HMPYC80
ASSIGNMENT 2
ANSWERS AND EXCERPTS : CHAPTERS
4–8
SECTION B
(Take note : The highlighted number in blue is
the correct answer to the question)
, Question 1
Chapter 4
The goal of basic research is to ...
1) solve specific policy challenges or difficulties.
2) help practitioners accomplish tasks.
3) solve specific practical issues affecting an individual or group.
4) extend the knowledge base of the discipline.
Basic (or pure) research seeks empirical observations that can be used to formulate or refine
theory. It is not concerned with solving the immediate problems of the discipline, but rather
with extending the knowledge base of the discipline.
Question 2
Which one of the following statements applies to descriptive research?
1) It can be conducted to gain insights into significant differences between variables.
2) The description is more likely to refer to a more intensive examination of phenomena and
their deeper meanings – leading to a thicker description.
3) This type of research is not focused on the cause-effect relationship between variables (as
with explanatory research), but rather on the importance and the strength of a relationship
between two or more variables).
4) It can be used to assess, amongst other things, the design, implementation, and
applicability of social interventions.
Descriptive research can be qualitative or quantitative in nature and may sometimes even be
positioned as an exploratory-descriptive study. According to Rubin and Babbie (2016: 154–
155), when conducting such research from a qualitative approach, the description is more
likely to refer to an intensive examination of phenomena and their deeper meanings – leading
to thicker description. In quantitative studies, description typically refers to the characteristics
of a population or may help to develop a profile or framework to describe a population or
phenomenon (Rubin & Babbie, 2016).
ASSIGNMENT 2
ANSWERS AND EXCERPTS : CHAPTERS
4–8
SECTION B
(Take note : The highlighted number in blue is
the correct answer to the question)
, Question 1
Chapter 4
The goal of basic research is to ...
1) solve specific policy challenges or difficulties.
2) help practitioners accomplish tasks.
3) solve specific practical issues affecting an individual or group.
4) extend the knowledge base of the discipline.
Basic (or pure) research seeks empirical observations that can be used to formulate or refine
theory. It is not concerned with solving the immediate problems of the discipline, but rather
with extending the knowledge base of the discipline.
Question 2
Which one of the following statements applies to descriptive research?
1) It can be conducted to gain insights into significant differences between variables.
2) The description is more likely to refer to a more intensive examination of phenomena and
their deeper meanings – leading to a thicker description.
3) This type of research is not focused on the cause-effect relationship between variables (as
with explanatory research), but rather on the importance and the strength of a relationship
between two or more variables).
4) It can be used to assess, amongst other things, the design, implementation, and
applicability of social interventions.
Descriptive research can be qualitative or quantitative in nature and may sometimes even be
positioned as an exploratory-descriptive study. According to Rubin and Babbie (2016: 154–
155), when conducting such research from a qualitative approach, the description is more
likely to refer to an intensive examination of phenomena and their deeper meanings – leading
to thicker description. In quantitative studies, description typically refers to the characteristics
of a population or may help to develop a profile or framework to describe a population or
phenomenon (Rubin & Babbie, 2016).
