| Formatted contents note |
Introduction to Research – Builds a strong conceptual foundation:<br/>Meaning, scope, and significance of research<br/>Research terminologies (concepts, variables, constructs, hypotheses, models, theories)<br/>Types of Research – Quantitative/qualitative, conceptual/empirical, fundamental/applied, cross-sectional/longitudinal<br/>Philosophical approaches (positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism)<br/>Deductive vs Inductive reasoning with frameworks and visuals<br/>Research Process – Step-by-step explanation<br/>How to conduct a literature review (steps, sources, synthesis)<br/>How to formulate research questions, with examples and common mistakes<br/>Research Design – Provides a blueprint for conducting research:<br/>Meaning and characteristics of research design<br/>Exploratory, descriptive, and experimental designs<br/>When and how each design is used in business studies<br/>Examples and structured diagrams to choose appropriate designs<br/>Data Collection – A comprehensive and application-rich unit:<br/>Measurement & Scaling<br/>Levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)<br/>Comparative scales (ranking), non-comparative scales (rating)<br/>Likert, semantic differential, Stapel scales<br/>Reliability & validity (types, measurement, examples)<br/>Survey Methods<br/>Types of Surveys – Online, telephonic, personal, mail-based<br/>Characteristics of a good survey<br/>Designing questionnaires, respondent bias, and pilot testing<br/>Sampling Techniques<br/>Concepts – Population, sampling units, sampling frame<br/>Probability Sampling – Random, stratified, systematic, cluster<br/>Non-probability sampling: convenience, purposive, quota, judgmental<br/>Sample size determination (logic, formulae, examples)<br/>Data Analysis using Spreadsheet & SPSS – Highly practical, tool-based, and skill-building:<br/>Data Preparation & Cleaning<br/>Handling missing values<br/>Detecting outliers<br/>Coding/recoding variables<br/>Classification of data<br/>Visual Presentation – Tables, line charts, bar charts, pie charts, histograms, box plots<br/>Descriptive Statistics<br/>Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)<br/>Measures of variation (range, IQR, variance, SD, coefficient of variation)<br/>Skewness, kurtosis, interpretation with visuals<br/>Inferential Statistics (with SPSS & Spreadsheet Procedures) – Each test includes a practical example, SPSS steps, spreadsheet method & output interpretation:<br/>One-sample Z-test & Two-sample Z-test<br/>One-sample t-test<br/>Paired-sample t-test<br/>Independent-sample t-test<br/>Chi-square tests (goodness of fit & independence)<br/>Non-parametric tests:<br/>Kolmogorov–Smirnov<br/>Mann–Whitney U<br/>Kruskal–Wallis<br/>Median test<br/>Sign test<br/>McNemar test<br/>Also includes numerical questions and practical exercises for every major concept<br/>Report Writing & Ethics – Focuses on academic writing and responsible research practices:<br/>Types of reports (contractual, project, research, evaluation, annual)<br/>Structure of a well-written research report<br/>Referencing and bibliography (with examples)<br/>Format and presentation guidelines (tables, figures, layout)<br/>Ethical issues at each research stage<br/>Rights and responsibilities of researchers, sponsors, and respondents<br/>Each chapter follows a consistent and reader-friendly design:<br/><br/>Clear learning objectives<br/>Introductory examples for context<br/>Step-by-step explanations with flowcharts and diagrams<br/>Tables contrasting key concepts<br/>SPSS and Spreadsheet tutorials<br/>Rich visuals for data presentation and theory models<br/>Case study to encourage application<br/>Summary for quick revision<br/>MCQs, short & long answer questions<br/>Numerical questions and practical tasks for skill-building<br/>The progression ensures that students first gain conceptual clarity, then immerse themselves in application |
| Summary, etc |
Business Research Methodology is a NEP-aligned, practice-oriented textbook that turns research learning into a clear, step-by-step process. It covers the whole research journey—from foundational concepts and philosophical approaches to data collection, SPSS/Excel-based analysis, report writing, and ethics—across five structured units. Supported by real datasets, case studies, visuals, solved examples, and practical tasks, the book blends conceptual clarity with hands-on application. It is an ideal resource for B.Com./B.Com. (Hons.) students, research beginners, and learners preparing for dissertations, exams, internships, and early research roles. |
