Research aptitude Flashcards
Q: What is the primary purpose of research?
A) To confirm existing knowledge
B) To create and expand new knowledge
C) To challenge scientific methods
D) To summarize known facts
Answer: B) To create and expand new knowledge
Q: Which of the following best defines research?
A) A casual exploration of various topics
B) A structured and systematic inquiry using scientific methods
C) A biased method of proving personal beliefs
D) A random collection of facts
Answer: B) A structured and systematic inquiry using scientific methods
Q: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of research?
A) Systematic & methodical
B) Investigative & analytical
C) Biased & subjective
D) Objective & unbiased
Answer: C) Biased & subjective
Q: What does ‘R’ stand for in Cook’s research acronym?
A) Rational thinking
B) Reliable sources
C) Research methodology
D) Real-world application
Answer: A) Rational thinking
Q: According to the scientific method, which is the first step in research?
A) Formulating a hypothesis
B) Gathering data
C) Identifying a problem
D) Testing results empirically
C) Identifying a problem
Q: What is the primary motivation for conducting research?
A) To prove personal opinions
B) To gain career benefits and intellectual satisfaction
C) To write a research paper
D) To develop policies without evidence
B) To gain career benefits and intellectual satisfaction
Q: Which of the following ensures objectivity in research?
A) Standardization of methods
B) Personal biases and opinions
C) Lack of scientific evaluation
D) Ignoring external critiques
Answer: A) Standardization of methods
Flashcard 8
Q: What is the key challenge in maintaining objectivity in research?
A) Finding relevant literature
B) Eliminating biases in data interpretation
C) Selecting a topic
D) Writing the conclusion
Answer: B) Eliminating biases in data interpretation
What is reliability in research?
A) The ability to produce consistent results across studies
B) The subjective interpretation of findings
C) The tendency to favor one hypothesis over another
D) The ability to quickly complete a study
Answer: A) The ability to produce consistent results across studies
Q: What type of validity ensures research results can be generalized beyond the study?
A) Internal validity
B) External validity
C) Face validity
D) Criterion validity
B) External validity
Q: What is the main goal of the positivist research paradigm?
A) To rely on subjective interpretations
B) To use a scientific, objective approach
C) To ignore empirical evidence
D) To focus on personal experiences
: B) To use a scientific, objective approach
What is the origin of the word “research”?
A) Latin words ‘res’ (fact) and ‘arch’ (study)
B) Greek words ‘re’ (repeat) and ‘search’ (seek knowledge)
C) ‘Re’ (again) and ‘search’ (to find out)
D) French words ‘recherche’ (to investigate)
Answer: C) ‘Re’ (again) and ‘search’ (to find out)
Q: Which of the following is NOT a purpose of research?
A) To solve problems
B) To generate new knowledge
C) To confirm personal opinions
D) To increase understanding of a topic
Q: Which of the following is NOT a purpose of research?
A) To solve problems
B) To generate new knowledge
C) To confirm personal opinions
D) To increase understanding of a topic
Q: What is the key characteristic of scientific research?
A) Subjective interpretation
B) Systematic observation, classification, and interpretation of data
C) Gathering personal opinions
D) Promoting biased results
Answer: B) Systematic observation, classification, and interpretation of data
: What does ‘E’ stand for in Cook’s research acronym?
A) Exactness and Expert analysis
B) Experimental research
C) Empirical thinking
D) Evaluation of facts
Answer: A) Exactness and Expert analysis
Q: Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?
A) Identifying a problem
B) Making random guesses
C) Gathering relevant data
D) Testing hypotheses empirically
Answer: B) Making random guesses
Q: What is an essential requirement for maintaining objectivity in research?
A) Using emotions to guide research conclusions
B) Following standardized scientific methods
C) Choosing biased samples
D) Ignoring conflicting evidence
Answer: B) Following standardized scientific methods
Q: Which of the following is an example of procedural safeguards in research?
A) Keeping detailed records of observations and analysis
B) Ignoring external critiques
C) Making assumptions without evidence
D) Avoiding standard scientific formats
Answer: A) Keeping detailed records of observations and analysi
Q: Which of these is an example of personal bias in research?
A) Relying only on empirical evidence
B) Influencing research outcomes based on individual beliefs
C) Using systematic observation
D) Maintaining a standardized approach
B) Influencing research outcomes based on individual beliefs
Q: What does reliability in research measure?
A) Accuracy of research instruments
B) Consistency of results when research is repeated
C) Ethical considerations in research
D) The ability to predict future events
B) Consistency of results when research is repeated
Q: What is the difference between reliability and validity in research?
A) Reliability ensures results are consistent, while validity ensures results are accurate
B) Reliability checks for personal bias, while validity checks for objectivity
C) Reliability refers to ethical considerations, while validity refers to logic
D) They both mean the same thing
A) Reliability ensures results are consistent, while validity ensures results are accurate
Q: Which of the following is a type of bias in research?
A) Internal bias
B) Expectancy bias
C) Experimental bias
D) Statistical bias
B) Expectancy bias
Q: What is the best way to eliminate observer bias in research?
A) Allow personal opinions to influence results
B) Use standardized and objective research methods
C) Only conduct research on familiar subjects
D) Avoid peer review
Answer: B) Use standardized and objective research methods
Q: What is internal validity?
A) The ability of research to be generalized to a broader population
B) The degree to which a study establishes a cause-and-effect relationship
C) The consistency of research results across different experiments
D) The accuracy of the data collection tools
: B) The degree to which a study establishes a cause-and-effect relationship
Which of the following types of validity ensures research results apply beyond the study?
A) Internal validity
B) Face validity
C) External validity
D) Construct validity
C) External validity
Q: What is a key feature of empirical research?
A) It relies on personal beliefs
B) It is based on real-life observations and data
C) It ignores external influences
D) It focuses only on theoretical assumptions
: B) It is based on real-life observations and data
Q: What does generalizability in research refer to?
A) The ability to draw universal conclusions from a small sample
B) The accuracy of specific data points
C) The application of research findings to a larger population
D) The process of testing a hypothesis
Answer: C) The application of research findings to a larger population
Q: Which research paradigm is linked to social sciences?
A) Positivist paradigm
B) Interpretive paradigm
C) Empirical paradigm
D) Experimental paradigm
B) Interpretive paradigm
Q: What is the key feature of postpositivist research?
A) It completely rejects scientific methods
B) It acknowledges the possibility of bias while still aiming for objectivity
C) It only focuses on personal experiences
D) It assumes all research findings are absolute
: B) It acknowledges the possibility of bias while still aiming for objectivity
What does “replicability” mean in research?
A) The ability to repeat a study and obtain the same results
B) The process of making new hypotheses
C) The subjectivity of research findings
D) The ability to interpret results differently each time
A) The ability to repeat a study and obtain the same results
What does ‘H’ stand for in Cook’s research acronym?
A) Hypothesis testing
B) Honesty and hard work
C) Historical evaluation
D) Human-centered approach
B) Honesty and hard work
: Which of the following describes the scientific nature of research?
A) It is based on assumptions rather than observations
B) It applies systematic observation, classification, and interpretation of data
C) It does not require a structured methodology
D) It relies purely on theoretical assumptions
: B) It applies systematic observation, classification, and interpretation of data
What is the first step in the scientific method?
A) Collecting data
B) Identifying a problem
C) Testing the hypothesis
D) Interpreting results
B) Identifying a problem
Which of the following is NOT an objective of research?
A) Reviewing and synthesizing existing knowledge
B) Investigating real-world problems
C) Creating biased results
D) Developing new procedures or systems
C) Creating biased results
What is an example of an exploratory research objective?
A) Testing a new medicine’s effectiveness
B) Investigating an unknown phenomenon
C) Analyzing survey data from a school
D) Comparing different teaching methodologies
B) Investigating an unknown phenomenon
Why is objectivity important in research?
A) It ensures that research findings are based on factual evidence rather than personal biases
B) It helps in making research more opinionated
C) It allows researchers to adjust findings based on their expectations
D) It makes research more complex and difficult to replicate
A) It ensures that research findings are based on factual evidence rather than personal biases
Q: What is a major cause of observer bias?
A) The researcher’s background, personal beliefs, and experiences
B) The randomization of data collection
C) The use of standardized research methods
D) The application of statistical tests
A) The researcher’s background, personal beliefs, and experiences
What is expectancy bias in research?
A) A researcher sees only what they expect to see
B) A researcher allows external factors to shape the results
C) A researcher miscalculates the research sample
D) A researcher overuses secondary data
A) A researcher sees only what they expect to see
Which of the following best defines reliability in research?
A) The accuracy of measurement tools
B) The consistency of research results across different studies
C) The ability to establish cause-and-effect relationships
D) The applicability of research findings beyond the original study
B) The consistency of research results across different studies
Which of the following types of validity ensures that research findings can be generalized beyond the study?
A) Internal validity
B) External validity
C) Face validity
D) Criterion validity
: B) External validity
What is the primary difference between reliability and validity?
A) Reliability focuses on accuracy, while validity focuses on consistency
B) Reliability focuses on consistency, while validity focuses on accuracy
C) Reliability and validity are the same concepts
D) Reliability is less important than validity in research
B) Reliability focuses on consistency, while validity focuses on accuracy
What is the primary goal of the positivist research paradigm?
A) To explore subjective human experiences
B) To use a scientific and objective approach
C) To focus on personal reflections
D) To rely on non-systematic data collection
B) To use a scientific and objective approach
Which research paradigm is most commonly associated with social sciences?
A) Positivist paradigm
B) Interpretive paradigm
C) Empirical paradigm
D) Theoretical paradigm
: B) Interpretive paradigm
Q: What is the key feature of postpositivist research?
A) It completely rejects the scientific method
B) It acknowledges the possibility of bias while still aiming for objectivity
C) It ignores empirical evidence
D) It assumes that all research findings are absolute
r: B) It acknowledges the possibility of bias while still aiming for objectivity
What is the best method to ensure research replicability?
A) Avoid documenting research procedures
B) Ensure research follows a structured, standardized methodology
C) Rely only on primary data
D) Change variables randomly in repeated studies
B) Ensure research follows a structured, standardized methodology
: What does empirical research rely on?
A) Personal beliefs and intuition
B) Real-life observations and measurable data
C) Hypothetical assumptions
D) Theoretical predictions
B) Real-life observations and measurable data
: What is an example of an operational definition in research?
A) Defining intelligence as an IQ score
B) Measuring happiness by personal opinions
C) Assuming knowledge without a concrete definition
D) Conducting research without defining terms
A) Defining intelligence as an IQ score
Q: What is the cyclical nature of research?
A) Research has a clear endpoint and never continues
B) Research always begins with a problem and ends with more questions, leading to further studies
C) Research follows a random pattern
D) Research results remain fixed and never need further evaluation
B) Research always begins with a problem and ends with more questions, leading to further studies
