Research Project

An 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
1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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.
2

LIST OF CONTENTS
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.
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 it1. Introduction
2. Literature Review and Conceptual Framework
3. Methodology
4. Data Analysis and Findings
5. Conclusions and Recommendations
6. 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
4

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-

MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECT

PART A
1. 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:
5

(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

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
6

fit to receive grants from the UGC.

b. General physical facilities, such as furniture/space etc., are available
in the Department/College.
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
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
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 BarberBrain 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.
9

RATIONAL OF STUDY
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.

10

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
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.

11

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
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 knowledges, attitudes, behaviors, and opinions of
people depending on the topic of your research.

12

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.
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 Cant say
True
False
Likerts scale :- Also known as attitude measurement scale
Ex:Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree
Disagree
Itemized scale :- A 5 or 7 point scale to future response
Ex:Very
Unlikely Neither unlikely Likely Very
Unlikely
Nor likely
Likely
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ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION
OF DATA
Course Specialization
Finance
Marketing
HR
Other

39
46
10
5
Specialization Subject

Finance
Marketing
HR
Other

14

Q1. To which university is your college affiliated?

Name of University
DAVV
Autonomous
Any other university

No. of Students
40
60
00

Affiliation

DAVV
Autonomous

15

Q2. Major Research Project in your college isMandatory 100

Optional
00
A. If mandatory, you do MRP
By Force
56
By Willingness 44
INTERPRETATION:- According to UGC, doing MRP is
compulsory in all the institutes and due to this
maximum students adapt it by force.

16

Q3. MRP is essential part of curriculam vitae

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree

28
44
23
05
00

50
45
40
35
Strongly agree

30

Agree
25

Neutral

20

Disagree

15

Strongly Disagree

10
5
0
Ratings

INTERPRETATION:- MRP is treated as a essential part

of studies by the students which counts over 70% of
sample.

17

Q4. What do you prefer MRP as

Marks Oriented Approach 41

Learning Oriented Appraoch 20
Both
39

LEARNING

MARKS

BOTH

INTERPRETATION:- The ratio of students doing MRP

for marks is greater than the approach of learning.

18

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

marks obligation ?
Yes
30
No
30
Cant Say 40
Adaptability

YES
NO
CANT SAY

INTERPRETATION:- If given a choice only 30% of

sample would opt to do MRP and maximum says
they cant decide.

19

Q6. How would you prefer to do MRPIndividually 44

Group
56
If in group, whay group size would you prefer
1-2 11
2-3 15
4-5 30

INTERPRETATION:- Maximum number of students

believe in working with group that too a lot size of
4-5.

20

Q7. The provided you for research is

In abundance 18
Sufficient
60
Rare
22
Availability of Data

IN Abundance
Sufficient
Rare

INTERPRETATION:- The maximum topics of

research have availability of data in sufficiency.

21

Q8. For conducting research, appropriate time

period according to you
2-3 months
34
5-6 months
44
Spread in two semesters 22

45
40
35
30

2-3 months

25

5-6 months

20

2 semesters

15
10
5
0
Time Period

INTERPRETATION:- The students presume the

research to be spread in time of 5 to 6 months for
better understanding.

22

Q9. What kind of teaching regarding MRP would

you prefer in college
Theoritical 30
Practical
30
Both
40

Theoritical
Practical
Both

INTERPRETATION:- Statistics shows that students

believe in combination of practical exposure with the
learning of theory.

23

Q10. Are you aware with the details of Research?

YES
26
NO
23
Partly aware of information needed 51

60
50
YES

40

NO
30

PARTLY

20
10
0
AWARENESS

INTERPRETATION:- Students only learn that much of

knowledge which is sufficient for them to conduct
research.

24

Q11. What is the field of your research ?

Finance
Marketing
HR
OB
Any other

35
41
12
10
02

FINANCE
MARKETING
FIELD

HR
OB
OTHER

10

20

30

40

25

50

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 ?

Exploratory 20
Conclusive
45
Descriptive 35
Research Type

Exploratory
Conclusive
Descriptive

26

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

27

41
33
33
18
20
28
20

Data not easily available

45
40

companies do not provide

information

35

market research is difficult

30
25

Inappropraite base

20
Lack of experience
15
Inappropriate guidance

10
5

Any other

0
DIFFICULTIES in MRP

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
In Abundance 15
Satisfactory
47
Rare
38
Q15. Do your college provide backup to get
information regarding a company
28

YES
16
NO
36
Up 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 MRPRATINGS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

FREQUENCY
8
13
16
26
20
16
1
29

RATINGS
30
25
20
15

RATINGS

10
5
0
1

Q17. How do you rate conducting research as a

medium to enter in corporate world ?
VERY IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
ONLY BASIC KNOWLEDGE
NOT NECESSARY

30

31
28
28
13

VERY
IMPORTANT

IMPORTANT
28%

31%

BASIC
KNOWLEDGE

NOT NECESSARY
13%

28%

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
Practical in a company
62

31

INTERPRETATION:- Getting MRP done with practical

exposure in company would develop interest in
students.

Q19. MRP is considered a burden by MBA students?

TRUE 95
FALSE 05
INTERPRETATION:- MRP is treated burden by
MBAs and they perform only for marks.

CONCLUSION
The above analysis of data shows that students have
a negative attitude towards MRP projects as they
have to work extra for conducting research.

32

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 MBAs.

SUGGESTIONS &
IMPLICATIONS
33

 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.

REFERENCES
Likert, Rensis (1932). "A Technique for the Measurement of
Attitudes".Archivesof Psychology140: 155.
34

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-aicphdfp/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-ofresearch.html. Retrieved 14 August 2011

QUESTIONNAIRE
An exploratory research study on attitude of MBA students towards
Major Research Project
Name (optional)Age35

CollegeCourseSpecialization SubjectPhone no.-

Q1. To which university is your college affiliated?

DAVV

Autonomous

Any other university

Q2. Major Research Project in your college isMandatory

Optional

a) If mandatory, you do MRP

By force
By willingness
b) If optional, would you prefer to do MRP
Yes
No
Cant say
Q3. MRP is essential part of curriculum vitae

Strongly

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Agree
Q4. What do you prefer MRP asMarks oriented approach
Both

Strongly
disagree

Learning oriented approach

36

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

No

Cant say

Q6. How would you prefer to do MRPIndividually

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

Rare

Q8. For conducting research, appropriate time period according to

you2-3 months

5-6 months

spread over in two semesters

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

college?
Theoretical

Practical

Both

Q10. Are you aware with the details of research?

Yes

No

Partly aware of information needed

Q11. What is the field of your research?

Finance

Marketing

HR

OB

Q12. What kind of research do you find convenient?

Exploratory

Conclusive

Descriptive

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

37

Any other

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

Rare

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

companyYes

No

Up to a certain limit

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

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

corporate world-?
Very important
Important
38

Only basic knowledge

Not necessary

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

Theoritical in college only
Practical in a company

Q19. MRP is considered a burden by MBA students?

True

False

Q20. Any recommendation to UGC regarding MRP-

39