Sociology

Model MCQs for TDP (General/Honours) 4th Semester Exam.

SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS

SOE - 404 

1. When planning to do social research, it is better to

[A] Approach the topic with an open mind

[B] Do a pilot study before getting stuck into it

[C] Be familiar with the literature on the topic

[D] Forget about theory because this is a very practical undertaking can’t have one without the other

Answer is [C]

2. We review the relevant literature to know

[A] What is already known about the topic

[B] What concepts and theories have been applied to the topic

[C] Who are the key contributors to the topic

[D] All of the above

Answer is [B]

3. A deductive theory is one that

[A] Allows theory to emerge out of the data

[B] Involves testing an explicitly defined hypothesis

[C] Allows for findings to feed back into the stock of knowledge

[D] Uses qualitative methods whenever possible

Answer is [B]

4. What does “sampling cases” mean?

[A] Sampling using a sampling frame

[B] Identifying people who are suitable for research

[C] Literally, the researcher’s brief-case

[D] Sampling people, newspapers, television programmes etc.

Answer is [D]

5. Which of the following is not a data-collection method?

[A] Research questions

[B] Unstructured interviewing

[C] Postal survey questionnaires

[D] Participant observation

Answer is [A]

6. Why is data analysis concerned with data reduction?

[A] Because far too much data is collected than is required

[B] Because we need to make sense of the data

[C] Because of the repetitions in answers to questionnaires

[D] Because the sample size has been exceeded

Answer is [B]

7. The core ingredients of a dissertation are

[A] Introduction; Data collection; Data analysis; Conclusions and recommendations

[B] Executive summary; Literature review; Data gathered; Conclusions; Bibliography

[C] Research plan; Research data; Analysis; References

[D] Introduction; Literature review; Research methods; Results; Discussion; Conclusion

Answer is [D]

8. Which of the following is a component of ethnographic research?

[A] Being immersed in a social group or setting

[B] Participant observation, interviews, and/or documentary analysis

[C] A written account of an ethnographic study

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

9. What is one of the main disadvantages of using the covert role in ethnography?

[A] It can be hard to gain access to the social group

[B] It is difficult to take notes without arousing suspicion

[C] The problem of reactivity: people may change their behaviour if they know they are being observed

[D] It is usually too time consuming and expensive to be a realistic option

Answer is [B]

10. What is a key informant?

[A] A group member who helps the ethnographer gain access to relevant people/events

[B] A senior level member of the organisation who refuses to allow researchers into it

[C] A participant who appears to be helpful but then blows the researcher’s cover

[D] Someone who cuts keys to help the ethnographer gain access to a building

Answer is [A]

11. What is the name of the role adopted by an ethnographer who joins in with the group’s activities but admits to being a researcher?

[A] Complete participant

[B] Participant-as-observer

[C] Observer-as-participant

[D] Complete observer

Answer is [B]

12. What are the two main types of data that can be used in visual ethnography?

[A] Positivist and interpretivist

[B] Qualitative and quantitative

[C] Nominal and ordinal

[D] Extant and research-driven

Answer is [D]

13. Which of the following makes qualitative interviewing distinct from structured interviewing?

[A] The procedure is less standardized

[B] “Rambling” off the topic is not a problem

[C] The researcher seeks rich, detailed answers

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

14. Which of the following is not a type of qualitative interview?

[A] Unstructured interview

[B] Oral history interview

[C] Structured interview

[D] Focus group interview

Answer is [C]

15. Why is it helpful to prepare an interview guide before conducting semi-structured interviews?

[A] So that the data from different interviewees will be comparable and relevant to your research questions

[B] So that you can calculate the statistical significance of the results

[C] In order to allow participants complete control over the topics they discuss

[D] To make the sample more representative

Answer is [A]

16. The introductory section of a research report should aim to

[A] Identify the specific focus of the study

[B] Provide a rationale for the dissertation, or article

[C] Grab the reader’s attention

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

17. What is the purpose of the conclusion in a research report?

[A] It explains how concepts were operationally defined and measured

[B] It contains a useful review of the relevant literature

[C] It outlines the methodological procedures that were employed

[D] It summarizes the key findings in relation to the research questions

Answer is [D]

18. Which of the following is not normally included in a written account of qualitative research?

[A] An introduction, locating the research in its theoretical context

[B] An explanation of the design of the study

[C] A discussion of the main findings in relation to the research questions

[D] A decision to accept or reject the hypothesis

Answer is [D]

19. Before submitting your dissertation, you should ensure that

[A] Your writing is free of sexist, racist and disablist language

[B] Other people have read your final draft

[C] You have proofread it thoroughly

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

20. Probability sampling is rarely used in qualitative research because

[A] Qualitative researchers are not trained in statistics

[B] It is very old-fashioned

[C] It is often not feasible

[D] Research questions are more important than sampling

Answer is [C]

21. Which of the following is not a type of purposive sampling?

[A] Probability sampling

[B] Deviant case sampling

[C] Theoretical sampling

[D] Snowball sampling

Answer is [A]

22. Why is an ethnographic study unlikely to use a probability sample?

[A] Because the aim of understanding is more important than that of generalization

[B] Because the researcher cannot control who is willing to talk to them

[C] Because it is difficult to identify a sampling frame

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

23. Apart from people, what else can purposive sampling be used for?

[A] Documents

[B] Timing of events

[C] Context

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

24. What can be generalized from a purposive sample?

[A] That the findings are true for broadly similar cases

[B] That the findings are true for the entire population

[C] That the opposite is true for people who are the opposite of those in the sample

[D] That purposive sampling is better than probability sampling

Answer is [A]

25. Which of the following is a problem associated with survey research?

[A] The problem of objectivity

[B] The problem of “going native”

[C] The problem of omission

[D] The problem of robustness

Answer is [C]

26. The key advantage of structured observation over survey research is that

[A] It does not rely on the researcher’s ability to take notes

[B] The researcher is immersed as a participant in the field they are studying

[C] It does not impose any expectations of behaviour on the respondents

[D] It allows you to observe people’s behaviour directly

Answer is [D]

27. It may not be possible to use a probability sample to observe behaviour in public places because

[A] The findings of such studies are not intended to have external validity

[B] It is not feasible to construct a sampling frame of interactions

[C] It is difficult to gain access to such social settings

[D] Researchers prefer not to use random samples whenever possible

Answer is [B]

28. Which of the following is not a type of sampling used in structured observation?

[A] Focal sampling

[B] Scan sampling

[C] Emotional sampling

[D] Behaviour sampling

Answer is [C]

29. One of the criticisms often leveled at structured observation is that

[A] It does not allow us to impose any framework on the social setting

[B] It only generates a small amount of data

[C] It is unethical to observe people without an observation schedule

[D] It does not allow us to understand the intentions behind behaviour

Answer is [D]

30. What is a research design?

[A] A way of conducting research that is not grounded in theory

[B] The choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods

[C] The style in which you present your research findings, e.g. a graph

[D] A framework for every stage of the collection and analysis of data

Answer is [D]

31. If a study is “reliable”, this means that

[A] It was conducted by a reputable researcher who can be trusted

[B] The measures devised for concepts are stable on different occasions

[C] The findings can be generalized to other social settings

[D] The methods are stated clearly enough for the research to be replicated

Answer is [B]

32. What is a cross-sectional design?

[A] A study of one particular section of society, e.g. the middle classes

[B] One that is devised when the researcher is in a bad mood

[C] The collection of data from more than one case at one moment in time

[D] A comparison of two or more variables over a long period of time

Answer is [C]

33. Cross-cultural studies are an example of

[A] Case study design

[B] Comparative design

[C] Experimental design

[D] Longitudinal design

Answer is [B]

34. The qualitative research strategy places a value on

[A] Using numbers, measurements and statistical techniques

[B] Generating theories through inductive research about social meanings

[C] Conducting research that is of a very high quality

[D] All of the above

Answer is []

35. You can manage your time and resources best, by

[A] Working out a timetable

[B] Finding out what resources are readily available to you

[C] Calculating a budget for likely expenditure

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

36. How can you tell if your research questions are really good?

[A] If they guide your literature search

[B] If they are linked together to help you construct a coherent argument

[C] If they force you to narrow the scope of your research

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

37. Which of the following should be included in a research proposal?

[A] Your academic status and experience

[B] The difficulties you encountered with your previous reading on the topic

[C] Your choice of research methods and reasons for choosing them

[D] All of the above

Answer is [C]

38. Which of the following should you think about when preparing your research?

[A] Your sample frame and sampling strategy

[B] The ethical issues that might arise

[C] Negotiating access to the setting

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

39. What practical steps can you take before you actually start your research?

[A] Find out exactly what your institution’s requirements are for a dissertation

[B] Make sure you are familiar with the hardware and software you plan to use

[C] Apply for clearance of your project through an ethics committee

[D] All of the above

Answer is [D]

40. Why do you need to review the existing literature?

[A] To make sure you have a long list of references

[B] Because without it, you could never reach the required word-count

[C] To find out what is already known about your area of interest

[D] To help in your general studying

Answer is [C]

41. A systematic literature review is

[A] One which starts in your own library, then goes to on-line databases and, finally, to the internet

[B] A replicable, scientific and transparent process

[C] One which gives equal attention to the principal contributors to the area

[D] A responsible, professional process of time-management for research

Answer is [B]

42. Research hypotheses are ______.

[A] Formulated prior to a review of the literature

[B] Statements of predicted relationships between variables

[C] Stated such that they can be confirmed or refuted

[D] Both [B] and [C]

Answer is [D]

43. Research simply means a search for ______?

[A] Problems

[B] Facts

[C] results

[D] Topics

Answer is [B]

44. Research adopt ______method?

[A] Scientific

[B] Political

[C] Individual

[D] Public

Answer is [A]

45. Research is based on empirical evidences and ______ experience?

[A] Scientific

[B] Political

[C] Rational

[D] Observable

Answer is [D]

46. Who defined research is a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation?

[A] Spencer

[B] Weber

[C] Kerlinger

[D] Morry

Answer is [C]

47. ______develop theories?

[A] Observation

[B] Case study

[C] Research

[D] Survey

Answer is [C]

48. ______ is a systematic step by step procedure?

[A] Observation

[B] Calculation

[C] Scientific method

[D] Participation

Answer is [C]

49. _______as a set of systematically interrelated concepts, definition, prepositions?

[A] Fact

[B] Theory

[C] Research

[D] None of the above

Answer is [B]

50. Who has define social research as "the systematic method of discovering new facts and verifying old facts"?

[A] P.V.young

[B] Emory

[C] Black & Champion

[D] None of the above

Answer is [A]

51. ______are empirically verifiable observation?

[A] Research

[B] Fact

[C] Theory

[D] None of the above

Answer is [B]

52. ______is the one important role in research?

[A] Deduction

[B] Induction

[C] Prediction

[D] None of the above

Answer is [C]

53. _____ means basing conclusions on facts without any bias and value judgement?

[A] Subjectivity

[B] Objectivity

[C] Verifiability

[D] All of the above

Answer is [B]

54. Relation with other aspects of research creates ______?

[A] Value-related problem

[B] Ethical problem

[C] Personal prejudice

[D] Bias

Answer is [B]

55. _______ is a systematic method of exploring, analyzing and conceptualizing human life in order to extend, corrector or verify knowledge of human behaviour and social life?

[A] Scientific research

[B] Qualitative research

[C] Social science research

[D] None of the above

Answer is [C]

56. The purpose of research is to discover answer to questions through application of______?

[A] Scientific procedure

[B] Scientific method

[C] Scientific research

[D] None of the above

Answer is [A]

57. _____ research is focused to collect knowledge without any intention to apply it?

[A] Pure research

[B] Exploratory research

[C] Applied research

[D] All of the above

Answer is [A]

58. Pure research is also known as ______?

[A] Fundamental research

[B] Action research

[C] Practical research

[D] None of the above

Answer is [A]

59. ______research is problem-oriented and action directed?

[A] Analytical research

[B] Action research

[C] Applied research

[D] None of the above

Answer is [C]

60. ______has defined case study is investigating the contemporary phenomena of real life?

[A] Omerry

[B] Yin

[C] Burus

[D] Sarantkose

Answer is [B]

61. Objectivity, generality, systematic and quality are the characteristics of _____.

[A] Case study

[B] Projective technique

[C] Narrative method

[D] Content analysis

Answer is [D]

61. Contextual analysis is a type of _______.

[A] Descriptive analysis

[B] Case study

[C] Historical analysis

[D] Content analysis

Answer is [D]

62. The narrative method is used in ______research in social science?

[A] Pure research

[B] Content analysis

[C] Applied research

[D] Case study

Answer is [D]

63. The term focused group was coined by?

[A] Powel

[B] Merton

[C] Ernest Dichter

[D] Mitchell

Answer is [C]

64. ______method help us to get the feedback about what people do over along period of time?

[A] Questionnaire

[B] Survey

[C] Case study

[D] Group interview

Answer is [B]

65. _________ is defined as a tentative or working proposition suggested as a solution to a problem.

[A] Research

[B] Hypothesis

[C] Objective

[D] Concepts

Answer is [B]

66. It essentially states that there is no relation between the variables of the problem.

[A] Hypothesis

[B] Crude hypothesis

[C] Refines hypothesis

[D] Working

Answer is [A]

67. __________ study which wants to determine the frequency of occurrence of an event of its association with something.

[A] Descriptive

[B] Formulate

[C] Explorative

[D] Diagnostic

Answer is [C]

68. This is an intensive and searching interview aiming at studying the respondent’s opinion, emotions or convictions on the habits of an interview guide.

[A] Clinical interview

[B] Depth interview

[C] Focused interview

[D] Directive interview

Answer is [B]

69. _________ as a method of collecting primary data in which a number of individuals with a common interest interact with each other.

[A] Group interview

[B] Depth interview

[C] Direct interview

[D] Focused interview

Answer is [A]

70. A __________question can be answered in one of the two responses

[A] Open type

[B] Closed type

[C] Dichotomous

[D] Multiple choice

Answer is [C]

71. ______ are those which are collected fresh and are original in character

[A] Primary data

[B] Secondary data

[C] Qualitative data

[D] Quantitative data

Answer is [A]

72. _______ observation, the observer has been told specifically what is to be observed

[A] Structured

[B] Controlled

[C] Discussed

[D] Participated

Answer is [A]

73. It enables the researcher to relate logically known facts to intelligent guesses about unknown conditions

[A] Research design

[B] Pre-test

[C] Hypothesis

[D] Pilot study

Answer is [C]

74. It enables the researcher to acquaint himself with current knowledge in the field in which he is going to conduct his research

[A] Social survey

[B] Review of literature

[C] Research proposal

[D] Research design

Answer is [B]

75. The ______ type of questionnaire calls for a free response in the respondent’s own words

[A] Closed

[B] Opened

[C] Structured

[D] unstructured

Answer is [B]

76. _________ data are verbal or other symbolic materials

[A] Quantitative

[B] Primary

[C] Qualitative

[D] Secondary

Answer is [C]

77. _________ is directed towards the solution of a problem

[A] Research

[B] Data collection

[C] Hypothesis

[D] Survey

Answer is [A]

78. _________ research is directed towards the solution of immediate, specific and practical problem

[A] Basic

[B] Diagnostic

[C] Applied

[D] Descriptive

Answer is [C]

79. Control is the essential ingredient of _________ method

[A] Descriptive

[B] Diagnostic

[C] Explorative

[D] Experimental

Answer is [D]

80. A meeting of persons face to face, especially for the purpose of formal conference on some point

[A] Interview

[B] Observation

[C] Participant observation

[D] Projective techniques/ survey

Answer is [A]

81. Information that is represented usually as words, not numbers

[A] Qualitative data

[B] Quantitative data

[C] Primary data

[D] Scientific data

Answer is [B]

82. ____ research focuses primarily on the meaning of subjective attributes of individuals or groups

[A] Quantitative

[B] Qualitative

[C] Social science

[D] Descriptive

Answer is [B]

83. A proposition which can be put to test to determine validity

[A] Hypothesis

[B] Operational definition

[C] Data collection tool

[D] Research design

Answer is [A]

84. Information collected by the researcher for the purposes of the project immediately

[A] Primary data

[B] Secondary data

[C] Qualitative data

[D] Quantitative data

Answer is [A]

85. It is the collection of data concerning the living and working conditionals of the people in a given community

[A] Sampling

[B] Social survey

[C] Case study

[D] Data collection

Answer is [B]

86. It takes place with persons known to have been involved in particular concrete situations

[A] Personal interview

[B] Focused interview

[C] Depth interview

[D] Repeated interview

Answer is [B]

87. It is a verbal method of securing data in field surveys

[A] Interview

[B] Participant observation

[C] Questionnaire method

[D] Projective technique

Answer is [A]

88. ________ implies a smaller representation of a larger whole

[A] Survey

[B] Population

[C] Sample

[D] Census

Answer is [C]

89. ______ as the conceptual structure within which the research is conducted

[A] Research proposal

[B] Research design

[C] Hypothesis

[D] Pilot study

Answer is [B]

90. _________ method in the application of valid and reliable research methods

[A] Experimental

[B] Scientific

[C] Survey

[D] Case-study

Answer is [B]

91. ________ is an organised enquiry

[A] Research

[B] Investigation

[C] Survey

[D] Experiment

Answer is [A]

92. A set of systematically related propositions specifying causal relationships among variables

[A] Research

[B] Theory

[C] Concept

[D] Hypothesis

Answer is [B]

93. ______ means basing conclusions on facts without any bias and value judgement

[A] Subjectivity

[B] Objectivity

[C] Research

[D] Theory

Answer is [B]

94. The search for answers to research questions is called collection of _________

[A] Facts

[B] Data

[C] Evidences

[D] Reasons

Answer is [B]

95. Bibliography means

[A] Foot Note

[B] Quotations

[C] List of Books referred

[D] Biography

Answer is [C]

96. “Social Science research begins and ends with observation” _____ stated by

[A] P.V. Young

[B] Sidney Webb

[C] Kaplan

[D] Rose

Answer is [B]

97. The first page of the research report is

[A] Appendix

[B] Bibliography

[C] Index

[D] Title Page

Answer is [D]

98. JRF is for

[A] Junior Research Functions

[B] Junior Research Fellowship

[C] Junior Fellowship

[D] None of the above

Answer is [B]

99. Ph.D stands for

[A] Doctor of Philosophy

[B] Degree in Philosophy

[C] Doctor of Psychology

[D] None of the above

Answer is [A]

100. UGC Stands for

[A] University Grants Commission

[B] Union Government Commission

[C] University Governance Council

[D] Union government Council

Answer is [A]