Research Methodology in Public Administration Questions and Answers

Answer: A

The correct matching is a-2, b-3, c-1, d-4.

A structured interview asks every respondent the same questions in the same order, often with fixed answers, which produces comparable, countable data for quantitative research (a-2). An unstructured interview is an open conversation around a theme, suited to qualitative research (c-1). The semi-structured interview, with a guide of questions but freedom to probe, serves both (b-3).

Once structured goes with quantitative and unstructured with qualitative, only option A remains, which pairs the 'hard' interview with research that is more quantitative than qualitative (d-4).

Answer: D

The item not normally included is a decision to accept or reject hypothesis.

Qualitative research is usually exploratory and inductive: it seeks to understand meanings and processes, and theory and concepts emerge from the data. It does not usually begin with a hypothesis to be statistically tested, so a report of qualitative research does not end in a decision to accept or reject one. That is the logic of quantitative, hypothesis-testing research.

A qualitative report does normally include an introduction placing the research in its theoretical context, an account of the study's design, and a discussion of the findings in relation to the research questions.

Answer: D

Research methodology includes the procedures for scientific investigation.

Methodology is the systematic study of how research is done: the logic of the research design, the methods of sampling, data collection and analysis, and the reasons for choosing them.

A government's research policy, international research policy, and setting up a research and development cell are matters of organisation and policy, not of research methodology.

Answer: B

The model is induction.

Induction moves from particular observations to general principles: repeated observations are generalised into a theory.

Deduction works the other way, from a general theory to specific hypotheses that are then tested. Micro and macro theory describe the scale of a theory, not the direction of reasoning, so they are wrong.

Answer: B

The answer is both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

The assertion is true: research involving people must consider consent, confidentiality, harm and honesty from the design stage. The reason is also true, since many social science studies are descriptive.

But that studies describe situations and events is not why ethics must be considered; ethical duties arise because research involves human subjects, whatever its aim. So R does not explain A.

Answer: C

It is the null hypothesis.

The null hypothesis (H₀) states that there is no relationship or no difference between the variables under study. Statistical tests try to reject it in favour of the alternative hypothesis.

A simple hypothesis states a relationship between two variables, a complex one between more than two, and 'logical hypothesis' describes how a hypothesis is derived, not one that asserts no relationship.

Answer: C

The approach is the qualitative approach.

Qualitative research seeks an in-depth understanding of behaviour, attitudes, opinions and meanings, using interviews, observation, focus groups and case studies, and analysing words rather than numbers.

The quantitative approach measures variables numerically and tests hypotheses statistically. Mixed methods combine the two, and the comparative approach compares cases, so neither is defined by this focus.

Answer: C

The key gives review of literature.

Reviewing the existing literature shows what is already known, where findings conflict and where gaps remain. It is the standard source for identifying and sharpening a research problem.

A survey and a case study are methods of collecting data once the problem is fixed, and the hypothesis is formulated after the problem is identified, so neither is the source of the problem itself.

Answer: B

This is the definition of research design.

The definition is the classic one from Claire Selltiz and her colleagues: a research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.

A hypothesis is a tentative statement to be tested, a research problem is what is to be studied, and a research question is how that problem is put as a question; none is the arrangement of conditions for collecting data.

Answer: B

The method is participant observation.

In participant observation the researcher joins the group being studied (the stem prints 'standard' for studied), living in its situation and taking part in its activities, so as to observe behaviour from the inside. It is the classic method of ethnography.

A case study is an in-depth study of a single unit and need not involve living with it, a community discussion forum is a meeting, and participatory research involves the community as co-researchers rather than the researcher living among them.