Attitude of MBA students towards MRP

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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
3

4. 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 it-
1. 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

5. 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:
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6. (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

7. 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)
7

8. 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.
8

9. 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 Barber-
Brain 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 knowledge’s, attitudes, behaviors, and opinions of
people depending on the topic of your research.
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13. 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 Can’t 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
13

14. ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION
OF DATA
Course Specialization
Finance 39
Marketing 46
HR 10
Other 5
Specialization Subject
Finance
Marketing
HR
Other
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15. Q1. To which university is your college affiliated?
Name of University No. of Students
DAVV 40
Autonomous 60
Any other university 00
Affiliation
DAVV
Autonomous
15

16. Q2. Major Research Project in your college is-
Mandatory 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

17. Q3. MRP is essential part of curriculam vitae –
Strongly Agree 28
Agree 44
Neutral 23
Disagree 05
Strongly disagree 00
50
45
40
35
30 Strongly agree
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

18. Q4. What do you prefer MRP as –
Marks Oriented Approach 41
Learning Oriented Appraoch 20
Both 39
MARKS LEARNING
BOTH
INTERPRETATION:- The ratio of students doing MRP
for marks is greater than the approach of learning.
18

19. 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

20. Q6. How would you prefer to do MRP-
Individually 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Q10. Are you aware with the details of Research?
YES 26
NO 23
Partly aware of information needed 51
60
50
40 YES
NO
30
PARTLY
20
10
0
AWARENESS
INTERPRETATION:- Students only learn that much of
knowledge which is sufficient for them to conduct
research.
24

25. Q11. What is the field of your research ?
Finance 35
Marketing 41
HR 12
OB 10
Any other 02
FINANCE
MARKETING
FIELD
HR
OB
OTHER
0 10 20 30 40 50
INTERPRETATION:- Research in field of finance and
marketing has mire attraction as compared to that of
HR and OB.
25

26. Q12. What kind of research do you find convenient ?
Exploratory 20
Conclusive 45
Descriptive 35
Research Type
Exploratory
Conclusive
Descriptive
INTERPRETATION:- Interest in conclusive and
descriptive research is more than that of exploratory
research.
26

27. Q13. What kind of difficulties are you facing in doing
MRP?
Data not easily available 41
Companies do not provide information 33
Market research is difficult 33
Inappropriate base for research 18
Lack of experience and expertise 20
Inappropriate guidance 28
Any other 20
45 Data not easily available
40
companies do not provide
35 information
30 market research is difficult
25
Inappropraite base
20
Lack of experience
15
10 Inappropriate guidance
5
Any other
0
DIFFICULTIES in MRP
INTERPRETATION:- Availability of data and non
support from companies hindrenge research the
most.
27

28. 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 –
YES 16
NO 36
Up to a certain limit 48
INTERPRETATION:- literature for research and
support from college is satisfactory to conduct
research.
28

29. Q16. How do you rate the supervision of your faculty
for MRP-
RATINGS FREQUENCY
1 8
2 13
3 16
4 26
5 20
6 16
7 1
RATINGS
30
25
20
15
RATINGS
10
5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
29

30. Q17. How do you rate conducting research as a
medium to enter in corporate world ?
VERY IMPORTANT 31
IMPORTANT 28
ONLY BASIC KNOWLEDGE 28
NOT NECESSARY 13
VERY
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
28%
31%
BASIC
NOT NECESSARY
KNOWLEDGE
13%
28%
INTERPRETATION:- Doing MRP is treated as a
essential medium to enter in corporate world by
students.
30

31. Q18. If given a choice, you would prefer doing MRP
as
Theoritical in college only 38
Practical in a company 62
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
MBA’s and they perform only for marks.
31

32. 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.
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 MBA’s.
32

33. SUGGESTIONS &
IMPLICATIONS
 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.
33

34. REFERENCES
Likert, Rensis (1932). "A Technique for the Measurement of
Attitudes".Archivesof Psychology140: 1–55.
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-aicp-
hdfp/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-of-
research.html. Retrieved 14 August 2011
QUESTIONNAIRE
34

35. An exploratory research study on attitude of MBA students towards
Major Research Project
Name (optional)-
Age-
College-
Course-
Specialization Subject-
Phone no.-
Q1. To which university is your college affiliated?
DAVV Autonomous Any other university
Q2. Major Research Project in your college is-
Mandatory Optional
a) If mandatory, you do MRP
By force
By willingness
b) If optional, would you prefer to do MRP
Yes No Can’t say
Q3. MRP is essential part of curriculum vitae
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Agree disagree
35

36. Q4. What do you prefer MRP as-
Marks oriented approach Learning oriented approach
Both
Q5. Would you like to adopt MRP if not attached with marks
obligation?
Yes No Can’t say
Q6. How would you prefer to do MRP-
Individually 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
you-
2-3 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 Any other
36

37. Q12. What kind of research do you find convenient?
Exploratory Conclusive Descriptive
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 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
company-
Yes No Up to a certain limit
Q16. How do you rate the Supervision of your faculty for MRP-
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
37

38. Q17. How do you rate conducting research as a medium to enter in
corporate world-?
Very important
Important
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-
38