Research Aptitude MCQ collection

1161. While conducting experimental research a researcher should control the

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Extraneous variables.

Exam Relevance: AP Psychology, GRE Psychology, MCAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In experimental research, controlling extraneous variables is crucial to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable and not other factors.

Common Mistakes: Students often confuse extraneous variables with independent or dependent variables, leading to incorrect control strategies.

Explanations: Extraneous variables are factors that could influence the outcome of an experiment but are not the focus of the study. Controlling these variables helps to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, ensuring the validity of the experimental results.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Not controlling any variables would lead to unreliable and invalid results.
Option B: Controlling extraneous variables is essential to ensure the validity of the experiment.
Option C: Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher and are not controlled in the same sense as extraneous variables.
Option D: Dependent variables are the outcomes measured in the experiment and are not controlled.

Mnemonic: EVE: Extraneous Variables Eliminated

1162. Which example addresses evidence of validity?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) A researcher examines how well a measure of self-control predicts how long children will wait for a prize.

Exam Relevance: Psychology exams, Educational Psychology exams, Research Methods exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure. Predictive validity is a type of validity that assesses the ability of a measure to predict future performance or behavior.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse validity with reliability, which measures the consistency of a test rather than its accuracy in measuring the intended construct.

Explanations: The correct answer addresses predictive validity, which is a form of evidence of validity. By examining how well a measure of self-control predicts how long children will wait for a prize, the researcher is assessing the measure's ability to predict future behavior, thus providing evidence of its validity.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option describes test-retest reliability, not validity.
Option B: This option describes inter-rater reliability, not validity.
Option C: This option describes parallel-forms reliability, not validity.
Option D: This option correctly addresses predictive validity, which is a form of validity.

1163. Bose Institute, Kolkata is devoted for

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Fundamental and applied research in physical and life sciences.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, IAS, Civil Services, Competitive Science Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The Bose Institute, Kolkata, is known for its contributions to both fundamental and applied research in physical and life sciences.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the specific research focus of the Bose Institute with other research institutions that specialize in atomic or solar energy.

Explanations: The Bose Institute, founded by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, is dedicated to conducting research in both physical and life sciences. This includes fundamental and applied research, making it a comprehensive research institution.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. The Bose Institute is known for its research in both physical and life sciences, encompassing both fundamental and applied research.
Option B: Incorrect. The Bose Institute does not specialize in atomic energy research.
Option C: Incorrect. The Bose Institute does not focus on solar energy research.
Option D: Incorrect. While the Bose Institute has contributed to the field of physics, it is not specifically dedicated to the Bose-Einstein theory.

1164. A..... is an abstraction formed by generalization from particulars

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Concept.

Exam Relevance: Psychology exams, Philosophy exams, Cognitive Science exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A concept is an abstract idea or generalization derived from specific instances or particulars.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse a concept with a fact, which is a specific piece of information rather than a generalization.

Explanations: A concept is formed by abstracting common features from specific instances, making it a generalization. This aligns with the definition provided in the question.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Facts are specific pieces of information, not generalizations.
Option B: Concepts are abstractions formed by generalizing from particulars.
Option C: Hypotheses are proposed explanations or predictions, not generalizations.
Option D: Variables are factors that can change or vary, not generalizations.

1165. In a large random data set following normal distribution, the ratio (%) of number of data points which are in the range of (mean standard deviation) to the total number of data points, is

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) ~ 67%.

Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE, GMAT, SAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In a normal distribution, approximately 68% of the data points lie within one standard deviation of the mean.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the percentages associated with different standard deviations, such as 95% for two standard deviations or 99.7% for three standard deviations.

Explanations: In a normal distribution, the empirical rule (also known as the 68-95-99.7 rule) states that approximately 68% of the data points fall within one standard deviation of the mean. This means that about 67% of the data points lie within the range (mean - standard deviation) to (mean + standard deviation).

Option Analysis:

Option A: 50% is incorrect because it does not align with the empirical rule for normal distributions.
Option B: 47% is incorrect because it does not align with the empirical rule for normal distributions.
Option C: 97% is incorrect because it is closer to the percentage of data points within three standard deviations, not one.
Option D: 67% is correct as it aligns with the empirical rule for normal distributions.

Mnemonic: 68-95-99.7 rule

1166. Historical research has nothing to do with

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Testing hypothesis statistically to draw inferences.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, Civil Services, GRE, History Olympiad

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Historical research involves collecting and analyzing source material, formulating hypotheses, and interpreting historical events and conditions. It does not typically involve statistical testing to draw inferences.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that historical research uses statistical methods similar to those in the natural sciences.

Explanations: Historical research primarily focuses on the collection and analysis of source material, both primary and secondary. It involves internal and external criticism to assess the reliability and validity of sources. Formulating hypotheses to explain historical events and conditions is also a key component. However, statistical testing to draw inferences is not a typical method used in historical research. Instead, historians rely on qualitative analysis and interpretation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Collecting source material is a fundamental part of historical research.
Option B: Internal and external criticism of source material is crucial for validating historical evidence.
Option C: Formulating hypotheses to explain events and conditions is a key aspect of historical research.
Option D: Testing hypotheses statistically to draw inferences is not a typical method in historical research.

1167. What is an example of a primary source?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) A diary.

Exam Relevance: AP US History, IB History, SAT Subject Tests

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A primary source is an original document or physical object created during the time under study. Diaries are firsthand accounts of events and experiences, making them primary sources.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse primary sources with secondary sources, such as textbooks or encyclopedias, which interpret or analyze primary sources.

Explanations: A diary is a personal record of events and experiences written by the individual who lived through them. This makes it a firsthand account, which is the defining characteristic of a primary source.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Textbooks are secondary sources as they summarize and interpret information from primary sources.
Option B: Academic journals often contain secondary sources, such as research articles that analyze primary data.
Option C: Encyclopedias are tertiary sources that compile and summarize information from both primary and secondary sources.
Option D: Diaries are firsthand accounts and thus primary sources.

1168. A z-score tells you.....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) How many standard deviations away from the mean a score lies.

Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE, GMAT, SAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A z-score is a measure that indicates how many standard deviations an element is from the mean.

Common Mistakes: Students often confuse the z-score with the standard deviation itself, rather than understanding it as a measure of relative position.

Explanations: A z-score is calculated by subtracting the mean from an individual score and then dividing by the standard deviation. This calculation provides a standardized measure that tells us how far a particular score is from the mean in terms of standard deviations. This is why the correct answer is that a z-score tells you how many standard deviations away from the mean a score lies.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A z-score does not tell you the standard deviation of a sampling distribution; it tells you the position of a score relative to the mean in terms of standard deviations.
Option B: A z-score does not provide the original raw score; it is a standardized measure of the score's position relative to the mean.
Option C: A z-score does not indicate whether the distribution is normal; it is a measure of relative position within any distribution.
Option D: A z-score tells you how many standard deviations away from the mean a score lies, which is the correct interpretation.

Mnemonic: Z-score: Zero in on the standard deviation distance.

1169. What do you consider as the main aim of inter disciplinary research?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) To bring out holistic approach to research.

Exam Relevance: PhD Qualifying Exams, Research Methodology Exams, Interdisciplinary Studies Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Interdisciplinary research aims to integrate knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines to address complex problems in a comprehensive manner.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that interdisciplinary research is primarily about simplifying problems or reducing the emphasis on single subjects.

Explanations: Interdisciplinary research seeks to combine insights from different fields to provide a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of a problem. This holistic approach allows for a more nuanced and thorough analysis, which is the main aim of interdisciplinary research.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option is incorrect because the main aim of interdisciplinary research is not to create a new trend in research methodology, but to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines.
Option B: This option is correct because interdisciplinary research aims to bring a holistic approach to research by integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines.
Option C: This option is incorrect because interdisciplinary research does not aim to oversimplify problems, but rather to provide a more comprehensive understanding.
Option D: This option is incorrect because interdisciplinary research does not reduce the emphasis on single subjects, but rather integrates them to provide a more holistic view.

1170. "Scientific Social Survey and Research" is written by

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) P. V. Young.

Exam Relevance: Sociology exams, Research Methods exams, Social Science exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The book "Scientific Social Survey and Research" is authored by P. V. Young.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the author with other social science researchers or authors.

Explanations: P. V. Young is the author of the book "Scientific Social Survey and Research." This book is a well-known reference in the field of social research methods.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Clover is not the author of the book.
Option B: Emory is not the author of the book.
Option C: Best John is not the author of the book.
Option D: P. V. Young is the correct author of the book.

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Research Aptitude MCQ collection - Set 117

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