Research Aptitude MCQ collection

331. Total units under study means

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

Exam Relevance: GRE, GMAT, CAT, SAT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: In statistics, the total units under study are referred to as the population.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the term "aggregate" with "population," thinking that aggregate refers to the total units under study.

Explanations: The term "population" in statistics refers to the complete set of elements or items that are the subject of a study. It represents all the units under study, making it the correct term for the total units under study.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Aggregate refers to the sum or total of a set of values, not the total units under study.
Option B: Population correctly refers to the total units under study in a statistical context.
Option C: Aggregate and population are not interchangeable terms in this context.
Option D: Neither aggregate nor population is incorrect, as population is the correct term.

332. If a researcher conduct a research on finding out which administrative style contributes more to institutional effectiveness, this will be an example of

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Applied research.

Exam Relevance: PhD Qualifying Exams, Research Methodology Exams, Public Administration Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Applied research is conducted to solve practical problems and improve real-world situations. It focuses on finding solutions to specific issues.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse applied research with fundamental research, which aims to expand knowledge for its own sake rather than to solve practical problems.

Explanations: The research described aims to determine which administrative style contributes more to institutional effectiveness. This is a practical problem-solving endeavor, making it an example of applied research. Applied research is designed to address specific, real-world issues and improve outcomes in particular contexts.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Applied research focuses on solving practical problems and improving real-world situations.
Option B: Incorrect. Ex post facto research involves analyzing existing data to identify patterns or relationships, not solving practical problems.
Option C: Incorrect. Fundamental research aims to expand knowledge for its own sake, not to solve practical problems.
Option D: Incorrect. Action research involves a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting, typically in educational settings, not necessarily focused on administrative styles.

333. What is NOT a characteristic of a good research problem?

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

Exam Relevance: GRE, GMAT, Research Methodology Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: A good research problem should be interesting, plausible, and verifiable. A cliche is not a characteristic of a good research problem.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that a cliche can be a characteristic of a good research problem if it is widely known or accepted.

Explanations: A good research problem must be original and thought-provoking. A cliche, by definition, is overused and lacks originality, making it unsuitable for a research problem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Interesting is a characteristic of a good research problem as it engages the researcher and the audience.
Option B: Cliche is not a characteristic of a good research problem as it implies a lack of originality and novelty.
Option C: Plausible is a characteristic of a good research problem as it should be based on reasonable assumptions and evidence.
Option D: Verifiable is a characteristic of a good research problem as it should be testable and able to be supported by evidence.

334. What type of statistics do researchers use to draw conclusions about characteristics of a population based upon a sample?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Inferential statistics.

Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE, GMAT, MCAT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Inferential statistics are used to make inferences about a population based on a sample.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse inferential statistics with descriptive statistics, which only summarize data from a sample without making inferences about the population.

Explanations: Inferential statistics allow researchers to draw conclusions about the characteristics of a population based on a sample. This involves using probability theory to estimate population parameters and test hypotheses. Descriptive statistics, on the other hand, only summarize the data from a sample without making inferences about the population.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Interval estimations are a part of inferential statistics but do not encompass the entire field.
Option B: Point estimates are also a part of inferential statistics but do not encompass the entire field.
Option C: Inferential statistics are used to draw conclusions about the population based on a sample, which is the correct answer.
Option D: Descriptive statistics summarize the data from a sample but do not make inferences about the population.

335. When is it best to remind participants of their 'right to withdraw'

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Before, during and after the study has taken place.

Exam Relevance: IRB Review, Research Ethics Boards, Postgraduate Research Methods Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Participants should be reminded of their right to withdraw at multiple points throughout the research process to ensure they are fully informed and can make an autonomous decision at any time.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that reminding participants of their right to withdraw is only necessary at the beginning of a study.

Explanations: Participants must be informed of their right to withdraw at various stages of the study to ensure ongoing consent and autonomy. This includes before the study begins, during the study, and after the study has concluded. This approach ensures that participants are aware of their rights throughout the entire research process, which is crucial for ethical research practices.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Reminding participants only before the study does not ensure ongoing consent and autonomy.
Option B: Reminding participants only after the study is complete is too late to provide meaningful consent.
Option C: Reminding participants only during the study does not cover the initial consent or post-study considerations.
Option D: This option ensures that participants are informed at all critical stages, maintaining ethical standards.

Mnemonic: Before, During, After - BDA

336. The phrase "The problem seems to be ..... "is reflective of which phase of Deweyan process of inquiry?"

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) The location and definition of the problem.

Exam Relevance: Philosophy of Education, Educational Psychology, Research Methodology

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Deweyan process of inquiry involves several phases, including the location and definition of the problem, hypothesis formulation, and reasoning out the implications of the hypothesis.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse the phases of the Deweyan process of inquiry, particularly the initial phase of problem identification with the later phase of hypothesis formulation.

Explanations: The phrase "The problem seems to be....." indicates the initial phase of identifying and defining the problem. This aligns with the first step in Deweyan inquiry, where the problem is located and defined before moving on to formulating hypotheses and reasoning out their implications.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct, as it reflects the initial phase of identifying and defining the problem.
Option B: Incorrect, as this phase involves formulating possible solutions, not defining the problem.
Option C: Incorrect, as this phase involves reasoning out the implications of the hypothesis, not defining the problem.
Option D: Incorrect, as the correct phase is clearly identified in option A.

337. A negative coefficient of skewness implies that

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (D) Mean is less than mode.

Exam Relevance: GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In a negatively skewed distribution, the tail of the distribution is longer on the left side. This implies that the mean is pulled towards the left tail, making it less than the mode.

Common Mistakes: Students often confuse the direction of skewness and incorrectly assume that a negative skewness implies the mean is greater than the mode.

Explanations: In a negatively skewed distribution, the mean is less than the mode. This is because the presence of a few low values pulls the mean to the left, while the mode remains at the peak of the distribution.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This is incorrect because in a negatively skewed distribution, the mean is not equal to the mode. The mean is pulled to the left by the long tail.
Option B: This is incorrect because in a negatively skewed distribution, the mean is less than the mode, not greater.
Option C: This is incorrect because in a negatively skewed distribution, the mean is not equal to the median. The mean is pulled to the left by the long tail.
Option D: This is correct because in a negatively skewed distribution, the mean is less than the mode due to the long left tail.

Mnemonic: Left Tail, Low Mean

338. .....is a small group of research participants discussing issues in one setting at the same time.

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) A focus group.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A focus group is a qualitative research method where a small group of participants discuss a topic in a guided session.

Common Mistakes: Students may confuse a focus group with an interview, which involves one-on-one interaction rather than a group discussion.

Explanations: A focus group involves a small group of participants discussing issues in one setting at the same time, which aligns with the description provided. This method is used to gather qualitative data and insights through group interaction.

Option Analysis:

Option A: An interview involves one-on-one interaction, not a group discussion.
Option B: A focus group is a small group of participants discussing issues in one setting at the same time, which matches the description.
Option C: An observation involves watching participants without direct interaction, not a group discussion.
Option D: A questionnaire involves written or oral responses to a set of questions, not a group discussion.

Mnemonic: Focus Group = Focused Group Discussion

339. Why are variance and standard deviation the most popular measures of variability?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) They are the most stable and are foundations for more advanced statistical analysis.

Exam Relevance: AP Statistics, GRE Quantitative, GMAT Quantitative

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Variance and standard deviation are widely used measures of variability because they provide a stable and consistent way to quantify the spread of data. They are foundational for more advanced statistical techniques.

Common Mistakes: Students often mistakenly believe that simpler measures like range or interquartile range are more commonly used because they are easier to calculate.

Explanations: Variance and standard deviation are preferred because they are more stable and less affected by outliers compared to simpler measures like range. Additionally, they form the basis for many advanced statistical methods, such as hypothesis testing and regression analysis. This stability and foundational role make them the most popular measures of variability.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Variance and standard deviation are stable and foundational for advanced statistical analysis.
Option B: Incorrect. While they can be calculated with large data sets, simplicity is not the primary reason for their popularity.
Option C: Incorrect. Variance and standard deviation do not provide nominally scaled data; they measure the spread of data.
Option D: Incorrect. Option A is the correct answer.

340. Why it is helpful to keep a research diary or log book while you are conducting your project?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) To keep a record of what you did and what happened throughout the research process.

Exam Relevance: PhD Qualifying Exams, Research Methodology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: A research diary or log book is a crucial tool for documenting the research process.

Common Mistakes: Students may mistakenly believe that a research diary is only useful for meeting administrative requirements or for filling time.

Explanations: Keeping a research diary or log book is essential for maintaining a detailed record of the research activities, observations, and outcomes. This record helps in tracking progress, identifying patterns, and providing a reference for future analysis. It ensures that all data and decisions are documented, which is vital for the integrity and reproducibility of the research.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This is not a valid reason for keeping a research diary. The purpose is not to provide busywork during inactive periods.
Option B: While funding councils may require documentation, this is not the primary reason for maintaining a research diary.
Option C: This is the correct reason. A research diary helps in maintaining a comprehensive record of the research process.
Option D: Adding a research diary to a dissertation to meet word count requirements is not a valid reason for its maintenance.

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Research Aptitude MCQ collection - Set 34

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