Research Design: A Comprehensive Guide for PhD Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a research *method* commonly used in empirical studies?

Accepted Answer

Research design

Answer

Survey method

Answer

Experimental method

Answer

Observational method

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that is always necessary for a good research design?

Accepted Answer

Generalizability

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Validity

Answer

Reliability

Question 3

Which of the following is **not** a type of research design?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive Statistics

Answer

Experimental Design

Answer

Cross-Sectional Design

Answer

Historical Design

Question 4

In a quasi-experimental design, which of these is a key feature?

Accepted Answer

Researcher compares existing groups

Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Researcher controls all aspects of the environment

Answer

Researcher manipulates the independent variable

Question 5

Which of the following is not a traditional type of research design?

Accepted Answer

Autoethnography

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Question 6

Which of the following is an experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Longitudinal study

Question 7

Which research design does not involve manipulating variables?

Accepted Answer

Observational design

Answer

Pre-test post-test control group design

Answer

Factorial design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 8

When selecting a research design, which factor is most important to consider?

Accepted Answer

The type of research question

Answer

The availability of data

Answer

The budget for the project

Answer

The researcher's preference

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a type of experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Case study

Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Within-subjects design

Answer

Factorial design

Question 10

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a quasi-experimental design?

Accepted Answer

The researcher controls the independent variable but not the dependent variable.

Answer

Participants are randomly assigned to treatment and control groups.

Answer

The researcher controls both independent and dependent variables.

Answer

The researcher controls neither the independent nor dependent variables.

Question 11

Which of the following is **not** a recognized type of research design?

Accepted Answer

Narrative approach

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Question 12

What is a defining feature of quasi-experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

Limited researcher control over external variables

Answer

High internal and external validity

Answer

Random assignment of participants

Answer

Suitable for establishing causality

Question 13

Which design is NOT a type of experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Non-experimental design

Answer

Pre-experimental design

Answer

True experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Pre-test/post-test design

Answer

Factorial design

Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Question 15

Which research design entails observing a phenomenon in its natural setting without altering any variables?

Accepted Answer

Naturalistic observation

Answer

Case study

Answer

Survey

Answer

Ethnography

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a type of experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Observational design

Answer

True experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Non-experimental design

Question 17

What is a key characteristic of an experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Data collection through observation

Answer

Use of only one independent variable

Answer

Emphasis on exploring relationships between variables

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a type of non-experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Answer

Correlational study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Ethnography

Question 19

Which of these is NOT a defining characteristic of a true experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Using a single group of participants

Answer

Randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups

Answer

Manipulating the independent variable by the researcher

Answer

Controlling extraneous variables

Question 20

What is a key distinction between experimental and non-experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Experimental designs aim to establish cause-and-effect relationships, while non-experimental designs describe or understand relationships.

Answer

In non-experimental designs, researchers manipulate independent variables, while in experimental designs, they observe natural variations.

Answer

Non-experimental designs provide stronger evidence of causality than experimental designs.

Answer

Non-experimental designs are more time-consuming and resource-intensive than experimental designs.

Question 21

What is a defining characteristic of a non-experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Observing or measuring variables without manipulation

Answer

Random assignment of participants

Answer

Controlled experimental conditions

Answer

Hypothesis testing

Question 22

Which research design involves randomly assigning participants to groups?

Accepted Answer

True experimental

Answer

Observational

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Answer

Factorial

Question 23

What is the key feature that sets a quasi-experimental design apart from an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Absence of random assignment to groups

Answer

Manipulation of an independent variable

Question 24

In mixed methods research, what is a key advantage of combining quantitative and qualitative data?

Accepted Answer

Increased reliability of findings through data triangulation

Answer

Lowered costs for data collection and analysis

Answer

Faster research process due to rapid data integration

Answer

Simplified findings due to no need for data interpretation

Question 25

In experimental research, which design randomly assigns participants to different groups?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trials

Answer

Descriptive research

Question 26

In non-experimental research, which approach tracks participants over time to study changes in variables?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal design

Answer

Cross-sectional design

Question 27

In quantitative research, which of the following research designs is commonly employed but not in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Grounded theory

Question 28

Which of the following is a primary advantage of employing a qualitative research design in research?

Accepted Answer

Providing a valuable approach for exploring complex human experiences and social phenomena

Answer

Facilitating the generalization of findings from a small sample to a larger population

Answer

Enabling researchers to efficiently collect and analyze large datasets

Answer

Being the sole research design that allows for testing causal relationships

Question 29

When selecting an appropriate research design, which factor should be the primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

Research question characteristics

Answer

Research budget constraints

Question 30

Which research design does NOT involve the researcher manipulating independent variables to study their impact on dependent variables?

Accepted Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Between-subjects design

Answer

Within-subjects design

Answer

Mixed design

Question 31

Which feature is a defining characteristic of a quasi-experimental research design?

Accepted Answer

Use of non-equivalent control groups

Answer

Random assignment of participants to treatment conditions

Answer

Manipulation of the independent variable

Answer

Absence of threats to internal validity

Question 32

In experimental research designs, why is it crucial to **randomly assign** participants to experimental and control groups?

Accepted Answer

To minimize the influence of confounding variables that could bias the results.

Answer

To ensure that each group accurately represents the population being studied.

Answer

To enhance the study's statistical power.

Question 33

When selecting a research design, which factor is irrelevant to consider?

Accepted Answer

Researcher's personal preferences

Answer

Research question and objectives

Answer

Available resources

Answer

Ethical implications

Question 34

When selecting a research design, which factor should NOT be considered?

Accepted Answer

Personal preference

Answer

Research question

Answer

Target population

Answer

Available resources

Question 35

Which feature distinguishes quasi-experimental designs from true experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

Participants are not randomly assigned to groups

Answer

Extraneous variables are controlled

Question 36

In research design, what is a key drawback of using convenience sampling?

Accepted Answer

Convenience samples can fail to adequately represent the target population, potentially leading to biased results.

Answer

Convenience samples are typically smaller than probability samples, which can limit the statistical power of the study.

Answer

Convenience samples are more expensive and time-consuming to collect than probability samples.

Question 37

What is the fundamental difference between qualitative and quantitative research designs in terms of their underlying assumptions about the nature of knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research assumes an objective reality, while qualitative research recognizes a socially constructed reality.

Answer

Qualitative research employs an inductive approach, while quantitative research uses a deductive approach.

Answer

Quantitative research relies solely on statistical analysis, while qualitative research does not.

Answer

Qualitative research is purely exploratory, while quantitative research is exclusively confirmatory.

Question 38

What is the purpose of conducting a pilot study, and how does it contribute to refining research design, identifying potential challenges, and enhancing the overall quality of a research project?

Accepted Answer

A pilot study is a small-scale study conducted before the main study to test the feasibility of the research design and identify any potential challenges.

Answer

A pilot study is a small-scale study conducted after the main study to collect additional data and confirm the findings of the main study.

Answer

A pilot study is a large-scale study conducted before the main study to collect data and generate hypotheses for the main study.

Answer

A pilot study is not necessary for research projects.

Question 39

How does theory influence the research design process, encompassing the research question, method selection, and interpretation of results?

Accepted Answer

Theory guides the research question, method selection, and result interpretation, providing a cohesive framework for the research process.

Answer

Theory plays no role in research design, which is solely based on empirical evidence.

Answer

Theory can refine the research question but has no impact on method selection or result interpretation.

Question 40

When choosing a research design, which of the following should NOT be considered?

Accepted Answer

The personal beliefs of the researcher

Answer

The purpose of the study

Answer

The availability of resources

Answer

The ethical implications

Question 41

An experimental research design involves:

Accepted Answer

Manipulating an independent variable to observe the effect on a dependent variable

Answer

Observing a phenomenon without manipulating any variables

Answer

Gathering data from a large sample of participants

Answer

Using qualitative methods to explore a topic in depth

Question 42

Which of the following is an advantage of a qualitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Provides depth and richness of data

Answer

Allows for generalizability of findings

Answer

Is less time-consuming than quantitative research

Answer

Is more objective than quantitative research

Question 43

When would it be appropriate to use a mixed methods research design?

Accepted Answer

When a research question requires both quantitative and qualitative data

Answer

When the researcher has limited resources

Answer

When the researcher wants to confirm the findings of a previous study

Answer

When the researcher is unsure of the best research design to use

Question 44

What is the primary purpose of a research proposal?

Accepted Answer

To justify the need for the research and its significance

Answer

To outline the research design and methodology

Answer

To request funding for the research

Answer

To present the results of the research

Question 45

How does a hypothesis differ from a research question?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a specific prediction, while a research question is more general

Answer

A research question is a specific prediction, while a hypothesis is more general

Answer

There is no difference between a hypothesis and a research question

Answer

A hypothesis is testable, while a research question is not

Question 46

What is a primary advantage of utilizing a quantitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Provides objective and generalizable data

Answer

Allows for in-depth exploration of phenomena

Answer

Enables researchers to establish causality

Answer

Is more flexible and adaptable than qualitative designs

Question 47

A key strength of experimental research designs is their ability to:

Accepted Answer

Establish causality

Answer

Generalize findings to wider populations

Answer

Be conducted in real-world settings

Answer

Provide detailed descriptions of phenomena

Question 48

The primary purpose of a research proposal is to:

Accepted Answer

Outline the research plan and secure funding

Answer

Communicate the research findings

Answer

Gain ethical approval for the study

Answer

Present preliminary data

Question 49

Internal validity in research refers to:

Accepted Answer

The degree to which the design controls for potential confounding variables

Answer

The generalizability of the findings

Answer

The accuracy of the data collection methods

Answer

The ethical considerations of the study

Question 50

The main purpose of conducting a pilot study is to:

Accepted Answer

Test the feasibility and refine the research design

Answer

Collect a large amount of data for the main study

Answer

Present preliminary findings at a conference

Answer

Secure funding for the main study

Question 51

Which statement best describes the ethical implications of research designs?

Accepted Answer

All research designs have ethical implications, but the concerns vary depending on the design.

Answer

Qualitative research designs are always more ethical than quantitative research designs.

Answer

Researchers have no ethical obligations to research participants once the research is completed.

Answer

Ethical considerations are only relevant to research involving human subjects.

Question 52

How does the selection of a sampling strategy affect the generalizability of research findings?

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling strategies ensure that each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, enhancing the sample's representativeness and the generalizability of the findings.

Answer

Sampling strategies have no impact on the generalizability of research findings.

Answer

Non-probability sampling strategies always lead to less generalizable findings than probability sampling strategies.

Answer

The generalizability of research findings depends solely on the sample size.

Question 53

For establishing causal relationships between variables, which research design is considered most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Cohort study

Answer

Case-control study

Question 54

What is the primary objective of conducting a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

Assess the feasibility of a larger-scale study

Answer

Gather data directly relevant to the main research question

Answer

Compare various research designs

Answer

Identify potential ethical concerns

Question 55

Which of these is NOT a criterion used to evaluate the validity of a research study?

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity

Answer

Internal validity

Answer

External validity

Answer

Reliability

Question 56

What is the primary purpose of a research proposal?

Accepted Answer

To detail the research design and methodology

Answer

To acquire funding for a research study

Answer

To present the results of a research study

Answer

To critically evaluate a research study

Question 57

Identify the statement that does NOT describe a potential advantage of employing a mixed methods research approach.

Accepted Answer

Increased expenses

Answer

Data triangulation

Answer

Enhanced validity

Answer

Reduced bias

Question 58

How does research design facilitate addressing global challenges and fostering international research collaboration?

Accepted Answer

By ensuring research validity and reliability, fostering trust and collaboration.

Answer

By promoting a narrow focus on individual research projects, hindering collaborative efforts.

Answer

By imposing a standardized approach to research, eliminating cultural and contextual considerations.

Answer

By limiting research to specific disciplines, preventing interdisciplinary collaborations.

Question 59

What is the main advantage of longitudinal research designs?

Accepted Answer

Enables researchers to track changes over time

Answer

Allows for causal inferences to be made

Answer

Provides a snapshot of data at one point in time

Answer

Reduces the impact of confounding variables

Question 60

What is the main purpose of a research proposal?

Accepted Answer

To outline the research design and methodology

Answer

To secure funding for the research

Answer

To disseminate the research findings

Answer

To obtain ethical approval for the research

Question 61

Which of the following is not a key element of a research ethics review?

Accepted Answer

Cost-benefit analysis

Answer

Assessment of risks and benefits

Answer

Protection of vulnerable participants

Answer

Informed consent

Question 62

How does research design actively shape and advance research methodologies?

Accepted Answer

Research design is fundamental to the development of research methodologies.

Answer

Research design is independent of research methodologies.

Answer

Research design only structures data analysis, not methodologies.

Answer

Research design passively adapts to changes in methodologies.

Question 63

In designing research studies that effectively integrate multiple disciplines and perspectives, a primary challenge is:

Accepted Answer

Addressing differences in terminology and methodologies across disciplines

Answer

Ensuring equal representation of all disciplines

Answer

Securing funding for interdisciplinary research

Answer

Writing a comprehensive research proposal

Question 64

Which research design offers the greatest level of researcher control over the research environment, allowing for the manipulation and observation of variables?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Observational design

Answer

Case study design