Research Aptitude

1. Assertion (A): In descriptive research, variables are manipulated to test

hypotheses.
Reason (R): Descriptive research focuses on observing and describing
characteristics of subjects.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

2. Assertion (A): Historical research is not suitable for drawing

generalizations.
Reason (R): Historical research is based on specific past events and
contexts.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

3. Assertion (A): Qualitative research focuses on the interpretation of

meaning rather than numerical analysis.
Reason (R): Qualitative research is suitable for exploring subjective
experiences and social phenomena.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
4. Assertion (A): Mixed methods research is ideal for addressing complex
research problems.
Reason (R): It combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to
provide comprehensive insights.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

5. Assertion (A): Triangulation enhances the reliability of research

findings.
Reason (R): It involves the use of multiple data sources or methods.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

6. Assertion (A): Experimental research aims to establish a causal

relationship between variables.
Reason (R): It always uses qualitative data for analysis.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
7. Assertion (A): Post-positivism acknowledges that research outcomes can
be influenced by the researcher's perspectives.
Reason (R): Post-positivist research often relies on purely objective
methods to eliminate bias.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.

8. Assertion (A): Qualitative research uses software like SPSS for data
analysis.
Reason (R): Statistical tools are used to process numerical data, which is
the focus of qualitative research.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
9. Match the research types with their primary goals:

Type of Research Primary Goal

A. Historical i. Explore the past

B. Descriptive ii. Test cause-effect relationships

C. Experimental iii. Describe phenomena

Options:

a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii

b) A-i, B-iii, C-ii
c) A-ii, B-i, C-iii
d) A-iii, B-ii, C-i

10.Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Concept Description

A. Positivism i. Emphasis on multiple realities

B. Post-positivism ii. Focus on objectivity

C. Qualitative iii. Subjective interpretation

Options:
a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii
b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii
c) A-iii, B-ii, C-i
d) A-ii, B-iii, C-i
11.Match the following methods with their characteristics:

Method Characteristic

A. Experimental i. Manipulation of variables

B. Descriptive ii. Analysis of existing trends

C. Historical iii. Exploration of past events

Options:

a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii

b) A-iii, B-i, C-ii
c) A-ii, B-iii, C-i
d) A-i, B-iii, C-ii

12.Match the research method to its primary focus:

Method Focus

A. Qualitative i. Numerical data analysis

B. Quantitative ii. Subjective meaning

C. Mixed methods iii. Combination of both

Options:
a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii
b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii
c) A-iii, B-i, C-ii
d) A-ii, B-iii, C-i
13.Match the following:

Approach Focus

A. Qualitative i. Numerical data

B. Quantitative ii. Subjective meaning

C. Mixed methods iii. Combining both approaches

Options:

a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii

b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii
c) A-iii, B-ii, C-i
d) A-ii, B-iii, C-i

14.Match the research types with their characteristics:

Research Type Characteristic

A. Experimental i. Tests hypotheses

B. Historical ii. Examines past records

C. Descriptive iii. Describes current status

Options:
a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i
b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii
c) A-ii, B-i, C-iii
d) A-i, B-iii, C-ii
15.Which of the following is an example of quantitative research?
a) Ethnographic study on cultural practices
b) A case study on a political leader
c) A survey measuring customer satisfaction on a 5-point Likert scale
d) Analysis of historical documents

16.Which of the following statements is correct about descriptive research?

a) Descriptive research always requires hypothesis testing.
b) Descriptive research is used to understand cause-and-effect
relationships.
c) Descriptive research focuses on observing and describing
characteristics without manipulating variables.
d) Descriptive research is the same as experimental research.

17.Arrange the stages of a mixed-methods research design:

i) Data collection (qualitative and quantitative)
ii) Integrating findings
iii) Data analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
iv) Problem identification

Options:
a) iv, i, iii, ii
b) iv, iii, i, ii
c) i, iv, iii, ii
d) iii, iv, i, ii
18.Arrange the steps of experimental research in sequence:
i) Hypothesis formulation
ii) Data analysis
iii) Conducting experiments
iv) Reporting findings

Options:

a) i, iii, ii, iv
b) iii, i, ii, iv
c) ii, iii, i, iv
d) i, ii, iii, iv

19.What distinguishes post-positivistic research from positivistic research?

a) Rejection of scientific methods
b) Acknowledgment of researcher bias
c) Avoidance of hypothesis testing
d) Exclusive use of qualitative data

20.What is the primary goal of qualitative research?

a) To measure the frequency of variables
b) To interpret and understand social phenomena
c) To test hypotheses through controlled experiments
d) To analyze trends in numerical data

21.Choose the correct statement:

a) Post-positivism disregards scientific rigor
b) Historical research is a part of experimental methods.
c) Descriptive research is often a precursor to experimental research.
d) Qualitative research primarily uses surveys for data collection.
22.Historical research typically uses:
a) Controlled laboratory experiments
b) Secondary data sources like archives and records
c) Numerical data analysis tools
d) Structured surveys

23.Which of the following best describes the approach of positivist research?

a) It relies solely on qualitative methods.
b) It integrates both qualitative and quantitative methods.
c) It relies solely on quantitative methods.
d) It rejects objectivity in data interpretation.

24.Which of the following is the primary purpose of triangulation in

research?
a) To focus on a single perspective.
b) To reduce the number of data sources.
c) To enhance reliability by combining multiple methods or data sources.
d) To validate statistical tools.

25.Which of the following is a key characteristic of experimental research?

a) Observing and documenting behaviors without any intervention.
b) Manipulating independent variables to study their effect on dependent
variables.
c) Focusing on historical data to explain past phenomena.
d) Analyzing subjective interpretations through qualitative methods.
Answers and Explanation

1. Answer: d) A is false, but R is true.

Explanation: Descriptive research does not manipulate variables; it
focuses on observing and describing characteristics.

2. Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: Historical research is context-specific, and generalizing
findings is challenging due to the unique nature of past events.

3. Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: Qualitative research explores subjective experiences and
focuses on interpreting meaning.

4. Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: Mixed methods research integrates both qualitative and
quantitative approaches to handle complex problems effectively.

5. Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: Triangulation enhances reliability by using diverse sources,
methods, or perspectives.

6. Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.

Explanation: Experimental research establishes causal relationships but
relies on quantitative, not qualitative, data.

7. Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.

Explanation: Post-positivism acknowledges that research can be
influenced by the researcher's perspectives, but it does not rely solely on
purely objective methods. It incorporates both objectivity and subjectivity
to address biases.

8. Answer: d) A is false, but R is true.

Explanation: Qualitative research does not typically use statistical tools
like SPSS, as it focuses on non-numeric data like interviews,
observations, and text. Statistical tools are specific to quantitative
research for processing numerical data.
9. Answer: b) A-i, B-iii, C-ii
Explanation: Historical research explores past events, descriptive
research describes phenomena, and experimental research tests cause-
effect relationships.

10.Answer: a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii

Explanation: Positivism emphasizes objectivity, post-positivism
acknowledges multiple realities, and qualitative research focuses on
interpretation.

11.Answer: a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii

Explanation: Experimental research manipulates variables, descriptive
research examines trends, and historical research explores past events.

12.Answer: a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii

Explanation: Qualitative focuses on subjective meaning, quantitative on
numerical data, and mixed methods combine both.

13.Answer: a) A-ii, B-i, C-iii

Explanation: Qualitative methods analyze meaning, quantitative
methods analyze numerical data, and mixed methods integrate both.

14.Answer: b) A-i, B-ii, C-iii

Explanation: Experimental research tests hypotheses, historical research
examines past records, and descriptive research studies current states.

15.Answer: c) A survey measuring customer satisfaction on a 5-point Likert

scale.
Explanation: Quantitative research involves numerical data collection,
such as surveys with scaled responses.

16.Answer: c) Descriptive research focuses on observing and describing

characteristics without manipulating variables.
Explanation: Descriptive research aims to systematically describe a
situation, phenomenon, or population without testing a hypothesis or
altering conditions.
17.Answer: a) iv, i, iii, ii
Explanation: In mixed methods research, the process starts with
identifying a problem, followed by data collection, analysis, and
integrating findings.

18.Answer: a) i, iii, ii, iv

Explanation: Experimental research begins with hypothesis formulation,
then experimentation, followed by analysis and reporting.

19.Answer: b) Acknowledgment of researcher bias.

Explanation: Post-positivistic research accepts the role of bias,
distinguishing it from the rigid objectivity of positivism.

20.Answer: b) To interpret and understand social phenomena.

Explanation: Qualitative research seeks to explore meanings and social
contexts in depth.

21.Answer: c) Descriptive research is often a precursor to experimental

research.
Explanation: Descriptive research helps identify phenomena that
experimental research can later test.

22.Answer: b) Secondary data sources like archives and records.

Explanation: Historical research primarily relies on secondary data like
archival records and historical documents.

23.Answer: c) It relies solely on quantitative methods.

Explanation: Positivist research emphasizes objectivity, measurable
phenomena, and relies heavily on quantitative methods for data collection
and analysis.

24.Answer: c) To enhance reliability by combining multiple methods or data

sources.
Explanation: Triangulation is used to improve the validity and reliability
of research findings by integrating different methods, data sources, or
theories.
25.Answer: b) Manipulating independent variables to study their effect on
dependent variables.
Explanation: Experimental research involves altering one or more
independent variables to observe their effects on dependent variables,
which helps in testing hypotheses and understanding cause-and-effect
relationships.