RESEARCH METHODS

Comprehensive Examination Questions

Based on Full Course Notes | All 12 Topics Covered

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read each question carefully before answering.
2. Answer all questions in each section unless instructed otherwise.
3. Marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
4. Support your answers with relevant examples where appropriate.
5. Write clearly and concisely, keeping in mind the marks allocated.

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 SECTION A: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH AND RESEARCH
METHOD
Answer all questions. Each question carries the marks indicated.
1. Define the term 'research' and explain its importance in academic and professional
settings. (6 marks)
2. List and explain SIX characteristics of a good research study. (6 marks)
3. Distinguish between a research method and research methodology, providing a relevant
example to illustrate each. (4 marks)
4. Outline FOUR key reasons why conducting research is essential in modern society. (4
marks)
5. Identify and briefly describe FOUR common research methods used in social science
research. (4 marks)

SECTION B: TYPES OF RESEARCH

Answer all questions.
1. Differentiate between basic (pure) research and applied research. Give one example of
each. (4 marks)
2. What is action research? Describe its cyclic nature and state TWO settings in which it is
commonly used. (4 marks)
3. Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research under the following headings:
(8 marks)
(a) Nature of data collected
(b) Purpose of the research
(c) Methods typically used
(d) Type of reasoning applied

4. Explain what is meant by mixed methods research and state TWO advantages of
adopting this approach. (4 marks)
5. Identify and explain FOUR types of research based on time dimension. (4 marks)

SECTION C: WRITING RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND REPORT

Answer all questions.
1. Define a research proposal and state FOUR reasons why a researcher is required to write
one before commencing a study. (5 marks)
2. List and briefly explain any EIGHT key components of a research proposal. (8 marks)
3. Outline the structure of a standard research report, explaining the purpose of each
chapter. (10 marks)

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 4. What is an abstract? State THREE pieces of information that must be included in a
research report abstract. (4 marks)
5. Explain the concept of SMART research objectives and write TWO example objectives for
a study on student academic performance. (4 marks)

SECTION D: DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Answer all questions.
1. What is a research problem? Explain why a clearly defined research problem is
fundamental to any research study. (4 marks)
2. Identify and explain FIVE sources from which research problems can be derived. (5
marks)
3. List SIX criteria that must be satisfied for a problem to qualify as a good research problem.
(6 marks)
4. Describe the step-by-step process a researcher should follow when developing a research
problem. (6 marks)
5. Write a well-structured problem statement for a hypothetical study of your choice, clearly
identifying: (i) the existing situation, (ii) the desired situation, and (iii) the gap between
them. (5 marks)

SECTION E: VARIABLES IN RESEARCH

Answer all questions.
1. Define a variable in the context of research and explain why variables are important in
designing a study. (4 marks)
2. Distinguish between the following pairs of variables with a concrete example for each: (8
marks)
(a) Independent variable and Dependent variable
(b) Moderating variable and Mediating variable
(c) Confounding variable and Control variable

3. Describe the FOUR scales of measurement (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio), stating the
key properties of each and one example. (8 marks)
4. In a study examining the effect of class size on student examination scores, identify the
independent variable, dependent variable, and suggest one possible confounding
variable. Justify your answers. (4 marks)
5. Why is it important to identify and control confounding variables in experimental research?
(3 marks)

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 SECTION F: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Answer all questions.
1. Define a literature review and explain why it is a critical component of any research study.
(4 marks)
2. State and explain FIVE purposes of conducting a literature review in research. (5 marks)
3. Distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources of literature, providing one
example of each. (6 marks)
4. Outline the steps a researcher should follow when conducting a thorough literature review.
(6 marks)
5. What qualities distinguish a good literature review from a poor one? Describe FOUR such
qualities. (4 marks)

SECTION G: RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

Answer all questions.
1. Define a research instrument and explain the factors a researcher should consider when
selecting one. (4 marks)
2. Compare and contrast a questionnaire and an interview schedule as data collection
instruments, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each. (8 marks)
3. Describe the process of developing a research instrument from scratch, outlining the key
steps involved. (6 marks)
4. What is the difference between closed-ended and open-ended questions? State TWO
advantages of each type. (6 marks)
5. Identify and explain FIVE qualities that characterise a good research instrument. (5
marks)

SECTION H: QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

Answer all questions.
1. Describe the nature of qualitative data and explain how it differs from quantitative data. (4
marks)
2. What is thematic analysis? Outline the six phases of Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis
framework. (7 marks)
3. Distinguish between content analysis and grounded theory as approaches to qualitative
data analysis. (4 marks)
4. Explain what is meant by each of the following criteria for ensuring rigour in qualitative
research: (8 marks)
(a) Credibility
(b) Transferability
(c) Dependability

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 (d) Confirmability

5. What is the role of researcher reflexivity in qualitative research? Why is it important? (4

marks)

SECTION I: QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

Answer all questions.
1. Differentiate between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, with examples of
each. (4 marks)
2. Explain the following measures of central tendency and state when each is most
appropriate to use: Mean, Median, Mode. (6 marks)
3. A researcher wants to compare the mean examination scores of three different teaching
groups. Identify the appropriate statistical test and explain the conditions that must be met
before applying it. (4 marks)
4. Distinguish between parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Give TWO examples
of each. (6 marks)
5. What is statistical significance? Explain the role of the p-value in hypothesis testing and
what it means when p < 0.05. (4 marks)
6. Why is it important to report effect size in addition to p-values in quantitative research? (3
marks)

SECTION J: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, DESIGN AND DATA

COLLECTION
Answer all questions.
1. Explain what is meant by a research paradigm. Compare and contrast positivism and
interpretivism. (6 marks)
2. Define research design and explain the purpose it serves in a research study. Identify
FOUR types of research design. (6 marks)
3. Distinguish between a population and a sample. Explain why sampling is necessary in
research. (4 marks)
4. Describe the following sampling methods and state ONE advantage and ONE
disadvantage of each: (8 marks)
(a) Simple Random Sampling
(b) Stratified Sampling
(c) Purposive Sampling
(d) Snowball Sampling

5. Compare primary data collection and secondary data collection. Give TWO examples of
each. (4 marks)

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 SECTION K: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND
INTERPRETATION
Answer all questions.
1. Explain the difference between data presentation, data analysis, and data interpretation.
Why is it important to distinguish between these three stages? (6 marks)
2. Identify and describe FOUR types of graphs or charts used in data presentation. State
when each is most appropriately used. (8 marks)
3. What are the key principles of effective tabular data presentation? List FIVE rules that
should guide the construction of a research table. (5 marks)
4. Explain what it means to over-generalise findings and why researchers must avoid this
error. (3 marks)
5. A researcher finds a statistically significant result but concludes that the effect is
practically meaningless. Explain how this is possible and what the researcher should
report instead. (4 marks)

SECTION L: RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF RESEARCH

Answer all questions.
1. Define validity in the context of research and explain why it is considered the most
important quality criterion. (4 marks)
2. Distinguish between the following types of validity with an example of each: (8 marks)
(a) Content Validity
(b) Construct Validity
(c) Internal Validity
(d) External Validity

3. Define reliability and explain the relationship between reliability and validity. Can a
measure be reliable but not valid? Justify your answer with an example. (5 marks)
4. Describe FOUR methods used to assess the reliability of a research instrument, stating
what each method measures. (8 marks)
5. What is Cronbach's Alpha? What value is generally considered acceptable and what does
a very low value indicate? (4 marks)
6. Outline FIVE practical strategies a researcher can employ to improve the validity and
reliability of their study. (5 marks)

End of Question Bank — Research Methods Comprehensive Questions

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