40 Research Methodology MCQs for PhD Entrance Exams | Practice Questions

MCQs on Research Methodology for PhD Entrance

1. Research Methodology - Introduction

1. What is the primary objective of research?
a) To find the truth
b) To manipulate data
c) To develop personal opinions
d) To prove preconceived notions

✅ Answer: a) To find the truth
Explanation: The primary goal of research is to systematically investigate a subject to discover facts, principles, or new insights that contribute to knowledge.

2. Types of Research

2. Which of the following is an example of applied research?
a) Studying the behavior of subatomic particles
b) Developing a new drug for diabetes
c) Understanding human evolution
d) Theoretical physics equations

✅ Answer: b) Developing a new drug for diabetes
Explanation: Applied research aims at solving practical problems, such as developing medicines, while pure research focuses on theoretical knowledge.

3. What type of research is concerned with studying past events?
a) Experimental research
b) Historical research
c) Exploratory research
d) Longitudinal research

✅ Answer: b) Historical research
Explanation: Historical research examines past events to understand their impact on the present and future.

3. Research Design and Sampling

4. A hypothesis is:
a) A proven fact
b) A statement of expected relationships between variables
c) A statistical formula
d) An untestable theory

✅ Answer: b) A statement of expected relationships between variables
Explanation: A hypothesis is a testable prediction that suggests a relationship between two or more variables in research.

5. Which of the following is a probability sampling technique?
a) Snowball sampling
b) Quota sampling
c) Convenience sampling
d) Simple random sampling

✅ Answer: d) Simple random sampling
Explanation: Probability sampling ensures each element has an equal chance of selection, unlike non-probability methods such as convenience or quota sampling.

4. Research Ethics and Validity

6. Informed consent is important in research because:
a) It allows researchers to manipulate participants
b) It ensures participants are aware of the study and voluntarily participate
c) It guarantees research findings will be valid
d) It eliminates bias

✅ Answer: b) It ensures participants are aware of the study and voluntarily participate
Explanation: Informed consent protects the rights and autonomy of research participants.

7. What is the difference between reliability and validity?
a) Reliability refers to accuracy, and validity refers to consistency
b) Reliability refers to consistency, and validity refers to accuracy
c) Both are the same
d) Neither is important in research

✅ Answer: b) Reliability refers to consistency, and validity refers to accuracy
Explanation: Reliability ensures consistency of results, while validity ensures the research measures what it claims to measure.

5. Data Collection and Analysis

8. Which of the following is a primary data collection method?
a) Census data
b) Government reports
c) Surveys
d) Literature review

✅ Answer: c) Surveys
Explanation: Primary data is collected firsthand, whereas secondary data is collected from existing sources.

9. The process of converting raw data into a meaningful format is known as:
a) Data interpretation
b) Data analysis
c) Data mining
d) Data coding

✅ Answer: d) Data coding
Explanation: Data coding involves categorizing and assigning numerical or symbolic values to data for analysis.

10. What is the main purpose of a pilot study?
a) To prove the research hypothesis
b) To train research assistants
c) To test the feasibility of the research design
d) To publish results early

✅ Answer: c) To test the feasibility of the research design
Explanation: A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary study that helps refine the research methodology.

6. Research Methods

11. Which research method is most suitable for studying cause-and-effect relationships?
a) Survey research
b) Experimental research
c) Case study
d) Ethnographic research

✅ Answer: b) Experimental research
Explanation: Experimental research manipulates variables to establish causal relationships between them.

12. A literature review in research is conducted to:
a) Avoid reading unnecessary papers
b) Summarize previous studies and identify research gaps
c) Prove one's hypothesis
d) Find funding sources

✅ Answer: b) Summarize previous studies and identify research gaps
Explanation: A literature review provides background knowledge and helps identify areas that require further investigation.

7. Quantitative and Qualitative Research

13. Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative research?
a) Uses statistical analysis
b) Focuses on numerical data
c) Explores meanings and experiences
d) Uses large sample sizes

✅ Answer: c) Explores meanings and experiences
Explanation: Qualitative research focuses on understanding human behavior, experiences, and perceptions rather than numerical data.

14. In statistical analysis, the measure of central tendency includes:
a) Mean, median, mode
b) Standard deviation
c) Variance
d) Correlation coefficient

✅ Answer: a) Mean, median, mode
Explanation: Measures of central tendency help summarize data by identifying the center of a data set.

8. Hypothesis Testing and Statistical Analysis

15. The p-value in hypothesis testing indicates:
a) The probability of making a Type I error
b) The strength of a relationship
c) The variance of data
d) The mean of a dataset

✅ Answer: a) The probability of making a Type I error
Explanation: A p-value helps determine whether to reject the null hypothesis; a lower p-value suggests stronger evidence against the null hypothesis.

16. A Type II error occurs when:
a) The null hypothesis is rejected when it is true
b) The null hypothesis is accepted when it is false
c) The research is unethical
d) The sample size is too large

✅ Answer: b) The null hypothesis is accepted when it is false
Explanation: A Type II error happens when a researcher fails to detect an effect that actually exists.

9. Research Report Writing and Presentation

17. The section of a research paper that presents the research findings is called:
a) Introduction
b) Literature Review
c) Results
d) Acknowledgments

✅ Answer: c) Results
Explanation: The results section presents analyzed data without interpretation, which is done in the discussion section.

18. Which of the following citation styles is commonly used in social sciences?
a) IEEE
b) APA
c) Chicago
d) Vancouver

✅ Answer: b) APA
Explanation: APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in psychology, social sciences, and education research.

10. Miscellaneous

19. Plagiarism in research refers to:
a) Ethical research practice
b) Presenting others' work as one's own without credit
c) Writing a literature review
d) Conducting a peer review

✅ Answer: b) Presenting others' work as one's own without credit
Explanation: Plagiarism is an unethical practice that involves copying someone else's work without proper attribution.

20. The term 'triangulation' in research refers to:
a) Using multiple methods to validate findings
b) A three-sided research model
c) A statistical technique
d) A mathematical equation

✅ Answer: a) Using multiple methods to validate findings
Explanation: Triangulation enhances the credibility of research by using different methods to confirm results.

21. Research Methodology - Advanced Concepts

21. Which of the following is NOT a type of qualitative research method?
a) Case study
b) Phenomenological research
c) Survey research
d) Grounded theory

✅ Answer: c) Survey research
Explanation: Survey research is typically a quantitative method, whereas case studies, phenomenological research, and grounded theory are qualitative methods.

22. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment is called:
a) Dependent variable
b) Independent variable
c) Control variable
d) Confounding variable

✅ Answer: b) Independent variable
Explanation: The independent variable is the one that the researcher manipulates to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

23. What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
a) To receive the treatment
b) To help establish a cause-and-effect relationship
c) To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group
d) To influence the results

✅ Answer: c) To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group
Explanation: The control group does not receive the treatment, helping researchers compare it with the experimental group to see the effects of the intervention.

22. Research Design and Methods

24. Which of the following research designs is used to explore cause-and-effect relationships between variables?
a) Correlational design
b) Experimental design
c) Descriptive design
d) Longitudinal design

✅ Answer: b) Experimental design
Explanation: Experimental designs are used to manipulate one or more independent variables to observe their effect on the dependent variable, establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

25. In a research study, random assignment refers to:
a) Selecting participants based on characteristics
b) Assigning participants randomly to groups to ensure fairness
c) Choosing participants who are easiest to reach
d) Assigning treatments based on participant preferences

✅ Answer: b) Assigning participants randomly to groups to ensure fairness
Explanation: Random assignment ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any experimental group, reducing bias.

23. Hypothesis and Sampling

26. The null hypothesis (H0) generally suggests that:
a) There is a relationship between the variables
b) There is no significant difference or effect between the variables
c) The experiment is biased
d) The sample size is too small

✅ Answer: b) There is no significant difference or effect between the variables
Explanation: The null hypothesis assumes no effect or relationship exists, and it is tested against the alternative hypothesis (H1).

27. Which sampling method involves dividing the population into subgroups and selecting samples from each subgroup?
a) Stratified sampling
b) Cluster sampling
c) Simple random sampling
d) Convenience sampling

✅ Answer: a) Stratified sampling
Explanation: Stratified sampling divides the population into subgroups (strata) based on certain characteristics and selects samples from each subgroup to ensure diversity in the sample.

28. In which situation is snowball sampling typically used?
a) When random selection is possible
b) When studying a rare population or group
c) When large sample sizes are needed
d) When objective data is required

✅ Answer: b) When studying a rare population or group
Explanation: Snowball sampling is often used for hard-to-reach populations, where initial participants refer others to participate in the study.

24. Data Collection and Analysis

29. In qualitative research, which data collection method involves close interaction with participants to explore their experiences?
a) Interviews
b) Questionnaires
c) Focus groups
d) Observations

✅ Answer: a) Interviews
Explanation: Interviews allow for in-depth exploration of individual experiences, attitudes, and perceptions, making them a common qualitative data collection method.

30. What is the main purpose of using statistical tests in quantitative research?
a) To describe the data in a more understandable way
b) To analyze the relationship between variables
c) To calculate the exact number of participants needed
d) To identify random errors in the data

✅ Answer: b) To analyze the relationship between variables
Explanation: Statistical tests help determine if there is a significant relationship between variables and whether the results are due to chance.

25. Validity and Reliability

31. Which of the following ensures that the measurement tool used in research actually measures the intended variable?
a) Reliability
b) Validity
c) Consistency
d) Accuracy

✅ Answer: b) Validity
Explanation: Validity refers to the extent to which a measurement tool accurately measures what it is supposed to measure.

32. A research instrument's ability to produce consistent results over time is known as:
a) Construct validity
b) Reliability
c) External validity
d) Internal validity

✅ Answer: b) Reliability
Explanation: Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement tool over time. If results are repeatable, the instrument is considered reliable.

26. Research Methods

33. Which of the following is true about qualitative data?
a) It is primarily numerical
b) It focuses on experiences and meanings
c) It is analyzed using statistical tests
d) It is always collected using surveys

✅ Answer: b) It focuses on experiences and meanings
Explanation: Qualitative data focuses on understanding people's experiences, perceptions, and meanings through methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations.

34. In which type of research does the researcher not manipulate the independent variable but observes the natural occurrence of the variable?
a) Experimental research
b) Correlational research
c) Descriptive research
d) Case study

✅ Answer: b) Correlational research
Explanation: Correlational research studies the relationship between variables without manipulating them, while experimental research involves manipulation.

27. Data Interpretation and Reporting

35. In which section of a research paper are the implications of the findings discussed?
a) Literature Review
b) Discussion
c) Results
d) Conclusion

✅ Answer: b) Discussion
Explanation: The discussion section interprets the findings, connects them to previous research, and explores their implications.

36. The process of comparing the results of your study with existing literature is called:
a) Data interpretation
b) Literature synthesis
c) Data coding
d) Literature review

✅ Answer: b) Literature synthesis
Explanation: Literature synthesis involves comparing and integrating the findings from your research with previous studies to provide context and interpretation.

28. Research Ethics and Problems

37. What is the main ethical concern in research involving human participants?
a) Data analysis
b) Informed consent
c) Statistical significance
d) Sample size

✅ Answer: b) Informed consent
Explanation: Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the research purpose, risks, and their rights, protecting their autonomy and well-being.

38. What is the term for when the researcher’s personal bias influences the results of the study?
a) Random error
b) Systematic error
c) Research bias
d) Sampling error

✅ Answer: c) Research bias
Explanation: Research bias occurs when the researcher’s expectations or preferences influence data collection, analysis, or interpretation.

29. Research Funding and Reporting

39. Which of the following is a major source of research funding for doctoral students?
a) Personal savings
b) Government grants and fellowships
c) Private sector investments
d) Research assistants' wages

✅ Answer: b) Government grants and fellowships
Explanation: Government grants and academic fellowships are common sources of funding for doctoral research.

40. The process of disseminating research findings to the wider community is called:
a) Data collection
b) Research publication
c) Literature review
d) Pilot testing

✅ Answer: b) Research publication
Explanation: Research findings are shared with the academic and broader community through journals, conferences, and other publication formats.