Research Aptitude MCQs with answer & explanation
Q1 Which of the following is not a type of research?
a) Descriptive
b) Exploratory
c) Narrative
d) Evaluative
Answer: c) Narrative
Explanation: Narrative is a method of presenting information, not a type of research. The other options are recognized types of research.
Q2 Which method is used to study a single entity in detail?
a) Case study
b) Survey
c) Experiment
d) Sampling
Answer: a) Case study
Explanation: A case study is an in-depth investigation of a single entity (such as a person, group, or event).
Q3Which of the following is a characteristic of a good research hypothesis?
a) It is vague
b) It is ambiguous
c) It is testable
d) It is based on opinions
Answer: c) It is testable
Explanation: A good research hypothesis should be testable empirically.
Q4 Which type of sampling method involves the researcher selecting participants based on personal judgment?
a) Random sampling
b) Stratified sampling
c) Quota sampling
d) Purposive sampling
Answer: d) Purposive sampling
Explanation: Purposive sampling involves the researcher selecting specific participants based on certain criteria or personal judgment.
Q5 Which research method is primarily qualitative?
a) Experiment
b) Case study
c) Phenomenology
d) Correlation
Answer: c) Phenomenology
Explanation: Phenomenology seeks to understand human experiences in depth, and it is primarily qualitative.
Q6 A null hypothesis states that:
a) There is a significant difference between groups
b) There is no significant difference between groups
c) The research hypothesis is true
d) The variables are correlated
Answer: b) There is no significant difference between groups
Explanation: A null hypothesis typically posits no effect or no difference.
Q7 Which of the following is not an ethical consideration in research?
a) Informed consent
b) Plagiarism
c) Use of jargon
d) Confidentiality
Answer: c) Use of jargon
Explanation: While using jargon can make a study less accessible, it’s not typically classified as an ethical concern.
Q8 Which of the following scales of measurement is considered the highest level?
a) Nominal
b) Ordinal
c) Interval
d) Ratio
Answer: d) Ratio
Explanation: The ratio scale has all the properties of the other scales and also has a true zero point.
Q9 Which of the following statements is true regarding the reliability of a research instrument?
a) It measures what it is intended to measure.
b) It produces consistent results over time.
c) It is free from bias.
d) It can produce valid results even if it’s not reliable.
Answer: b) It produces consistent results over time.
Explanation: Reliability refers to the consistency or repeatability of an instrument’s measurements.
Q10 Which of the following is not a method of data collection?
a) Experimentation
b) Observation
c) Argumentation
d) Interview
Answer: c) Argumentation
Explanation: Argumentation is a way to present or defend a point of view, not a method of data collection.
Q11 Which of the following is not a primary source of data?
a) Interviews
b) Observation
c) Questionnaires
d) Journal articles
Answer: d) Journal articles
Explanation: Journal articles are typically secondary sources of data, as they analyze and interpret primary data.
Q12 Longitudinal research is primarily concerned with:
a) Depth of information
b) Breadth of information
c) Change over time
d) Present time snapshot
Answer: c) Change over time
Explanation: Longitudinal research studies subjects over a period of time to observe changes.
Q13 Which of the following is not considered a quantitative research method?
a) Surveys
b) Experiments
c) Ethnography
d) Correlational studies
Answer: c) Ethnography
Explanation: Ethnography is a qualitative research method focusing on understanding cultural phenomena.
Q14 The control group in an experiment:
a) Receives the experimental treatment
b) Does not receive the experimental treatment
c) Consists of the researchers themselves
d) Determines the independent variable
Answer: b) Does not receive the experimental treatment
Explanation: The control group serves as a comparison and typically does not receive the experimental treatment.
Q15 Which of the following terms refers to the degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure?
a) Reliability
b) Validity
c) Consistency
d) Precision
Answer: b) Validity
Explanation: Validity refers to how well an instrument measures the intended concept.
Q16 Which of the following sampling methods divides the population into subgroups then randomly selects individuals from each subgroup?
a) Cluster sampling
b) Stratified sampling
c) Simple random sampling
d) Purposive sampling
Answer: b) Stratified sampling
Explanation: Stratified sampling divides the population into strata or subgroups and then randomly selects samples from each stratum.
Q17 A type of research where the researcher actively engages in the phenomenon being studied is:
a) Descriptive research
b) Experimental research
c) Action research
d) Exploratory research
Answer: c) Action research
Explanation: Action research involves the researcher actively participating in the research setting, often with the aim of improving the situation.
Q18 If a researcher is studying the effect of sunlight on plant growth, the amount of sunlight is the:
a) Dependent variable
b) Independent variable
c) Control variable
d) Intervening variable
Answer: b) Independent variable
Explanation: The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated to see its effect on another variable. In this case, sunlight is manipulated to observe its effect on plant growth.
Q19 Which type of research is conducted to generate a theory?
a) Grounded theory
b) Descriptive research
c) Experimental research
d) Case study
Answer: a) Grounded theory
Explanation: Grounded theory aims to generate or discover a theory out of the data itself.
Q20 Which of the following best defines “replication” in research?
a) Repeating a study to see if the same results are obtained
b) Increasing the number of participants in a study
c) Using different instruments to measure the same variable
d) Publishing a study multiple times
Answer: a) Repeating a study to see if the same results are obtained
Explanation: Replication involves conducting a study again, under the same or similar conditions, to see if the results can be reproduced.
