Research Design in Political Science: Master the Art of Research

Question 1

Which type of validity refers to the degree to which a measurement accurately captures the intended concept?

Accepted Answer

Construct validity

Answer

Internal validity

Answer

External validity

Answer

Predictive validity

Question 2

Identify the ethical concern that pertains to the researcher's duty to safeguard participant information?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Protection from harm

Answer

Objectivity

Question 3

Which data analysis method involves the use of statistical techniques to examine numerical data?

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Narrative analysis

Answer

Discourse analysis

Answer

Grounded theory

Question 4

Which type of research design lacks a control group?

Accepted Answer

Non-experimental

Answer

Experimental

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Answer

Narrative

Question 5

In quantitative research, what is the primary purpose of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To provide a testable prediction about the relationship between variables

Answer

To describe the characteristics of a population

Answer

To explore the meaning of social phenomena

Answer

To generate new theories.

Question 6

Which data collection method is central to qualitative research, allowing for in-depth exploration of participants' perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Interviews

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Experiments

Answer

Document analysis

Question 7

Which statistical analysis technique is commonly used to determine the relationship between two or more variables?

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

T-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

ANOVA

Question 8

What is the primary objective of a research report?

Accepted Answer

To effectively communicate research findings to others

Answer

To provide empirical evidence to support or refute a hypothesis

Answer

To explore the broader implications of the research findings

Answer

To generate new research questions.

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of data collection in research?

Accepted Answer

To provide empirical evidence

Answer

To prove a hypothesis

Answer

To support existing theories

Answer

To generate new ideas

Question 10

Which of the following is a qualitative data analysis technique used in political science research?

Accepted Answer

Content analysis

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Factor analysis

Answer

Structural equation modeling

Question 11

What is the key difference between a variable and a constant in research?

Accepted Answer

A variable changes while a constant remains the same

Answer

A constant changes while a variable remains the same

Answer

Both variables and constants change over time

Answer

There is no difference between variables and constants

Question 12

What is the purpose of hypothesis testing in political science research?

Accepted Answer

To statistically evaluate the validity of a specific hypothesis or prediction

Answer

To generate new research questions

Answer

To describe a phenomenon without making predictions

Answer

To analyze data without considering hypotheses

Question 13

Identify the component that is not fundamental to the design of any research study:

Accepted Answer

Literature review

Answer

Research question

Answer

Data collection technique

Answer

Analysis plan

Question 14

Which research design is most appropriate for establishing relationships of cause and effect?

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Longitudinal study

Answer

Comparative study

Question 15

Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data:

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data is non-numerical, while quantitative data is numerical.

Answer

Quantitative data is non-numerical, while qualitative data is numerical.

Answer

Qualitative data is more reliable than quantitative data.

Answer

Qualitative data is easier to analyze than quantitative data.

Question 16

Which statistical test is employed to compare the averages of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of a pilot study?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential problems with the research design

Answer

To validate the research hypothesis

Answer

To collect data for the final analysis

Answer

To generalize findings to a larger population

Question 18

Which of the following is an appropriate statistical test for comparing the means of two independent groups with unequal variances?

Accepted Answer

Welch's t-test

Answer

T-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 19

What is the purpose of a research hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To provide a specific, testable prediction

Answer

To provide a general overview of the research topic

Answer

To explain the findings of the research

Answer

To prove a theory

Question 20

Which component is not essential in designing a political science research project?

Accepted Answer

Researcher's personal opinions

Answer

Precise research question

Answer

Appropriate data collection method

Answer

Analytical framework

Question 21

Quantitative research designs primarily utilize:

Accepted Answer

Statistical data

Answer

Interviews

Answer

Historical analysis

Answer

Observational data

Question 22

In research, sampling refers to:

Accepted Answer

Selecting a representative subset of a population

Answer

Gathering data from all population members

Answer

Using convenient samples

Answer

Generalizing findings to the entire population

Question 23

Statistical significance in research indicates:

Accepted Answer

The probability of a finding occurring by chance

Answer

The extent of a relationship between variables

Answer

The researcher's conviction in the results

Answer

The practical implications of the findings

Question 24

Mixed methods research designs combine:

Accepted Answer

Qualitative and quantitative data

Answer

Primary and secondary data

Answer

Experimental and non-experimental methods

Answer

Deductive and inductive approaches

Question 25

Critical realism emphasizes in research:

Accepted Answer

The impact of social structures and context

Answer

The significance of individual agency

Answer

The detachment of the researcher

Answer

The value-free nature of social science

Question 26

In political science, when selecting data collection methods, what is a primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

Research objective and research question

Answer

Sample characteristics

Answer

Data analysis techniques

Question 27

Which aspect of research design is NOT crucial in political science research?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating personal opinions into the research report

Answer

Determining clear research objectives

Answer

Selecting data collection methods that align with the research question

Answer

Employing appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis

Question 28

Which data collection method is most likely to yield qualitative data, providing rich and detailed insights?

Accepted Answer

Interviews, allowing for in-depth exploration of perspectives and experiences

Answer

Surveys, gathering quantitative data through structured questionnaires

Answer

Experiments, testing hypotheses through controlled manipulation of variables

Answer

Content analysis, examining written or visual materials for patterns and themes

Question 29

What is the purpose of hypothesis testing in research?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the validity of a claim about a relationship between variables, supporting or refuting it

Answer

To generate new ideas and theories through exploratory research

Answer

To summarize and describe data without making inferences

Answer

To establish a causal relationship between variables

Question 30

The primary objective of a well-designed research plan is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure a systematic and logical approach to the research process.

Answer

Gather data without a clear purpose

Answer

Formulate a hypothesis to be proven

Answer

Draw conclusions based on limited evidence

Question 31

In an experimental research setup, the primary role of the researcher is to:

Accepted Answer

Control and manipulate variables to study their effects.

Answer

Collect in-depth qualitative data through interviews

Answer

Observe participants' behavior without any intervention

Question 32

When aiming to gather rich, subjective data on individual experiences, the most suitable data collection method is:

Accepted Answer

In-depth interviews

Answer

Quantitative analysis of documents and artifacts

Answer

Surveys with closed-ended questions

Answer

Structured observation in a controlled setting

Question 33

The term 'reliability' in research refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Consistency and stability of measurement over time

Answer

Accuracy of measurement in representing the intended concept

Answer

Ability to predict future outcomes

Question 34

Random sampling is a technique used to select a representative subset of a population primarily to ensure:

Accepted Answer

Unbiased representation of the population

Answer

In-depth understanding of individual cases

Answer

Convenience and accessibility of participants

Answer

Quota-based representation of specific characteristics

Question 35

In a qualitative research approach, the researcher focuses primarily on:

Accepted Answer

Developing an in-depth understanding of phenomena through qualitative data

Answer

Testing hypotheses and generalizing findings

Answer

Maintaining objectivity and replication of results

Answer

Using quantitative measurement and statistical analysis

Question 36

The main purpose of a research proposal is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a detailed outline and justification for a proposed research project

Answer

Summarize the key findings of a completed research study

Answer

Discuss the theoretical implications of a research topic

Question 37

To investigate the relationship between two continuous variables in a research study, the most appropriate statistical analysis technique is:

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Factor analysis (for identifying underlying patterns)

Answer

Chi-square test (for categorical variables)

Answer

Content analysis (for qualitative data)

Question 38

When selecting a sampling method, which of the following factors should be considered?

Accepted Answer

Sample size, representativeness, and cost

Answer

Only sample size and representativeness

Answer

Only representativeness and cost

Answer

Only sample size and cost

Question 39

In an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

Accepted Answer

To provide a baseline for comparison and eliminate bias

Answer

To test the effects of the independent variable

Answer

To ensure the results are statistically significant

Answer

To increase the sample size

Question 40

What is the primary purpose of a research proposal?

Accepted Answer

To obtain approval and funding for a research project

Answer

To summarize the literature on a specific topic

Answer

To present the findings of a completed study

Question 41

What is a key distinction between quantitative and qualitative research approaches?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research emphasizes numerical data analysis, while qualitative research focuses on understanding and interpreting non-numerical data.

Answer

Quantitative research is more scientific than qualitative research

Answer

Qualitative research is more time-consuming than quantitative research

Question 42

Which of the following is a crucial characteristic of a well-formulated research question?

Accepted Answer

Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound

Answer

Long and complex

Answer

Unoriginal and already answered

Answer

Biased towards a particular outcome

Question 43

What is the role of theory in research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a framework for understanding the research topic and generating hypotheses

Answer

To prove or disprove the research question

Answer

To summarize the findings of the study