RE-EXAMINATION
HOME EXAM FALL 2021:
50 POINTS (INDIVIDUAL)
The home exam seeks to assess the understanding you have acquired during the course of
research methods. The final exam covers 50 % of the total course (50 points out of 100). The
basis for the exam is all the assigned readings, lectures and discussions during the whole
course. Below you find the questions that we would like you to address during the exam.
Write your answers to each of the questions on your own computer and upload
your exam on canvas
QUESTION 1 (16P)
You are hired by a market research company in order to analyze the housing market in New York
City. You and your team are supposed to provide information about the housing prices and about
factors, that influence the prices of houses, to local politicians. Your team has developed certain
presumption about factors influencing the price of a real estate:
– H1: The more bathrooms a house has, the higher is the price of the house.
– H2: The more bedrooms a house has, the higher is the price of the house.
– H3: The more fireplaces a house has, the higher is the price of the house.
– H4: The older the house is, the lower is the price of a house.
Unfortunately, you are the only person in the team who knows how to conduct a quantitative analysis
and how to use SPSS. You have collected a random sample of 1057 houses in New York. In order to
investigate on your colleagues’ presumptions, you conducted a descriptive analysis, a correlation
analysis as well as a regression analysis in SPSS. Find the document with the output tables in
canvas. Now you want to interpret your data.1A: Provide an interpretation of the descriptive statistics of the variable “Price”. What to the different
Values say about the housing prices in NY? As your clients (the politicians) have a very limited
knowledge of statistics, write in full sentences and use your own language to explain the different
values in a clear and understandable way (N, range, minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation,
skewness, kurtosis). (6P)
1B: Interpret the outcomes of the regression tables. How well does the overall model explain the
difference in the housing prices? Explain the different values per each variable in the coefficient table
– interpret the B-value, the Beta-value and the significance level for each variable. Use your own
language and explain your findings in full sentences. (5P)
1C: Find out whether your colleagues’ presumptions about the influences on the housing
price are true. Test the hypothesis by using the provided output. Which hypothesis are supported by
your data? Which factor has the strongest influence on the housing price? Justify your answer by
referring to the output. (5P)
QUESTION 2 (10 P)
Anna is conducting a qualitative case study on bullying in middle school. She aims to explore
students’ perceptions of bullying and its impact on the school’s social environment. To conduct her
study, she needs to apply for funding. To do so, Anna needs to submit a proposal where she explains
her research methods. You need to help Anna develop this proposal by developing two sections of the
proposal: data collection, and data analysis sections. For the purpose of this proposal, you need to
answer the following questions (base your answers on scientific literature):
2A: Define and explain what a qualitative case study is. What is a case and how can we define a case?
(5P)
2B: Explain why a qualitative case study research method is suitable for her topic. (2P)
2C: What are the practical steps that Anna has to undertake to conduct her data collection? (3P)
QUESTION 3 (16P)
When we discuss about the quality and trustworthiness of qualitative research, we need other criteria
than in quantitative research. Traditionally, qualitative researchers assess the credibility,
transferability, dependability, and confirmability of their research. Give a definition to each of the
categories and explain how researchers can ensure the presence of the criteria in their research. Your
answers must be based on scientific literature.
QUESTION 4 (3P)
Below the descriptions of three variables are provided. What is the measurement level of the
variables? Explain your answers.
4A: Family firm measure: the variable is coded as “1” when the company is a family firm and “0”
otherwise. (Baù et al, 2018)
4B: Performance measure: Firm performance is measured using Return on Assets (calculated as net
income divided by total assets), an established accounting-based performance indicator. (Ruigrok et
al, 2007)
4C: Number of employees: In the survey, respondents were asked to indicate whether the firm had 1)
less than 5 employees, 2) 5-50 employees, or 3) 51-150 employees. (adapted from Wei-Loon Koe et
al. 2014).
QUESTION 5 (5P)
Discuss how you can select a random sample for a quantitative study. Therefore, first
explain what a random sample is.
Exam Instructions

Strictly follow the instructions.
• While answering the questions you are strongly suggested to draw on the literature, where
applicable. If you are making factual statements, or bring in definitions,Use
references. It is also suggested when answering the questions simply do not copy paste the
literature but discuss, reflect and critically analyze and justify your choices where applicable.
Use the course book, published academic articles and any other trustworthy
academic literature which you identify.
• Regarding the length of the answers for a question with 20 points you may write about 3 – 4
pages, for a question with 10 points you may write about 1.5 – 2 pages, and for question with
5 points you may write 0.5 – 1 page.
• Times new roman, 12 font, 1.15 line spacing.
• Include a title page with your full name, program etc.
• Upload as one document on canvas.
• It is strictly prohibited to copy someone’s work and any such act would lead to the
cancelation of the exam. All assignments undergo a plagiarism check.
• Total Points: 50
• Pass Points: 30
CANVAS SUBMISSIONS ONLY!
NO LATE SUBMISSIONS!!!