research the students prepare their report on which they need to give a presentation and viva to the examiner and guide explaning the objective of research, research methodolody, tools used, process followed, conclusions drawn and suggestions or implications at last.

The format issued by UGC for submission of research repott is as under-

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MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECT

PART – A1. Broad Subject

2. Area of Specialization

3. Duration

4. Principal Investigator

i. Name:

ii. Sex: M/F

iii. Date of Birth:

iv. Qualification:

v. Designation:

vi. Address: Office: Residence:

5. Co – Investigator(s):

6. Name of the Institution where the project will be undertaken:

(a) Department:

b. University/College:

(Please mention the name of affiliating University in case of college)

7. Whether the University/College/Institution is approved under Section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC Act?

Yes/No

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PART – B

Proposed Research Work

8. (i) Project Title

(ii) Introduction

• Origin of the research problem

• Interdisciplinary relevance

• Review of Research and Development in the Subject:

„ International status

„ National Status

„ Significance of the study

(iii) Objectives

(iv) Methodology

9. Any other information which the investigator may like to give in support of this proposal which may be helpful in evaluating.

To certify that:

a. The University/College/Institutite is approved under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act and is

fit to receive grants from the UGC.

b. General physical facilities, such as furniture/space etc., are available in the Department/College.

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c. I/we shall abide by the rules governing the scheme in case assistance is provided to me/us from

the UGC for the above project.

d. I/we shall complete the project within the stipulated period. If I/we fail to do so and if the UGC is

not satisfied with the progress of the research project, the Commission may terminate the project

immediately and ask for the refund of the amount received by me/us.

e. The above Research Project is not funded by any other agency.

Name and Signature (a) Principal Investigator

(b) Co- Investigator

(i)

(ii)

(c) Registrar/Principal (Signature with seal)

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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Major Research Project has its due importance in the curriculum of MBA students. It help them to built awareness about the reserch methodology and process of conducting research.

MRP is mandatory and is done by MBA students in their 4th semester.

A very few research has been done in this field. The most important is of –

JR Cole, B Chai, TL Marsh, RJ Farrie-2003

in this research cole and marsh have reviewed the significance of thr research in the life of students and chai and farrie have revealed the various strategies, process, sources used by them to conduct the research.

The final conclusion was drawn that MRP has its due importance but the interest of students toward it is bare minimum due to its lengthy and complicated procedure.

The research was printed in oxford university press.

KR Carson, D Focosi, EO Major, M Petrini - The lancet oncology, 2009

The research done by Carson, Focosi, Major and Petrini was released on 7th august 2009, which was conducted in

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oxford university on the post graduate students regarding their exposure to the research process and pratical world experience.

One group was sent to a practical world to conduct research where as other was asked to perform in college itself.

The result revealed that the theoritical knowledge with the practical exposure allows student to learn more.

ElsevierCR Houser, JE Vaughn, RP Barber- Brain research,1980

Houser and Barber study shows the attitude of MBA students towards their curriculam. They concluded in their research that students in post graduation not only need theoritical learning but their sylabbus should also include maximum exposure to the real world for better knowledge.

Theory can be well understood when applied in practical world. So he suggested to reduce the college hours and increase the working hours of a students life.

He made the research by studying the brain of students and was a great study of its time.

RATIONAL OF STUDY9

Study is about the Major Research Project in MBA and perception of students for conducting research. This study will help in knowing their attitude towards the research project.

MRP is basically prepared on the basis of field of specialization and recommendations by UGC.

This research aims at judging the perception and attitude of MBA students towards the efficiency and effectiveness of MRP in their learning and future prospects.

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

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Study is about the attitude of MBA students towards the Major Research Project.

It will help in knowing the thinking of students towards the research project.

Study will be conducted in Indore with a sample size of 100 odd students.

Qualitative and quantitative data are equally considered for research.

Study will be done on students of different colleges.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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Research methodology is a collective term for the structured process of conducting research. There are many different methodologies used in various types of research and the term is usually considered to include research design, data gathering and data analysis.The term research methodology, also referred to as research methods, usually encompasses the procedures followed to analyze and interpret the data gathered.

There are two main types of research methodology: 1- Quantitative methodology: This is the type by which you test the significance of your hypothesis, in other words you answer the words: How much? Is there a relationship? Quantitative methods tend to be systematic and use numbers.2- Qualitative methodology is the type by which you are depending on your observations and descriptions. It is subjective and descriptive, no facts. This kind of method is used to assess knowledge’s, attitudes, behaviors, and opinions of people depending on the topic of your research.

Research Design Research design includes:Research Plan :

1)Sample Size: the sample selected for conducting the Research is of 100 odd students persuing MBA in different colleges.

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2)Method of Collecting the data: To measure the attitude of students, a questionnaire is designed.

Questionnaire is prepared considering following points:-

Exploratory research design Interval scale:- Also known as rating scale to rate the

significance of guidance by faculty.Ex:- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dichotomous scale :- the scale which has limited options.

Ex:- Yes No Can’t say True False

Likerts scale :- Also known as attitude measurement scaleEx:-

StronglyAgree

Agree

Neutral Disagree

StronglyDisagree

Itemized scale :- A 5 or 7 point scale to future responseEx:-

VeryUnlikely

Unlikely

Neither unlikelyNor likely

Likely VeryLikely

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

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OF DATACourse Specialization

Finance 39Marketing 46HR 10Other 5

Specialization Subject

Finance

Marketing

HR

Other

Q1. To which university is your college affiliated?

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Name of University No. of StudentsDAVV 40Autonomous 60Any other university 00

Affiliation

DAVVAutonomous

Q2. Major Research Project in your college is-

Mandatory 100

15

Optional 00

A. If mandatory, you do MRP

By Force 56By Willingness 44

INTERPRETATION:- According to UGC, doing MRP is compulsory in all the institutes and due to this maximum students adapt it by force.

Q3. MRP is essential part of curriculam vitae –

Strongly Agree 28Agree 44Neutral 23

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Disagree 05Strongly disagree 00

Ratings0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Strongly agreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree

INTERPRETATION:- MRP is treated as a essential part of studies by the students which counts over 70% of sample.

Q4. What do you prefer MRP as –

Marks Oriented Approach 41

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Learning Oriented Appraoch 20Both 39

INTERPRETATION:- The ratio of students doing MRP for marks is greater than the approach of learning.

Q5. Would you like to adopt MRP if not attached with marks obligation ?

Yes 30No 30

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LEARNINGBOTHMARKS

Cant Say 40

Adaptability

YESNOCANT SAY

INTERPRETATION:- If given a choice only 30% of sample would opt to do MRP and maximum says they cant decide.

Q6. How would you prefer to do MRP-

Individually 44Group 56

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If in group, whay group size would you prefer

1-2 112-3 154-5 30

INTERPRETATION:- Maximum number of students believe in working with group that too a lot size of 4-5.

Q7. The provided you for research is –

In abundance

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20

Sufficient 60Rare 22

Availability of Data

IN AbundanceSufficientRare

INTERPRETATION:- The maximum topics of research have availability of data in sufficiency.

Q8. For conducting research, appropriate time period according to you –

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2-3 months 345-6 months 44Spread in two semesters

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Time Period0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

2-3 months5-6 months2 semesters

INTERPRETATION:- The students presume the research to be spread in time of 5 to 6 months for better understanding.

Q9. What kind of teaching regarding MRP would you prefer in college –

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Theoritical 30Practical 30Both 40

INTERPRETATION:- Statistics shows that students believe in combination of practical exposure with the learning of theory.

Q10. Are you aware with the details of Research?

YES 2623

Theoritical

Practical

Both

NO 23Partly aware of information needed 51

AWARENESS0

10

20

30

40

50

60

YESNOPARTLY

INTERPRETATION:- Students only learn that much of knowledge which is sufficient for them to conduct research.

Q11. What is the field of your research ?

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Finance 35Marketing 41HR 12OB 10Any other 02

FIELD

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

FINANCEMARKETINGHROBOTHER

INTERPRETATION:- Research in field of finance and marketing has mire attraction as compared to that of HR and OB.

Q12. What kind of research do you find convenient ?

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Exploratory 20Conclusive 45Descriptive 35

Research Type

ExploratoryConclusiveDescriptive

INTERPRETATION:- Interest in conclusive and descriptive research is more than that of exploratory research.

Q13. What kind of difficulties are you facing in doing MRP?

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Data not easily available 41Companies do not provide information 33Market research is difficult 33Inappropriate base for research 18Lack of experience and expertise 20Inappropriate guidance 28Any other 20

DIFFICULTIES in MRP0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Data not easily availablecompanies do not provide in-formationmarket research is difficultInappropraite baseLack of experienceInappropriate guidanceAny other

INTERPRETATION:- Availability of data and non support from companies hindrenge research the most.

Q14. The data and review and literature available on your topic is in

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In Abundance

15

Satisfactory 47Rare 38

Q15. Do your college provide backup to get information regarding a company –

YES 16NO 36Up to a certain limit 48

INTERPRETATION:- literature for research and support from college is satisfactory to conduct research.

Q16. How do you rate the supervision of your faculty for MRP-

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RATINGS FREQUENCY1 82 133 164 265 206 167 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 70

5

10

15

20

25

30

RATINGS

RATINGS

Q17. How do you rate conducting research as a medium to enter in corporate world ?

VERY IMPORTANT 31IMPORTANT 28

29

ONLY BASIC KNOWLEDGE

28

NOT NECESSARY 13

INTERPRETATION:- Doing MRP is treated as a essential medium to enter in corporate world by students.

Q18. If given a choice, you would prefer doing MRP as

Theoritical in college only 38

30

VERY IMPORTANT

31%

IMPORTANT28%

BASIC KNOWLEDGE

28%

NOT NECESSARY13%

Practical in a company 62

INTERPRETATION:- Getting MRP done with practical exposure in company would develop interest in students.

Q19. MRP is considered a burden by MBA students?

TRUE 95FALSE 05

INTERPRETATION:- MRP is treated burden by MBA’s and they perform only for marks.

CONCLUSION

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The above analysis of data shows that students have a negative attitude towards MRP projects as they

have to work extra for conducting research.

Maximum students do this because of marks attached with it. Their exposure to real life problems

and research methodology is minimum in this project.

So doing MRP is treated as burden by the MBA’s.

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SUGGESTIONS & IMPLICATIONS

More time should be given to conduct appropriate research.

Practical exposure should be introduced in this project.

Profarma of research should be revised. Proper training and guidance should be given

regarding conducting research. Learning approach shoudh be developed in

students. Attitude towards MRP should be paid emphasis

on.

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REFERENCESLikert, Rensis (1932). "A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes".Archivesof Psychology140: 1–55.

www.universalteacherpublications.com,

www.managementparadise.com, www.citehr.com, www.projec treporton.com,

www.ugc.ac.in

www.linkedin.com/pub/thomas-lofft-mrp-mba-aicp-hdfp/4/.../143

coe.mse.ac.in

KR Carson, D Focosi, EO Major, M Petrini… - The lancet oncology, 2009 - ElsevierCR Houser, JE Vaughn, RP Barber… - Brain research, 1980 - ukpmc.ac.uk

JR Cole, B Chai, TL Marsh, RJ Farris… - … acids research, 2003 - Oxford Univ Press

^Shuttleworth, Martyn (2008). "Definition of Research".Experiment Resources.Experiment-Research.com. http://www.experiment-resources.com/definition-of-research.html. Retrieved 14 August 2011

QUESTIONNAIRE34

An exploratory research study on attitude of MBA students towards Major Research ProjectName (optional)-Age-College-Course-Specialization Subject-Phone no.-

Q1. To which university is your college affiliated? DAVV Autonomous Any other universityQ2. Major Research Project in your college is- Mandatory Optional

a) If mandatory, you do MRP By force By willingness

b)If optional, would you prefer to do MRP Yes No Can’t say

Q3. MRP is essential part of curriculum vitae

Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly

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Agree disagree

Q4. What do you prefer MRP as- Marks oriented approach Learning oriented approach Both

Q5. Would you like to adopt MRP if not attached with marks obligation? Yes No Can’t sayQ6. How would you prefer to do MRP- Individually Group

If in group, what group size do you prefer 1-2 2-3 4-5

Q7. The time provided to you for research is In Abundance Sufficient RareQ8. For conducting research, appropriate time period according to you- 2-3 months 5-6 months spread over in two semestersQ9. What kind of teaching regarding MRP would you prefer in college? Theoretical Practical Both

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Q10. Are you aware with the details of research? Yes No Partly aware of information neededQ11. What is the field of your research? Finance Marketing HR OB Any otherQ12. What kind of research do you find convenient? Exploratory Conclusive Descriptive

Q13. What kind of difficulties are you facing in doing MRP?

Data not easily available Companies do not provide information Market research is difficult Inappropriate base for research Lack of expertise and experience Inappropriate guidance Any other

Q14. The data and review of literature available on your topic is in

In Abundance Satisfactory Rare37

Q15. Do your college provide backup to get information regarding a company-

Yes No Up to a certain limit

Q16. How do you rate the Supervision of your faculty for MRP-

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Q17. How do you rate conducting research as a medium to enter in corporate world-?

Very important Important Only basic knowledge Not necessary

Q18. If given a choice, you would prefer doing MRP as Theoritical in college only Practical in a company

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Q19. MRP is considered a burden by MBA students? True False

Q20. Any recommendation to UGC regarding MRP-

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