Homework answers / question archive / HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES Academic Year 2021: January - June Formative Assessment 2: Business Research Methods (HPRM440-1) NQF Level, Credits: 8, 16 Weighting: 20% Assessment Type: Essay-type questions Educator: Dr L Geldenhuys Examiner: Dr L Geldenhuys Due Date: 7 May 2021 Total: 100 Marks Instructions: • This assignment consists of four (4) questions

HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES Academic Year 2021: January - June Formative Assessment 2: Business Research Methods (HPRM440-1) NQF Level, Credits: 8, 16 Weighting: 20% Assessment Type: Essay-type questions Educator: Dr L Geldenhuys Examiner: Dr L Geldenhuys Due Date: 7 May 2021 Total: 100 Marks Instructions: • This assignment consists of four (4) questions

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HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES Academic Year 2021: January - June Formative Assessment 2: Business Research Methods (HPRM440-1) NQF Level, Credits: 8, 16 Weighting: 20% Assessment Type: Essay-type questions Educator: Dr L Geldenhuys Examiner: Dr L Geldenhuys Due Date: 7 May 2021 Total: 100 Marks Instructions: • This assignment consists of four (4) questions. • It is based on Units 5 to 8 of your prescribed course material. • All questions are compulsory. • You are required to copy the relevant Microsoft Excel sheets / tables into a Microsoft Word document and convert your submission to a PDF format. • 1 A Unicheck-verification report will be issued via ColCampus once the assignment is submitted. Please ensure that you follow the correct steps when uploading your assignment, to ensure that the verification report is correctly issued. If the incorrect document is uploaded, or if the verification report is issued for the incorrect document a mark of zero (0) will be awarded. If the verification report indicates that a 30% similarity rating has been exceeded, 25% will be deducted from the final grade. HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 The following learning outcomes are assessed in this assessment: Understand what descriptive statistics are and why they are used Understand what inferential statistics are and why they are used Give two examples of differences in business situations that could be tested using two different types of t-tests Test the null hypotheses appropriate for the analysis of differences using ANOVA Report the results of an ANOVA in a generally acceptable way State the limitations of ANOVA in terms of data characteristics Explain the main difference between the Null Hypothesis and the Alternative (or research) Hypothesis Formulate a ‘model’ in which four variables could reasonably be expected to explain much of the behaviour of a key dependent variable Use Excel’s regression tools to run regressions to test hypotheses Interpret the summary output of a regression procedure and report the result Give two examples of differences in business situations that could be tested using two different types of t-tests Create histograms of data sets State the empirical rule of the normal distribution and explain its practical application Be able to run an appropriate t-test in Excel Interpret the output of a t-test using p-values The following exit level outcomes are assessed in this FA2: Demonstrate an ability to conduct market research, and to communicate effectively using graphic and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. Apply the knowledge, skills and competencies associated with either Entrepreneurship, Project Management, or Supply Chain and Logistics Management in a commercial or non-profit context. 2 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 Consult the following information and answer the questions that follow. Lee-Ann is employed as a human resource manager with a large construction company. Part of her job is to develop appropriate job advertisements for the company’s recruitment and selection process. Her latest assignment is to develop a job advertisement for a project manager to join and run a new department, recently established in the company. This department will primarily focus on private construction projects, such as homes. Lee-Ann wants to ensure that she includes information that is suited to the job and industry trends and changes. She therefore decided to conduct research on the perceived characteristics and skills that a project manager should possess to be successful in the position. Her manager suggested that she make it a longitudinal study, where they can compare the difference in opinions of the same group of respondents five years apart. Therefore, Lee-Ann will distribute the questionnaire to a group of respondents, and five years later, she will distribute the same questionnaire to the same group of respondents to determine whether their opinions have changed in terms of the significant skills and characteristics of a project manager in the construction industry. She submitted the following summarised proposal to her manager for approval: Title: Determining the perceived characteristics and skills of successful project management in the construction industry. Objectives: 1. To analyse the literature available on characteristics and skills that project managers should possess and portray to be successful in this career. 2. To determine the characteristics that project managers perceive as significant and should portray to be successful in the construction industry. 3. To identify the most important skills that project managers should possess to be successful in the construction industry, according to project managers working in the industry. 4. To determine the difference in opinions of the same group of respondents over a period of five years. 3 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 Sampling, data collection and analyses: A questionnaire (Annexure B) will be developed and facilitated to project managers from other departments within the company, and to project managers working in private capacity or on a contractual basis. A total of 20 usable questionnaires should be collected, which is deemed sufficient for the purpose of this project. The questionnaire will be distributed via email, and respondents will be required to complete the questionnaire online. Google Forms will be used to compile the questionnaire online, which will provide a link that can be shared with potential respondents. Lee-Ann’s proposal was accepted and she conducted the research based on the above. She captured the data (Annexure A) in Microsoft Excel and is planning on doing the various analyses in Microsoft Excel as well. QUESTION 1 1.1 [18 MARKS] After familiarising yourself with the proposed research, the data set and the questionnaire, suggest which inferential statistics analyses Lee-Ann should conduct to answer each of the questions below and provide a reason for your suggestion. 1.1.1 What is the profile of project managers employed in the construction industry? (2 marks) 1.1.2 Is there a statistically significant difference in the means of negotiating skills for male versus female respondents? (2 marks) 1.1.3 Is there a statistically significant variance in the perceptions of the importance of project recovery skills amongst male versus female respondents? (2 marks) 1.1.4 Is there a statistically significant difference in the perceptions of men and women with a degree or a professional qualification in terms of critical thinking? (2 marks) 4 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 1.1.5 Which characteristic is perceived to be the most important characteristic that project managers in the construction industry should portray? (2 marks) (5x2=10 marks) 1.2 Lee-Ann would like to know what the difference between the various t-tests are. Explain the difference between Paired Two Sample for Means and Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variance. You are required to provide an example of an existing or hypothetical scenario where each test can be conducted from LeeAnn’s research. [(2x2)+(2x2)=8 marks] Note to student: Two (2) marks are awarded per t-test for highlighting the difference between the two types of t-tests, and two (2) marks are awarded for providing an example of each type of t-test relevant to Lee-Ann’s project. 5 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 QUESTION 2 [30 MARKS] Lee-Ann wants to know if there is a statistically significant variance between the characteristics of project managers. She decides to focus on the characteristics of negotiation, leadership and scheduling. 2.1 Identify the type of test Lee-Ann should conduct to identify the variance between leadership, negotiation and scheduling as characteristics of project managers. Conduct the test and show your results. (2+5=7 marks) Note to grader and moderator: Two (2) marks are awarded for correctly identifying the test that should be conducted. Five (5) marks are awarded for correctly conducting the test, according to the rubric provided. 2.2 Lee-Ann decides that the results do not satisfy her curiosity yet, and she decides to take it a step further. She would like to know if there is a difference in means of leadership, negotiation and scheduling for male versus female respondents. Identify the correct test Lee-Ann should conduct in this instance. Conduct the test you suggested and show your results. (2+5=7 marks) Note to student: Only use the first 9 female and male respondents. Two (2) marks are awarded for correctly identifying the test that should be conducted. Five (5) marks are awarded for correctly conducting the test, according to the rubric provided. 2.3 Interpret the results you obtained in question 2.2 by referring the following constructs: 6 • Sample and p-values (2 marks) • Columns and p-values (2 marks) • Interaction (2 marks) HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 2.4 Elaborate on 5 limitations of the type of tests that was conducted in questions 2.1 and 2.2 for Lee-Ann’s research project and suggest whether or not each limitation is applicable to her project. (5x2=10 marks) QUESTION 3 [27 MARKS] Lee-Ann is hoping to prove that the length of employment, gender and level of education will have an influence/effect on the skill, critical thinking that project managers possess. She therefore hypothesises the following: Hypothesis 1: The length of employment, gender and level of education have no effect on the required competence skill that project managers should possess. Hypothesis 2: The length of employment, gender and level of education have a significant effect on the required competence skill that project managers should possess. 3.1 Study the hypotheses Lee-Ann set. Differentiate between a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis. Indicate which of her hypotheses should be classified as the alternative hypothesis. ((2x2)+2 = 6 marks) Not to student: Differentiate between the two types of hypotheses for two (2) marks each and suggest which of Lee-Ann’s hypotheses is the alternative hypothesis for two (2) marks. 3.2 If Lee-Ann wants to test her hypothesis, she will need to conduct the appropriate test. Keeping in mind that this particular scenario has one dependent variable, and multiple independent variables, recommend the test Lee-Ann will have to conduct to either accept or reject her hypothesis, and substantiate your recommendation. (2+4=6 marks) Note to student: Two (2) marks are awarded for identifying the correct test. Four (4) marks for a suitable justification. 7 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 3.3 Conduct the test you identified in question 3.2 and show your results. (5 marks) 3.4 Interpret the summary output of the results you obtained in question 3.3 and report on the results. (6+4=10 marks) Note to student: Six (6) marks are awarded for correctly interpreting the results. Four (4) marks are awarded for correctly reporting on the interpreted results. QUESTION 4 [25 MARKS] To ensure that Lee-Ann has an accurate perception of the skills that project managers require, she has conducted the same research five years later. She wants to determine if there are any differences in opinions from the same group of respondents after a period of time has passed. She is specifically focussing on whether or not project managers believe that critical thinking can be gained through on-the-job experience. Lee-Ann predicts that there will be a difference and that project managers will perceive critical thinking to be something that can be learned on-the-job. She labelled this as ‘before’ and ‘after’ on the data sheet. 4.1 Lee-Ann knows that a t-test is the correct test, but she is not sure which ‘flavour’ t-test should be conducted. Identify the correct type of t-test that Lee-Ann should conduct. 4.2 (2 marks) Before she can continue with the t-test, she needs to determine if the data is sufficiently close to the normal distribution. Produce the appropriate graphs for each variable, before and after respectively, to determine if the data approaches normal distribution. Indicate all statistical outputs as well as the graphs for each variable separately. (3x2=6 marks) Note to student: Produce a graph for each variable separately, along with the output statistics for each. One (1) mark is awarded for indicating the statistical output, one (1) mark for the correct graph used and one (1) mark for the correct data displayed. 8 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 4.3 Comment on the use of the charts produced in question 4.2 and explain whether or not Lee-Ann can continue conducting the t-test to determine if there is statistical significance to her prediction regarding critical thinking. (6 marks) 4.4 Conduct the t-test you identified as applicable to determine whether or not LeeAnn’s prediction is accurate. Show your results. 4.5 (4 marks) When interpreting the results of a t-test, either the P(T< = t) one-tail or P(T11 months; 2=1-2 years; 3=2-3 years; 4=3-4 years; 5=4-5 years; 6=5 years < 10 TASK MAN. HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 Data set continued: ENTHUSIASTIC INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION DELEGATION 5 2 5 1 3 4 5 4 3 4 2 4 5 4 3 2 5 3 5 3 3 4 3 4 2 4 4 4 3 2 5 3 3 2 3 2 1 5 4 4 3 4 3 2 5 3 5 4 5 4 3 4 2 5 3 4 3 4 5 3 5 4 5 2 3 4 2 4 3 5 3 4 3 3 5 2 4 4 3 4 2 5 1 5 3 5 3 2 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 5 5 5 4 5 3 4 2 3 4 5 4 4 4 3 5 3 4 5 2 3 4 2 5 5 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 5 4 4 4 4 3 4 5 3 4 INTEGRITY COMPETENCE BEFORE AFTER Likert scale: 1=Not at all important; 2=Not important; 3= Somewhat important ; 4 =Important ; 5=Extremely important 11 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 Questionnaire: Section A: Demographic Details 1. What is your gender? Male Female Prefer not to say 4. What is your age? 2. What is your home language? English Afrikaans Xhosa Zulu Other (Specify) 5. How long have you been employed as a PM? ≤11 months 1 - 2 years 2 - 3 years 3 - 4 years 4 - 5 years >5 years 3. What is your level of education? No schooling Grade 12 Higher certificate Diploma Degree Post-graduate Section B: Skills and Characteristics 1. Rate the significance of the following skills for Project Managers on the scale provided. 1=not at all important 2=not important 3=somewhat important 4=important 5=extremely important 1 2 3 4 5 1. Leadership skills 2. Negotiating skills 3. Scheduling skills 12 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021 4. Cost control 5. Risk Management 6. Contract Management 7. Critical Thinking 8. Task Management 9. Project Recovery 2. Rate the significance of the following characteristics for Project Managers on the scale provided. 1=not at all important 2=not important 3=somewhat important 4=important 5=extremely important 1 2 3 4 5 1. Enthusiasm 2. Communication 3. Delegation 4. Integrity 5. Competence 3. On a scale of 1 - 5, indicate whether or not Critical Thinking can be gained through on-the-job experience? 1 2 3 4 5 Not at all Maybe More or less Yes Definitely Thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire. For more information, contact Lee-Ann@selfconstruct.co.za 13 HPRM440-1-Jan-June2021-FA2-LLG-V4-25012021