LAB DAY- 1
BUSINESS RESEARCH PROBLEM
Two types of problems-
1) Strong research problem- Usually needed to prove a fact
2) Weak research problem
Strong- Should include the following imp. qns. :-
1) What is the problem
2) Where is the problem occurring?
3) When is the problem occurring
4) How or what is the magnitude of the problem
No solution is included
Weak Research problem- All qns are not answered, only any one.
Low attendance in morning hours – Convert into a strong research problem
What: Low attendance
Where: SJIM (Management Colleges)
When: Morning hours (I and II PGDM/2024-2027)
How: % of students missing the classes in morning hours (8:30 onwards)
Magnitude: 30% of students do not attend the first hour.
❖ No wrong answer in research!
Research problem: -
In SJIM and most of the management colleges, an issue related to low attendance has been
observed. This is usually during the morning hours, from 8:30 am onwards. Both 1st and 2nd
year students have been following the same pattern since the past few months. The trend
observed is that, majority of the students attend the noon sessions, mostly after the lunch
break. The management has observed that 30% of the students do not attend the first hour.
In SJIM Bangalore, there has been low attendance in the morning hr classes, starting from
8:30 am onwards in both 1 and 2nd year PGDM Program. Mgt has found that 30% of the
students do not attend the first hour.
❖ TITLE- Should have 15 words.
❖ VARIABLES ARE KEYWORDS
Standard structure
“The problem of………among…….in……context.”
STEP 1- Title of The Project
The problem of low attendance in morning hours among PGDM Students in a private
management institute.
STEP 2- Problem Statement
In SJIM Bangalore, there has been low attendance in the morning hr classes, starting from
8:30 am onwards in both 1st and 2nd year PGDM Program. Management has found that 30%
of the students do not attend the first hour.
STEP 3- Literature Review – (Reading others work, who have done similar research)
Boolean search—and “” or
Author Year of Objectives Variabl Data and Statistical Theories
publication es methodology Tools referred
Soni 2024 -learning intent Student -Around 120 Structural Gamification
and and Attenda student responses. equation Technology
Banwet performance, as nce, - Structural modelling acceptance
well as other Task, equation modelling (SEM) model
students’ class Knowle (SEM)
activities, and dge
how can Retentio -PLS-based
gamification be n, methodology
instrumental in Gamific
achieving higher ation,
learning Expecte
outcomes at the d
postgraduate Learnin
level of g
education Outcom
-gamification to es,
measure Structur
learning al
outcomes and Equatio
student n
performance and Modelli
suggest ng, and
improvements Educatio
for them or the n
education sector
- student
attributes are
required to
behave in a
typical
classroom to
take competitive
advantage of
gamification in
achieving
expected
learning
outcomes in a
course or
program?
Soni and Banwet (two authors)
Soni [Link] (Three authors) ([Link]- and all)
Soni (one author)
BIBLIOGRAPHY-
Soni, V., & Devinder, B. K. Does a Student's Attendance and a Classroom Task Significantly Enhance Learning
Outcomes in a Gamely and Management Context?. Available at SSRN 4914610.
Soni, Vivek, and Banwet Kumar Devinder. "Does a Student's Attendance and a Classroom Task Significantly
Enhance Learning Outcomes in a Gamely and Management Context?." Available at SSRN 4914610.
Soni, V. and Devinder, B.K., Does a Student's Attendance and a Classroom Task Significantly Enhance
Learning Outcomes in a Gamely and Management Context?. Available at SSRN 4914610.
Soni, Vivek, and Banwet Kumar Devinder. "Does a Student's Attendance and a Classroom Task Significantly
Enhance Learning Outcomes in a Gamely and Management Context?." Available at SSRN 4914610.
Bibliography format: - APA
MLA
Harvard
Chicago
TOPIC- Limited effectiveness of Digital transformation in traditional Organization
Problem statement, Title of the project
2 literature reviews- Tabular format
Problem statement- In most of the traditional organizations, especially in those in rural areas,
interior areas, there has been a limited effectiveness of Digital transformation. This is mainly
due to the lack of awareness and the lack of usage of the digital technology in most of these
areas.
Title- The problem of the lack of effective digital transformation among traditional
organizations
LAB DAY-2 (20/01/2026)
Research Design- blueprint or foundation of research
Exploratory- Can explore the info
Unclear variables are unclear
Non-conclusive research-
What, why, how
METHODS-
1. In depth interviews- One to one interview, Deep insights- about the attitudes,
perceptions, behaviours. The one doing this will be an expert.
2. Semi structured checklist - used to ask qns. (Have you used this prdct, how often, your
perception etc.)
3. Focus group interviews- 6 to 8 ppl will be there. Needs a moderator, recording, not very
structured, has semi structured info., deep insights, attitudes, perceptions, behaviour etc.
(New product)
4. Case studies- Eg: Pit paper, white paper (to know entire details of the company, so can
work further)
5. Observations- Participant (active) vs non-participant
Eg- observing ppl buying a prdct (eg- looking at nutrient info or directly buying the product,
how much time one spends on each cloth, grocery area, how much time are they taking,
which area etc.)
(CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH THE CUSTOMER’S PERMISSION)
Controlled- artificial environment
Uncontrolled Environment- natural setting
Covert vs Overt observation
Covert- Secret observation
Overt- Very open observation
Human vs Mechanical – AI assistant, eye tracking machine
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Descriptive- Describe, and analyse from the variables
Eg- Raw data (60 students in a class)
- Age, work ex, Entrance exam score etc.
- Correlation can be done. (Ent exam score vs work ex, etc.)
- In this, the problem is clear
- Variables are identified (WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY, WHERE)
- Comparative study
- Example- Comparison b/w TCS and Infosys
- Cross sectional and longitudinal study (time factor)
- Longitudinal- requires longer time
- Both are based on time factor
- Cross sectional is only for one time
- In cross sectional, only one-time collection of the data.
- Multiple time collection of the data is also there.
- Panel survey- To check the monthly expenses of a family with their permission
- Omnibus survey- Giving one questionnaire to multiple clients. (All research agencies
are an example)
7. Causal- Based on a cause and effect relationship always.
- Here, there is an independent and dependent variable.
- Something which can be manipulated or changed is there.
Manipulate- IV
- Does X (IV) affect Y (DV)
- Eg:- Does the training (IV) increase productivity (DV)
- - Does WFH (IV reduce the employee turnover)- (DV)
A/B TESTING- Is A good or B good
- Before and after test
- Experimental group-
- Control group (placebo – fake medicine given) – This is done in causal research.
Fishbone diagram- Head of the fish (RESULT)
REGRESSION- WHEN TOO MANY VARIABLES ARE THERE
CORRELATION- IS DONE BEFORE REGRESSION
(CAN USE ANY 1 OF THEM OR ALL OF IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF
RESEARCH)
Qn. Create a fishbone diagram on:
1. Attention span of students are low
OR
2. Closure of Big Bazaar
ATTENTION SPAN OF STUDENTS ARE LOW
CLASS TIMING NO BREAKS IN BETWEEN
LACK OF PROPER SLEEP
LAB DAY 3- 22/01/2026
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
- Quotes
- Questionnaires
- - More based on thoughts, opinions- expresses these. Thoughts also
- Content can be taken from blogs.
- A subject matter investigator
- Inductive approach- Data. Pattern, Theory
- Data- Interviews, focus group interviews, depth interviews, observation
- Pattern- how does the data work, keywords used
- Like emotional and psych. Stress (Eg. - COVID- faced trauma etc.)
Qltv research is done through different types of methodologies: -
• Phenomenology- Lived experiences
• Video – like the personal experiences of a business failure or growth
• Ethnography- The investigator will stay or study in the place and study the culture and
the org. Immerse in the organization, and study the process. Will become a part of the
org.
• Grounded theory- Create/make a theory.
-Based on the past experiences.
-Past info is available, secondary data info.
-During the process of analysis/stay all info is collected, and a theory has been
concluded.
-Process and patterns >> New theory
• Ethnography- Culture
• Sampling process
• Purposive sampling
• Convenient Sampling
• Snowball Sampling
THESE 3 DOES NOT NEED NUMBERS, JUST THE INFO IS COLLECTED
PURPOSIVE SAMPLING
- A specific goal is there
- Sampling for relevance
- A relevant area to work/ relevant objective is there
CONVENIENCE SAMPLING
- Based on your convenience
- A well-known sample is taken
- Wherever you feel it is convenient to collect the data
- Sampling for availability
SNOWBALL SAMPLING
- Sampling for referrals
DATA COLLECTION- FGI, IDI, Obs. testimonies or blogs.
DATA ANALYSIS
1. Verbatim Transactions
2. Coding
3. Content or thematic analysis
1. Verbatim transactions-
-Exact copy
-Same words, everything is exactly the same.
“At first, online classes were convenient because I could attend from home. But
after sometime, I felt distracted and missed interacting with my classmates. The
internet issues also made it difficult to follow the lectures.”
VERBATIM- SAME THING IS COPIED AND IS SAID THAT IT IS VERBATIM
TRANSACTIONS
2. Coding
INTERVIEW STATEMENT CODING
online classes were convenient Convenience
attend from home Location flexibility
felt distracted Lack of concentration
missed interacting with my classmates Lack of peer interaction
internet issues Technical problems
difficult to follow the lectures Learning Difficulty
CONTENT OR THEMATIC ANALYSIS
THEME CODES
Flexibility Benefits Convenience, Location, Flexibility
Engagement Challenges Lack of concentration, Lack of peer
interaction
Technical barriers Technical problems, Learning difficulty
“I usually like shopping here because the products are good. But, last weekend, the
billing counter was very slow. I had to wait for a long time and there were not
enough staff members and manage the crowd. Because of this, I felt irritated and
may not come back soon.”
INTERVIEW STATEMENT CODING
like shopping here Convenience
products are good Product quality
THEME CODES
Product satisfaction Prdct qlty, overall satisfaction
Customer satisfaction Delay in billing, Frustrated
Research Proposal (27/01/2026)
- After 1st week of internship, one proposal is to be made, for the project we are
currently working on. Stating what you are planning to do
Topic, sampling style, sample size etc.
-Signature of industry guide, with seal is necessary to indicate approval.
- To be sent as a scanned copy to the faculty.
- 250-300-word limit.
- Tentative, chances are there to be declined
__________________________________________________
Research Project On the job
Introduction (topic) Introduction (topic)
Background (Why) Background (Why)
Problem Statement (What) Problem Statement (What)
Methodology- A very detailed version Methodology
METHODOLOGY WILL INCLUDE- Sample, sample size, sampling style, place
from where you are collecting the data
Unit of analysis- Sample frame- place from where you are collecting the data
(Eg.- bus school of Bangalore. Bangalore- business frame- the particular area)
Sample Department
sample size Observation (process, pattern,
sampling style problem)
place of collection Company (sample frame)
Unit of analysis (sample frame)
Budget- data collection, field, travel Budget- no much issue
expense, printing expenses, internet Cold calling (expenses), meeting client,
charges, cold calling (telephone travel expenses
expenses) Focus grp interviews
(record expenses) video recording
Timeline: Timeline:
Week 1-2- Literature review and Week 1-2- reading abt the company,
research design discuss the problems of the company,
referring to the annual reports of the
Week 3-4- Data collection (surveys and company, meeting your industry guide
interviews)
Week 3-4 – Observation pattern
Week 5-6- Data Analysis
Week 5 – 6 : New concepts, new
Week 7- 8- Final write up and methodologies, how to use the software
submission Week 7-8 – Report
**Maintain a notebook to note down all points, or note it down on your phone**
Actual timeline Proposed timeline
Week 1- Company 2 weeks- Company
Week 2- Meet the clients 3rd week -
A study on factors influencing Urban Commuters Satisfaction with Traffic
Management
Research project On the job training
Introduction- Urban commuters’ Introduction- Traffic Management
satisfaction
Background- Satisfaction, factors Background- Traffic staff
Problem statement – Keen of the Problem statement- Keen on the
customers traffic police
Methodology- Methodology-
Traffic department
Sample size: Depends on the Sampling style –
population 10% Convenience Sampling, Purposive
Sampling style- random sampling, sampling
those cars have numbers (last number
even)
Budget- no budget allocated Budget
Timeline- 8 weeks – adhere to the Timeline- 8 weeks – adhere to the
timeline given by the company timeline given by the company
MID TERM- all application lvl based questions., TILL EXPLORATORY
RESEARCH – including it!
Conceptual Model (27/01/2026)
- A diagram or a flow chart which shows the relationship b/w independent
variable, dependent variable, mediating variable, moderating variable and
control variable.
IV- Cause, predictor
DV- Outcome / result
MV- Explains how and why the IV affects DV
MoV (moderating variable) - Talks abt when, for whom, under what conditions
the effect is strong or weak.
CV- Controlled variable- may influence the dependent variable, but external
factors.
MoV
IV MV DV
CV
Studying the mental health of students after Covid-19.
Good support
Online Learning Academic Stress Mental Health
Financial Stress
Mature, Age
LAB SESSION (29/01/2026)
JMP SOFTWARE
MID TERM-
SEC C- Case study
MCQ- 10 MARKS
SECTION B- 24
JMP OR JUMP SOFTWARE
-Left hand side- all files worked on (Recent files)
-Right- new files (windows list)
To open a new file in JMP: -
File → New data table →
-Blue triangle- continuous scale
- Red bar- nominal scale
JMP OR JUMP SOFTWARE
-Free software
- Menu based
- Different scales: -
1. Nominal- Name, roll no.
2. Ordinal- Ranking (strongly agree, rarely, once etc.)
3. Interval- used in software and known as continuous scale
4. Ratio- used in software and known as continuous scale
Quantitative Research – (29/01/2026)
-Test hypothesis
-Measure the variables
-Establish relationships and patterns
- Draw conclusions with larger data
-Deductive approach
- Theory → Develop hypothesis → Collect data → Test hypothesis → Conclude the
research
-Methods- Cross sectional, longitudinal
Sampling
1. Simple random Sampling: Researcher will take a random sample. Can decide on his
own.
2. Stratified Random sampling:
-A strata (group) is looked into.
-Should have similar characteristics.
-At least one same characteristic should be there.
Eg: - HR Students/ [Link] students/ Women in a class
3. Cluster sampling:
-Will divide the entire population into groups.
- Mainly focuses on geography of the place (eg- institutions, same language, same
state)
4. Multi-stage sampling:
- Eg: States → Cities → Colleges → Students
-Worked on multiple stages.
DATA COLLECTION
1. Retrospective data: Past data (secondary data)- 5 yrs prev yr applications etc.
2. Prospective data- Always forward in time.
Eg: Employees performance for 6 months after training
3. Questionnaires
4. Surveys
Statistical Tools
1. Correlation
2. Regression (Simple, Multiple)
3. T- test
4. Anova
5. Descriptive Analysis
6. Forecasting models
7. Structural Equation modelling