A Study Note on MBA Project Report(Selection of Topic, Format of Project Report, Terminal Points and Key Instructions)

ByDr. V.S.Shitole

I. Selection of TopicII. Beginning Pages of Project

ReportIII. Content of the Report:IV. Key Instructions

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I

Selection of Topic

As per the requirements of the University of Pune, all the students of Master of Business Administration [MBA] programme are required to undergo 'Summer Training' in a particular business organization as a partial fulfillment for their Master's degree towards the end of their first academic year, (during summer vacation). This in-plant training is for a minimum period of 50 days, which is popularly known as SUMMER TRAINING. This training has the following objectives:1) To expose the students to the current business environment.2) To establish link between theory and practice.3) To apply multi disciplinary concepts, tools and techniques to solve

organizational problems.4) To understand the functioning of a business organization.5) To acquaint with the hierarchy of the various levels of

management.6) To understand the processes involved in the working of the various

functional departments of the organization.7) To know the relationship among the people working in the unit.8) To know the current status of the business unit.9) To create awareness for various research topics in the business

environment.

The students of Master of Business Administration [MBA] are required to submit a project report based on their observation in the field of functional area or general business environment. The project report is to be written in a technical and scientific manner, which is not only in a presentable form but also complete in all respects. This project report is basically a kind of research project. Research is a systematic effort of gathering, analysis and interpretation of the problems to find meaningful solutions. Research Project Report should aim at:

1) To discover the answers to business problems.2) To achieve new insight in to a business phenomenon.3) To portray accurately the features of particular business situation.4) To find the frequency of occurrence.

1. Deciding the method of study:-

There are different kinds of methods are used in management research. Each method has its own advantages and limitations. The

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research worker should therefore, decide in the very beginning as to what particular method he is going to use. In selecting the method he should take into consideration not only the suitability of the method, but his own knowledge of it also. More than one method may be applied but a prior planning of the same is essential

2. Survey Method

Surveys under management discipline may be classified into various types according to their subject matter, techniques of data collection, regularly etc. Classification on the basis of subject matter has already been given in the previous pages. Following are other classifications.

i. General or specific surveys: When a survey is conducted for collecting general information about any population, institution or phenomena without any particular object or hypothesis it is known as a general survey. Such surveys are mostly undertaken by the government for supplying regular data on many socio-economic problems. Census of population every tenth year is a typical example of such a survey. Specific surveys are conducted for specific problems or for testing the validity of some theory or hypothesis. These surveys are naturally more pointed and only such information as a directly related to the specific purpose is collected. Information gathered through these surveys is generally of very little value-outside the problem under study.

ii. Regular and ad-hoc surveys: Some surveys are regular in Mature and must he repeated after regular intervals. For such surveys permanent machinery for collecting information has to be set up. Most of such surveys are mainly economic surveys. A study of family budgets can be cited as example. Rural Credit Survey of family budgets can be cited as exam Rural Credit Survey of the Reserve Bank of India which call information regarding the condition of rural credit annually is of the same type. Such surveys are undertaken where continuo' data is required to study the trend or the effect of time upon phenomena under study. Ad-hoc surveys are undertaken once for all. They may also be conducted in phases if the area of investigation is „large, the whole survey being finished in two or more installments. This would not entitle them to be termed as regular or repetitive type unless the

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same information is collected over and over again. Ad-hoc surveys are undertaken mostly for testing a hypothesis or supplementing some missing information regarding any research problem.

iii. Preliminary and final surveys: A preliminary survey is generally known as 'pilot study' and it is therefore runner of the final survey. The purpose of this survey is to get the first hand knowledge of the universe to be surveyed. It helps a person to get acquainted with the problem and the nature of respondents from whom the information it to be collected. It is therefore, very useful in preparing the schedule or questionnaire and organizing the survey on proper lines. Final survey is made after the pilot study has been completed.

iv. Census and sample surveys: In a census survey every single unit in the universe is to be contacted and information collected from him. In case of a sample survey only a small part of it is taken as representative of the whole and data collected from it are made applicable to the whole universe. For example, in a study of smoking habit among the students at Pune, we may contact each one of the several thousand students to get requisite information or a sample of few hundred may be taken and data so collected may be made applicable to the whole group. Sample surveys are becoming more popular these days because of their convenience, time saving and low cost. Besides, this, techniques have been developed which permit the calculation error with adequate precision.

3. PLANNING OF A MANAGEMENT RELATED SURVEYS

The survey is like establishing and running a business enterprise. Both require technical knowledge and skill, administrative ability and specific experience or training in work similar to that being organized. Planning of management research programme is necessary for its successful execution. An unplanned research work may entail a lot of fruitless labour and wastage of time, money and effort. Most of the unplanned studies fizzle out before they have reached their final stage because the researcher may find himself face to face with difficult problems which he had never thought of and for which he is never

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prepared. A number of problems have to be considered in planning a Management related research project some of these are given below:

4. Selection of the problem:

The first and the foremost thing to be decided by the research worker is the selection of the Project research problem itself. It is probably the most important matter to be decided by the research workers. Selection of an unsuitable problem would result in the inevitable failure. Following factors may be kept in mind while selecting the problem.

(a) The research project should be such, in which researcher may be deeply interested. His own interest will not only inspire him to work hard but also increase in power to grasp things quickly and keep his morale high in times of difficulties.

(b) The research Topic should be allied with the chain of thinking or research already in existence. Stray problems if selected become difficult to co-ordinate and do not add to the whole some development of the theory.

(c) The Research Topic selected should not necessarily be new. It may be an old problem or one on which work has already been done. There is a general temptation for the new research worker to hit upon some new problem, as it satisfies his sense of vanity, but from purely scientific point of view verification of an old problem may be equally useful. Any hypothesis successfully proved in the repeated tests that hypothesis assumes the form of a perfects theory.

(d) The project topic should be within manageable limits. It should not be too comprehensive, Here again a good deal of caution has to be taken. There is general tendency to select vast topics, as they appear grander. Vast subject of study, howsoever, grand they may appear, are unfit for real research work. It requires a real sense of humility and a definite control over temptation on the part of the research worker to confine him to narrow topics. But they are very essential for successful scientific study.

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(e) The topic should preferably possess some direct utility.' This point raises the controversy of basic versus applied research. Basic research although so important for social theory has little practical value. Applied research may possess immediate utility to some interested persons. Both of them have to be taken up but in order to make the research work financially self-sufficient due stress has to be given to applied part.

(f) The topic should be practically feasible. Practical feasibility conveys many implied conditions. They relate to technique, time, money and other resources at the, disposal, of the research worker. The topic selected should not be such as can not be dealt with through existing techniques. Time, money and other resources at our disposal not only limit the dimension of our studies but also the nature of studies. All these factors must be thought out well in advance and a budget showing the proposed expenditure should be prepared before the research work is actually started.

(g) The title of research topic must be appropriate and capable to expose what is being included in the research project.

5. Type of Research Project:

The research project may be from any one of the following types:1) Compressive case study covering single organization

multifunctional area, problem formulation, analysis and policy recommendations.

2) Field study with empirical orientation.

Research Project Broad Areas in the Management Research

The students can take up the research project in areas such as:1) General Management2) Accounting and Finance 3) Human Resource Management4) Organizational Behaviour

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5) Organizational Design6) Operation Management7) Marketing Management8) Information System9) Corporate Management10) Any other [specify]

Students frequently are in difficulties while selecting a suitable project. In order to overcome these difficulties, the selection of an enterprise or topic for the purpose of the summer project must be made in consultation with their guides. The possible project subjects are illustrated below:

1) A study Non Performing Assets (NPAs) Management2) A study of Cost Components of a sugar Industry 3) A study of Financial Incentives4) A Study of Financial Resources of Bank with special reference to

Janata Sahakari Bank5) A study of Job Evaluation 6) A study of Non Financial incentives7) A study of Training & Development in 8) Advertisement & Sales Promotion.9) Advertising Practices.10) An analysis of financial Resources of LIC.11) Analysis of P & L A/c.12) Balance Sheet Analysis.13) Barriers of Communication in Enterprise14) Brand Management.15) Budgetary Control.16) Collective Bargaining.17) Communication Methods in Enterprise.18) Communication Techniques 19) Compensation Payment Management in20) Competitor Analysis.21) Consumer Behaviour with Special Reference to Selected Product.22) Customer Satisfaction.23) Demand Potential for Baja Three Wheelers24) Distribution Channels.25) Effects of Advertising.26) Evaluation of Training Effectiveness- with special reference to 27) Export / Import Documentation.28) Export Marketing of ABC company 29) Export Practices or Export of Product.30) Factory Environment.31) Finance Audit of a company

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32) Finances of retailing business :-A case of selected shopping Malls in Pune

33) Financial Ratio Analysis based on Annual Reports 34) Fund Flow Analysis35) Govt. Assistance to Enterprise.36) HR Climate Survey.37) Import Practices or Import of Product.38) Industrial Relations.39) Internal Control Systems 40) Inventory Control Management 41) Job Satisfaction.42) Labour Welfare Practices in organized shopping malls 43) Legal Aspects of Business.44) Man Power Planning, 45) Marketing business Through TV Media46) Marketing of Financial Services : A case of Nationalized bank 47) Marketing Practices in.....48) Marketing Practices.49) Marketing Survey for Product50) MIS of an Organization51) Motivation, 52) Operational Control.53) Organizational Structure of 54) Packaging & Labeling Practices for selected consumer goods 55) Performance Appraisal 56) Placement & Induction Programmes in----57) Plant Layout.58) Portfolio Management.59) Pricing Strategies of Transport operators60) Production Practices.61) Productivity Measurement 62) Promotion of Enterprise.63) Recruitment & Selection.64) Relationship Marketing.65) Retailing Business in groceries66) Sales Forecasting.67) Salesmanship at Traffic Signals68) Selection Process 69) Study of Financial Statements of ......70) Study of Selection Tests Practiced in ..... 71) Supply Chain Management.72) Time Management of MBA students73) TQM.74) Training Needs & Analysis with special reference to small hotels 75) Training of Salesmen.76) Valuation of Human Assets.

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77) Wholesaling in vegetable Markets78) Wholesaling Practices 79) Working Capital Management.

(The students may have the research Topics other than those mentioned herewith. provided they should consult with their research Guide)

6. Preliminary preparations:-

The researcher must acquaint himself with all the material that is available on the matter. This may consist of written texts, research work, and unpublished information. The research scholar should go through them. Allied matter should also be read. He should find out the persons who have conducted research or special study of the problem, should contact them, discuss with them, the problem, their findings, technique followed by them and the difficulties faced. This early preparation will make him more equipped and better suited to tackle the problem under study.

7. Selection of sample:-

Management variables related with people are very vast. It is practical impossibility to contact each and every person to assess the impact or relations with the managerial variables. Moreover the problem under study may not concern everybody. Therefore a sample is generally drawn from amongst the people about whom the study has to be made. There are different methods of drawing out a sample and they have been explained by the teachers. For MBA project only a brief mention is enough.

The most essential feature of a good sample is its representative ness. The sample should include as fully as possible the qualities and attributes of the homogeneous universe.

It must be capable of yielding as accurate and reliable picture of the total. The sample must be simple and easy to be drawn.

It should be possible to assess the precision of the sample and determine mathematically the limit of the errors.

Above all, it must be practicable. An impracticable sample, however excellent, is of no real use.

In order to draw a representative sample the 'universe' or the total population that has to be studied, must be known.

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Thus for example, if it is proposed to conduct a survey of the employment among middle class women and its effect upon the family organization in the city of Pune, 'we must know the total number middle class women employed in different jobs in Pune. A list of all cases, of universe, known as source list is thus prepared and the sample is drawn according to systematic sampling methods. Even after a sample has been drawn it should be tested by internal and external checks.

8. Nature of information to be collected:-

Social phenomena are generally very complex and influenced by a number of variables. It is, therefore, essential to decide before hand for information is to be collected. Questionnaire and schedules are generally prepared for this purpose. They contain certain set of questions that are to be asked from the informants. Questionnaire and schedule bring uniformity and thus introduce objectivity in the study. A proper drafting of these documents is very essential. Any slip in the language may distort the meaning and may create a bias in the replies. Information required should be complete. After the study has been completed, if some important information has been left out, it will require the same amount of labour and effort again to gather it. Therefore enough care should be exercised in this respect. Detailed discussion about the schedules and Questionnaires has "been given in the succeeding chapters.

Formal questionnaire may be not needed in some type of research work as case study, field observation, narrative interview etc. But even is such case the researcher has to make a plan, how-over short and sketchy, to get an idea as to what information is to be collected. It may be in form of interview guide, giving broad headings upon which questions are to be put or only a summary of the nature of information to be collected. Such a plan is sufficiently elastic and not fixed and unchangeable like schedule or questionnaire. The observer may make necessary changes in the matter to be observed as the research work is in progress and more experience is gained about the nature of the problem and the type of response available. In any case some sort of previous planning is absolutely essential in every case.

9. Organization of survey:If it is a quantitative survey a good deal of organizational work is

required for successfully conducting it. A number of field workers may be required. If they are not trained, they must be given necessary training. Proper arrangement should be made for checking and supervising their work so that they may not give false reports. After

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the report has been received, it has to be edited. A thorough checking of the forms has to be undertaken. After this the data has to be classified, coded and presented in form of tables. It is subjected to various kinds of analysis and ultimately conclusions are drawn proving or disproving the hypothesis. All this organizational work should be pre-planned. The researcher may put up his own organization or may take the help of some already existing professional body. If the project is quite big and likely to take enough time, it is generally more useful to set up one's own research organization. In short surveys, help may be taken from professional organizations because selection and training of the field workers is a time consuming process and may require a lot of preparatory expenditure. Even if a separate arrangement is made for this purpose, occasional guidance may be taken and consultations made whenever some special technique is involved.

10. Pre-testing or pilot study:-

Even after a theoretical preparation has been made some sort of trial survey is necessary to gain specific knowledge of the subject and get an idea of the various problems likely to be faced in the in course of the survey. These trial surveys arc variously known as pilot study, pre-testing, test tube survey etc.

In pre-testing the same procedure is allowed as is to be adopted in actual survey. Every detail is to be followed with same precision. The number of cases to be included in the pilot study sample differs according to nature of survey. Generally 100 or 200 cases are taken. Sometimes even 25 cases are considered enough.

In case of any schedules or forms are to be used, they must be given a trail in the pilot study. The pilot study sample should be as far as possible representative of the main sample, in other words it must include cases from all the different strata. Necessary amendments should be made in the questionnaire, method of study, the sample drawn and other plans of field organization. If a substantial change has been introduced as a result of the pre-testing a second or even a third pilot study may be essential.

11 Cost estimates:Every survey entails some financial expenditure which varies

from survey to survey, according to the scope and size of the survey, time required nature of information to be collected etc. A prior estimate of financial requirement is absolutely essential. A hurried start without a definite plan may result in financial bottle-neck in the advanced stage of the survey and may even result in utter waste of time and money previously employed on it. Not only the expenditure

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required but also the resources through which the finances arc to come should be pre-planned and definitely ascertained.

In preparing cost budget all the necessary items of expenditure may be taken into account. They may include such items as purchase of books, stationery, files, payment to be made to staff clerical and field workers, conveyance and traveling expenses as well as other charges incidental to the survey work. A reserve of 10% for any contingencies must be made. Expenditure to be incurred on report must also be taken into account.

No hard and fast rules can be framed regarding the amount of expenditure likely to be incurred. It entirely depends upon the nature of the survey and the circumstances in which it is to be carried. The general method is to divide the survey into following three parts, each part requiring almost equal expenditure.1. Planning the survey and drafting schedule forms and questionnaire.2. Investigation in the field, collecting data, editing schedules.3. Coding, tabulating, analyzing data and writing report.

As described above, formation of correct budget is a matter of experience and it will not be unwise if help is taken from professional organizations in this respect.

12 Time estimates:

In any kind of planning, time factor plays a dominant role. The work has to be carried on according to time schedule. In fundamental research work time may not be an important factor and the researcher may take any period of time for completing his research, but in many types of short surveys specially those dealing with problems of immediate and transitory interest only, the time factor has a great importance and the survey must be completed within specified time if findings are to be of any interest to the people.

Sometimes the report of the survey has to be given as quickly as within 48 hours. Telegraphic or telephonic surveys are conducted in such cases. Such surveys generally deal with attitude and opinion polls about some problem immediate Importance e. g. chances of a particular candidate in election, In such a case information may be collected on telephone or actual interview and is dispatched telegraphically to the head office. Day and night work has to be done to tabulate the information collected and bring out the result in time.

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13. Report:-

After the data have been analyzed deductions are drawn. These generalizations are often put in form of a report. If the survey has been undertaken at the instance of a third party care should be taken to see that all the information demanded by him has been supplied. At such times the surveyor may give his own opinion as well as the suggestions regarding the problem under study. The form of report to be submitted should be decided before hand as it is very helpful in deciding the nature of information to be collected and the form in which it is to be analyzed.

II: - Beginning Pages of Project Report

1) Title of the Project: It should be in capital letters It should have clarity It should be original or new It should be object oriented It should be eye view of the project It should be in minimum words It should be in inverted commas

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A Project Report on

“HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN BAJAJ AUTO LTD. AT WALUJ, AURANGABAD

“

Submitted to the University of Pune in Partial Fulfillment of RequirementsFor the Award of Degree of

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

By

Mr. Sen Gupta,MBA –III Semester

Exam No.-

Under the Guidance of

Prof. Dr. V.S. Shitole JSPM’S Jaywant Institute of Management Studies,

Thathwade, Pune-411044

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July-2011

C. DECLARATION

D E C L A R A T I O N

I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the Project Report entitled "…………………………." written and submitted by me to the University of Pune in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Business Administration under the guidance of---------------------- is my original work and the conclusions drawn therein are based on the material collected by myself.

Place : Pune (Name)Date : Research Student

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D. GUIDE'S CERTIFICATE

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Project Report entitled " ………………" which is being submitted herewith for the award of the degree of Master of Business Administration of University of Pune is the result of the original research work completed by Mr.………………….. under my supervision and guidance and to the best of my knowledge and belief the work embodied in this Project Report has not formed earlier the basis for the award of any degree or similar title of this or any other University or examining body.

Place : Pune (Name of the Guide)Date : Research Guide

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E. COMPANYCERTIFICATE

Note: This certificate is to be obtained on original letterhead of the company by the project student where he/she carried out project work.

TATA Group of Company, Address

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

This is to certify that Miss.XXXXXXXXXXX has worked in the finance department from 7'" May 2011 to 7'" July 2011 in our organization. During this period, she successfully completed the work assigned to her. She has been sincere, hardworking and punctual in her work. I wish good and prospers carrier for her future.

SignatureName of the PersonDesignation with Office Seal

Note: The above-cited content certificate is to be obtained on original letterhead of the company by the project student where he/she carried out project work.

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F. CONTENT PAGE

CONTENTS

Page No.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER 1:

CHAPTER II:

CHAPTER III:

CHAPTER IV:

CHAPTER V:

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANNEXURE

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G. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A page for Acknowledgment

In this page, the students can acknowledge for the people who are concern to the work and project.

H. LIST OF TABLES

A PAGE FOR LIST OF TABLES

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For example:

LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title of the

Table

Page

No.

Table No.

1.1

Table No.

1.2

Table No.

2.1

Table No.

2.2

Table No.

3.1

Table No.

3.2

Table No.

4.1

Table No.

4.2

Table No.

5.1

Table No.

5.2

Tables may be more or less depending upon the tables in the each chapter.

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I. LISTOF FIGURES

A PAGE FOR LIST OF FIGURES

For example:

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No Title of the

Figure

Page

No.

Figure No.

1.1

Figure No.

1.2

Figure No.

2.1

Figure No.

2.2

Figure No.

3.1

Figure No.

3.2

Figure No.

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4.1

Figure No.

4.2

Figure No.

5.1

Figure No.

5.2

Figure No.

5.3

Figure No.

5.4

Figures may be more or less depending upon the figure in the each chapter

J. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

All the abbreviations used in the research project should be listed alphabetically here.

K. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

This page should consist of the executive summary of research project carried out by the project student/researcher.

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III) Content of the Report:

Chapter I

1.1Introduction

The first chapter may cover the following points:1) Basic Theoretical Concepts of the Topic2) Literature Review3) Need for the Study4) Statement of the Problem5) Objectives of the Project6) Research Hypotheses7) Scope of the Study

The detail descriptions of these points are as under:

2. Basic Theoretical Concepts of the Topic(self explanatory)

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1.2 Literature Review:-

This point should cover the following: A brief note of overview of work already done in the area of the

selected research topic. Minimum ten projects/Articles should be reviewed. Review write up should be in scientific manner covering:

(i) Name of the author whose paper is under review.(ii) Title and objectives in summery form.(iii) Methodology adopted to study the objectives.(iv) Summarizing the major findings.(v) Highlighting research gaps.

Scientific style of foot note reference.

1.3. Need for the Study:-

This point should cover the following: Why this study. Sources of key originating research question(s). The selected problem in the theoretical context of the concerned

discipline should be specified.

1.4 Statement of the Problem:-

This point should cover the following:

The problem to be investigated should be presented clearly and briefly.

Statement should emerge from the need for the study. It should be object oriented. It should be eye view of the project. It should be in inverted commas.

1.5. Objectives of the Project:-

This point should cover the following: The objectives of the project should be made in clear, specific

and precise terms. The objectives of the project should be put in serial points. They should cover summary of the title of the research project. They should be in minimum words. They should indicate scope of the study. They should drive the research project. They should be in minimum number.

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1.6. Research Hypotheses:-

This point should cover the following: A hypothesis is a tentative generalization- the validity of which

remains to be tested. Specify research hypotheses that you wish to investigate in this

study. They should be clear, specific & precise. They should state the relationship of variables. They should be simple. They should be limited in scope. They should be testable statements. They should be in minimum number.

1.7. Reference Period for study

1.8. Scope of the Study:-

This point should cover the following: Specific mention should be made of the rational scope of the

research problem of the project, such as: Geographical scope of the study. The topical scope of the study. Analytical scope of the study. The functional scope of the study.

1.8Limitation of Study

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Chapter II

Conceptual Logic behind the topic and Profile of the Organization

This is the second chapter of the project, which may focus the following

points:

Conceptual Logic behind the topic Name, Address and Location of the Company Vision and Mission of the Organization Historical Background of the Organization Different Departments of the Organization Organizational Chart of the Company Different product profile of the Organization Current Status of the Company Future Plans of the Organization Any special awards to the Organization Any other relevant information of the

Organization

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Chapter IIIResearch Design and Methodology

A good research design ensures against wasteful expenditure of time, money and energy. The chapter may cover the following points:

1) Sampling Design2) Source and methods of Data Collection3) Methods of data Analysis and Statistical Techniques4) Key concepts and Definitions5) Scheme of the Study6) Limitations of the Study

The detail descriptions of these points are as under:

1. Sampling Design:-

This point should cover the following: Define population with reference to project. Sampling unit should be specified. Sampling frame should be defined. Sample size should be defined. Sampling procedure should be defined.

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Know the Budgetary constraints. An explanation of the determination of size and type of sample

will also be necessary. Proposals not requiring a sample selection should specify their

strategy appropriately and describe the rationale.

2. Source and methods of Data Collection:-

This point should cover the following:The different types of data that are proposed to be gathered and to be used should be specifically mentioned. Data collection methods may be as:

I) Sources of Primary Data collection: Observations, Field Observation, Interview Schedule, Questionnaire, Discussion with Some Concerned People.

II) Sources of Secondary data Collection: Bibliography database, Abstract database, Full text database, Online database, Unpublished database.

Ill) The sources for each type of data and the tools and techniques that will be used for collecting different types of data should be specified.

3. Methods of data Analysis and Statistical Techniques:-This point should cover the following: Different types of data analysis techniques used in the research

project should be specifically mentioned. Such as:1) Basic analytical tools, which include Tabular Analysis, Graphical

Analysis, Percentage Analysis or Ratio Analysis etc., should be specified.

2) Project students can use some advanced techniques in the project for data analysis, which includes Regression Analysis, Multivariate Analyses, ANOVA etc., should be specified.

4. Key concepts and Definitions:-

This point should cover the following:• If some special technical terms used in the research

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project, those terms should be defined clearly.

5. Scheme of the Study:-

This point should cover the following:• Outline of all the chapters should be given here.

For example. Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V6. Limitations of the Study:-

This point should cover the following:• Major limitations of the study should be specified.

Chapter IVData Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation

This chapter should contain information on the following points:1) Getting data ready for analysis2) Data Analysis3) Interpretation of results4) Discussion on results derived5) Research Questions Answered

The detail descriptions of these points are as under:1. Getting data ready for analysis: Editing data Handling blank responses Coding data Categorizing data Creating data file Programming

2 Data Analysis:A. Present data in tabular forms:

(i) Frequency tables(ii) Response tables(iii) Contingency tables(iv) Univariate tables(v) Bivariate tables(vi) Statistical tables

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(vii) Time Series tables

B. All tables should have technical features, such as:(i) Table Number(ii) Title of the table(iii) Captions (Columns Heading)(iv) Stubs (Row Heading)(v) Table Body(vi) Head Note(vii) Foot Note

C. Feel for the dataUse basic of statistics such as:(i) Frequencies(ii) Mean(iii) Standard Deviation.(iv) Coefficient of Variation(v)Correlation(vi) ANOVA(vii) Etc.

D. Righteousness of Data1. Reliability2. Validity

E. Hypotheses Testing

3 Interpretation of results:- Feel what findings/results are Mean what findings say Read, think and present the inference

4 Discussion on results derived:- Link the objectives with results of the data Implications of findings Personal perspective of the student on derived results

5 Research Questions Answered:- Feel the research questions are answered Draw and Develop conclusions or generalizations

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Chapter VFindings and suggestions

This chapter should cover the following:1) Main Findings2) Policy Suggestions3) Scope for further research

1. Main Findings:- Findings are statements of factual information based upon the

data analysis List all the major findings of the project serially Put the findings in sequence of the study

2. Policy Suggestions:- Policy Suggestions or Recommendations should flow from the

findings They should be very rational and practical They should be specific They should be indicative

3. Scope for further research:-• Project study should indicate scope for further research

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vi) Terminal Items:

This point should cover the following points: Bibliography Questionnaires or Interview Schedules Glossary terms Index of Key words

Bibliography:-A bibliography is the listing of the work that is relevant to the

main topic of the research interest arranged in the alphabetical order of the last names of the author(s). A reference list is a subset of the bibliography, which includes details of the all the citation used in the literature survey and elsewhere in the report, arranged again, in the alphabetical order of the last names of the author(s).

At least three modes of referencing are followed in the business research. These are based on the format provided in the publication manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), (2001), the Chicago Manual Style (1993), and the Turabian style (1996).

Each of these style specifies with examples, how books, journals newspapers, dissertations and other documentation materials are to be referenced in the manuscript. Since the APA format is followed for referencing by many journals in the management area, the monograph will highlight the distinctions in how books, journals, newspapers, dissertations and other documentation materials are referenced using APA format as specimen referencing format below:

Book by single author:-1. Benni, Basavaraj, S., (2005), Dairy Cooperative Management and

Practice, Rawat Publication, Jaipur.

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Book by more than one author:1. Krishnaswamy, K. N., Appa, Iyer, Sivakumar, & Mathirajan. M.. (2006), Management Research Methodology: Integration of Principles, Methods and Techniques, Pearson Education, New Delhi.

More than one Book by the same author:-1) Roy, A., (1998a) Chaos theory, McMillan Publishing Enterprise,

New York.2) Roy,A.,(1998b)ClassicChaos, McMillan Publishing Enterprise, New

York.

Edited Book:-1. Pennathur, A., Leong, R T, & Schuster, K (Eds), (1998), Style and

substance of thinking, Paradise Publishers, New York.

Chapter in the edited book:-1. Benni, Basavaraj, S.. (2007), Infrastructural Development and

Regional Disparity - A Comparative District Level Analysis in Karnataka, in Dash L. N., (Ed) Economics of Infrastructure, Regal Publication, New Delhi.

Journal Article:-1. Benni, Basavaraj, S., (2006), Sugar Factory Efficiency

Measurement: Application of Data Envelopment Analysis-A New Insight for Managers, Paradigm. The Research Journal of Institute for Management and Technology, Vol. X, No. 2, July-December.

Conference Proceedings Publication:-1. Benni, Basavaraj, S., (2007), Status of Public Services in

Karnataka-A Comparative District Level Analysis, inShahu.A., (Ed), Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Services Management, Oxford Brookes University & IIMT New Delhi.

Doctoral Dissertation:-1. Benni. Basavaraj, S., (2001), Dairy Co-Operative Societies in

Karnataka, unpublished doctoral dissertation, Kamatak University, Dharwad.

Paper presentation at conference:-

1. Benni, Basavaraj, S., (2004, August 27!h to 29'"), Empowering Decision Making Capacity of Global Corporate Managers through Econometric Tools, paper presented a for "Best Research Paper Competition" in 16lh Annual Management Education Convention, conducted by Association of Indian Management Schools, Goa.

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Government Publication:-1. Ministry of Law, Government of India, (1960), The Copyright Act,

14 of 1957, Delhi.

Unpublished Manuscript:-1. Pringle, P.S., (1991), Training and Development in 90s,

unpublished manuscript, Southern lllinos University, Diamondale, IL.

Newspaper Article:-1. The new GM pact, (1998, July 28), Concord Tribune, p-1

IV:- Key Instructions

Features of Good Report Write-up:The research report written in scientific manner use to have the

following fifteen principle characteristic features:

1) Consistency2) Connectivity3) Indentation4) Continuity5) Highlighting6) Openness7) Clarity8) Asserting9) Ordering10) Compatibility11) Jargon12) Elaboration/Brevity13) Self-Sufficiency14) Enrichment15) Synthesis-analysis-synthesis

Guidelines for Reviewing Draft:-

The draft of the research report should be reviewed for an appropriate number of times so that the errors are completely avoided. While reviewing the draft, certain guidelines are to be followed, as indicated below:1) The text of the report should be free from ambiguity.

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2) The text must convey the intended messages.3) The text must cover the scope of the research work.4) The report should be organized in hierarchical form.5) There should be continuity.6) Avoid using lengthy sentence.7) The length of the report may be may be about 70 to 85 doubled

typed pages

Typing Instructions:-

After thoroughly checking the draft of the research report, it should be given for final typing. While typing the report, typist should take care of the following:1) Font: The entire report of text body should be typed in the font

style of Times New Roman. Prefatory items of the reports may by be printed according to the choices of the student.

2) Size: The size of font for the text body of report should be 13. Font size for prefatory items of the reports may by be of choices of the student.

3) Line spacing: The entire report should be typed with doubled spacing except intended paragraph, tables and footnotes. The tables and footnotes are to be typed with single spacing.

4) Paragraph spacing: The entire report should be typed with six (06) points before and after paragraph spacing.

5) Indentation: The first line of the paragraph should be typedwith 0.5 indentations.

6) Margins: The entire report should be typed with Left margin-1.5", Right margin 1", Top margin 1"and Bottom margin 1".

7) Alignment: The entire report should be typed with justified alignment except tables. The tables are to be typed with centre alignment.

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8) Tables and Graphs: Tables and graphs should be placed as near possible to the text. Possibly do not break the tables in to pages.

9) Headings/Titles: Headings and title of the text paragraph and text material should be in same page.

10) Quotations: Quotations should be quoted in inverted comma.

11) Citing Reference Number: While citing the reference number in the text superscript number style should be used.

12) Pagination: The main part of the text body should be numbered continuously in Arabic numbers. Page number may be inserted in the header right most top or at center of bottom in the footer. Prefatory materials should be numbered continuously in roman numbers.

Proofreading of the Manuscript:-

It is process of a word by word search misspelling, mis punctuation, grammar errors and typing errors. All the errors should be corrected before the final print. Proofreading should also ensure three aspects of language check, methodology sequence check and whether the research questions are answered or not.

Printing the Final Report:-

After careful proofreading, all the errors should be corrected before the final print. Check the page break-ups. Feel the project is complete in all respects and sense. Then get it approved by the guide for the final print. While taking the final print of the project, the following points are to be considered:

1) Paper Type:a. Paper; EXECUTIVE BOND papers.b. Size:A4c. Paper Color: Whited. Variety: Plain Finishe. Length: 29.7 Cmsf. Width: 21.0 Cmsg. GSM: 75 or 85

2) Ink Color: Black color for the text and may be multicolor ink for diagrams and charts.

3) Only one side of the sheet of the paper should be printed.

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Binding the Report:-

After the final print of the four copies of the reports, candidate is supposed to check and confirm the sequence of pagination. Then project report is to be given for binding. In the process of binding, the following things are to be carefully monitored:1) Give the cover page for Golden Embossing.2) Do careful proofreading of the cover page.3) Clearly indicate the colour for the front page, normally Navy Blue

or Black.4) Give proper instructions to the binder regarding insert of extra

blank butter or plastic pages.5) Ask only for Hardbound copies of the projects, (Plastic/Spiral

bound not allowed).6) Binding should be neat and attractive.7) Clearly indicate the time and date to complete the binding task.8) Get fully dried project from the binder.

Submission of the Report:-

Four copies of the research project should duly singed by the candidate and research guide with date. Get the signature of the director with seal. Complete submission formalities in the office. Keep one copy with you and one with research guide. If company, where you carried the work, demands the project, submit a copy of the project to the organisation.

Benefits from Good Research Project:-1) Nature of work of the project may help in getting final

placement.2) Some time company may offer placement due to project work3) Due to project work, self-esteem status of the candidate may be

high.4) Due to successful project work, the candidate's level of

confidence will be very high.5) It will boost the skills level of the candidate

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Tips for Viva-Voce:-

The research project student has to attend the viva-voce examination. There will be set experts who will be asking clarifications from the project student. The research student is expected explain and defend his/her research report in the viva-voce. To make this more effective, research student should adopt the following tips:1) Know the date and time of viva-voce.2) Prepare thoroughly for viva-voce.3) Guess Questions and try to answers.4) Viva-voce may be for 20-30 minutes5) Remain present at place scheduled for viva-voce at least before

twenty minutes.6) Come in formal institute dress code.7) Be neat, cool and in presentable form.8) Carry your personal copy of the research project.9) Have separate copy of executive summary of the research

project for quick reference.10) Seek permission, great the examiners.11) Answer the question asked only, don't talk unnecessary and argue

with examiners.12) Choose good presentable words to answer the questions.13) Listen and take note of the suggestions of the examiners.14) After completion of viva-voce, say thanks before living the chair

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