Research Aptitude MCQ collection

11. Ethics is related with

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) All of the above.

Exam Relevance: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, Civil Service Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Ethics is a broad field that encompasses beliefs, legal principles, and civic rights.

Common Mistakes: Students may overlook the comprehensive nature of ethics and focus only on one aspect.

Explanations: Ethics is related to the beliefs of individuals, the nature of law, and civic principles and rights. Ethics guides personal beliefs and moral principles, influences the development and interpretation of laws, and underpins civic responsibilities and rights. Therefore, all the given options are correct, making the answer "All of the above."

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ethics is influenced by personal beliefs and moral principles.
Option B: Ethics plays a role in shaping and interpreting laws.
Option C: Ethics supports civic principles and rights.
Option D: All of the above, as ethics encompasses all these aspects.

Mnemonic: BELIEVE, LAW, RIGHTS

12. 7-point rating scale with end-points associated with bipolar labels that have semantic meaning is

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Semantic differential scale.

Exam Relevance: Psychology exams, Marketing Research exams, Survey Methodology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A semantic differential scale uses a bipolar rating scale with end-points that have semantic meaning, typically ranging from 7 points.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the semantic differential scale with the Likert scale, which uses a unipolar rating scale.

Explanations: The semantic differential scale is designed to measure the connotative meaning of objects, events, or other stimuli. It uses a bipolar scale with end-points that have semantic meaning, such as "good" and "bad," "hot" and "cold," or "strong" and "weak." The 7-point scale allows for a range of responses between the two extremes, capturing nuanced attitudes and perceptions.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Graphic Rating Scale is incorrect because it typically uses a visual scale without bipolar labels.
Option B: Semantic differential scale is correct as it uses a bipolar scale with semantic meaning at the end-points.
Option C: Constant Sum Scale is incorrect because it requires respondents to allocate a fixed number of points across several items, not a bipolar scale.
Option D: Likert Scale is incorrect because it uses a unipolar scale with a neutral midpoint, not bipolar labels.

13. The written set of guidelines that describes an outline of topics to be covered by a focus group moderator is called a

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Discussion guide.

Exam Relevance: Market Research Exams, Qualitative Research Methods Exams, Social Science Research Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A discussion guide is a written set of guidelines that outlines the topics to be covered by a focus group moderator.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse a discussion guide with a concept test or case study, which are different research methods.

Explanations: A discussion guide is specifically designed to provide a structured framework for a moderator to follow during a focus group. It ensures that all relevant topics are covered and helps maintain the flow of the discussion. This is distinct from a concept test, which evaluates the viability of a new product or idea, and a case study, which involves an in-depth analysis of a specific situation or event.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. A discussion guide is the appropriate term for the written set of guidelines used by a focus group moderator.
Option B: Incorrect. A concept test evaluates the potential success of a new product or idea, not the structure of a focus group discussion.
Option C: Incorrect. A case study involves a detailed examination of a specific situation, not the outline of topics for a focus group.
Option D: Incorrect. This option suggests all of the above are correct, which is not true as only the discussion guide fits the description.

14. What is a hoax?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) A story that is false.

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT, AP English Language and Composition

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A hoax is a deliberate deception or trick, often involving a fabricated story or claim.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse a hoax with a biased story or a story that only gives part of the truth.

Explanations: A hoax is defined as a story that is false. It is intended to deceive or mislead people, often for amusement or to cause confusion. The other options do not accurately define a hoax.

Option Analysis:

Option A: A story that has unfair prejudice does not define a hoax. It describes a biased story.
Option B: A story that is false accurately defines a hoax.
Option C: A story that is reliable is the opposite of a hoax.
Option D: A story that only gives part of the truth describes a misleading or incomplete story, not necessarily a hoax.

Mnemonic: Hoax: False, Fabricated, Fake

15. The first step in formulating a problem is

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Statement of the problem.

Exam Relevance: GRE, GMAT, CAT, Competitive Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: The first step in formulating a problem is to clearly define and state the problem.

Common Mistakes: Students often confuse the first step with data gathering or surveying, which come later in the problem-solving process.

Explanations: Formulating a problem begins with a clear and precise statement of the problem. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for all subsequent steps, including data gathering, measurement, and surveying. Without a well-defined problem statement, the direction and focus of the problem-solving process can become unclear.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Gathering of Data is a subsequent step after the problem is clearly stated.
Option B: Measurement is also a step that follows the problem statement.
Option C: Statement of the problem is the initial and critical step in problem formulation.
Option D: Survey is another step that comes after the problem is clearly defined.

16. When population under investigation is infinite we should use

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Sample method.

Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE, GMAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: When dealing with an infinite population, it is impractical to conduct a census as it would be impossible to survey every individual. Instead, a sample method is used to make inferences about the population.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that a census method is feasible for any population size, not considering the practical limitations of surveying an infinite population.

Explanations: A census method involves surveying every member of the population, which is not feasible for an infinite population. The sample method, on the other hand, involves selecting a subset of the population to study, which is practical and allows for statistical inferences about the entire population.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option is incorrect because neither a census nor a sample method can be used for an infinite population.
Option B: This option is incorrect because a census method is not feasible for an infinite population.
Option C: This option is correct because the sample method is the only practical approach for studying an infinite population.
Option D: This option is incorrect because a census method is not feasible for an infinite population.

17. Sampling in qualitative research is similar to which type of sampling in quantitative research?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Purposive sampling.

Exam Relevance: PhD Qualifying Exams, Research Methodology Exams, Qualitative Research Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In qualitative research, sampling often involves selecting participants based on specific criteria or characteristics that are relevant to the research question. This approach is similar to purposive sampling in quantitative research, where participants are chosen based on specific attributes or qualities.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse purposive sampling with random sampling methods, which are more common in quantitative research.

Explanations: Purposive sampling in quantitative research involves selecting participants based on specific criteria that are relevant to the research question. This is analogous to the approach used in qualitative research, where participants are chosen based on their ability to provide rich, detailed information about the topic of interest. Both methods aim to gather data from individuals who can provide the most relevant insights.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Simple random sampling involves selecting participants randomly from a population, which is not the focus of qualitative research.
Option B: Systematic sampling involves selecting participants at regular intervals from a list, which is not aligned with the criteria-based selection in qualitative research.
Option C: Quota sampling involves selecting participants to meet certain quotas, which is not the same as selecting participants based on specific criteria relevant to the research question.
Option D: Purposive sampling involves selecting participants based on specific criteria, which aligns with the approach used in qualitative research.

18. Which are NOT part of the concluding paragraph in an argumentative essay?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Only (A) & (B).

Exam Relevance: SAT, ACT, AP English Language and Composition

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: The concluding paragraph in an argumentative essay typically includes a restatement of the thesis, a summary of the main points, and a final thought or call to action. It does not include new evidence or a topic sentence.

Common Mistakes: Students often mistakenly believe that the concluding paragraph should introduce new evidence or contain a topic sentence, which is not correct.

Explanations: The concluding paragraph in an argumentative essay should not introduce new evidence (Option A) or contain a topic sentence (Option B). Instead, it should restate the thesis, summarize the main points, and provide a final thought (Option C). Therefore, the correct answer is (D) Only (A) & (B).

Option Analysis:

Option A: Evidence is not part of the concluding paragraph.
Option B: A topic sentence is not part of the concluding paragraph.
Option C: A final thought is part of the concluding paragraph.
Option D: Only (A) & (B) are correct.

19. In India, the first psychological laboratory was started in the year 1916 in Calcutta University and the second in 1923 in Mysore University. Both these laboratories are the result of the Endeavour of

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Prof. B. N. Seal.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, NET, PG Entrance Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Prof. B. N. Seal is credited with establishing the first psychological laboratory in India at Calcutta University in 1916 and the second at Mysore University in 1923.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the names of other prominent psychologists or the years in which the laboratories were established.

Explanations: Prof. B. N. Seal was a pioneering figure in the field of psychology in India. He established the first psychological laboratory in India at Calcutta University in 1916, followed by the second at Mysore University in 1923. This makes him a significant contributor to the development of psychological research in India.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Prof. R. N. Rath is not associated with the establishment of the first two psychological laboratories in India.
Option B: Prof. K. Kautilya is not known for his contributions to the establishment of psychological laboratories in India.
Option C: Prof. B. N. Seal is the correct answer as he established the first and second psychological laboratories in India.
Option D: Prof. B. Sinha is not associated with the establishment of the first two psychological laboratories in India.

Mnemonic: BNS: B. N. Seal, Builder of Labs

20. Which of the following is not a criterion for the statement of a good research problem?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Possibility of use of statistical analysis.

Exam Relevance: PhD Qualifying Exams, Research Methodology Exams, Academic Journals

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A good research problem should be clearly stated, express relationships between variables, and be empirically testable. The use of statistical analysis, while often beneficial, is not a fundamental criterion for defining a research problem.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that statistical analysis is a necessary component of all research problems, overlooking the broader criteria for defining a good research problem.

Explanations: A good research problem must be clear and unambiguous, express relationships between variables, and be empirically testable. While statistical analysis can be a useful tool in analyzing data, it is not a fundamental criterion for defining a research problem. The other options (A, B, and C) are essential criteria for a well-defined research problem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Expression of relationship between/among variables is a key criterion for a good research problem.
Option B: Clarity and unambiguousness are essential for a well-defined research problem.
Option C: Possibility of empirical testing is crucial for validating the research problem.
Option D: Possibility of use of statistical analysis, while often beneficial, is not a fundamental criterion for defining a research problem.

⬅ Previous SetSet 2Next Set ➡

Research Aptitude MCQ collection - Set 2

2 thoughts on “Research Aptitude MCQ collection - Set 2”

Leave a Reply