MS 106 Business Research Notes for GGSIPU MBA Semester 2 run to 58 pages across all 4 units, with 19 numbered diagrams, 6 solved examples, 11 practice numericals with answers and 34 important exam questions. They follow the MBA scheme and syllabus for the batch admitted in 2021-22 onwards.
Written by Prateek Talwar, Founder · Checked against MBA Scheme and Syllabus 2021-22 onwards (Approved by AC Sub Committee) · Updated 14 October 2026 · Editorial policy
Scheme: MBA 2021-22 onwards | Applies to: batch admitted 2021-22 onwards | Verified against: MBA Scheme and Syllabus 2021-22 onwards, 14 October 2026
MS 106 Business Research at a glance: GGSIPU MBA Sem 2 credits, units and exam pattern
MS 106 is a three-credit Core paper in the GGSIPU MBA, with 42 syllabus hours split 12, 8, 10 and 12 across Units I to IV. It sits with eight other GGSIPU MBA Semester 2 papers.
| Code, course | MS 106 (printed "MS-106"), MBA Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Type and credits | Core · L 3, T/P nil · 3 credits |
| Marks | 100: 25 internal (class test 15 + assignments or viva 10) + 75 end-term |
| Applies to | Batch admitted 2021-22 onwards |
| End-term pattern | Not printed in the official PDF |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Units | 4 (official PDF numbers units only; titles are the notes' own) |
| Paired lab | None |
End-term minimums and re-appear rules come from Ordinance 11 on examinations and results, not from the syllabus page.
MS 106 Business Research Notes unit-wise: 17 worked numericals and 19 diagrams across 4 units
Each unit gives a summary, its page range and one quick look. Other papers of the course are under GGSIPU MBA notes; the sample PDF at the top shows one page per unit.
MS 106 Unit 1: Research, Problem, Hypothesis and Review of Literature
Unit 1 (pages 5 to 19) covers the nature of research, problem formulation, SMART objectives and the 11-step research process, then a nine-type hypothesis table, six variable roles and eight types of literature review.
Count: 8 sections, 5 diagrams, 9 exam questions.
| Basis | Concept | Construct |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Relatively concrete | Highly abstract |
| Observation | Often directly observable | Not directly observable |
| Measurement | Single measure, e.g. age | Several scale items |
| Example | Income, sales, price | Job satisfaction, service quality |
Quick look: concept vs construct (from page 14)
- Basis
- Nature
- Concept
- Relatively concrete
- Construct
- Highly abstract
- Basis
- Observation
- Concept
- Often directly observable
- Construct
- Not directly observable
- Basis
- Measurement
- Concept
- Single measure, e.g. age
- Construct
- Several scale items
- Basis
- Example
- Concept
- Income, sales, price
- Construct
- Job satisfaction, service quality
MS 106 Unit 2: Research Design and Sampling
Unit 2 (pages 20 to 32) compares exploratory, descriptive and causal designs, writes experimental designs in X, O and R notation, then covers the sampling process, sample size formulas and survey error.
Count: 6 sections, 4 diagrams, 9 worked numericals, 8 exam questions.
Quick look: sample size for a proportion (from page 28)
- p = 0.5 (unknown), Z = 1.96, error ±5%.
- n0 = 1.96² × 0.5 × 0.5 / 0.05² = 384.16, so 385 respondents.
- For N = 2,000 customers, finite correction: 384.16 / 1.1916 = 322.4.
- Round up: survey 323 customers.
MS 106 Unit 3: Questionnaire Design and Measurement Scales
Unit 3 (pages 33 to 43) builds the instrument: ten questionnaire design steps with a poor-versus-better wording table, then Stevens' four levels, Likert, semantic differential and Stapel scales, reliability and validity.
Count: 14 sub-sections, 5 diagrams, 8 exam questions.
| Scale | Adds | Example | Statistics allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal | Labels only | Brand used | Mode, chi-square |
| Ordinal | Rank order | Brand ranking | Median, rank correlation |
| Interval | Equal gaps, no true zero | Likert-type scores | Mean, SD, t-test, ANOVA |
| Ratio | True zero | Sales, market share | All, incl. coefficient of variation |
Quick look: the four levels of measurement (from page 37)
- Scale
- Nominal
- Adds
- Labels only
- Example
- Brand used
- Statistics allowed
- Mode, chi-square
- Scale
- Ordinal
- Adds
- Rank order
- Example
- Brand ranking
- Statistics allowed
- Median, rank correlation
- Scale
- Interval
- Adds
- Equal gaps, no true zero
- Example
- Likert-type scores
- Statistics allowed
- Mean, SD, t-test, ANOVA
- Scale
- Ratio
- Adds
- True zero
- Example
- Sales, market share
- Statistics allowed
- All, incl. coefficient of variation
MS 106 Unit 4: Data Analysis and Report Writing
Unit 4 (pages 44 to 57) carries the most techniques, from hypothesis testing and non-parametric tests to regression, EFA, CFA and discriminant analysis, and ends with report layout and a test-selection table.
Count: 11 sections, 5 diagrams, 8 worked numericals, 9 exam questions.
Quick look: one-way ANOVA on three training methods (from page 49)
- Scores A 6, 8, 10 · B 10, 12, 14 · C 14, 16, 18; grand mean 12.
- SSB = 3[(8 − 12)² + 0 + (16 − 12)²] = 96; SSW = 24.
- MSB = 48; MSW = 4; F = 12.
- Table F(2, 6) at 5% = 5.14, so reject H0: the methods differ.
Probability sampling methods in business research: excerpt from page 26 of the MS 106 notes
Excerpt from page 26
In probability (random) sampling, every element of the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected. That is what allows the researcher to calculate sampling error and generalise statistically to the population.
(a) Simple random sampling
Every element has an equal chance of selection, and every possible sample of size n has an equal chance too. Selection is by the lottery method, random number tables or computer-generated random numbers, for example Excel's =RANDBETWEEN.
Merits: no selection bias, easy to understand, and sampling error can be measured. Demerits: it needs a complete frame, it is costly when the population is scattered, and small sub-groups may not be represented.
(b) Systematic sampling
A random starting point is chosen, then every kth element is picked from the list, where the sampling interval k = N / n.
Example: N = 2,000 customers and n = 100 give k = 20. A random number between 1 and 20 is drawn, say 7, so customers 7, 27, 47, 67 and so on are selected.
Merits: simple, quick and cheap, and it spreads the sample evenly over the list. Demerit: it becomes biased if the list has a periodic pattern that matches k.
(c) Stratified random sampling
The population is divided into homogeneous sub-groups (strata) on a characteristic such as age, income or region, and a random sample is drawn from each stratum. Strata should be internally homogeneous and different from one another.
In proportionate stratified sampling, each stratum's sample matches its share of the population. In disproportionate stratified sampling, sizes depend on the variability or importance of the strata, for example taking more high-value customers.
Merits: more representative and precise, and strata can be compared. Demerits: the researcher must know the strata, and classification can be difficult.
(d) Cluster (area) sampling
The population is divided into naturally occurring groups, often geographical. A random sample of clusters is chosen and all, or some, elements inside them are studied. Clusters should be internally mixed and similar to each other; when they are geographic areas, the method is called area sampling.
Example: to survey school teachers in Delhi, 15 schools are randomly picked out of 1,200 and every teacher in those 15 schools is surveyed.
Do the MS 106 notes cover the full GGSIPU syllabus?
Yes. Every topic listed for Units I to IV of MS 106 has its own section in the notes, and the syllabus line "Software Tools to be used for enhanced learning" is answered in Unit 4, section 10 (page 55).
| Official unit | Official topics | Where in the notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit I | Meaning, purpose and nature of research; research problem: formulation; research objectives and research questions; research process; hypothesis: formulation; constructs; variables; review of literature: purpose, types and techniques | Pages 5-17 | Covered |
| Unit II | Research design: meaning, importance and types; sampling: target population, sampling frame, sampling units; sampling methods; determining sample size; considerations in sample design; sampling and non-sampling errors | Pages 20-31 | Covered |
| Unit III | Questionnaire: meaning, purpose, structured vs unstructured, designing questionnaire; measurement scale: meaning, types, steps in scale formulation, reliability and validity | Pages 33-42 | Covered |
| Unit IV | Descriptive statistics; hypothesis testing; parametric and non-parametric tests: ANOVA, multiple and logistic regression, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis; discriminant analysis; report writing: components, process | Pages 44-55 | Covered |
MS 106 official syllabus topics mapped to the notes
- Official unit
- Unit I
- Official topics
- Meaning, purpose and nature of research; research problem: formulation; research objectives and research questions; research process; hypothesis: formulation; constructs; variables; review of literature: purpose, types and techniques
- Where in the notes
- Pages 5-17
- Status
- Covered
- Official unit
- Unit II
- Official topics
- Research design: meaning, importance and types; sampling: target population, sampling frame, sampling units; sampling methods; determining sample size; considerations in sample design; sampling and non-sampling errors
- Where in the notes
- Pages 20-31
- Status
- Covered
- Official unit
- Unit III
- Official topics
- Questionnaire: meaning, purpose, structured vs unstructured, designing questionnaire; measurement scale: meaning, types, steps in scale formulation, reliability and validity
- Where in the notes
- Pages 33-42
- Status
- Covered
- Official unit
- Unit IV
- Official topics
- Descriptive statistics; hypothesis testing; parametric and non-parametric tests: ANOVA, multiple and logistic regression, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis; discriminant analysis; report writing: components, process
- Where in the notes
- Pages 44-55
- Status
- Covered
Source: MBA Scheme and Syllabus 2021-22 onwards.
The notes also add the Yamane formula, Thurstone and Guttman scales and Net Promoter Score. Every course in GGSIPU notes is mapped to its official PDF the same way.
How to write MS 106 answers: diagram-led theory answers, comparison tables and sample-size numericals
MS 106 rewards structure more than length. Most Unit 1 and Unit 3 questions ask you to define, classify and distinguish, so the notes' exam tips push three habits: a flow diagram for any process, a comparison table for any "distinguish between" question, and one business example carried from start to finish.
For objectives versus questions, the page 10 tip is to tabulate objective, question and hypothesis, then run one mobile-banking example through all three: low app adoption among customers above 45 becomes an objective, a research question and a testable hypothesis on ease of use. A literature review answer should end with the gap: "From the above review it is evident that… Hence the present study attempts to…".
In questionnaire design, name the funnel technique, fix one double-barrelled and one leading question, and close with pre-testing. For reliability and validity, the page 42 tip is to draw the target diagram, tabulate the types with one example each and quote Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.70.
Numericals lose marks on small things: always round sample size up, write the Z values (1.645, 1.96, 2.576) and take p = 0.5 when the proportion is unknown. Before picking a test, run the page 48 check: data type, number of groups, independent or related samples.
Worked example: one-sample t-test in the 7-step format (page 46)
- H0: μ = 50 minutes; H1: μ ≠ 50; α = 0.05.
- One-sample t, since σ is unknown and n = 16.
- t = (52 − 50) / (4 / √16) = 2.00, df = 15.
- Table t = 2.131 > 2.00, so H0 is not rejected: the 50-minute delivery claim holds.
Practise this format on GGSIPU MBA important questions.
MS 106 exam corner: 34 important questions and 17 worked numericals by unit
| Unit | Important questions | Solved examples | Practice numericals | Diagrams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unit 2 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Unit 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unit 4 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
MS 106 exam practice in the notes, unit by unit
- Unit
- Unit 1
- Important questions
- 9
- Solved examples
- 0
- Practice numericals
- 0
- Diagrams
- 5
- Unit
- Unit 2
- Important questions
- 8
- Solved examples
- 3
- Practice numericals
- 6
- Diagrams
- 4
- Unit
- Unit 3
- Important questions
- 8
- Solved examples
- 0
- Practice numericals
- 0
- Diagrams
- 5
- Unit
- Unit 4
- Important questions
- 9
- Solved examples
- 3
- Practice numericals
- 5
- Diagrams
- 5
The MS 106 notes list 34 important exam questions across 4 units, plus 6 solved examples and 11 practice numericals with answers.
- Unit 1: Distinguish between moderating and mediating variables with examples.
Pointer: mediator explains how (training → skill → performance); moderator explains when (motivation). Pages 14-15. - Unit 2: Calculate the sample size for a proportion at 95% confidence and ±4% error (p = 0.5).
Pointer: 1.96² × 0.25 / 0.04² = 600.25, so 601. Page 32. - Unit 3: "A valid scale is always reliable but a reliable scale need not be valid." Explain.
Pointer: reliability is consistency, validity is accuracy; a clock always 10 minutes fast is reliable, not valid. - Unit 4: What is discriminant analysis? Explain its objectives and key statistics.
Pointer: categorical dependent, metric predictors; smaller Wilks' lambda separates better. Page 52.
More practice sits in the MS 106 important questions.
Who writes and checks the MS 106 research notes?
- Prateek Talwar, author: Founder, Unnati Educations · Associate Company Secretary (ACS), ICSI, since May 2019 · B.Com, University of Delhi (School of Open Learning), 2012 · author profile
The 2026-27 edition of these MS 106 Business Research IPU notes is mapped to the MBA Scheme and Syllabus 2021-22 onwards. It adds a revision table per unit and SPSS menu paths. Last updated 14 October 2026; see our editorial policy.
The same team prepares GGSIPU important questions for every course.
MS 106 and the GGSIPU MBA Sem 2 papers it connects to
MS 106 has no paired lab; the full paper list sits on the GGSIPU MBA syllabus page.
Its closest partner is MS 114 Minor Project (4 credits), a data-based project ending in a report: problem (Unit 1), sample (Unit 2), questionnaire (Unit 3), analysis and report layout (Unit 4, pages 53-54).
Other Semester 2 papers: MS 102 Technology and Innovation Management, MS 104 Financial Management, MS 108 Sustainable Operations Management, MS 110 Management of Information Systems, MS 112 Human Resource Management, MS 116 Professional Skill Development (NUES) and MS 118 MOOC/Open Elective.
MS 106 research notes FAQs
How do I get the full MS 106 notes?
Message us on WhatsApp at 9899436384 using the "Get Full Notes" button at the top of this page. The full MS 106 notes come as a printed book of 58 pages covering all 4 units; they are not sold as a PDF. You can check the layout first in the watermarked sample PDF beside that button.
Is MS 106 Business Research a theory paper or a numerical paper?
MS 106 is mainly a theory paper with a numerical streak in two units. Units 1 and 3 are conceptual, while Unit 2 covers sample size formulas and Unit 4 covers descriptive statistics, the t-test, chi-square and one-way ANOVA. The notes carry 6 solved examples and 11 practice numericals with answers, all in Units 2 and 4.
Which MS 106 unit needs the most preparation time?
For MS 106, Units I and IV each carry 12 of the 42 syllabus hours. In the notes, Unit 1 is the longest at 15 pages, but Unit 4 packs the most techniques into 14 pages: 11 sections from hypothesis testing to factor and discriminant analysis. Unit 2 has the fewest hours but 9 of the 17 numericals.
What is the passing mark for MS 106 Business Research?
MS 106 is marked out of 100: 25 internal and 75 end-term, as the MBA scheme sets for every theory course. The scheme does not print a pass percentage for individual papers. End-term minimums, re-appear and result rules come from the university's Ordinance 11 on ipu.ac.in, so check that ordinance or ask your institute for the current rule.
Do the MS 106 notes follow the current GGSIPU MBA syllabus?
Yes. The MS 106 notes are checked against the MBA Scheme and Syllabus 2021-22 onwards, which applies to the batch admitted in 2021-22 onwards. Every topic in Units I to IV maps to a section in the notes, as the coverage table on this page shows. This is the 2026-27 edition, last updated on 14 October 2026.
Which software tools does MS 106 expect, and do the notes cover them?
The MS 106 syllabus adds a note that software tools are to be used for enhanced learning. The notes answer it with a page 55 table of MS-Excel, SPSS, AMOS, LISREL, SmartPLS, R, Python, NVivo and ATLAS.ti, each matched to its research use. They also give SPSS menu paths for descriptives, normality tests and Cronbach's alpha.
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These Business Research notes in English, written for the GGSIPU MBA syllabus, run to 58 pages with 4 unit chapters and a revision table per unit.
Format: printed book only (58 pages incl. cover, index and back page); not available as a PDF.
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Unnati Educations is an independent education provider based in Vikaspuri, Delhi. We are not affiliated with, authorised by, or endorsed by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). 'GGSIPU' and 'IPU' are used only to describe the syllabus our notes follow. For official information, visit ipu.ac.in.
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