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UGC NET Paper 1 Unit 2: Research Aptitude — Notes

Research Aptitude carries high weightage in Paper 1 and is especially relevant since many NET candidates are also pursuing or planning research degrees. This unit blends conceptual knowledge with practical research skills you’ll actually use in academic work.

Meaning and Types of Research

Research is a systematic investigation aimed at discovering new knowledge or validating existing knowledge. It is broadly classified into fundamental research (theory-building), applied research (solving practical problems), and action research (solving an immediate problem within one’s own context, such as a classroom).

Steps in the Research Process

Every research project follows a broad sequence: formulating the research problem, reviewing existing literature, framing a hypothesis, designing the methodology, collecting and analysing data, and finally interpreting results and drawing conclusions.

Methods and Sampling

Common research methods include survey, experimental, historical, and case study approaches, each suited to different kinds of questions. Since studying an entire population is rarely feasible, researchers use sampling methods — such as simple random sampling — to select a representative subset while minimising bias.

Research Ethics

Ethical research requires honesty in data reporting, proper attribution of others’ work, and avoiding plagiarism — checked using tools like Turnitin. Ethical lapses, even unintentional ones, can seriously damage academic credibility.

Thesis Writing and Referencing

Academic writing follows established referencing styles — APA being the most common in social sciences and education — to credit sources accurately and allow readers to trace claims back to their origin. Strong thesis writing balances clarity, structure, and evidence-based argument.

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