Fawad (cooolstar@gmail.

com)
Vu-specialization 2010 -11
http://groups.google.com.pk/group/vu-specialization

STA630 - Research Methods - QUIZ 1 (upcoming on 27th Oct 2010)

Expected quiz for preparation

Question # 1
The following journal article would be an example of _____ research; "The
benefits of florescent lighting on production in a factory setting."
Select correct option:
Applied
Interview
Basic
Stupid

Question # 2
Which of the following is a concept?
Select correct option:
Leadership
Total Quality Management
Human Resource Management
All of the given options

Question # 3
After you locate a source, you should write down all details of the reference,
except;
Select correct option:
Full names of the authors
Titles
Volumes
Price

Question # 4
The scientific method is preferred over other ways of knowing because it is
more;
Select correct option:
Reliable
Systematic
Accurate
All of the given options

Question # 5
Quantitative researcher's preoccupation with generalization is an attempt to:
Select correct option:
Develop the law like findings of the natural sciences.
Boost their chances of publication.
Enhance the internal validity of their research.
Demonstrate the complex techniques of statistical analysis.
Question # 6
What is the basis of the Scientific Method?
Select correct option:
To test hypotheses in conditions those are conducive to its success.
To formulate a research problem and disprove the hypothesis.
To formulate a research problem, test the hypothesis in carefully controlled
conditions that challenge the hypothesis.
To test hypotheses and if they are disproved, they should be abandoned completely.

Reference & Explanation:

The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered
characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the
observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the
phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis,
and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis.

Question # 7
Which of the following is not a concept?
Select correct option:
Leadership
Total Quality Management
Human Resource Management
IQ
Explanation:
Concepts are the building blocks of theory, each of which represents a label given to a
common element of the social world. IQ is a measure of the concept of intelligence, it
is not a concept in itself.

Question # 8
Which of the following is the best hypothesis statement to address the research
question? "What impact will the new advertising campaign have on use of
Brand B?"
Select correct option:
The new advertising campaign will impact Brand B usage.
The new advertising campaign will increase Brand B trial.
The new advertising campaign will cause increased Brand B usage at the expense of
Brand C.
The new advertising campaign will increase Brand B's market penetration.

Question # 9
Which one of the following is not an assumption of science?
Select correct option:
There are reoccurring patterns in the world.
Events happen because of preceding causes.
We can discover solutions to problems of interest.
Theoretical explanations must agree with common sense.

Question # 10
A review that only demonstrates familiarity with an area is rarely published but
it often is part of an educational program is which type of review?
Select correct option:
Integrative reviews
Theoretical reviews
Self-study reviews
Historical reviews

Reference & Explanation:

Page # 26, Lecture # 08
Self-study reviews increase the reader’s confidence. A review that only
demonstrates familiarity with an area is rarely published but it often is part of an
educational program. In addition to giving others confidence in a reviewer’s command
of field, it has the side benefit of building the reviewer’s self confidence.

Question # 11
A literature review requires;
Select correct option:
planning
clear writing
good writing
All of the given option
Reference & Explanation:
Page # 29, Lecture # 9
A literature review requires planning and good, clear writing, which requires lot of
rewriting.
Keep your purposes in mind when you write, and communicate clearly and effectively.

Question # 12
The facts that should be collected to measure a variable, depend upon the
Select correct option:
Conceptual understanding
Dictionary meaning
Operational definition
All of the above

Question # 13
Which of the following is the BEST hypothesis?
Select correct option:
Students taking formative quizzes will perform better on chapter exams than students
not taking these quizzes.
Taller students will have higher test scores than shorter students.
Students taught in a cooperative group setting should do better than students
in a traditional class.
Students using laptops will do well.
Explanation:
The second alternative meets the four criteria; all other alternatives do not.

Question # 14
What is an hypothesis?
Select correct option:
A prediction of a relationship between certain variables.
An experiment that tests certain predictions.
An independent variable.
A dependent variable.

Question # 15
An operational definition is:
Select correct option:
One that bears no relation to the underlying concept
An abstract, theoretical definition of a concept
A definition of a concept in terms of specific, empirical measures
One that refers to opera singers and their work

Reference & Explanation:

Page # 18, Lecture # 5
Operational definition is also called a working definition stated in terms of specific
testing or measurement criteria. The concepts must have empirical referents (i.e. we
must be able to count, measure, or in some other way gather thee information through
our senses).

Question # 16
What research is?
Select correct option:
A lab experiment
A report
A systematic Enquiry
A procedure
Reference & Explanation:
http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_leedy_practical_8/0,9599,1569572-,00.html
Research is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information to increase
our understanding of the phenomenon under study. It is the function of the researcher
to contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon and to communicate that
understanding to others. This chapter explains what research is and what it is not.
Eight characteristics of research are presented. The process of research as a helical
cycle is discussed.

Question # 17
If a researcher is studying the effect of using laptops in his classroom to
ascertain their
merit and worth, he is likely conducting which type of research?
Select correct option:
Basic
Applied
Evaluation
Experimental

Question # 18
In the statement 'an examination of the effects of discretionary behaviour on
employee performance' employee performance is the:
Select correct option:
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Extraneous variable
Causal variable

Explanation:
The dependent variable is the variable that we are looking to explain, hence in this
case it is employee performance. Discretionary behaviour is the independent variable
which is to be manipulated so as to assess its causal relationship with employee
behaviour.

Question # 19
The most difficult sources to locate are;
Select correct option:
Dissertations
Policy Reports and Presented Papers
Government Documents
Scholarly Books
Reference & Explanation:
Page # 28, Lecture # 9
Policy Reports and Presented Papers. The most difficult sources to locate are policy reports
and presented papers. They are listed in some bibliographies of published studies; some are
listed in the abstracts or indexes.

Question # 20
A concept is a generalized idea about---- .
Select correct option:
A class of objects
Attributes
Occurrences
All of the given options

Reference & Explanation:

Page # 16, Lecture # 5
A concept is a generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or
processes that has been given a name. In other words a concept is an idea expressed
as a symbol or in words.

Question # 21
What is the reason for consulting handbooks, yearbooks, encyclopedias, or
reviews in the initial stages of identifying a research topic?
Select correct option:
They are readily available.
They provide an overview of the issues related to a topic.
They are primary sources.
They avoid reporting statistical data so one can interpret the results more easily.
Explanation:
The sources mentioned in this question are all secondary sources, and secondary
sources provide overviews of the topics being investigated.

Question # 22
What is opposite of a variable?
Select correct option:
A constant
An extraneous variable
A dependent variable
A data set

Question # 23
Qualitative and Quantitative Research are the classifications of research on the
basis of
Select correct option:
Use of the research
Time dimension
Techniques used
Purpose of the research
Reference & explanation:
Page # 46, lecture # 15
One difference between the two styles involves timing.

Question # 24
The organization of concepts in sequence from the most concrete and
individual to the
most general indicates is:
Select correct option:
One that bears no relation to the underlying concept.
An abstract, theoretical definition of a concept.
The degree of abstraction
An operational definition
Reference & Explanation:
Page # 16, Lecture # 05
The organization of concepts in sequence from the most concrete and
individual to the most general indicates the degree of abstraction.

Question # 25
The most critical areas of an article to read is;
Select correct option:
Results section
Introduction
Abstract
Limitations

Question # 26
_______ meanings attached to a concept create problems of measurements.
Select correct option:
Unambiguous
Vague
Clear
Dictionary
Reference & Explanation:
Page # 17, Lecture # 05
Vague meanings attached to a concept create problems of measurement.

Question # 27
Rationalism is the application of:
Select correct option:
Research solution
Logic and arguments
Reasoning
Previous findings

Question # 28
Why do you need to review the existing literature?
Select correct option:
To give your dissertation a proper academic appearance, with lots of references
Because without it, you could never reach the required word-count
To find out what is already known about your area of interest
To help in your general studying

Question # 29
The application of the scientific method to the study of business problems is
called;
Select correct option:
Inductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning
Business research
Grounded theory

Question # 30
An operational definition is:
Select correct option:
One that bears no relation to the underlying concept
An abstract, theoretical definition of a concept
A definition of a concept in terms of specific, empirical measures
One that refers to opera singers and their work

Question # 31
Which one of the following creates problems of measurements of a concept?
Select correct option:
Unambiguous meanings
Vague meanings
Clear meanings
Dictionary meanings
Reference & Explanation:
Page # 17, Lecture # 05
Vague meanings attached to a concept create problems of measurement.

Question # 32
Which of the following is a discrete variable?
Select correct option:
Age
Nationality
Test score
Income

Explanation:
A discrete variable is one that cannot take on all values within the limits of the
variable. For example, responses to a five-point rating scale can only take on the
values 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The variable cannot have the value 1.7. A variable such as a
person's height can take on any value. Variables that can take on any value and
therefore are not discrete are called continuous.

Question # 33
Which of the following is a discrete variable?
Select correct option:
height
age
miles per gallon
number of children

Explanation:
A discrete variable is one that cannot take on all values within the limits of the
variable. For example, responses to a five-point rating scale can only take on the
values 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The variable cannot have the value 1.7. A variable such as a
person's height can take on any value. Variables that can take on any value and
therefore are not discrete are called continuous.

Question # 34
According to Empiricism, which of the following is the ultimate source of all our
concepts and knowledge?
Select correct option:
Perceptions
Theory
Sensory experience
Logics and arguments

Reference & Explanation:

The dispute between rationalism and empiricism concerns the extent to which we are
dependent upon sense experience in our effort to gain knowledge. Rationalists claim
that there are significant ways in which our concepts and knowledge are gained
independently of sense experience. Empiricists claim that sense experience is the
ultimate source of all our concepts and knowledge.
Question # 35
If a researcher was studying the use of various instructional approaches to the
"multiple intelligences" of his students, he is likely to be conducting which type
of research?
Select correct option:
Basic
Applied
Evaluation
Grounded theory
Explanation:
The theory of multiple intelligences is fairly well established, and this researcher is
trying to understand how to use this theory in the classroom. In addition, there is no
assessment of merit or worth to suggest this could be evaluation research, nor is there
any sense that the researcher is conducting the research to solve a local, isolated
problem.
Question # 36
Under which of the following research method is not applicable?
Select correct option:
Health care
Business
Government offices
Imaginary worlds

Question # 37
Which of the following statements is false?
Select correct option:
Discrete variables allow measurement of an infinite number of fractions of units of
measurement.
Discrete variables can only have whole number values.
Continuous numbers can only have whole number values.
Continuous measures do not allow for scores that fall between two number values.
Reference & Explanation:
http://www.uk.sagepub.com/breakwell/downloads/mcq/mcq_03/mcq_03.htm
Page # 19, Lecture 06
Any variable that has a limited number of distinct values and which cannot be divided
into fractions, is a discontinuous variable. Such a variable is also called as categorical
variable or classificatory variable, or discrete variable. Some variables have only two
values, reflecting the presence or absence of a property: employed-unemployed or
male-female have two values.
These variables are referred to as dichotomous. There are others that can take added
categories such as the demographic variables of race, religion. All such variables that
produce data that fit into categories are said to be discrete/categorical/classificatory,
since only certain values are possible. An automotive variable, for example, where
“Chevrolet” is assigned a 5 and “Honda” is assigned a 6, provides no option for a 5.5
(i.e. the values cannot be divided into fractions).

Question # 38
To explain, predict, and/or control phenomena are the goal of----------------------
Select correct option:
Tradition
Inductive logic
Deductive logic
The scientific method

Question # 39
Which of the following is most beneficial to read in an article?
Select correct option:
Methods
Introduction
Figures
References

Question # 40
Which of the following is not a function of clearly identified research questions?
Select correct option:
They guide your literature search.
They keep you focused throughout the data collection period.
They make the scope of your research as wide as possible.
They are linked together to help you construct a coherent argument.
Reference & Explanation:
http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199284986/01student/cqs/ch03/?view=Standard
It is important to formulate some clear research questions from the outset of your
project, because completely open-ended research can lead to the collection of too
much data and a lack of focus for the analysis. If you decide on some fairly specific
research questions before designing your project, it will help to guide your literature
search, data collection and analysis, as well as form a coherent argument throughout
your dissertation

39. Accepting the information in professor's lecture without asking about the
basis of the information is a reliance on authority.
True
False

40. Intuition and authority can be good sources of ideas.

True
False

41. Applied research is not guided by the theories and findings of basic
research.
True
False

42. the statement, "Interviewers rate job applicants more favorably when they
are wearing a pleasant scent than when they have no scent" is an example of:
description of behavior.
prediction of behavior.
explanation of behavior.

43. The statement, "A pleasant scent increases favorability of ratings because
the scent creates a positive emotional state in the interviewer" is an example of:
description of behavior.
prediction of behavior.
explanation of behavior.

6. An empirical test of an idea about behavior must be conducted so the idea

can either be supported or refuted.
True
False

Vu-specialization 2010 -11

http://groups.google.com.pk/group/vu-specialization
Fawad ([email protected])