Master Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science: Online Learning

Question 1

Which principle is fundamental to qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning and iterative data analysis

Answer

Objectivity and generalizability

Answer

Random sampling and statistical analysis

Answer

Hypothesis testing and falsification

Question 2

In political science research, which of the following exemplifies the effective use of qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Interviewing political candidates to gain their insights and perspectives

Answer

Analyzing electoral data using statistical models

Answer

Examining official government documents to understand policy decisions

Answer

Surveying a large sample of citizens to gauge public opinion

Question 3

Which of the following is not a characteristic of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Use of numerical data analysis techniques

Answer

Emphasis on in-depth understanding

Answer

Data collection primarily through observation and interviews

Answer

Researcher as an active participant in the research process

Question 4

Which research methodology involves developing theories iteratively based on emerging data?

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Discourse analysis

Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Action research

Question 5

What is the purpose of using thick description in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a detailed and contextualized account of the research setting and participants

Answer

To make the research findings more accessible to a wider audience

Answer

To support the researcher's theoretical arguments

Answer

To ensure the accuracy and validity of the research

Question 6

What is the role of the researcher in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate the research process and interpret the findings

Answer

To be an objective observer

Answer

To test preconceived notions

Answer

To control and manipulate the research environment

Question 7

Which of the following characteristics distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Focuses on understanding the subjective experiences of individuals

Answer

Emphasizes the collection and analysis of numerical data

Answer

Aims to generalize findings to a wider population

Answer

Uses random sampling to select participants

Question 8

What is the role of reflexivity in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

It requires researchers to critically examine their own assumptions and biases

Answer

It ensures that the research findings are objective and unbiased

Answer

It helps researchers to generalize their findings to a wider population

Answer

It has no significant role in qualitative research

Question 9

Which of the following is an appropriate software program for qualitative data analysis?

Accepted Answer

NVivo

Answer

SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)

Answer

Excel

Answer

Microsoft Word

Question 10

A distinguishing characteristic of qualitative research methods is:

Accepted Answer

Focusing on understanding and interpreting meaning

Answer

Emphasizing quantitative data analysis

Answer

Using random sampling techniques

Answer

Generalizing findings to a larger population

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Confirming the validity of pre-existing theories

Answer

Providing in-depth understanding and rich insights

Answer

Allowing for flexibility and adaptability in data collection

Answer

Enabling exploration of intricate social phenomena

Question 12

An example of a qualitative research design is:

Accepted Answer

Case study design

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Cross-sectional survey

Answer

Longitudinal study

Question 13

When conducting participant observation, researchers should:

Accepted Answer

Actively participate in the community being studied.

Answer

Maintain a detached and observer-like role.

Answer

Use standardised observation tools to record data.

Answer

Interview participants regularly to gather additional information.

Question 14

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity and in-depth exploration

Answer

Objectivity and generalization

Answer

Hypothesis testing and statistical analysis

Answer

Quantitative data collection and analysis

Question 15

What is the primary objective of data analysis in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To identify patterns, themes, and insights from qualitative data

Answer

To generate statistical inferences and generalize findings

Answer

To test hypotheses and establish cause-and-effect relationships

Answer

To quantify variables and perform statistical analyses

Question 16

Which of the following methods is typically NOT employed for data collection in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Structured surveys

Answer

In-depth interviews

Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Focus group discussions

Question 17

Which of the following is a primary strength of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

In-depth understanding and rich data

Answer

Strong statistical power and generalizability

Answer

Hypothesis testing and hypothesis generation

Answer

Straightforward data collection and analysis

Question 18

What is the purpose of using purposive sampling in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To select participants with specific characteristics relevant to the research question

Answer

To obtain a representative sample that reflects the population

Answer

To ensure generalizability and statistical significance

Answer

To maximize sample size and reduce sampling error

Question 19

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Inductive approach

Answer

Reliance on quantitative data

Answer

Deductive approach

Answer

Objective stance

Question 20

Which data collection method is most effective for capturing the nuances of social interactions and experiences?

Accepted Answer

In-depth interview

Answer

Structured survey

Answer

Controlled experiment

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 21

What is the primary aim of thematic analysis in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Identifying recurring patterns and themes within qualitative data

Answer

Reducing data into numerical form

Answer

Testing hypotheses derived from theory

Answer

Generalizing findings to a larger population

Question 22

What is the purpose of reflexivity in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging and examining the researcher's role and biases

Answer

Eliminating the influence of the researcher on the research process

Answer

Ensuring the objectivity and neutrality of findings

Answer

Enhancing the reliability of data analysis

Question 23

What is a primary reason for using multiple data collection methods in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Enhancing the credibility and reliability of findings through data triangulation

Answer

Increasing the sample size and generalizability of results

Answer

Reducing the influence of researcher bias

Answer

Facilitating the use of statistical analysis techniques

Question 24

Which approach is NOT a fundamental principle of grounded theory?

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis testing

Answer

Inductive reasoning

Answer

Constant comparative analysis

Answer

Theoretical sampling

Question 25

What is the purpose of member checking in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Validating the accuracy and credibility of findings by seeking feedback from participants

Answer

Recruiting participants for the study and building rapport

Answer

Ensuring the anonymity and confidentiality of participants

Answer

Facilitating the generalization of findings to a wider population

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a distinctive characteristic of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Pursuit of generalizability

Answer

Emphasis on subjectivity

Answer

Interpretive nature

Answer

Open-ended data collection

Question 27

A significant advantage of ethnographic research lies in its ability to:

Accepted Answer

Provide in-depth insights into cultural contexts

Answer

Generate broadly applicable findings

Answer

Objectively measure variables

Answer

Quantify research data

Question 28

Content analysis is a qualitative data analysis technique employed to examine:

Accepted Answer

Textual or visual materials

Answer

Numerical or statistical data

Answer

Interview transcripts

Answer

Observational field notes

Question 29

The process of interpreting qualitative data entails:

Accepted Answer

Identifying patterns and recurring themes

Answer

Employing statistical software for analysis

Answer

Quantifying research findings

Answer

Generalizing findings to a broader population

Question 30

Which of the following is a crucial skill for conducting successful qualitative research interviews?

Accepted Answer

Active listening

Answer

Closed-ended questioning

Answer

Maintaining objectivity

Answer

Adhering to a predetermined interview structure

Question 31

A limitation of case study research is that:

Accepted Answer

Findings may not be generalizable

Answer

Data collection can be time-intensive

Answer

Qualitative data is inherently subjective

Answer

Researcher bias may influence findings

Question 32

Grounded theory, a qualitative research approach, involves:

Accepted Answer

Developing theories from the data

Answer

Testing existing theories

Answer

Utilizing quantitative data analysis

Answer

Conducting historical research

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a step in the qualitative research process?

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis testing

Answer

Data collection

Answer

Data analysis

Answer

Conducting a comprehensive literature review

Question 34

The application of qualitative research methods is particularly suited to research inquiries that aim to:

Accepted Answer

Investigate complex social phenomena

Answer

Test hypotheses statistically

Answer

Measure variables quantitatively

Answer

Predict future outcomes

Question 35

Which of the following is **not** a key principle of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Aims for generalizability and statistical representativeness

Answer

Focuses on understanding phenomena from the participants' perspective

Answer

Emphasizes inductive reasoning and theory building from data

Answer

Values context and the unique experiences of individuals

Question 36

What is the primary purpose of data analysis in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To identify patterns, themes, and insights from the collected data

Answer

To generate numerical data for statistical analysis

Answer

To confirm or reject pre-existing hypotheses

Answer

To create a quantitative representation of the research findings

Question 37

Which of the following data collection methods is commonly associated with qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

In-depth interviews that explore participants' experiences

Answer

Structured surveys with closed-ended questions

Answer

Controlled experiments with experimental and control groups

Answer

Large-scale questionnaires for quantitative data collection

Question 38

Why is researcher reflexivity considered crucial in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

It allows the researcher to recognize and account for their role in the research process

Answer

It eliminates the influence of the researcher's personal biases

Answer

It ensures the researcher's objectivity and neutrality

Answer

It provides a way to generalize the research findings to a wider population

Question 39

Answer Options: Which data gathering method is most suitable for exploring personal experiences and narratives?

Accepted Answer

Interview with open-ended prompts

Answer

Survey with closed-ended questions

Answer

Focus group with structured discussions

Answer

Experiment with controlled variables

Question 40

Difficulty Adjustment: A common technique used to analyze qualitative data is:

Accepted Answer

Thematic analysis

Answer

Factor analysis

Answer

Hypothesis testing

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 41

Language Accessibility: Theoretical sampling in qualitative research aims to:

Accepted Answer

Gather diverse perspectives to enrich data.

Answer

Select a random sample of participants.

Answer

Validate the researcher's preconceived notions.

Answer

Ensure participants are representative of the entire population.

Question 42

Curriculum Context: In qualitative research, the researcher's primary role involves:

Accepted Answer

Facilitating the research while establishing rapport with participants.

Answer

Maintaining a detached and uninvolved stance.

Answer

Objectively interpreting data and drawing conclusions.

Answer

Controlling variables and manipulating the research environment.

Question 43

Inductive and Deductive Approaches: The key difference between inductive and deductive approaches in qualitative research lies in:

Accepted Answer

Inductive approaches build theory from data, while deductive approaches test theories.

Answer

Deductive approaches build theory from data, while inductive approaches test theories.

Answer

Inductive approaches use quantitative data, while deductive approaches use qualitative data.

Answer

Deductive approaches use qualitative data, while inductive approaches use quantitative data.

Question 44

Triangulation: The primary purpose of using triangulation in qualitative research is to:

Accepted Answer

Increase the reliability and trustworthiness of findings.

Answer

Reduce the likelihood of researcher bias.

Answer

Enhance the generalizability of findings.

Answer

Facilitate easier data collection.

Question 45

Software for Qualitative Data Analysis: A widely used software program for qualitative data analysis is:

Accepted Answer

NVivo

Answer

SPSS

Answer

R

Answer

Excel

Question 46

Which of the following is not considered a key characteristic of qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Objective

Answer

Interpretive

Answer

Inductive

Answer

Subjective

Question 47

Which qualitative data collection method involves observing and recording participants' behavior in their natural environment?

Accepted Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Interviewing

Answer

Focus groups

Answer

Content analysis

Question 48

In the context of qualitative data analysis, what is the primary purpose of coding?

Accepted Answer

To identify patterns and themes within the collected data

Answer

To condense the amount of data for analysis

Answer

To enhance the objectivity of the data

Answer

To test predetermined hypotheses

Question 49

What is the primary role of the researcher in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To actively engage with and participate in the research process

Answer

To maintain an objective stance as an impartial observer

Answer

To facilitate discussions and guide the research direction

Answer

To remain a neutral observer throughout the research