Research Methodology and Methods MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Research Methodology and Methods - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Dependence

Key Points

• Criteria for evaluating measurement
  • Reliability: Refers to the consistency of a measurement tool. A reliable measurement yields the same results under consistent conditions.
  • Validity: Indicates whether the measurement tool accurately measures what it is supposed to measure.
  • Sensitivity: Refers to the ability of a measurement to detect changes or differences in the variable being measured.
• Dependence
  • Dependence is not a recognized criterion for evaluating measurement in scientific or statistical contexts.
  • While dependence may indicate relationships between variables, it is not a criterion for assessing the quality of a measurement tool.

Additional Information

• Reliability
  • Reliability can be measured using techniques like test-retest reliability, parallel-forms reliability, and internal consistency.
  • A reliable instrument reduces measurement errors and ensures consistency across repeated evaluations.
• Validity
  • Validity is categorized into types such as content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity.
  • A valid measurement tool ensures that the data collected truly represents the concept being studied.
• Sensitivity
  • Sensitivity is crucial for detecting subtle differences or changes in the variable being measured.
  • It is often considered in the context of diagnostic tools and tests to avoid false negatives.

The correct answer is - Case Study method

Key Points

• Case Study method
  • The Case Study method is a research approach used for an in-depth analysis of a single case or a small number of cases.
  • It focuses on exploring and understanding the complexities and specific details of a particular phenomenon.
  • Researchers gather data from multiple sources such as observations, interviews, and document analysis to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
  • This method is commonly used in fields like education, psychology, and sociology to study unique or rare cases.

Additional Information

• Survey method
  • Involves collecting data from a large group of people using structured questionnaires or interviews.
  • It is primarily used for gathering quantitative data and identifying patterns or trends.
  • While it provides a broad overview, it does not offer the detailed insights that the Case Study method provides.
• Historical method
  • Focuses on analyzing past events or conditions to understand their impact on the present or future.
  • Data is gathered from archival records, historical documents, and oral accounts.
  • Primarily used in fields like history and archaeology, it does not emphasize in-depth analysis of individual cases.
• Oral history method
  • Involves collecting first-hand accounts of experiences from individuals through interviews.
  • It is used to document personal stories and perspectives related to historical events.
  • While it provides valuable qualitative data, it is not primarily focused on in-depth case analysis.

The correct answer is - Fact finding process

Key Points

• Fact finding process
  • A report is primarily based on objective facts that are gathered through a systematic and organized process.
  • The purpose of report writing is to present accurate and verified information to support decision-making or analysis.
  • Fact finding involves activities like collecting data, reviewing records, conducting interviews, or performing surveys.
  • It ensures the report is credible and helps readers make informed decisions based on real-world evidence.

Additional Information

• Components of a Report
  • Data analysis: While reports may include data analysis, it is only one part of the report-writing process and not its definition.
  • Interpretation: The interpretation of facts adds meaning and insights but comes after the fact-finding process.
  • Achievement: Reports may highlight achievements, but this is not a core process of report writing.
• Types of Reports
  • Formal reports: These are structured and often used in business or academic settings.
  • Informal reports: These are shorter and less structured, used for quick communication.
  • Investigative reports: Focus on gathering facts related to specific problems or incidents.
• Skills Required for Report Writing
  • Research skills: To gather accurate and relevant facts.
  • Organizational skills: To structure the report logically.
  • Analytical skills: To interpret facts and draw conclusions.
  • Communication skills: To present findings clearly and effectively.

The correct answer is - Correlation

Key Points

• Correlation
  • Correlation is not a method of average calculation. It is a statistical tool used to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
  • Unlike averages such as Mean, Median, and Mode, which summarize data points into a central value, Correlation focuses on the association between two sets of data.
  • For example, the correlation coefficient (denoted as r) ranges between -1 and +1, indicating negative, no, or positive relationships between variables.

Additional Information

• Methods of Average Calculation
  • Mean: It is the arithmetic average of a set of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the total number of values.
  • Median: It is the middle value of a dataset when arranged in ascending or descending order. For even-numbered datasets, the median is the average of the two middle values.
  • Mode: It is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. If no value repeats, there is no mode.
• Key Differences Between Averages and Correlation
  • Averages summarize a dataset into a single representative value.
  • Correlation measures the relationship between two datasets but does not summarize them into a central value.
  • Correlation is often used in regression analysis, while averages are used for descriptive statistics.

The correct answer is - Graph

Key Points

• Graph
  • A graph is primarily used for visualizing data rather than analyzing it.
  • While graphs can summarize analysis outcomes, they are not part of the core analytical stages such as categorization, frequency distribution, or measurement.
  • Stages in analysis focus on extracting meaningful insights from data rather than representing it graphically.
• Core analytical stages
  • Categorization: Grouping data into meaningful categories to simplify analysis.
  • Frequency distribution: Organizing data to show how often each value occurs.
  • Measurement: Assigning quantitative or qualitative values to variables for analysis.

Additional Information

• Stages in analysis
  • Categorization
    • Involves identifying and grouping variables for easier interpretation.
    • Essential for simplifying large datasets into manageable chunks.
  • Frequency distribution
    • Shows the occurrence of data points within specific intervals.
    • Helps in identifying trends and patterns in data.
  • Measurement
    • Refers to quantifying variables to make them analyzable.
    • Can be done using scales such as nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio.
• Graphs vs. Analysis
  • Graphs are tools for visual representation, not methods of analysis.
  • They help present the results of analysis but do not contribute directly to the analytical process.

Research ethics

• Ethics are the principle or guidelines that help us to uphold the things we value. Research ethics concerns with issues related to what is appropriate in the conduct of research.
• This involves consideration of how research should treat the people who form the subjects if their investigation. 
• It involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to a variety of topics involving scientific research. There are many ethical issues to be taken into serious consideration for research.
• It provides guidelines for the responsible conduct of research. In addition, it educates and monitors scientists conducting research to ensure a high ethical standard.

The following is a general summary of some ethical principles:

1. Honesty: Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data.
2. Objectivity: Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research.
3. Integrity: Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action.
4. Carefulness: Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities.
5. Openness: Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
6. Respect for Intellectual Property: Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Never plagiarize.
7. Confidentiality: Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.
8. Responsible Publication: Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.
9. Responsible Mentoring: Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions.
10. Respect for Colleagues: Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.
11. Social Responsibility: Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public education, and advocacy.
12. Non-Discrimination: Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.
13. Competence: Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a whole.
14. Legality: Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.
15. Animal Care: Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.
16. Human Subjects Protection: When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks, and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.

Therefore, ethical norms in research does not include subjectivity.

Phenomology, Ethnography, and Grounded Theory are types of qualitative research. However, Survey is a type of quantative research. The correct answer is option 3 - A, B, and C only .

Important Points

• Phenomenology is an approach in sociology that emphasizes the subjective experiences and interpretation of the world by individuals. Originating from philosophy, where Edmund Husserl and later Martin Heidegger were central figures, phenomenology has made significant contributions to sociological theory.
• The primary goal of phenomenology in sociology is to understand how individuals give meaning to the world around them and how this meaning influences their actions. It opposes positivist thinking, which believes in an objective reality independent of human perception.
• Phenomenological sociology often involves in-depth qualitative methods, such as interviews or observations, to deeply understand people's lived experiences and perspectives.
• A key concept in sociological phenomenology is "intersubjectivity". This refers to the shared meanings that are established through social interaction, and it challenges the assumption of an objective reality that can be understood in the same way by all individuals.
• Ethnography is a qualitative research method widely employed in the field of sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences. It originated in anthropological studies where researchers would immerse themselves in another culture to understand its customs, practices, and social structures.
• In an ethnographic study, researchers conduct detailed observations of a particular social or cultural group over an extended period. The goal of ethnographic research is to understand the group's behaviors, experiences, beliefs, and social interactions from an 'insider perspective'.
• Grounded theory in sociological research is a methodology that allows new theories to emerge from the data collected, rather than testing an existing theory. This approach was developed by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss during their study of dying in hospitals in the late 1960s.
• Grounded theory is a research methodology primarily utilized in qualitative research. It was developed by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss during their study of dying in hospitals in the 1960s. It's now widely used across many academic disciplines, not just in sociology.
• The survey method is a popular research technique in sociology for collecting data from a large number of participants. The objective of the survey method is typically to generalize from a sample population to a larger population of interest. It is one of the quantitative research methods.
• Surveys can be of various types:
  Questionnaires: These are structured sets of questions designed to collect data on specific topics. Questionnaires may be administered in-person, mailed, or conducted online. This method allows for a large collection of data but can often limit responses to predefined options.
  Interviews: These can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured conversational style interviews. While labor-intensive and often used with smaller sample sizes, interviews allow for more in-depth data collection and can yield richer, more detailed responses.

Thus, Phenomology, Ethnography, and Grounded Theory are types of qualitative research methodology.

The correct answer is - Quantitative

Key Points

• Quantitative
  • Refers to research techniques that involve the collection and analysis of data that is numerical.
  • Data is often represented in the form of graphs, charts, and tables to illustrate trends and patterns.
  • Common methods include surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis.
  • Aims to establish quantifiable relationships and often seeks to test hypotheses or theories.

Additional Information

• Qualitative Research
  • Involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data.
  • Focuses on understanding concepts, experiences, and meanings.
  • Common methods include interviews, focus groups, and content analysis.
• Mixed Methods
  • Combines both quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
  • Aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of research problems by integrating numerical data with contextual insights.
• Ethnographic Research
  • A form of qualitative research focused on studying cultures and communities.
  • Involves prolonged observation and interaction with participants in their natural settings.

The correct answer is - Dilthey

Key Points

• Dilthey
  • Wilhelm Dilthey is often associated with the concept of interpretative understanding, which is a key element of the social sciences.
  • He argued that the human sciences require a different methodological approach than the natural sciences, emphasizing the need for Verstehen (understanding).
  • His work laid the foundation for the development of hermeneutics and interpretative methods in the social sciences.

Additional Information

• Max Weber
  • Max Weber is another key figure associated with interpretative sociology and the concept of Verstehen.
  • Weber's approach involves understanding social actions by interpreting the meanings and motives behind them.
• Herbert Spencer
  • Spencer is best known for his contributions to social evolution and the application of Darwinian principles to sociology.
  • He is not typically associated with interpretative methods.
• Auguste Comte
  • Comte is often regarded as the father of positivism, emphasizing empirical observation and scientific methods in sociology.
  • His approach contrasts with interpretative methods, focusing more on objective, observable phenomena.
• Karl Marx
  • Marx is known for his critical approach to sociology, focusing on class struggle and the materialist conception of history.
  • While his methods involve interpretation, they are not typically classified under interpretative understanding in the same way as Dilthey's or Weber's.

The correct answer is - Educational background

Key Points

• Educational background
  • In a traditional power system, roles and authority are typically based on social hierarchy and customary practices rather than an individual's educational qualifications.
  • The traditional power structure often relies on established norms such as the caste system, Zamindari system, and Gram Panchayats, which are based on lineage and social status rather than educational achievements.
  • Educational background is a more modern criterion for authority and power, especially in bureaucratic or professional settings, and is not typically a factor in traditional power systems.

Additional Information

• Zamindari system
  • A traditional land tenure system where landlords (zamindars) held large areas of land and collected rent from tenant farmers.
  • This system was prevalent in colonial India and reinforced the social hierarchy based on land ownership and hereditary rights.
• Gram Panchayat
  • A local self-government institution in Indian villages, responsible for administration and development at the grassroots level.
  • Authority in Gram Panchayats is often influenced by local social structures and traditional leadership roles.
• Caste system
  • A traditional social stratification system in India, where individuals' social status and occupation are determined by birth.
  • Power and authority in the traditional caste system are often hereditary and based on caste affiliation rather than individual merit or education.

The correct answer is - Content Analysis

Key Points

• Content Analysis
  • It is a research method used for systematically analyzing written, verbal, or visual communication.
  • Primarily used for analyzing data that has been collected by someone other than the researcher.
  • Helps in identifying patterns, themes, or biases in the data.
  • Often used in social sciences, media studies, and marketing research.

Additional Information

• Personal study
  • Refers to research conducted by an individual primarily for their own understanding or knowledge.
  • Does not typically involve the systematic analysis of pre-collected data.
• Projective techniques
  • Used primarily in psychological testing and market research.
  • Involves presenting respondents with ambiguous stimuli to elicit responses that reveal their subconscious thoughts, feelings, and desires.
• Scaling techniques
  • Methods used to assign objects to numbers or labels according to specific rules.
  • Includes methods like Likert scales, semantic differential scales, and Guttman scales.

The correct answer is - Dependence

Key Points

• Criteria for evaluating measurement
  • Reliability: Refers to the consistency of a measurement tool. A reliable measurement yields the same results under consistent conditions.
  • Validity: Indicates whether the measurement tool accurately measures what it is supposed to measure.
  • Sensitivity: Refers to the ability of a measurement to detect changes or differences in the variable being measured.
• Dependence
  • Dependence is not a recognized criterion for evaluating measurement in scientific or statistical contexts.
  • While dependence may indicate relationships between variables, it is not a criterion for assessing the quality of a measurement tool.

Additional Information

• Reliability
  • Reliability can be measured using techniques like test-retest reliability, parallel-forms reliability, and internal consistency.
  • A reliable instrument reduces measurement errors and ensures consistency across repeated evaluations.
• Validity
  • Validity is categorized into types such as content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity.
  • A valid measurement tool ensures that the data collected truly represents the concept being studied.
• Sensitivity
  • Sensitivity is crucial for detecting subtle differences or changes in the variable being measured.
  • It is often considered in the context of diagnostic tools and tests to avoid false negatives.

The correct answer is - Case Study method

Key Points

• Case Study method
  • The Case Study method is a research approach used for an in-depth analysis of a single case or a small number of cases.
  • It focuses on exploring and understanding the complexities and specific details of a particular phenomenon.
  • Researchers gather data from multiple sources such as observations, interviews, and document analysis to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
  • This method is commonly used in fields like education, psychology, and sociology to study unique or rare cases.

Additional Information

• Survey method
  • Involves collecting data from a large group of people using structured questionnaires or interviews.
  • It is primarily used for gathering quantitative data and identifying patterns or trends.
  • While it provides a broad overview, it does not offer the detailed insights that the Case Study method provides.
• Historical method
  • Focuses on analyzing past events or conditions to understand their impact on the present or future.
  • Data is gathered from archival records, historical documents, and oral accounts.
  • Primarily used in fields like history and archaeology, it does not emphasize in-depth analysis of individual cases.
• Oral history method
  • Involves collecting first-hand accounts of experiences from individuals through interviews.
  • It is used to document personal stories and perspectives related to historical events.
  • While it provides valuable qualitative data, it is not primarily focused on in-depth case analysis.

The correct answer is - Fact finding process

Key Points

• Fact finding process
  • A report is primarily based on objective facts that are gathered through a systematic and organized process.
  • The purpose of report writing is to present accurate and verified information to support decision-making or analysis.
  • Fact finding involves activities like collecting data, reviewing records, conducting interviews, or performing surveys.
  • It ensures the report is credible and helps readers make informed decisions based on real-world evidence.

Additional Information

• Components of a Report
  • Data analysis: While reports may include data analysis, it is only one part of the report-writing process and not its definition.
  • Interpretation: The interpretation of facts adds meaning and insights but comes after the fact-finding process.
  • Achievement: Reports may highlight achievements, but this is not a core process of report writing.
• Types of Reports
  • Formal reports: These are structured and often used in business or academic settings.
  • Informal reports: These are shorter and less structured, used for quick communication.
  • Investigative reports: Focus on gathering facts related to specific problems or incidents.
• Skills Required for Report Writing
  • Research skills: To gather accurate and relevant facts.
  • Organizational skills: To structure the report logically.
  • Analytical skills: To interpret facts and draw conclusions.
  • Communication skills: To present findings clearly and effectively.

The correct answer is - Correlation

Key Points

• Correlation
  • Correlation is not a method of average calculation. It is a statistical tool used to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
  • Unlike averages such as Mean, Median, and Mode, which summarize data points into a central value, Correlation focuses on the association between two sets of data.
  • For example, the correlation coefficient (denoted as r) ranges between -1 and +1, indicating negative, no, or positive relationships between variables.

Additional Information

• Methods of Average Calculation
  • Mean: It is the arithmetic average of a set of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the total number of values.
  • Median: It is the middle value of a dataset when arranged in ascending or descending order. For even-numbered datasets, the median is the average of the two middle values.
  • Mode: It is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. If no value repeats, there is no mode.
• Key Differences Between Averages and Correlation
  • Averages summarize a dataset into a single representative value.
  • Correlation measures the relationship between two datasets but does not summarize them into a central value.
  • Correlation is often used in regression analysis, while averages are used for descriptive statistics.