Research methods: experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative and quantitative methods. - One Line Questions
1.
In quantitative research, a 'hypothesis' is typically: —
A proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested
2.
What does a correlational study aim to determine? —
The relationship or association between two or more variables
3.
The goal of 'participant observation' in qualitative research is to: —
Understand a phenomenon from the insider's perspective
4.
In experimental research, the variable that is manipulated by the researcher is known as the: —
Independent variable
5.
Which research method is characterized by manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships? —
Experimental research
6.
The systematic study of a past event or period to understand its causes, effects, and significance is the domain of: —
Historical research
7.
Which research method is most suitable for understanding the impact of a new teaching technique on student learning outcomes? —
Experimental research
8.
Which method is characterized by the researcher's active intervention and control over variables? —
Experimental research
9.
A study comparing the effectiveness of two different drugs on reducing blood pressure would most likely be: —
Experimental research
10.
What is a key limitation of historical research? —
Potential for researcher bias in interpretation of past events
11.
What is the main challenge in conducting historical research based on primary sources? —
Interpreting fragmented or biased historical records
12.
What is a key ethical consideration in experimental research involving human participants? —
Obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality
13.
Which research method focuses on systematically recounting, describing, and analyzing past events or periods? —
Historical research
14.
Surveys, correlational studies, and observational studies are typically examples of which research method? —
Descriptive research
15.
A researcher studying the voting patterns in a country over the last 50 years would most likely employ which method? —
Historical research
16.
Which method involves observing and recording behavior as it occurs in its natural setting without manipulation? —
Naturalistic observation (a form of descriptive research)
17.
The method that focuses on the systematic study of the past, often using primary and secondary sources, is: —
Historical research
18.
Which research method is most appropriate for understanding the prevalence of a particular disease in a city? —
Descriptive research
19.
Which method involves the in-depth study of a single case or a small number of cases to gain a comprehensive understanding? —
Case study (often qualitative or mixed-methods)
20.
Which research method is most suitable for exploring the opinions and attitudes of a large population on a specific issue? —
Quantitative research (e.g., surveys)
21.
A researcher examining ancient texts to understand the religious beliefs of a past civilization is engaged in: —
Historical research
22.
Which type of research method involves the systematic examination of documents, artifacts, and other records from the past? —
Historical research
23.
The study of how social media usage affects academic performance would most likely involve which type of research method? —
Descriptive or quantitative research (e.g., correlational)
24.
The 'Hawthorne effect' is a concern primarily in which research method? —
Qualitative research (observational aspects)
25.
Which method focuses on systematically collecting and analyzing numerical data to identify relationships and make generalizations? —
Quantitative research
26.
What is a primary strength of quantitative research? —
Objectivity and generalizability of findings
27.
The variable that is measured to assess the effect of the independent variable in experimental research is called the: —
Dependent variable
28.
What is a primary limitation of historical research regarding causality? —
It is difficult to establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships due to the inability to control variables.
29.
What is a key strength of descriptive research? —
It provides a detailed account of the present state of affairs.
30.
What is a potential weakness of descriptive research? —
It may not provide in-depth understanding of underlying reasons.
31.
What is a potential disadvantage of quantitative research? —
It might oversimplify complex realities by focusing only on numbers.
32.
What is the main characteristic of 'descriptive research'? —
It provides a snapshot of current conditions or characteristics.
33.
Which of the following is a common data collection technique in historical research? —
Archival research
34.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of experimental research? —
Focus on subjective interpretation
35.
Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative data? —
Descriptive, narrative, and interpretative
36.
Which research method relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to identify patterns, relationships, and generalizations? —
Quantitative research
37.
Which research method uses statistical techniques to analyze numerical data and draw conclusions? —
Quantitative research
38.
What type of research aims to understand the 'why' behind phenomena through in-depth exploration of experiences, perspectives, and meanings? —
Qualitative research
39.
Case studies, ethnography, and grounded theory are characteristic approaches within which research paradigm? —
Qualitative research
40.
Which research method is best suited for exploring the lived experiences of individuals in a specific cultural context? —
Qualitative research
41.
The use of interviews, observations, and focus groups to gather non-numerical data is typical of: —
Qualitative research
42.
The method that aims to provide a detailed, rich description of a group or culture from the perspective of an insider is known as: —
Ethnography (a form of qualitative research)
43.
The process of developing a theory based on systematically collected and analyzed data is characteristic of: —
Grounded theory (a qualitative approach)
44.
Which research method is best suited for exploring the nuances of human experience and social interactions? —
Qualitative research
45.
The method that seeks to understand the meaning of social phenomena in their natural setting and from the actor's perspective is: —
Qualitative research
46.
The 'control group' in an experiment is used for: —
Providing a baseline for comparison
47.
In qualitative research, 'saturation' refers to: —
The point where data collection yields no new themes or insights
48.
What is the primary goal of descriptive research? —
To describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon
49.
What is the primary objective of historical research? —
To understand and interpret the past