Steps of Research Questions and Answers

Answer: A

The proposal is known as a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is a tentative statement, usually about the relationship between variables, that is put forward provisionally so that it can be tested. It serves as the starting point of an investigation: the researcher collects data to see whether it is supported or rejected.

A theory is a well-tested system of explanation, not a provisional starting point. A model is a simplified representation of a system. A principle is an established general rule. Only the hypothesis is, by definition, provisional and meant to guide further research.

Answer: C

The most recent and dependable source on a broad topic is a review article.

A review article surveys and evaluates the recent research on a topic, written usually by an expert and published in a peer-reviewed journal. It brings together many studies, summarises the current state of knowledge and points to unresolved issues, so it is both up to date and reliable for a broad topic.

A single research paper covers only one narrow study. A bibliography lists sources but gives no information itself. A new textbook takes years to write and publish, so it lags behind the latest research. The review article combines breadth with recency.

Answer: C

The one that is not a characteristic of a good hypothesis is Complexity.

A good hypothesis should be testable (it can be verified or rejected with data), objective (free of personal bias), conceptually clear (its terms well defined), specific and as simple as possible.

Simplicity, not complexity, is the desirable quality. A needlessly complex hypothesis is harder to test and to interpret, so complexity is the odd one out.

Answer: D

The type of hypothesis is the null hypothesis.

The null hypothesis states that there is no relationship or difference between the variables studied, for example that two diets have the same effect on weight gain. It is the hypothesis that statistical tests examine, and it is set against the alternative (research) hypothesis.

Other recognised types are descriptive, relational, directional and non-directional hypotheses. 'One', 'absolute' and 'abstract' hypotheses are not types of hypothesis in research methodology.

Answer: C

Among the options offered, the next step is to classify it.

Processing of data runs through editing, coding, classification and tabulation. Editing checks the data for errors and omissions; coding assigns symbols to the answers; classification arranges the data into groups or classes on the basis of common characteristics; and tabulation sets the classified data out in tables. Coding is not among the options, so the step offered that follows editing is classification.

Tabulation comes only after the data are classified, publication is the last step of reporting, and 'rearrange' is not a named stage.

Answer: D

Such a concept is a variable.

A variable is a characteristic that can take different values from one case to another, such as age, income, height or the number of children. Continuous variables can take any value in a range and discrete ones only whole values.

A control group is a group of subjects not given the treatment in an experiment. A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between variables. A research design is the overall plan of a study. None of them is a concept that takes different values.

Answer: B

The process is coding.

Coding assigns numbers or other symbols to answers so that the responses can be grouped into a limited number of categories, for example 1 for 'yes' and 2 for 'no', which prepares the data for counting and analysis.

Classification arranges data into groups after coding, and editing checks the completeness and accuracy of the data before coding. A variable is the characteristic being measured, not a process.

Answer: B

Research starts with identifying the problem (1), then listing the objectives (2), then deciding the methodology (4), so that data can be collected properly (3), then analysing the data (5), and finally presenting results and discussion (6). The sequence is 1 - 2 - 4 - 3 - 5 - 6. Collecting data before deciding methodology, or listing objectives before identifying the problem, reverses the logic. The answer is 1 - 2 - 4 - 3 - 5 - 6.

Answer: D

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, made on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation, and a basis for reasoning without assuming its truth, so the first three statements are correct. A scientific hypothesis is a testable proposal that has not yet been confirmed, whereas a scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by a large body of evidence. So the statement that a scientific hypothesis is a scientific theory is incorrect. The answer is the fourth statement.

Answer: B

The key gives the sequence: rationale (iii), objectives (ii), review of literature (i), methodology (iv), results (vi), interpretation (v). A study is first justified, the aims are stated, earlier work is reviewed, the method is set, the findings are produced, and finally they are interpreted.

The other options start with objectives before rationale, or interchange results and interpretation, or put the review of literature after the methodology. These do not follow the order of a research report as the key sees it.