Research: Meaning, Types and Characteristics

  1. Ability to see and size up the situation creatively is most relevant at which stage of research ?
    1. At the stage of identifying and defining a research problem.
    2. Sequence of research steps is nearer to scientific method
      1. Perceiving the problem situation,
      2. Locating the actual problem and its definition,
      3. Hypothesizing,
      4. Deducing the consequences of the suggested solution and
      5. Testing the hypothesis in action.
  2. While presenting the research outcomes and sharing the same with others, in which of the following research type, the style has to be impersonal?
    1. Causal comparative based Ex post facto studies
    1. Ex-post facto Method – Probes into the causal factors from the observed effects.
      1. Ex post facto research uses data that you collected before you came up with your hypothesis.
      2. Both Experimental and Ex-post facto research focuses on hypothesis testing and generalizations.
  3. In the list of statements given below which of them offer a suitable definition of research? Give your answer by selecting the code.
    1. Research is basically an answer to a question.
    2. Research provides an authentic solution to a problem.
    3. Research is a meaning- giving process
      1. The most logical sequence in doing research – Identifying and defining a research problem, formulating a hypothesis, testing of hypothesis, and reporting the results.
  4. The paradigm of research which focuses on the development of professional expertise of the researcher-practitioner is called: Action research
    1. A university teacher plans to improve the study habits of students in his/her class. The type of research paradigm that is helpful is action research paradigm.
  5. Which of the following statements best reflect the meaning and characteristics of research? Select from the code to give your answer.
    1. Code:
      1. Research means challenging the status quo.
      2. Research is a synthesis of deductive and inductive processes.
      3. Research is a critical and passionate search for knowledge.
    1. The following sequence correctly reflects a scientific investigation
      1. observation, conceptualization, theorizing, deduced consequence and method to verify them.
  6. In which of the following research methods the emphasis is laid on naturalistic settings and meaning-giving processes?
    1. Case study method
      1. A university department plans to undertake its study wherein attitudes, values and biases of teachers and students are to be probed with an eye on disclosing their patterns of adjustments.
  7. In which type of research, the steps of research have to be cyclic?
    1. Action research
    2. In an intervention based on the action research process, the following is the recommended sequence exist in cycles Plan, Act, Observe and Reflect.
  8. For which type of research, the action words – ‘Control, manipulate and observe’ are most relevant?
    1. Experimental research
    2. These words are used in hypothesis testing.
      1. research formats focuses on hypothesis testing and generalizations expermiental and ex-post facto method.
      2. After identifying the different variables and establishing the logical reasoning of the theoretical framework, the next step in the research process is to Use experiment in an investigation.
  9. In which of the following methods of research the independent variable has to be selected rather than manipulated ?
    1. Ex post facto method
      1. In experimental research-based studies the observations are derived from Dependent variable for statistical analysis.
      2. On the contrary in ex post facto method, probing into the causal factors from the observed effects
  10. A variable that measures the effect of a manipulated variable, is known as:
    1. Dependent variable
      1. In experimental research-based studies the observations are derived from Dependent variable for statistical analysis.
      1. the manipulation of an independent variable and its effect on the dependent variable is examined with reference to a hypothesis under controlled conditions in experimental research
      2. A researcher plans to study the effect of socio-economic status of parents on the school drop-out rate in a district. Experimental hypothesis testing research is used.
  11. Empirical research in social sciences is associated with:
    1. Positivist philosophy
      1. The positivism principle includes
      2. Phenomenalism
      3. Deductivism
      4. Inductive
      5. In the post positivistic approach to research, the following types of researches got emphasized
        1. phenomenological research,
        2. Ethnographic research,
        3. Action research
      6. The main feature of Qualitative research – Avoids Positivists assumptions and data analysis
  12. The characteristics of the scientific method of research are:
    1. Empiricism
    2. Objectivity
    3. Systematic
    4. Predictive
      1. the following sequence of research steps is nearer to scientific method
      2. Perceiving the problem situation, Locating the actual problem and its definition,
      3. Hypothesizing, Deducing the consequences of the suggested solution and
      4. Testing the hypothesis in action
  13. Qualitative researchers criticize quantitative research for its tendency towards Reductionism
    1. the qualitative research characteristic
      1. Stating the purpose and research questions in a broadway
      2. Collecting data based on words from a small number of individuals
      3. Using text analysis and interpreting larger meanings of the findings.
  14. The four approaches to knowing answers to research questions, according to kerlinger, are:
    1. Method of tenacity
    2. Method of intuition
    3. Method of authority
    4. Method of science
  15. In relation to the code of conduct in research, what does APA stand for?
    1. American Psychological Association
    1. In a thesis ‘ formal style of referencing’ have been inappropriately followed by the basic rules of APA style of referencing format.
      1. It includes
        1. Invert authors’ names (last name first)
        2. Italicize titles of longer works such as books and journals
        3. Alphabetically index reference list
        4. Sharma, V. (2010). Fundamentals of Computer Science. New Delhi : Tata McGraw Hill
  16. With what name an attribute like height, weight or happiness that is measurable and that is assigned with changing values be called?
    1. Variable
      1. The steps of research the scope of creativity and imagination is utmost identifying variables and hypothesizing.
      2. Then Postulating relationships among variables to advance a solution.
  17. Set-I(Research types) and Set-II (Nature and characteristics)
    1. Experimental research – Controlling the extraneous variables and    observing the effect of independent variable manipulated by the researcher on dependent
    2. Expost facto research – Getting at causal facts by retrospective analysis
    3. Participant observation based research – Emphasizing the access to reality by sharing the perspectives of people
    4. Grounded theory approach based research – Generalizations follow rather than precede the observations in due course.
  18. The components of a research design are:
    1. Comparison
    2. Control
    3. Manipulation
    4. Generalization
      1. The nature and characteristic of experimental research is Controlling the extraneous variables and observing the effect of independent variable manipulated by the researcher based on dependent variable.
  19. The four major operations in scientific research are:
    1. Demonstration of co-variance
    2. Elimination of spurious relations
    3. Sequencing in terms of time-order
    4. Theorization
      1. the usual sequence of scientific enquiry – Observation – Hypothesizing – Experimentation – Theorizing
      2. Hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.
      3. A hypothesis is a basis for reasoning without any assumption of its truth.
  2. Which of the following implies the correct sequence in an action research paradigm?
    1. Plan, act, observe and reflect
      1. A university teacher plans to improve the study habits of students in his/her class. The type of research paradigm that is helpful is action research paradigm.
  3. The issue of research ethics is pertinent at which of the following Stages of research?
    1. Data collection, data analysis and reporting of research findings/results
    1. The issue of ‘research ethics’ may be considered pertinent at the stage of data collection and interpretation.
  4. In which of the following target related specifications will be considered necessary?
    1. Workshops
      1. A workshop is meant for Hands-on-experience.

Methods of research:

  1. Set – I specifies the methods of research while Set – Il describes the critical feature associated with a method of research
(Research methods)(Critical features associated)
(a) Experimental methodEstablishing cause and effect through control
(b) Ex post facto methodProbing into the causal factors from the observed effects
(c) Historical methodEstablishing the patterns of events which have happened, through primary and secondary sources
(d) Ethnographic methodStudying shared behavior patterns

Research Methods
  1. Research studies interpretation and meaning get more attention than the formulation of generalization in ethnographic, historical and philosophical.
  2. In Experimental and Ex-post facto research, focuses on hypothesis testing and generalizations
  3. Below are given a few key terms. Identify these which denote qualitative research paradigm.
    1. Ethnography
    2. Symbolic interaction
    3. Narrative
      1. The purpose of qualitative research is to Promote a deep, holistic understanding of a phenomenon of interest.
      2. The main feature of Qualitative research – Avoids Positivists assumptions and data analysis.
      3. In Narrative research designs individual stories to describe the lives of people are explored.
      4. So, in these type of research paradigms the focus of concern is on interpreting reality in terms of participant’s perspective.
  4. Reasoning from a specific case to a general conclusion is known as: Inductive logic
    1. The sampling procedure that will be appropriate for conducting researches with empirical inductive research paradigm any of the non-probability sampling procedures.
  5. In a research setting, participants may act differently because they think they are getting special attention. This reaction of the treatment group to the special attention rather than the treatment itself is called as: Hawthorne effect
  6. The kind of numbers which do not represent amounts but instead represent kind (different qualities, type or categories) are called as Nominal
    1. Nominal scale of measurement – classification – Questionnaire and interview
    2. Ordinal scale of measurement – classification and order – Attitude and value test
    3. Interval scale of measurement – classification, order and equal units – intelligent and aptitude test.
    4. Ratio scale of measurement – classification, order, equal units and absolute zero – speed and frequency test.
  7. Which method is appropriate to reduce random error?
    1. Administer the treatment, in the same way, every time
      1. The fishbowl draw is a method of drawing a/an Random sample.
      2. In sampling, the lottery method is used for Randomisation
  8. One way to measure the extent to which a measure is free of random error is to compute its:
    1. Test-retest reliability
      1. In research, reliability is the quality of a measurement procedure which provides Repeatability and accuracy.
  9. Which of the following is an incorrect statement?
    1. Using a scatterplot to graph your Correlational data will not tell you the direction of the relationship (positive or negative).
    2. Correct Statements are
    1. Archival research uses data collected and sometimes coded by someone else.
    2. Ex post facto research uses data that you collected before you came up with your hypothesis.
    3. Observational methods are used in both Correlational and experimental research.
    4. The strongest evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship between independent and dependent variables experimental approach.
  10. The identification of a research problem involves:
    1. Selection of the academic area
    2. Demarcation of the study area
    3. Management of financial sources
      1. In a research problem ‘studying the effect of teaching methods on the scholastic achievement of boys and girls in terms of their socio-economic background which can be designated as the independent variable teaching methods.
  11. The advantages of secondary analysis in research are:
    1. It is inexpensive.
    2. There is no need to construct a measuring instrument.
    3. Data archives are a valuable source.
    4. Useful opportunity is provided to produce valuable knowledge.
      1. In Historical research method, establishes the patterns of events which have happened, through primary and secondary sources.
  12. Participatory research is also described as:
    1. Community-based
    2. Participation in Action research has great potential for ensuring the Improvement of the professional as well as work situation.
      1. Participant observation is a part of Ethnographic research.
      2. Participant observation based research – Emphasizing the access to reality by sharing the perspectives of people.
  13. Which among the following provides the strongest evidence of a cause and effect relationship between independent and dependent variables? Experimental approach
    1. The main characteristic of scientific research are
      1. empirical
      2. theoretical
      3. experimental
    2. In experimental research, researcher controls the extraneous variables and    observes the effect of independent variable which is usually manipulated by the researcher.
  14. Heuristic method of teaching was developed by H.E. Armstrong.
  15. A variable that is manipulated is known as:
    1. Independent variable
      1. In Experimental research Controlling the extraneous variables and observing the effect of independent variable manipulated by the researcher.
  16. Which of the following are considered as key behaviours of effective teaching as evident from researches?
    1. Lesson clarity implying the extent, to which the teacher’s presentation is clear to the class.
    2. Instructional variety involving teacher’s variability and flexibility during the presentation.
    3. Students’ success rate implying the rate at which students understand and correctly complete the exercises.

Steps of research:

  1. A researcher plans to study the effect of socio-economic status of parents on the school drop-out rate in a district. What type of research will it be?
    1. Experimental hypothesis testing research
    1. The sequence of research steps is logical
      1. Problem formulation,
        1. Hypothesis making,
        2. Development of a Research design,
        3. Collection of data,
        4. Data analysis and 
        5. Formulation of generalizations and
        6. conclusions.
  2. The purpose of review of literature includes:
    1. To understand the subject background
    2. To formulate research questions
    3. To find out the relevant methodology
    4. To identify the data sources
      1. A good review of research literature aims at generates research questions and validating those questions.
      2. By Reviewing literature creates a working thesis for the research paper by Specifying and organizing the category of information.
  3. Poster sessions in research conferences provide better opportunities for Interpersonal interactions
    1. The common features of attending seminar is reflective deliberations based on specific themes.
  4. Match the type of validity with its major source of problem:
    1. Construct validity – Faulty or poor measure, resulting in mislabeling/ misinterpreting validity behaviour
    2. External Validity – Treatment and no-treatment groups were unequal before the study began
    3. Internal Validity – Sample of participants was not representative
      1. Research hypothesis – A tentative proposition with unknown validity that specifies a relationship between two or more variables
      2. Artifacts that arise and affect the internal validity in research are
        1. History
        2. Maturity
        3. Instrumentation
        4. Experimental Mortality
      3. When results obtained in 6 research study can be extended to a group larger than the sample(outside the context of the study) it is called external validity.
      4. The degree to which the findings of the study can be generalized to a wider population known as External validity.
  5. A research report will contain:
    1. Prefatory parts
    2. Title page
    3. Table of contents
    4. Terminal chapters
  6. The originality of a research topic will depend upon factors of:
    1. The uniqueness of the topic
    2. Utilitarian dimensions
    3. Support system
    4. Feasibility of the study
    5. Requirement of supervision
  7. Formulation of a research problem depends upon:
    1. What is the object behind the researcher’s choice?
    2. What are the specific questions?
    3. What is the conceptual model?
    4. Construction of hypotheses.
      1. the most logical sequence in doing research
      2. Identifying and defining a research problem, formulating a hypothesis, testing of hypothesis, and reporting the results
  8. Artifacts that arise and affect the internal validity in research are:
    1. History
    2. Maturity
    3. Instrumentation
    4. Experimental Mortality
      1. A tentative proposition with unknown validity that specifies a relationship between two or more variables – Research hypothesis.
        1. The degree to which the findings of the study can be generalized to a wider population known as External validity.
      2. It involves the results obtained in 6 research study which can be extended to a group larger than the sample(outside the context of the study)

Thesis and Article Writing:

(Format of presentation)(Distinctive features)
a) Thesis/ dissertationSystematic prescribed format
b) Research paperPresentation on a summary of research done
c) WorkshopTarget oriented group-based reflection
d) SeminarReflective deliberations based on specific themes
  1. The style of writing a thesis and research article has to be scientific in respect of language used.
  2. The stage in research creates a working thesis for the research paper by Specifying and organizing the category of information review of literature.
  3. In a research paper, a hypothesis should be conceptually Simple, clear and specific.
  4. target related specifications will be considered necessary in conducting Workshop which is meant for conducting Hands-on-experience.
  5. Research abstract is a must during a seminar paper presentation.
  6. If you are to calculate Spearman’s rho, what kind of data you would enter?
    1. Ranks
      1. The numbers which represent kind of different qualities, type or categories for classification are called as Nominal level of measurement.
      2. Common research tools of nominal level are Questionnaire and interview.
  7. When a reviewer reviews a research article without knowing the author’s name, it is referred to as:
    1. Blind review
  8. The style of writing a thesis and research article has to be scientific in respect of language Used.
    1. The following formats of research abstract is a must for research article.

Research Ethics:

  1. ‘Research ethics’ is of critical importance in which of the following areas? Select your answer from the code given below:
    1. Data collecting
    2. Data analysis
    3. Writing a thesis/dissertation
      1. Research ethics’ is of critical importance in Writing a thesis/dissertation
        1. Related studies that are cited without proper references has negative implications for ‘research ethics’.
          1. Research ethics includes Honesty, Integrity,Objectivity
  2. Identify those stages/steps of research in which ethical considerations become relevant. Choose from the code to give your answer.
    1. Code:
      1. Collecting data through the use of research tools.
      2. Data analysis and procedure employed.
      3. Reporting procedure of findings/ results.
  3. A researcher while writing his/her thesis does not give the rationale underlying the use of statistical techniques. This will be best described as a case of:
    1. An error of omission
UGC NET previous year questions
UGC NET previous year questions