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Research Methodology

Description: Practice questions for judging your understanding of the research process
Number of Questions: 25
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Tags: Research Research Process
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Which type of research is constrained by ethical considerations?

  1. Qualitative research

  2. Neither qualitative nor quantitative

  3. Quantitative research

  4. Both qualitative and quantitative


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

This option is correct. Ethical considerations must be considered in all forms and types of research. No research can be conducted which is ethically not acceptable. Thus, both the qualitative as well as quantitative research have ethical constraints.

Which of the following is attempted to eliminate by the quantitative approach in research?

  1. Systemisation

  2. Bias and subjectivity

  3. Empirical evidence

  4. Generalisability


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This is the correct option as the quantitative research tries to completely eliminate the research bias by being as objective as possible. Structured processes of quantitative approach and the use of controls play a very strong role in eliminating the bias as well as subjectivity.

Which of the following sampling techniques can be used to locate a sample of rare talents?

  1. Purposive sampling

  2. Quota sampling

  3. Convenient sampling

  4. Snowball sampling


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

This sampling technique involves tracing rare sample through referrals from the already identified members of the sample.

The practice of publishing a complete paper or closely similar versions reporting the same research at two different locations is called

  1. repetitive publication

  2. divided publication

  3. reporting

  4. open publication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Since the author is repeating the whole publication again, the term repetitive publication is used.

In a study entitled “The effect of family members' support on readmission rates to an inpatient substance abuse programme”, which of the following is the dependent variable?

  1. Family members support

  2. Substance abuse programme

  3. Inpatient

  4. Readmission rate


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Readmission rate is the dependent variable as it is dependent on the family support.

Which of the following data collection methods is used in qualitative research?

  1. Closed ended questionnaires

  2. Structured interview schedule

  3. Unstructured interview schedule

  4. Observational checklist


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Since unstructured interview schedule offers enough flexibility to the interviewer to ask situational questions and explore the concepts in required depth. The depth of information is central to the qualitative research approach, which is the most appropriate method of data collection.

Which variable would be considered as the independent variable in a cause-and-effect relationship?

  1. The relationship

  2. The cause

  3. The effect

  4. The outcome


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This is the correct option. Since the cause is not affected by the effect, the cause is considered as the independent variable.

In which type of research approach is the 'predication and control' a study purpose?

  1. Neither quantitative nor qualitative

  2. Both qualitative and quantitative

  3. Qualitative

  4. Quantitative


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Quantitative research focuses at predicting the relationship between two variables in the form of hypothesis and then sets to prove or disapprove it through manipulation. Controlling the effect of non-research variables is another purpose of a quantitative research. Thus, 'predictition and control' is the study purpose in quantitative approach.

Which of the following is NOT an aspect to be considered in evaluating the strength of evidence in a qualitative study?

  1. Credibility

  2. Reliability

  3. Transferability

  4. Trustworthiness


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Since reliability issue concerns measurements; it has no relevance in qualitative research. In fact, it is considered as irrelevant and the study may not be good. Thus, this aspect is not considered in evaluating the strength of evidence in a qualitative study.

Which of the following reasonings characterises qualitative research?

  1. Deductive

  2. Supportive

  3. Directive

  4. Inductive


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broader generalisations as in the qualitative research.

Which of the following techniques can be followed to avoid researcher bias in an experimental research?

  1. Sampling

  2. Blinding

  3. Manipulating

  4. Randomization


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Blinding is the process of not permitting the data collector as well as the sample to be aware of their participation as a member of the control or the experimental group. The participants only know that they are participating in a research but they do not know which group they will be assigned to.

Incorrect rejection of a true null hypothesis leads to which type of research error?

  1. Bias

  2. Type 1

  3. Type 2

  4. Type 3


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Type 1 error is considered to be take place when the null hypothesis should have been accepted but is rejected due to wrong decision made by the researcher. It can be considered as a false positive result. Thus, this is the right answer.  

Which of the following is a research method focussed on collecting data in the natural environment to understand the cultures that influences on human behaviour?

  1. Randomized control trial

  2. Meta analysis

  3. Ethnography

  4. Phenomenology


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Ethnography is concerned with extracting meaning from naturally occurring events in the natural socio-cultural environment and is the correct choice.

Which of the following terms is used for a research done to explore the findings from a previous study by using the same variables but on a different sample?

  1. Exploration

  2. Duplication

  3. Replication

  4. Hypothesis testing


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Since the research is being repeated or replicated on another sample, the term replication is used for this approach.

Which of the following approaches will be suitable in exploring the area about which very little is known?

  1. Deductive

  2. Supportive

  3. Directive

  4. Inductive


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Inductive approach moves from specific observations to broader generalisations as in the qualitative research and thus helps in exploring deeply the aspects about which very little is known.

Which of the following research methods has its roots in anthropology?

  1. Phenomenology

  2. Grounded theory

  3. Ethnography

  4. Action research


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This approach to research was initially used in the anthropology to understand cultures. However, now this approach is being used by a large number of disciplines.

Which of the following methods is based on testing of hypotheses generated from existing theories?

  1. Deductive method

  2. Inductive method

  3. Qualitative method

  4. Directive method


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Deductive reasoning characterises quantitative approach, which sets to test the hypothesis. This approach moves from general to specific in such a way that conclusions are drawn on the basis of available facts which start with a supposed hypothesis in mind.

From which of the following paradigms is the quantitative approach inspired?

  1. Naturalistic

  2. Positivistic

  3. Idealism

  4. Nursing


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Positivism view the world from a scientific perspective and thus believes in scientific, empirically testable methods, which are also the aim of quantitative researches.

Which of the following research approaches is more concerned with generalization of the research findings?

  1. Qualitative

  2. Quantitative

  3. Theory development

  4. Phenomenology


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Quantitative research generally involves large samples which are representative of a population and thus aims to generalize the findings of the research at least to that population. However, the findings can also be generalized to other similar populations.

While assessing a correlation between two set of findings, which of the values of a correlation coefficient indicates the strongest correlation?

  1. 0.65

  2. 0.39

  3. 0.95

  4. 0.75


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A correlation coefficient shows a relationship on the basis of its nearness to 1. A coefficient of 1 indicates a perfect correlation. Thus nearer is the value to 1, stronger is the relationship between two variables. 0.95 is nearest to 1 in the given set of values.

What is the full form of IRB?

  1. International Review Board

  2. Institutional Review Board

  3. Institutional Research Bureau

  4. International Research Bureau


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Institutional Review Board provide ethical clearance to a research conducted in the institution. IRB is generally used to abbreviate Institutional Review Board.

The three characteristic features of a true experiment are

  1. randomisation, control and manipulation

  2. random sampling, control group and intervention

  3. hypothesis, manipulation and randomisation

  4. hypothesis, manipulation and control


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Randomisation to avoid bias, control on the effect of extraneous variables and manipulation of the independent variable to see its effect on the dependent variables characterizes an experimental study.

If a researcher selects every nth element from a list of population elements to be included in his sample, which of the following types of sampling technique is he using?

  1. Simple random sampling

  2. Stratified random sampling

  3. Systematic random sampling

  4. Census


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Systematic random sampling involves a systematic method of selecting every nth number in the population to be a member of the sample, although the first member of the sample may be selected by simple random method. Since every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected into the sample, the technique is considered as systematic as well as random.

Anonymity of the research participant implies that

  1. identity of the participant will not be revealed to anyone

  2. the information provided by the participant will not be shared with anyone

  3. consent from the participants will be taken before collection of any data from them

  4. participation in the research will be only on the basis of volunteering for participation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Anonymity is one of the ethical components of research and requires the researcher to keep the identity of the research subject anonymous by not revealing it to anybody.

A case control study design is generally a

  1. prospective study with a control group

  2. prospective study without a control group

  3. retrospective study without a control group

  4. retrospective study with a control group


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A case control study is a type of observational study involving observation of two groups for their exposure as well as outcome. Since the outcome has already occurred and the researcher looks back into the past to identify the exposures, the study is considered as retrospective in nature. Since two groups having the disease and not having the disease (control group) are used, a case control study can be considered as a retrospective study with a control group.

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