Research Aptitude for UGC NET
Complete Guide for Research Aptitude for UGC NET Exam! Meaning, types, characteristics of research, research methods, hypotheses, sampling techniques, data analysis and detailed explanation of concepts like positivism and post-positivism. Contains important MCQ questions and answers for the exam. Make your Research Aptitude preparation for UGC NET more effective!
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| Research Aptitude for UGC NET |
Research Aptitude for UGC NET – GK Questions
Research Aptitude for UGC NET – Meaning, Types, and Characteristics of Research GK Questions
a) Searching again and again
b) A method of finding solutions to problems ✅
c) Making assumptions about a topic
d) Studying a topic without any systematic process
a) Objectivity
b) Systematic approach
c) Bias and personal opinions ✅
d) Empirical evidence
a) Research aimed at solving specific practical problems
b) Research that focuses on fundamental principles and theories ✅
c) Research conducted for business purposes
d) Research that involves marketing strategies
a) Develop new scientific theories
b) Solve immediate classroom or organizational problems ✅
c) Collect historical data
d) Study natural phenomena over time
a) Qualitative research
b) Quantitative research
c) Mixed-method research ✅
d) Descriptive research
Explanation: Mixed-method research combines both qualitative (textual, descriptive data) and quantitative (numerical, statistical data) approaches. This method provides a comprehensive understanding of a research problem.
a) It relies on participant interviews and open-ended questions
b) It involves manipulating variables to observe their effects ✅
c) It only focuses on historical data
d) It avoids any form of control or intervention
a) Exploratory research
b) Financial research ✅
c) Descriptive research
d) Explanatory research
Explanation: Exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research are standard research types used in academic and scientific studies. Financial research, on the other hand, is a domain-specific field rather than a recognized research methodology.
a) Objectivity
b) Generalizability
c) Replicability ✅
d) Subjectivity
a) Developing new scientific theories
b) Addressing real-world problems with practical solutions ✅
c) Studying abstract concepts without any practical use
d) Investigating historical events
a) Research is systematic, objective, and based on data ✅
b) Research relies only on personal opinions
c) Research does not require verification
d) Research is based only on internet searches
11. Which of the following is a key characteristic of research?
a) Random decision-making
b) Systematic and structured process ✅
c) Personal opinion-based findings
d) Guesswork and assumptions
Explanation: Research follows a systematic and structured process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and validity. It is not based on random decisions, personal opinions, or assumptions but on scientific inquiry and objective analysis.
12. Why should research be objective?
a) To ensure it reflects the researcher’s beliefs
b) To make the findings more personal
c) To avoid bias and enhance accuracy ✅
d) To focus only on theoretical assumptions
Explanation: Objectivity in research means that personal bias and subjective opinions do not influence the findings. It ensures that the results are accurate, valid, and based on evidence rather than personal preferences.
13. Which characteristic of research ensures that findings can be verified by other researchers?
a) Subjectivity
b) Replicability ✅
c) Personal bias
d) Randomization
Explanation: Replicability means that research findings can be tested and reproduced under similar conditions by other researchers. This is essential for verifying results and ensuring the reliability of research conclusions.
14. Research must be based on:
a) Intuition and personal judgment
b) Systematic and logical reasoning ✅
c) Unverified opinions
d) Unstructured observations
Explanation: Research follows a logical and systematic process to arrive at conclusions. Unlike intuition or opinions, research is based on verifiable facts, data, and logical reasoning to ensure credibility.
15. What ensures that research findings can be applied to other settings?
a) Generalizability ✅
b) Subjectivity
c) Data manipulation
d) Personal interpretation
Explanation: Generalizability means that research results can be applied to a wider population or different contexts beyond the study sample. It enhances the usefulness and impact of research in real-world situations.
16. What is the role of empirical evidence in research?
a) To support findings with real-world data ✅
b) To make research more theoretical
c) To replace systematic observation
d) To base conclusions on assumptions
Explanation: Empirical evidence refers to data obtained through observation, experiments, or experience. It supports research findings by providing real-world proof rather than relying solely on theories or assumptions.
17. A well-conducted research study should be:
a) Random and disorganized
b) Ethical and well-documented ✅
c) Influenced by the researcher’s personal views
d) Secretive and unverifiable
Explanation: Research must follow ethical guidelines, transparency, and documentation to ensure credibility. Proper documentation allows others to review, verify, and build upon the study while maintaining integrity and ethical standards.
18. Why is logical reasoning important in research?
a) It helps in making random conclusions
b) It supports the formulation of valid arguments ✅
c) It allows researchers to manipulate data
d) It is only necessary for qualitative research
Explanation: Logical reasoning helps researchers develop coherent arguments, analyze data, and reach valid conclusions. It is crucial for all types of research, ensuring that interpretations are sound, evidence-based, and free from errors.
19. What does it mean for research to be cumulative?
a) It builds on previous studies ✅
b) It is always entirely original
c) It ignores past research findings
d) It relies only on one source of information
Explanation: Research is cumulative, meaning that new studies build upon existing knowledge. It uses past findings to refine, expand, or challenge existing theories, ensuring continuous progress in a field of study.
20. Which of the following best describes research as a systematic process?
a) It follows a step-by-step approach ✅
b) It depends on intuition and assumptions
c) It is unpredictable and random
d) It lacks a clear structure
Explanation: Research follows a structured, step-by-step approach, including problem identification, literature review, hypothesis formulation, data collection, analysis, and conclusion. This systematic process ensures reliability and accuracy in research findings.
Research Aptitude for UGC NET-GK Questions on Positivism and Post-Positivistic Approach to Research
21. What is the core belief of positivism in research?
a) Knowledge is subjective and socially constructed
b) Knowledge is based on sensory experience and empirical evidence ✅
c) Reality is influenced by personal perceptions
d) Research should focus only on narratives
Explanation: Positivism emphasizes empirical evidence, objectivity, and observation. It believes that knowledge is derived from measurable and observable phenomena.
22. Who is considered the father of positivism?
a) Karl Popper
b) Auguste Comte ✅
c) Thomas Kuhn
d) John Dewey
Explanation: Auguste Comte introduced positivism, emphasizing the use of scientific methods and empirical evidence in research.
23. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of positivist research?
a) Objectivity
b) Empirical observation
c) Subjective interpretation ✅
d) Quantitative methods
Explanation: Positivist research focuses on objective reality, empirical data, and quantitative analysis. It avoids subjectivity.
24. What type of research method is most commonly associated with positivism?
a) Qualitative research
b) Quantitative research ✅
c) Case study research
d) Ethnographic research
Explanation: Positivist research relies on quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and experimental designs to test hypotheses.
25. In positivism, reality is considered to be:
a) Socially constructed
b) Multiple and subjective
c) Singular and independent of human perception ✅
d) Unknowable
Explanation: Positivists believe that reality exists independently of human thoughts and can be objectively measured.
26. What is a key limitation of positivism?
a) It is too subjective
b) It focuses only on numerical data and ignores human experience ✅
c) It does not use empirical methods
d) It relies on personal biases
Explanation: Positivism is criticized for ignoring human experiences, emotions, and social contexts, which cannot always be quantified.
27. Which of the following best defines post-positivism?
a) Reality is fully knowable through scientific methods
b) Scientific knowledge is always absolute
c) Knowledge is tentative and influenced by interpretation ✅
d) Truth is fixed and universal
Explanation: Post-positivism acknowledges that knowledge is uncertain and influenced by human perception, making it more flexible than positivism.
28. Who among the following is a key philosopher of post-positivism?
a) Auguste Comte
b) Karl Popper ✅
c) Emile Durkheim
d) John Locke
Explanation: Karl Popper introduced falsifiability, arguing that scientific theories should be tested and refuted rather than absolutely proven.
29. What is the major difference between positivism and post-positivism?
a) Positivism accepts subjectivity, while post-positivism rejects it
b) Positivism sees knowledge as absolute, while post-positivism sees it as fallible ✅
c) Post-positivism ignores empirical data
d) Positivism supports qualitative methods, while post-positivism rejects them
Explanation: Post-positivism acknowledges that knowledge is uncertain and can change over time with new evidence.
30. Which of the following research methods align with post-positivism?
a) Only experimental methods
b) Both qualitative and quantitative methods ✅
c) Only qualitative methods
d) Only surveys and statistical analysis
Explanation: Post-positivism incorporates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to study complex realities.
31. Which of the following is a key assumption of positivist research?
a) The world is socially constructed
b) Human behavior cannot be measured
c) Objective reality exists and can be measured ✅
d) Science is not useful for understanding society
Explanation: Positivism assumes that an objective, measurable reality exists that researchers can study systematically.
32. What does post-positivism say about objectivity?
a) It is always possible to achieve complete objectivity
b) Objectivity is a goal, but bias can never be fully eliminated ✅
c) Objectivity is unimportant in research
d) Researchers should focus only on numerical data
Explanation: Post-positivists acknowledge that researchers have biases, but they should strive for objectivity through rigorous methods.
33. In post-positivism, what role does falsifiability play?
a) Theories must be testable and open to rejection ✅
b) Scientific theories are always true
c) Research findings are fixed and permanent
d) Only qualitative research is valid
Explanation: Karl Popper’s falsifiability principle states that scientific theories should be testable and open to being disproven.
34. Which of the following paradigms accepts the possibility of multiple realities?
a) Positivism
b) Post-positivism ✅
c) Structuralism
d) Determinism
Explanation: Post-positivism accepts that different perspectives exist, and reality may not be absolute.
35. Which methodology is commonly used in post-positivist research?
a) Experimental research only
b) Mixed methods (quantitative + qualitative) ✅
c) Purely observational studies
d) Subjective narrative research
Explanation: Post-positivists blend quantitative and qualitative approaches to develop a deeper understanding of reality.
36. Which type of reasoning is primarily used in positivist research?
a) Inductive reasoning
b) Deductive reasoning ✅
c) Subjective reasoning
d) Intuitive reasoning
Explanation: Positivism relies on deductive reasoning, which means forming hypotheses based on existing theories and then testing them through empirical data.
37. Post-positivists believe in which philosophical perspective?
a) Logical positivism
b) Critical realism ✅
c) Idealism
d) Relativism
Explanation: Critical realism in post-positivism suggests that while reality exists, our understanding of it is imperfect and shaped by social and historical contexts.
38. Which of the following data collection methods is MOST associated with positivist research?
a) Open-ended interviews
b) Structured questionnaires and surveys ✅
c) Ethnographic fieldwork
d) Interpretative case studies
Explanation: Positivist research prefers structured, standardized tools like surveys and experiments to ensure objectivity and quantifiability.
39. How does post-positivist research approach research design?
a) It follows a rigid, fixed research design
b) It allows flexibility in research design ✅
c) It rejects scientific methods
d) It only relies on qualitative research
Explanation: Post-positivist research is more flexible, allowing researchers to adjust methods based on findings and accept that knowledge is tentative.
40. What is the significance of falsifiability in post-positivism?
a) It helps scientists discard flawed theories ✅
b) It ensures that all theories are absolute truths
c) It discourages hypothesis testing
d) It promotes only qualitative research
Explanation: Karl Popper introduced falsifiability, meaning scientific theories must be testable and open to rejection if proven incorrect.
41. Empirical evidence is a foundation of which of the following research paradigms?
a) Only positivism
b) Only post-positivism
c) Both positivism and post-positivism ✅
d) Neither positivism nor post-positivism
Explanation: Both positivist and post-positivist research rely on empirical evidence, but post-positivism also considers that data interpretation can be influenced by biases.
42. What kind of relationships does positivist research emphasize?
a) Interpretative relationships
b) Cause-and-effect relationships ✅
c) Socially constructed relationships
d) Symbolic interactions
Explanation: Positivist research aims to establish causal relationships between variables, often using controlled experiments and statistical analysis.
43. What is one major critique post-positivists make about positivist research?
a) It is too focused on qualitative methods
b) It ignores the role of values and biases in research ✅
c) It is too flexible in methodology
d) It does not use scientific methods
Explanation: Post-positivists argue that all research is influenced by human perspectives, biases, and values, making complete objectivity impossible.
44. Which of the following research methods is highly positivist in nature?
a) Randomized controlled trials ✅
b) Open-ended case studies
c) Ethnographic research
d) Narrative inquiry
Explanation: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) use strict controls and objective measurement, making them a classic example of positivist research.
45. What is the central role of the scientific method in both positivism and post-positivism?
a) To establish absolute truths
b) To test hypotheses systematically and refine theories ✅
c) To rely only on numerical data
d) To reject all previous knowledge
Explanation: Both paradigms use the scientific method, but post-positivists see it as a process of refining and improving knowledge rather than discovering absolute truths.
46. What is the primary goal of positivist research?
a) To explore personal experiences
b) To establish objective and generalizable truths ✅
c) To analyze cultural narratives
d) To focus only on qualitative data
Explanation: Positivism seeks to discover objective, generalizable laws about reality using scientific methods and empirical evidence.
47. How does post-positivism differ from positivism regarding scientific laws?
a) Post-positivism completely rejects scientific laws
b) Post-positivism believes scientific laws are absolute and unchangeable
c) Post-positivism accepts scientific laws but considers them tentative and revisable ✅
d) Post-positivism only focuses on qualitative methods
Explanation: Post-positivists argue that scientific laws are useful but should be tested and revised as new evidence emerges.
48. In post-positivism, how is researcher bias treated?
a) It is ignored since science is objective
b) It is acknowledged and minimized through rigorous methods ✅
c) It is considered an irrelevant factor
d) It is the main focus of research
Explanation: Post-positivists recognize that researchers have biases, so they implement systematic methods (triangulation, peer review) to reduce their influence.
49. What type of research questions are most common in positivist research?
a) Questions that explore subjective meaning
b) Questions that test causal relationships and hypotheses ✅
c) Questions that analyze historical contexts
d) Questions that rely solely on personal interpretations
Explanation: Positivist research often formulates hypotheses and tests causal relationships using experimental or survey-based methods.
50. Which statement best summarizes the post-positivist view of reality?
a) Reality is entirely objective and measurable
b) Reality exists, but our understanding of it is always partial and uncertain ✅
c) Reality is entirely a human construct
d) Reality cannot be studied scientifically
Explanation: Post-positivists believe an external reality exists, but human knowledge about it is always limited, shaped by biases and evolving interpretations.