Social Research

1. Basic Concepts of Social Research

1. What is the primary goal of social research?

a) Predicting future events
b) Understanding social phenomena
c) Creating laws of nature
d) Building industrial models
Answer: b
2. What are the two main approaches to social research?
a) Theoretical and observational
b) Quantitative and qualitative
c) Deductive and inductive
d) Experimental and historical
Answer: b
3. A hypothesis is best defined as:
a) A proven theory
b) A tentative statement to be tested
c) A random guess
d) A universal truth
Answer: b
4. What does the term 'population' refer to in social research?
a) Animals used in a study
b) All the elements in a research area of interest
c) A sample selected for research
d) The researchers themselves
Answer: b
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of quantitative research?
a) Open-ended data collection
b) Subjective interpretation
c) Statistical analysis
d) Non-generalizability
Answer: c

2. Research Design

6. Which research design focuses on exploring relationships between variables?

a) Experimental
b) Correlational
c) Longitudinal
 d) Ethnographic
Answer: b
7. A case study is an example of which type of research?
a) Quantitative
b) Qualitative
c) Mixed-methods
d) Experimental
Answer: b
8. What is the primary feature of longitudinal research?
a) It involves studying different groups at one point in time.
b) It studies the same subjects over a long period.
c) It manipulates variables to study outcomes.
d) It uses secondary data only.
Answer: b
9. Which design is used to establish causation?
a) Experimental
b) Descriptive
c) Observational
d) Exploratory
Answer: a
10. In cross-sectional studies, data is collected:
a) Over several years
b) At a single point in time
c) From multiple sources
d) By repeated measurements
Answer: b

3. Data Collection Methods

11. What is a common method of data collection in qualitative research?

a) Surveys
b) Interviews
c) Experiments
d) Statistical modeling
Answer: b
12. Which of the following is an advantage of using secondary data?
a) It is more accurate.
b) It saves time and resources.
c) It is free from bias.
d) It eliminates the need for sampling.
Answer: b
13. What type of questionnaire item asks respondents to rank their preferences?
a) Open-ended
b) Likert-scale
 c) Ranking-scale
d) Close-ended
Answer: c
14. Participant observation is primarily used in which type of research?
a) Quantitative
b) Qualitative
c) Experimental
d) Longitudinal
Answer: b
15. Which of the following sampling methods ensures every member of a population has
an equal chance of selection?
a) Stratified sampling
b) Systematic sampling
c) Random sampling
d) Snowball sampling
Answer: c

4. Data Analysis and Interpretation

16. What is the purpose of coding in qualitative research?

a) Statistical analysis
b) Categorizing data for themes
c) Writing reports
d) Designing experiments
Answer: b
17. The measure of central tendency that represents the most frequently occurring
value is called:
a) Mean
b) Median
c) Mode
d) Standard deviation
Answer: c
18. A p-value less than 0.05 indicates:
a) The null hypothesis is rejected.
b) The null hypothesis is accepted.
c) The results are unreliable.
d) The test is invalid.
Answer: a
19. Which test is used to determine the relationship between two categorical variables?
a) T-test
b) ANOVA
c) Chi-square test
d) Regression analysis
Answer: c
 20. What does 'triangulation' mean in research?
a) Using three theories
b) Combining multiple methods to validate findings
c) Dividing a population into three groups
d) Conducting research in three locations
Answer: b

5. Ethical Issues in Research

21. What is the principle of informed consent?

a) Participants must be aware of the research and agree to participate.
b) Researchers decide for participants.
c) Consent is not required for public data.
d) It only applies to minors.
Answer: a
22. Plagiarism in research refers to:
a) Misusing statistical data
b) Failing to acknowledge another's work
c) Falsifying data
d) Conducting unapproved research
Answer: b
23. Which organization often reviews research proposals for ethical compliance?
a) Ethics Board
b) Institutional Review Board (IRB)
c) Statistical Committee
d) Research Evaluation Committee
Answer: b
24. Deception in research should:
a) Always be avoided
b) Be justified by the study's significance
c) Never require debriefing
d) Be used to manipulate participants
Answer: b
25. The right to withdraw means:
a) Participants can stop participating at any time.
b) Researchers can remove participants at will.
c) Participants must stay until the research ends.
d) Participants cannot quit after consenting.
Answer: a

Here are the remaining 75 MCQs to complete the set of 100 questions on Social Research:
6. Sampling Techniques

26. What is the primary purpose of sampling in research?

a) To eliminate errors
b) To study a representative subset of a population
c) To save time and money
d) Both b and c
Answer: d
27. Which sampling method divides the population into subgroups before sampling?
a) Simple random sampling
b) Stratified sampling
c) Cluster sampling
d) Quota sampling
Answer: b
28. Snowball sampling is commonly used in:
a) Quantitative research
b) Experimental research
c) Hard-to-reach populations
d) Large populations
Answer: c
29. Which sampling technique involves selecting every nth individual from a list?
a) Stratified sampling
b) Systematic sampling
c) Purposive sampling
d) Random sampling
Answer: b
30. In purposive sampling, participants are selected based on:
a) Random selection
b) Convenience
c) Specific characteristics
d) Their availability
Answer: c

7. Variables and Measurement

31. What is an independent variable?

a) A variable that is manipulated by the researcher
b) A variable that is measured for outcomes
c) A variable that does not change
d) A confounding factor
Answer: a
32. The variable that depends on the independent variable is called:
a) Extraneous variable
b) Dependent variable
 c) Intervening variable
d) Control variable
Answer: b
33. Nominal scales of measurement are used for:
a) Categorizing data without order
b) Ranking data in order
c) Measuring intervals
d) Measuring absolute values
Answer: a
34. What is operationalization in research?
a) Formulating a hypothesis
b) Translating concepts into measurable variables
c) Analyzing statistical data
d) Reviewing related literature
Answer: b
35. Which type of variable can take on only specific, countable values?
a) Continuous variable
b) Discrete variable
c) Qualitative variable
d) Dependent variable
Answer: b

8. Hypothesis Testing

36. Which type of hypothesis states no relationship between variables?

a) Null hypothesis
b) Alternative hypothesis
c) Research hypothesis
d) Working hypothesis
Answer: a
37. Which error occurs when a true null hypothesis is rejected?
a) Type I error
b) Type II error
c) Sampling error
d) Measurement error
Answer: a
38. A hypothesis must be:
a) Observable and testable
b) Based on guesswork
c) Only theoretical
d) Impossible to disprove
Answer: a
39. What is the level of significance commonly used in hypothesis testing?
a) 0.05
 b) 0.5
c) 5.0
d) 50.0
Answer: a
40. The rejection region is determined by:
a) Sample size
b) Level of significance
c) Confidence interval
d) Data collection method
Answer: b

9. Research Validity and Reliability

41. Reliability in research refers to:

a) The accuracy of a measurement
b) The consistency of a measurement
c) The feasibility of a study
d) The ethical standards of research
Answer: b
42. Internal validity is concerned with:
a) The applicability of results to other settings
b) The accuracy of causal relationships within a study
c) The ethical aspects of the study
d) The external factors influencing research
Answer: b
43. External validity refers to:
a) The reliability of data
b) The generalizability of findings
c) The precision of measurement
d) The statistical significance
Answer: b
44. Face validity ensures that a test:
a) Is statistically accurate
b) Appears to measure what it claims to
c) Has been peer-reviewed
d) Produces consistent results
Answer: b
45. Which method improves reliability in qualitative research?
a) Double-entry data
b) Thick description
c) Randomization
d) Triangulation
Answer: d
10. Types of Research

46. Action research aims to:

a) Solve practical problems
b) Create theories
c) Focus on basic science
d) Publish findings
Answer: a
47. What is the purpose of exploratory research?
a) To test hypotheses
b) To explore new ideas and phenomena
c) To confirm existing knowledge
d) To measure outcomes
Answer: b
48. Historical research primarily uses:
a) Laboratory experiments
b) Archival records and documents
c) Large-scale surveys
d) Statistical simulations
Answer: b
49. Descriptive research focuses on:
a) Establishing cause and effect
b) Describing the characteristics of a population
c) Manipulating variables
d) Evaluating interventions
Answer: b
50. Experimental research involves:
a) Manipulating independent variables
b) Observing phenomena without interference
c) Analyzing existing data
d) Exploring theoretical concepts
Answer: a

11. Advanced Topics

51. What is meta-analysis?

a) Analyzing a single dataset
b) Reviewing and synthesizing results from multiple studies
c) Statistical modeling of data
d) Conducting fieldwork in multiple locations
Answer: b
 52. Grounded theory is a method used to:
a) Test existing theories
b) Develop theories based on collected data
c) Generalize findings
d) Conduct laboratory experiments
Answer: b
53. The Hawthorne effect refers to:
a) The impact of external variables
b) Changes in behavior due to being observed
c) Measurement errors
d) Sample selection biases
Answer: b
54. What does SPSS stand for?
a) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
b) Social Psychology and Survey Statistics
c) Statistical Processing Software System
d) Sampling and Population Statistical System
Answer: a
55. What is content analysis?
a) Analyzing interviews
b) Quantitative analysis of textual data
c) Statistical analysis of numerical data
d) Predicting survey outcomes
Answer: b

12. Statistical Tools in Research

56. What is a frequency distribution?

a) A statistical test
b) A summary of how often different values occur
c) A type of hypothesis
d) A random sampling method
Answer: b
57. The measure of how much scores deviate from the mean is called:
a) Mode
b) Variance
c) Median
d) Range
Answer: b
58. Which graph is used to represent frequency distributions?
a) Pie chart
b) Histogram
c) Line graph
 d) Scatterplot
Answer: b
59. Correlation coefficient values range between:
a) 0 to 1
b) -1 to 1
c) -2 to 2
d) -∞ to ∞
Answer: b
60. The mean is calculated by:
a) Finding the middle value
b) Adding all values and dividing by the total number of values
c) Selecting the most frequent value
d) Determining the range of values
Answer: b

13. Data Representation and Visualization

61. Which of the following is a type of qualitative data visualization?

a) Pie chart
b) Word cloud
c) Scatterplot
d) Histogram
Answer: b
62. A scatterplot is best used to show:
a) Trends over time
b) Relationships between two continuous variables
c) Frequencies of categories
d) Proportions within a population
Answer: b
63. A bar graph represents:
a) Quantitative data only
b) Categorical data
c) Continuous variables
d) Numerical trends
Answer: b
64. A line graph is most suitable for:
a) Comparing categories
b) Showing trends over time
c) Highlighting proportions
d) Grouping data
Answer: b
65. Which of the following is not a measure of dispersion?
a) Range
b) Standard deviation
 c) Interquartile range
d) Mode
Answer: d

14. Research Writing and Presentation

66. What is included in the introduction of a research paper?

a) Data analysis methods
b) Background, objectives, and research questions
c) Results and findings
d) References and appendices
Answer: b
67. The bibliography section of a research report contains:
a) Raw data
b) References to sources used in the study
c) Graphical summaries
d) Limitations of the study
Answer: b
68. A research abstract is:
a) A detailed description of methods
b) A summary of the entire study
c) A list of key terms
d) An appendix to the report
Answer: b
69. The results section of a research paper presents:
a) Conclusions and recommendations
b) Raw data only
c) Findings derived from data analysis
d) Limitations of the study
Answer: c
70. Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective literature review?
a) It focuses on a single source.
b) It critically evaluates and synthesizes existing research.
c) It presents raw data.
d) It excludes contradictory findings.
Answer: b

15. Challenges in Social Research

71. What is a common challenge in conducting social research?

a) Difficulty in publishing findings
b) Lack of funding
 c) Ethical dilemmas and biases
d) Absence of research frameworks
Answer: c
72. Reactivity in research occurs when:
a) Participants change their behavior due to being studied
b) Data is collected from secondary sources
c) Instruments are unreliable
d) Hypotheses are not supported
Answer: a
73. Gatekeepers in research refer to:
a) The population being studied
b) Individuals or authorities controlling access to participants
c) Peer reviewers of research papers
d) Authors of research studies
Answer: b
74. The term ‘observer bias’ refers to:
a) Errors in statistical analysis
b) Subjectivity of the researcher influencing results
c) Participants manipulating data
d) Problems with sampling
Answer: b
75. An issue with longitudinal studies is:
a) They are not suitable for generalization.
b) They require less time.
c) Participant dropout over time.
d) They rely only on quantitative data.
Answer: c

16. Trends in Social Research

76. Big data in research refers to:

a) Data from large populations
b) Complex and voluminous datasets analyzed computationally
c) Information from longitudinal studies
d) Secondary data only
Answer: b
77. Mixed-methods research involves:
a) Combining multiple qualitative tools
b) Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches
c) Avoiding the use of statistical tools
d) Relying on secondary data
Answer: b
78. What is a major advantage of using online surveys?
a) High response rate
 b) Cost efficiency and convenience
c) Elimination of sampling bias
d) Minimal ethical concerns
Answer: b
79. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research is used for:
a) Predictive analytics
b) Data visualization
c) Automating data analysis
d) All of the above
Answer: d
80. Open-access journals are:
a) Free to publish in
b) Restricted to paid subscribers
c) Freely available for readers
d) Always peer-reviewed
Answer: c

17. Advanced Sampling and Statistical Concepts

81. What is the purpose of weighting in sampling?

a) To adjust for nonresponse or unequal probabilities
b) To increase sample size
c) To decrease standard deviation
d) To focus on qualitative analysis
Answer: a
82. In stratified sampling, strata should be:
a) Homogeneous within and heterogeneous between
b) Heterogeneous within and homogeneous between
c) Randomly assigned
d) Equal in size
Answer: a
83. Cluster sampling is used when:
a) Populations are widely dispersed
b) Random sampling is not feasible
c) Subgroups overlap
d) Variables are qualitative
Answer: a
84. The confidence interval provides:
a) The exact population value
b) The range within which the population parameter is likely to fall
c) The probability of error
d) The hypothesis testing results
Answer: b
 85. Which test is appropriate for comparing means between two groups?
a) Chi-square test
b) T-test
c) Regression analysis
d) Factor analysis
Answer: b

18. Practical Application in Research

86. Which type of research is commonly used in policy evaluation?

a) Experimental research
b) Action research
c) Descriptive research
d) Longitudinal research
Answer: b
87. What is a major limitation of telephone surveys?
a) Cost
b) Lack of visual communication
c) Time-consuming nature
d) Inability to reach younger demographics
Answer: b
88. An advantage of focus group discussions is:
a) Generalizability
b) In-depth understanding of group dynamics
c) Large sample sizes
d) Statistical analysis
Answer: b
89. Regression analysis is used to:
a) Identify correlations
b) Predict values of a dependent variable based on independent variables
c) Measure variability
d) Compare groups
Answer: b
90. What is the Delphi method?
a) An experimental design
b) A method of gathering expert consensus
c) A sampling technique
d) A statistical analysis method
Answer: b

19. Final Concepts and Review

91. Peer review ensures:
a) Consistency in results
b) Validation and quality of research
c) Statistical significance
d) High publication rates
Answer: b
92. Ethnographic research primarily focuses on:
a) Numerical data
b) Cultural and social phenomena
c) Statistical trends
d) Political outcomes
Answer: b
93. Which of the following is a characteristic of grounded theory?
a) Starts with a hypothesis
b) Generates theory from data
c) Is strictly quantitative
d) Relies on historical analysis
Answer: b
94. Data saturation in qualitative research occurs when:
a) Statistical significance is achieved
b) No new information emerges from data collection
c) Sampling size reaches 100
d) The hypothesis is proven
Answer: b
95. A good research question should be:
a) Broad and vague
b) Clear, focused, and researchable
c) Based on personal opinions
d) Complex and theoretical
Answer: b
96. Which of the following is an ethical consideration in research?
a) Data falsification
b) Ensuring participant confidentiality
c) Manipulating results
d) Omitting irrelevant findings
Answer: b
97. The term “thick description” is associated with:
a) Statistical analysis
b) Detailed qualitative narratives
c) Large sample sizes
d) Experimental studies
Answer: b
98. Which research method uses existing data collected for a different purpose?
a) Primary research
b) Secondary analysis
c) Action research
 d) Longitudinal study
Answer: b
99. Triangulation enhances research by:
a) Reducing sample size
b) Increasing the validity and reliability of findings
c) Simplifying the analysis process
d) Eliminating qualitative data
Answer: b
100. What is the main benefit of randomization in experiments?
a) Ensures ethical compliance
b) Eliminates bias
c) Increases sample size
d) Simplifies data collection
Answer: b

Research Philosophies and Paradigms

1. Which research philosophy focuses on measurable facts and objective data?

a) Positivism
b) Interpretivism
c) Pragmatism
d) Critical theory
Answer: a
2. Interpretivism is best suited for:
a) Understanding cultural meanings and social phenomena
b) Testing hypotheses with quantitative data
c) Randomized controlled trials
d) Large-scale surveys
Answer: a
3. Pragmatism in research emphasizes:
a) Theoretical generalization
b) The practical application of results
c) Avoiding qualitative data
d) Relying solely on scientific methods
Answer: b
4. Critical theory in social research seeks to:
a) Establish universal laws
b) Critique and change social structures
c) Focus on statistical relationships
d) Avoid value-laden research
Answer: b
Ethical Guidelines in Social Research

5. Informed consent requires that:

a) Participants know the study's aims, risks, and their rights
b) Participants sign a confidentiality agreement
c) Researchers avoid disclosing funding sources
d) Research outcomes are made public
Answer: a
6. Vulnerable populations in research include:
a) Children and elderly individuals
b) Institutionalized individuals
c) Economically disadvantaged groups
d) All of the above
Answer: d
7. What does debriefing in research involve?
a) Ensuring participants understand the outcomes post-study
b) Collecting demographic data
c) Conducting a pilot test
d) Finalizing the research report
Answer: a

Data Analysis Software

8. NVivo is commonly used for:

a) Statistical regression analysis
b) Qualitative data coding and thematic analysis
c) Experimental design
d) Survey distribution
Answer: b
9. SPSS is primarily used for:
a) Conducting interviews
b) Statistical data analysis
c) Observational studies
d) Writing literature reviews
Answer: b

Advanced Statistical Methods

10. ANOVA is used to:

a) Compare means across more than two groups
b) Test relationships between two variables
c) Measure sampling bias
 d) Analyze qualitative data
Answer: a
11. Factor analysis is a technique to:
a) Identify underlying variables or factors in data
b) Predict future trends
c) Calculate probabilities
d) Conduct hypothesis testing
Answer: a
12. Chi-square tests are typically used for:
a) Comparing categorical data
b) Analyzing regression coefficients
c) Measuring standard deviation
d) Evaluating qualitative responses
Answer: a

Sector-Specific Applications

13. Action research is particularly useful in:

a) Identifying and solving practical issues in social welfare programs
b) Statistical modeling
c) Testing universal laws
d) Historical studies
Answer: a
14. Which research method is most effective for evaluating a policy's impact on
beneficiaries?
a) Experimental design
b) Case study
c) Longitudinal research
d) Mixed methods research
Answer: d
15. A social welfare researcher wants to evaluate public satisfaction with a government
program. Which tool is most suitable?
a) Focus group discussions
b) Surveys or questionnaires
c) Ethnography
d) Systematic review
Answer: b
16. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) emphasizes:
a) Community involvement in all stages of research
b) Random sampling of participants
c) Developing universal theories
d) Analyzing historical data
Answer: a
 17. A program evaluation study investigates:
a) The implementation and outcomes of a specific intervention
b) Theoretical frameworks in social work
c) Statistical sampling methods
d) The role of qualitative research
Answer: a

Emerging Trends in Research

18. Big data analytics in social research helps in:

a) Analyzing large and complex datasets for patterns and trends
b) Collecting primary qualitative data
c) Writing ethnographic case studies
d) Testing small-scale hypotheses
Answer: a
19. The integration of artificial intelligence in research is primarily for:
a) Automating data analysis and enhancing predictive accuracy
b) Replacing traditional research methods
c) Avoiding ethical dilemmas
d) Eliminating human oversight
Answer: a
20. Meta-analysis is commonly used for:
a) Combining results from multiple studies to identify patterns
b) Conducting surveys
c) Qualitative coding
d) Cross-sectional research
Answer: a