Methods of Research

Review all questions and their correct answers.

Question 1

What is the primary definition of research?

A casual reading of books and articles
A systematic process to find solutions or discover new facts
A collection of personal opinions on a topic
The practical application of existing tools without revision

Question 2

Which purpose of research is conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined to gain a better understanding?

Descriptive Research
Explanatory Research
Exploratory Research
Applied Research

Question 3

A study that aims to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between variables is known as:

Descriptive Research
Exploratory Research
Explanatory Research
Theoretical Research

Question 4

A research characteristic that means the study is based on direct experience and observation is called:

Logical
Cyclical
Empirical
Replicable

Question 5

The quality of a researcher to conduct a study carefully and economically is known as:

Intellectual Curiosity
Healthy Criticism
Intellectual Honesty
Prudence

Question 6

What is the first and most crucial stage of the 8-stage research process?

Collecting Data
Reviewing the Literature
Identifying the Problem
Writing the Report

Question 7

A problem is considered "researchable" if:

There is only one possible answer
The reason for a discrepancy is already clear
There is a discrepancy between "what is" and "what should be"
It is a personal issue with no broader impact

Question 8

Why is reviewing existing literature an integral part of research?

To make the report longer
To avoid duplicating work that has already been done
To find opinions that support your bias
To find an easier topic to study

Question 9

What is a hypothesis in the context of research?

A proven fact that guides the study
A final conclusion based on data
A testable, unproven statement about the relationship between variables
A summary of the research findings

Question 10

The blueprint or master plan for a study, specifying the methods for data collection and analysis, is called the:

Research Proposal
Research Design
Sample Design
Data Analysis Plan

Question 11

What is the difference between a population and a sample?

A population is a subset of the sample
A sample is a subset of the population
They are the same thing
A population is for qualitative research, a sample is for quantitative

Question 12

Which sampling method gives every member of the population a known, non-zero chance of being selected?

Convenience Sampling
Purposive Sampling
Probability Sampling
Judgment Sampling

Question 13

Data collected firsthand by the researcher for the current study is called:

Secondary Data
Qualitative Data
Primary Data
Public Data

Question 14

In which stage of the research process are raw data transformed into meaningful information through editing and coding?

Collecting Data
Choosing the Study Design
Processing and Analyzing Data
Writing the Report

Question 15

What is the main purpose of writing a research report?

To keep the findings secret
To communicate findings, conclusions, and recommendations
To practice writing skills
To fulfill a course requirement with minimal effort

Question 16

Research that aims to generate new knowledge and concepts without immediate practical application is known as:

Applied Research
Qualitative Research
Theoretical (Basic/Pure) Research
Experimental Research

Question 17

Which type of research uses numerical data and statistical tools to measure phenomena?

Qualitative Research
Observational Research
Theoretical Research
Quantitative Research

Question 18

In which research design are variables manipulated in a controlled environment to discover cause-and-effect relationships?

Observational Research
Experimental Research
Survey Research
Cross-Sectional Study

Question 19

A study that observes a group of subjects at a single point in time is called a:

Longitudinal Study
Experimental Study
Cross-Sectional Study
Theoretical Study

Question 20

A hypothesis stating "A improves B" is an example of what type of hypothesis?

Non-directional Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
Directional Hypothesis
Complex Hypothesis

Question 21

What is the Null Hypothesis (H₀)?

It states that a relationship exists between variables
It is the hypothesis the researcher hopes to prove
It states there is no relationship or difference between variables
It specifies the direction of the relationship

Question 22

A hypothesis that predicts a relationship between two or more independent and dependent variables is a:

Simple Hypothesis
Complex Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
Non-directional Hypothesis

Question 23

Which hypothesis type proposes that one variable has a direct effect on another?

Associative Hypothesis
Non-directional Hypothesis
Causal Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis

Question 24

In the IMRAD format, which section answers the question "Why was the study done?"

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

Question 25

Which section of an IMRAD paper describes the research design, participants, and data collection tools?

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

Question 26

In which section should you present your findings clearly and objectively, using tables and figures, without interpretation?

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

Question 27

The purpose of the Discussion section is to:

Present raw data
Describe how the study was done
Interpret the findings and explain their significance
State the research question

Question 28

Acknowledging the weaknesses or constraints of your study should be done in which part of the Discussion section?

Summary of Key Findings
Comparison to Literature
Limitations
Implications

Question 29

The part of the Introduction that clearly defines the specific gap in knowledge the research addresses is the:

Background/Hook
Problem Statement
Relevance
Research Question

Question 30

Which hindrance in research refers to conducting a study without proper knowledge of the methodology?

Lack of Communication with Supervisor
Lack of Scientific Training
Insufficient Data
Lack of Confidence

Question 31

A research process is described as cyclical because:

It is very time-consuming
It follows a strict, unchangeable sequence
It must be conducted by a single person
It starts with a question and ends with new questions for further study

Question 32

Which quality of a good researcher involves being doubtful about results until they are proven?

Intellectual Honesty
Healthy Criticism
Prudence
Intellectual Creativity

Question 33

What is the main difference between exploratory and descriptive research?

Exploratory is qualitative, descriptive is quantitative.
Exploratory is for undefined problems, while descriptive aims to describe a known phenomenon.
Exploratory seeks "why," while descriptive seeks "what" and "how."
There is no difference.

Question 34

A study that includes every single member of a group is called a:

Sample
Population
Census
Sub-group

Question 35

Using official government documents and previous studies as your data source means you are using:

Primary Data
Qualitative Data
Experimental Data
Secondary Data

Question 36

What is the purpose of coding in the data processing stage?

To check for errors in the data
To assign alphanumeric codes to responses to make them manageable
To apply statistical tests
To write the final report

Question 37

Which of the following is an example of non-probability sampling?

Simple Random Sampling
Stratified Sampling
Convenience Sampling
Systematic Sampling

Question 38

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) are a method for collecting which type of data?

Quantitative
Qualitative
Secondary
Longitudinal

Question 39

A study that follows the same group of students from their first year to their fourth year to track changes in study habits is a:

Cross-Sectional Study
Longitudinal Study
Experimental Study
Observational Study

Question 40

What does it mean for research to be "replicable"?

The results must be published
The study can be repeated by others to achieve similar results
The research must be complex
The data must be kept confidential

Question 41

Which hypothesis states that there is NO relationship between variables?

Alternative Hypothesis
Directional Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
Causal Hypothesis

Question 42

If a researcher rejects the null hypothesis, what must they do?

Reject the alternative hypothesis
Accept the alternative hypothesis
Redo the entire study
Conclude that there are no findings

Question 43

In which section of the IMRAD format would you find a summary of what is already known about the topic?

Introduction (Literature Review)
Methods
Results
Discussion

Question 44

The Methods section of a research paper must be detailed enough to allow for what?

Interpretation
Replication
Generalization
Speculation

Question 45

A researcher who honestly reports their findings, even if they contradict their initial beliefs, is demonstrating:

Intellectual Creativity
Intellectual Honesty
Healthy Criticism
Prudence

Question 46

Comparing your results with those of previous studies is a key component of which IMRAD section?

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

Question 47

Which research hindrance involves having a research scope that is not manageable?

Lack of Scientific Training
Insufficient Data
Focus is Too Broad or Too Narrow
Library Management

Question 48

A study that aims to describe the characteristics of a group of engineering students without investigating the "why" is:

Explanatory Research
Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
Causal Research

Question 49

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of good research?

Empirical
Biased
Methodical
Logical

Question 50

A "research objective" is best described as:

A testable prediction
A general area of interest
A precise statement of what the research will accomplish
A summary of past research

Question 51

Research that manipulates some variables but does not have full control over all of them (e.g., groups are not randomly selected) is called:

Experimental Research
Non-Experimental Research
Quasi-Experimental Research
Qualitative Research

Question 52

In the IMRAD format, the "Hook" that captures the reader's interest is part of which section?

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

Question 53

A hypothesis stating "Variable A is related to Variable B" without specifying if the relationship is positive or negative is:

Directional
Non-directional
Null
Causal

Question 54

Which of the following is a primary data collection method?

Reading a published journal article
Using census data
Conducting a survey
Reviewing company reports

Question 55

The final step of the 8-stage research process is:

Processing and Analyzing Data
Collecting Data
Writing the Report
Setting Research Questions