Free Research Methods MCQs with Answers
103 Research Methods MCQs from Sociology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
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103 questions · page 8 of 11
71. Which of the following was not identified as one of the four conditions that must be met before a researcher can say that an independent variable or variables caused the change in the dependent variable ?
- A. internal consistency
- B. correlation
- C. theory
- D. time order
- E. elimination of spuriousness
Explanation: Causal claims require correlation, correct time order, and elimination of spurious explanations; a theory is also commonly used to support the causal interpretation. Internal consistency is not one of these causal conditions.
Correct answer: internal consistency72. ____________involves the transformation of raw data into numbers to make it suitable for further analysis ?
- A. Coding
- B. Conceptualization
- C. Factoring
- D. Classification
- E. Enumeration
Explanation: Coding converts raw responses into categories or numerical labels so that they can be organised and analysed statistically. Conceptualisation defines ideas, whereas classification groups already coded information.
Correct answer: Coding73. Which of the following was not identified as a major research design ?
- A. surveys
- B. ethnography
- C. field research
- D. secondary research
- E. experiments
Explanation: Ethnography is generally a technique or form of field research rather than a separate major research design in this classification. Surveys, experiments, field research and secondary research are treated as the major designs.
Correct answer: ethnography74. In order for a variable to be measured, a researcher must provide a (n) ?
- A. operational definition
- B. quantitative theorem
- C. theory
- D. hypothesis
- E. scale
Explanation: An operational definition states exactly how an abstract variable will be observed or measured, such as measuring social class through income and education. A hypothesis predicts a relationship but does not specify the measurement procedure.
Correct answer: operational definition75. Which one of the following is exposed to an independent variable ?
- A. the control groups
- B. the representative group
- C. the experimental group
- D. none of the above
Explanation: The experimental group receives or is exposed to the independent variable, while the control group does not. Comparing the two groups helps show whether the independent variable produced a change in the dependent variable.
Correct answer: the experimental group76. In most instances how well a student does on a test is determined by how much the student studies for it in this example studying for an exam is a (n) ?
- A. correlation
- B. independent variable
- C. dependent variable
- D. sample
Explanation: Studying is the presumed cause or predictor, while test performance is the outcome it is expected to influence. Therefore, studying is the independent variable, not the dependent variable.
Correct answer: independent variable77. The rate of rate of return or a mailed naire is usually_____________?
- A. very high
- B. it can be both A and C
- C. very low
- D. None of these
Explanation: Mailed questionnaires commonly receive low response rates because recipients may ignore them, lose them, or lack motivation to reply. Follow-up reminders can improve the rate but usually do not make it very high.
Correct answer: very low78. s that are relevant to some respondents may irrelevant to others are known as______________?
- A. double barreled questions
- B. leading questions
- C. contingency questions
- D. Matrix questions
Explanation: Contingency questions are asked only when a respondent's earlier answer makes them relevant, so different respondents may receive different follow-up questions. Double-barrelled and leading questions describe different wording problems.
Correct answer: contingency questions79. In survey research the group of respondents targeted for the naira is called___________?
- A. sample
- B. respondents
- C. focus group
- D. population
Explanation: The population is the entire group the survey aims to study, whereas a sample is only the selected portion that actually provides data. Respondents are the individuals who answer the survey.
Correct answer: population80. One of the difficulties in open rationalizing concepts like social class is that____________?
- A. definitions and indicators can vary making valid comparisons problematic
- B. there are no reliable indicators of such widely contested ideas
- C. it takes all the fun out of armchair theorizing
- D. it has little use for applied empirical research about the topic
Explanation: Operationalising a concept such as social class requires definitions and indicators, but researchers may choose different ones. This variation can make valid comparisons between studies difficult.
Correct answer: definitions and indicators can vary making valid comparisons problematic