1 What is a research design?

a) A way of conducting research that is not grounded in theory.

b) The choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods.
c) The style in which you present your research findings, e.g. a graph.
d) A framework for every stage of the collection and analysis of data.
2 If a study is "reliable", this means that:

a) the methods are outlined in the methods discussion clearly enough for the
research to be replicated.
b) the measures devised for concepts are stable on different occasions.
c) the findings can be generalized to other social phenomena
d) it was conducted by a reputable researcher who can be trusted.
3 "Internal validity" refers to:

a) whether or not there is really a causal relationship between two variables.

b) whether or not the findings are relevant to the researchers' everyday lives.
c) the extent to which the researcher believes that this was a worthwhile
project.
d) how accurately the measurements represent underlying concepts.
4 Naturalism has been defined as:

a) minimising the intrusion of artificial methods of data collection into the

field.
b) being true to the nature the phenomena being researched.
c) viewing natural and social objects as belonging to the same dominion.
d) all of the above.
5 The term 'external validity' is concerned with:

a) the question of whether the results of a study can be generalized beyond

the specific research context.
 b) whether the research question is judged to be a good research question by
those outside the study.
c) the question of whether or not social scientific findings are applicable to
people's every day, natural social settings.
d) an ambiguous concept whose meaning depends on how it is defined.
6 What is a cross-sectional design?
a) A comparison of two or more variables longitudinally
b) A design that is devised when the researcher is in a bad mood.
c) The collection of data from more than one case at one moment in time.
d) Research into one particular section of society, e.g. the middle classes.
7 Survey research is cross-sectional and as a result, it is

a) Low in internal validity but high in replicability.

b) High in internal validity but low in reliability.
c) None of the above
d) High in ecological validity but low in external validity.
8 What does the term 'longitudinal design' mean?

a) A study completed far away from where the researcher lives.

b) A study which is very long to read.
c) A study with two contrasting cases.
d) A study completed over a distinct period of time to map changes in social
phenomena.
9 Cross cultural studies are an example of:

a) Longitudinal design
b) Comparative design
c) Experimental design
d) Case study design
10 Which of the following are sampling considerations?

a) Who do you need to study in order to investigate your research questions?

b) How easily can you gain access to a sampling frame?
c) What kind of sampling strategy will you employ?
d) All of the above.
11 Why do you need to review the existing literature?

a) You enjoy reading the academic research on your topic.

b) Because without it, you could never reach the required word-count.
c) To find out what is already known about your area of interest.
d) To make sure you have a long list of references.
12 To read the literature critically means:

a) to suggest the previous research was always poorly conducted.

b) skimming through the material because most of it is just padding.
c) evaluating what you read in terms of your own research questions.
d) being negative about something before you read it.
13 What can a researcher use the literature to achieve?

a) They can demonstrate their competence by referring to prominent writings

in the field.
b) They develop their version of the literature in such a way as to show and to
lead up to the contribution they will be making in their own project or article.
c) All of the above.
d) They can identify a gap or problem in the literature that corresponds to the
research questions.
14 A systematic literature review is:

a) one which generates a literature review using a treasure hunt system.

b) a replicable, scientific, and transparent process.
 c) one which gives equal attention to the principal contributors to the area.
d) a manufactured system for generating literature reviews tailored to your
subject.
15 Which of the follow is a benefit of a systematic review?

a) It reduces researcher bias and demands the researcher is comprehensive of

their approach.
b) It is really quick to complete.
c) It is cost effective as an approach.
d) It provides internal validity to the study.
16 What is a limitation of systematic review?

a) It is too hard to do.

b) The research cannot be defined into the impact of a single variable.
c) They are particularly complicated.
d) The researcher community finds them complex.
17 What is distinctive about a narrative literature review?
a) It is a review based exclusively on stories about companies, in book and
case-study form.
b) It is an historically-based review, starting with the earliest contributions to
the field.
c) It is a paraphrase style of reviewing which does not require referencing.
d) It serves as a means of gaining an initial impression of a topic, which you
will understand more fully as you conduct your research.
18 A sampling frame is:

a) a summary of the various stages involved in designing a survey.

b) an outline view of all the main clusters of units in a sample.
c) a list of all the units in the population from which a sample will be selected.
d) a wooden frame used to display tables of random numbers.
19 A simple random sample is one in which:

a) from a random starting point, every nth unit from the sampling frame is
selected.
b) a non-probability strategy is used, making the results difficult to generalize.
c) the researcher has a certain quota of respondents to fill for various social
groups.
d) every unit of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
20 It is helpful to use a multi-stage cluster sample when:

a) the population is widely dispersed geographically.

b) you have limited time and money available for travelling.
c) you want to use a probability sample in order to generalise the results.
d) all of the above.
21 The standard error is a statistical measure of:

a) the normal distribution of scores around the sample mean.

b) the extent to which a sample mean is likely to differ from the population
mean.
c) the clustering of scores at each end of a survey scale.
d) the degree to which a sample has been accurately stratified.
22 What effect does increasing the sample size have upon the sampling error?

a) It reduces the sampling error.

b) It increases the sampling error.
c) It has no effect on the sampling error.
d) None of the above.
23 Which of the following is not a type of non-probability sampling?
a) Snowball sampling
b) Stratified random sampling
c) Quota sampling
 d) Convenience sampling
24 Snowball sampling can help the researcher to:
a) Access deviant or hidden populations
b) Theorise inductively in a qualitative study
c) Overcome the problem of not having an accessible sampling frame
d) All of the above
25 Which of the following is not a characteristic of quota sampling?
a) The researcher chooses who to approach and so might bias the sample
b) Those who are available to be surveyed in public places are unlikely to
constitute a representative sample
c) The random selection of units makes it possible to calculate the standard
error
d) It is a relatively fast and cheap way of finding out about public opinions
26 The findings from a study of training and skill development among employees
of a company can be generalised to the population of:

a) All employees of that company

b) All employees in that industry
c) All unskilled employees in that industry
d) All graduate-level employees