RSE4801 Advanced Research Methodology: Master
Qualitative & Quantitative Research Design Practice
Questions
Subject: Research Methodology and Theory in the Social Sciences (RSE4801)
Question 1: A researcher adopts a critical realist paradigm to investigate structural inequalities.
Which of the following ontological and epistemological assumptions best aligns with this
approach?
A) Reality is entirely mind-dependent; knowledge is purely a social construct with no objective
referent.
B) Reality is stratified into the empirical, the actual, and the real; knowledge is fallible but seeks
to identify generative mechanisms.
C) Reality is objective and universal; knowledge is best acquired through the reductionist
measurement of variables.
D) Reality is a single, objective entity; knowledge is best acquired through detached, value-free
observation.
Correct Answer: B) Reality is stratified into the empirical, the actual, and the real;
knowledge is fallible but seeks to identify generative mechanisms.
Explanation: Critical realism posits that there are structures and mechanisms (the real) that
exist independently of our observations (the empirical). Unlike positivism, it acknowledges that
knowledge is socially situated and fallible, yet it asserts that research can successfully identify
the underlying mechanisms driving social phenomena.
Question 2: In the context of RSE4801, what distinguishes "abductive reasoning" from deductive
and inductive reasoning in qualitative analysis?
A) It begins with a hypothesis and systematically rejects the null.
B) It moves from specific observations directly to a broad, unverified theory.
C) It involves an iterative process of observing an empirical surprise and seeking the most
plausible explanation from existing theoretical frameworks.
D) It is a purely mathematical approach to determining the probability of a data point belonging
to a specific cluster.
Correct Answer: C) It involves an iterative process of observing an empirical surprise and
seeking the most plausible explanation from existing theoretical frameworks.
,Explanation: Abduction is the hallmark of sophisticated qualitative inquiry. It involves
identifying an "anomaly" in the data and searching for the best possible theoretical explanation
that renders the observation intelligible, bridging the gap between inductive data generation and
deductive theory testing.
Question 3: When evaluating the "trustworthiness" of a qualitative study, which criterion is the
structural equivalent of "internal validity" in quantitative research?
A) Confirmability
B) Credibility
C) Transferability
D) Dependability
Correct Answer: B) Credibility
Explanation: Credibility (as defined by Lincoln and Guba) establishes that the findings are
believable and accurate representations of the participants' experiences. It mirrors the positivist
concern with ensuring the research measures what it purports to measure (internal validity).
Question 4: A study uses a "sequential explanatory design" in mixed methods. Which sequence
is correctly described?
A) Qualitative data collection followed by quantitative data analysis to provide context.
B) Quantitative data collection followed by qualitative data collection to explain specific outlier
results.
C) Concurrent collection of both data types with equal weighting in analysis.
D) Theoretical review followed by quantitative survey validation.
Correct Answer: B) Quantitative data collection followed by qualitative data collection to
explain specific outlier results.
Explanation: In a sequential explanatory design, the researcher begins with a quantitative phase
to identify general trends. The qualitative phase is then strategically deployed to "explain" or
elaborate on those results, providing nuance to the statistical findings.
Question 5: What is the primary conceptual challenge when using "purposive sampling" to
achieve theoretical saturation?
A) The sample size is predetermined by a power analysis.
,B) The researcher must ensure the sample is representative of the total population distribution.
C) The researcher must balance the need for diverse perspectives with the need for depth in
specific, information-rich cases.
D) It requires the use of non-parametric statistical tests to validate the selection.
Correct Answer: C) The researcher must balance the need for diverse perspectives with the
need for depth in specific, information-rich cases.
Explanation: Theoretical saturation requires enough depth to confirm a theme and enough
breadth to test the boundaries of that theme. The challenge lies in selecting cases that provide
this information without creating a sample that is either too shallow or too redundant.
Question 6: Which of the following describes the potential issue of "reflexivity" in the research
process?
A) The researcher’s inability to maintain a neutral, objective distance from the data.
B) The researcher’s active, critical acknowledgement of their own positionality and how it
shapes the research findings.
C) The tendency of participants to change their answers when being interviewed by someone of
a different socio-economic status.
D) The mathematical bias introduced by over-adjusting for outliers in a dataset.
Correct Answer: B) The researcher’s active, critical acknowledgement of their own
positionality and how it shapes the research findings.
Explanation: Reflexivity is a methodological requirement in social science research. It is the
practice of being transparent about how the researcher's biases, values, and identity interact
with the field, thus allowing readers to evaluate the validity of the interpretations.
Question 7: In the measurement of latent variables (e.g., 'academic anxiety'), what is the core
difference between 'construct validity' and 'content validity'?
A) Construct validity measures the test-retest reliability; content validity measures the internal
consistency.
B) Content validity ensures the measure covers the domain of the concept; construct validity
ensures the measure correlates with established theories.
C) Content validity is for qualitative studies; construct validity is for quantitative studies.
, D) Construct validity is measured by Cronbach’s Alpha; content validity is measured by factor
analysis.
Correct Answer: B) Content validity ensures the measure covers the domain of the concept;
construct validity ensures the measure correlates with established theories.
Explanation: Content validity asks: "Does this scale cover all aspects of the concept?" Construct
validity asks: "Does this scale behave in the way our theory of the concept suggests it should?"
(e.g., convergent and discriminant validity).
Question 8: A researcher conducts a "phenomenological" study. What is the fundamental goal of
this approach?
A) To identify the causal mechanisms influencing human behavior.
B) To describe the essence of a lived experience from the perspective of the individuals who
lived it.
C) To quantify the prevalence of a psychological state within a population.
D) To observe the social structures governing interpersonal communication.
Correct Answer: B) To describe the essence of a lived experience from the perspective of the
individuals who lived it.
Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the "lifeworld" (lebenswelt) of the participant. It seeks
to strip away the researcher's preconceptions (epoche) to reveal the pure essence of a
phenomenon as it is experienced by consciousness.
Question 9: What is the primary function of an "audit trail" in ensuring the rigor of a qualitative
study?
A) To demonstrate how financial resources were allocated throughout the project.
B) To provide a transparent record of the decision-making process, coding framework, and
theme development for external verification.
C) To verify that all participants signed their informed consent forms.
D) To ensure that the software used for data analysis is licensed and updated.
Correct Answer: B) To provide a transparent record of the decision-making process, coding
framework, and theme development for external verification.
Qualitative & Quantitative Research Design Practice
Questions
Subject: Research Methodology and Theory in the Social Sciences (RSE4801)
Question 1: A researcher adopts a critical realist paradigm to investigate structural inequalities.
Which of the following ontological and epistemological assumptions best aligns with this
approach?
A) Reality is entirely mind-dependent; knowledge is purely a social construct with no objective
referent.
B) Reality is stratified into the empirical, the actual, and the real; knowledge is fallible but seeks
to identify generative mechanisms.
C) Reality is objective and universal; knowledge is best acquired through the reductionist
measurement of variables.
D) Reality is a single, objective entity; knowledge is best acquired through detached, value-free
observation.
Correct Answer: B) Reality is stratified into the empirical, the actual, and the real;
knowledge is fallible but seeks to identify generative mechanisms.
Explanation: Critical realism posits that there are structures and mechanisms (the real) that
exist independently of our observations (the empirical). Unlike positivism, it acknowledges that
knowledge is socially situated and fallible, yet it asserts that research can successfully identify
the underlying mechanisms driving social phenomena.
Question 2: In the context of RSE4801, what distinguishes "abductive reasoning" from deductive
and inductive reasoning in qualitative analysis?
A) It begins with a hypothesis and systematically rejects the null.
B) It moves from specific observations directly to a broad, unverified theory.
C) It involves an iterative process of observing an empirical surprise and seeking the most
plausible explanation from existing theoretical frameworks.
D) It is a purely mathematical approach to determining the probability of a data point belonging
to a specific cluster.
Correct Answer: C) It involves an iterative process of observing an empirical surprise and
seeking the most plausible explanation from existing theoretical frameworks.
,Explanation: Abduction is the hallmark of sophisticated qualitative inquiry. It involves
identifying an "anomaly" in the data and searching for the best possible theoretical explanation
that renders the observation intelligible, bridging the gap between inductive data generation and
deductive theory testing.
Question 3: When evaluating the "trustworthiness" of a qualitative study, which criterion is the
structural equivalent of "internal validity" in quantitative research?
A) Confirmability
B) Credibility
C) Transferability
D) Dependability
Correct Answer: B) Credibility
Explanation: Credibility (as defined by Lincoln and Guba) establishes that the findings are
believable and accurate representations of the participants' experiences. It mirrors the positivist
concern with ensuring the research measures what it purports to measure (internal validity).
Question 4: A study uses a "sequential explanatory design" in mixed methods. Which sequence
is correctly described?
A) Qualitative data collection followed by quantitative data analysis to provide context.
B) Quantitative data collection followed by qualitative data collection to explain specific outlier
results.
C) Concurrent collection of both data types with equal weighting in analysis.
D) Theoretical review followed by quantitative survey validation.
Correct Answer: B) Quantitative data collection followed by qualitative data collection to
explain specific outlier results.
Explanation: In a sequential explanatory design, the researcher begins with a quantitative phase
to identify general trends. The qualitative phase is then strategically deployed to "explain" or
elaborate on those results, providing nuance to the statistical findings.
Question 5: What is the primary conceptual challenge when using "purposive sampling" to
achieve theoretical saturation?
A) The sample size is predetermined by a power analysis.
,B) The researcher must ensure the sample is representative of the total population distribution.
C) The researcher must balance the need for diverse perspectives with the need for depth in
specific, information-rich cases.
D) It requires the use of non-parametric statistical tests to validate the selection.
Correct Answer: C) The researcher must balance the need for diverse perspectives with the
need for depth in specific, information-rich cases.
Explanation: Theoretical saturation requires enough depth to confirm a theme and enough
breadth to test the boundaries of that theme. The challenge lies in selecting cases that provide
this information without creating a sample that is either too shallow or too redundant.
Question 6: Which of the following describes the potential issue of "reflexivity" in the research
process?
A) The researcher’s inability to maintain a neutral, objective distance from the data.
B) The researcher’s active, critical acknowledgement of their own positionality and how it
shapes the research findings.
C) The tendency of participants to change their answers when being interviewed by someone of
a different socio-economic status.
D) The mathematical bias introduced by over-adjusting for outliers in a dataset.
Correct Answer: B) The researcher’s active, critical acknowledgement of their own
positionality and how it shapes the research findings.
Explanation: Reflexivity is a methodological requirement in social science research. It is the
practice of being transparent about how the researcher's biases, values, and identity interact
with the field, thus allowing readers to evaluate the validity of the interpretations.
Question 7: In the measurement of latent variables (e.g., 'academic anxiety'), what is the core
difference between 'construct validity' and 'content validity'?
A) Construct validity measures the test-retest reliability; content validity measures the internal
consistency.
B) Content validity ensures the measure covers the domain of the concept; construct validity
ensures the measure correlates with established theories.
C) Content validity is for qualitative studies; construct validity is for quantitative studies.
, D) Construct validity is measured by Cronbach’s Alpha; content validity is measured by factor
analysis.
Correct Answer: B) Content validity ensures the measure covers the domain of the concept;
construct validity ensures the measure correlates with established theories.
Explanation: Content validity asks: "Does this scale cover all aspects of the concept?" Construct
validity asks: "Does this scale behave in the way our theory of the concept suggests it should?"
(e.g., convergent and discriminant validity).
Question 8: A researcher conducts a "phenomenological" study. What is the fundamental goal of
this approach?
A) To identify the causal mechanisms influencing human behavior.
B) To describe the essence of a lived experience from the perspective of the individuals who
lived it.
C) To quantify the prevalence of a psychological state within a population.
D) To observe the social structures governing interpersonal communication.
Correct Answer: B) To describe the essence of a lived experience from the perspective of the
individuals who lived it.
Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the "lifeworld" (lebenswelt) of the participant. It seeks
to strip away the researcher's preconceptions (epoche) to reveal the pure essence of a
phenomenon as it is experienced by consciousness.
Question 9: What is the primary function of an "audit trail" in ensuring the rigor of a qualitative
study?
A) To demonstrate how financial resources were allocated throughout the project.
B) To provide a transparent record of the decision-making process, coding framework, and
theme development for external verification.
C) To verify that all participants signed their informed consent forms.
D) To ensure that the software used for data analysis is licensed and updated.
Correct Answer: B) To provide a transparent record of the decision-making process, coding
framework, and theme development for external verification.
