Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Quiz Questions with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+
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Section A: Research Paradigms – Positivism, Post-Positivism,
Interpretivism, & Pragmatism
Q1: A doctoral student at Liberty University is designing a study to measure the causal
relationship between employee satisfaction and organizational productivity using
standardized surveys and statistical regression. Which research paradigm most closely
aligns with this approach?
A. Interpretivism
B. Pragmatism
C. Positivism [CORRECT]
D. Critical theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positivism emphasizes objectivity, empirical observation, quantitative
analysis, and identifying causal relationships through measurable variables. Options A
focuses on subjective meaning, Option B integrates multiple methods, and Option D is
not among the four primary paradigms covered in BUSI 710.
Q2: A research paradigm is best defined as:
A. A specific statistical technique used to analyze survey data.
,B. A set of shared assumptions, beliefs, values, and practices that guide how research is
conducted and knowledge is generated. [CORRECT]
C. The physical location where data collection occurs.
D. A government regulation governing research ethics.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A paradigm encompasses the philosophical framework that shapes research
design, methods, and knowledge claims. Options A describes a method, Option C
describes setting, and Option D describes external regulation.
Q3: A DBA student conducts in-depth interviews with small business owners to
understand their lived experiences of financial resilience during economic downturns.
Which paradigm underpins this research?
A. Positivism
B. Post-positivism
C. Interpretivism (Constructionism) [CORRECT]
D. Logical positivism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Interpretivism focuses on subjective understanding and socially constructed
meaning derived from individual experiences, making it ideal for qualitative inquiry.
Options A and B align with quantitative approaches, and Option D is a variant of
positivism.
, Q4: A pragmatist researcher investigating customer loyalty decides to use both a
standardized satisfaction survey and follow-up focus groups. This decision reflects
which core pragmatist principle?
A. The researcher must choose either quantitative or qualitative methods exclusively.
B. The research question drives the methodology, and multiple methods may be
integrated to address complex problems. [CORRECT]
C. Only objective, measurable data counts as valid knowledge.
D. The researcher must remain completely detached from participants.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pragmatism offers flexibility by integrating quantitative and qualitative
methods based on what best answers the research question. Options A contradicts
pragmatism, Option C reflects positivism, and Option D reflects objectivist
epistemology.
Q5: Post-positivism differs from pure positivism primarily in that post-positivism:
A. Rejects all forms of empirical observation.
B. Acknowledges that absolute objectivity is impossible and uses critical realism,
triangulation, and multiple methods to approximate truth. [CORRECT]
C. Focuses exclusively on subjective co-creation of knowledge.
D. Abandons the scientific method entirely.
Correct Answer: B