Academic Year 2025 | HMEMS80 Research
Methodology – COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT
ANSWERS | Verified UNISA Postgraduate
Research Guide | Updated Semester 2 2025
Portfolio | Comprehensive Study Resource for
South African Students
Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary purpose of a literature review in research?
A) To summarize previous studies
B) To present new data
C) To provide a theoretical framework
D) To justify the research problem
Correct Option: D) To justify the research problem
Rationale:
The literature review serves to contextualize the research problem within existing
knowledge, highlighting gaps that the current study aims to address. While summarizing
previous studies and presenting data are part of a literature review, its primary function
is to justify why the research is necessary.
Question 2:
In qualitative research, which of the following sampling methods is most commonly
used?
A) Stratified sampling
B) Random sampling
C) Purposive sampling
D) Cluster sampling
Correct Option: C) Purposive sampling
Rationale:
Qualitative research often requires in-depth understanding of specific phenomena,
making purposive sampling suitable as it allows researchers to select participants who
have specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the study.
Question 3:
Which of the following is a characteristic of quantitative research?
A) Data is collected through interviews
B) Research findings are subjective
,C) It relies on statistical analysis
D) It uses structured instruments
Correct Option: D) It uses structured instruments
Rationale:
Quantitative research typically employs structured instruments such as surveys and
questionnaires to collect numerical data, facilitating statistical analysis.
Question 4:
What is the main advantage of using a mixed-methods approach in research?
A) It simplifies the research process
B) It provides a more comprehensive understanding
C) It requires less time
D) It eliminates bias
Correct Option: B) It provides a more comprehensive understanding
Rationale:
A mixed-methods approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods, allowing
researchers to explore a research question more thoroughly and from multiple
perspectives.
Question 5:
In the context of research design, what does "validity" refer to?
A) The consistency of a measure
B) The relevance of the research question
C) The accuracy of the findings
D) The extent to which a study measures what it claims to measure
Correct Option: D) The extent to which a study measures what it claims to measure
Rationale:
Validity indicates how well a study's findings represent the reality they intend to
investigate, ensuring that the conclusions drawn are based on sound measures.
Question 6:
Which of the following is NOT a type of qualitative research?
A) Case study
B) Ethnography
,C) Grounded theory
D) Regression analysis
Correct Option: D) Regression analysis
Rationale:
Regression analysis is a statistical method used in quantitative research to examine
relationships between variables, whereas the other options are methods within
qualitative research.
Question 7:
What does "operationalization" mean in research?
A) Developing a hypothesis
B) Defining how variables will be measured
C) Selecting a research design
D) Analyzing data
Correct Option: B) Defining how variables will be measured
Rationale:
Operationalization involves specifying how abstract concepts will be measured in a
study, allowing researchers to quantify variables for analysis.
Question 8:
Which sampling technique involves dividing the population into subgroups and then
randomly selecting from these subgroups?
A) Simple random sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Systematic sampling
D) Convenience sampling
Correct Option: B) Stratified sampling
Rationale:
Stratified sampling ensures that specific subgroups within a population are adequately
represented by dividing the population and randomly sampling from each subgroup.
Question 9:
What is the purpose of a control group in an experimental study?
A) To provide additional data
B) To serve as a basis for comparison
, C) To increase sample size
D) To ensure random selection
Correct Option: B) To serve as a basis for comparison
Rationale:
A control group allows researchers to isolate the effect of the independent variable by
providing a baseline against which the experimental group can be compared.
Question 10:
Which ethical principle requires researchers to obtain participants' consent before
involving them in a study?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Fidelity
Correct Option: B) Autonomy
Rationale:
The principle of autonomy emphasizes the importance of informing participants about
the study and obtaining their voluntary consent, respecting their right to make informed
decisions.
Questions 11 to 80
Continuing in this format, here are the remaining questions up to 80:
Question 11:
In a survey, what is a "likert scale"?
A) A type of qualitative analysis
B) A method for random sampling
C) A scale for measuring attitudes
D) A framework for case studies
Correct Option: C) A scale for measuring attitudes
Rationale:
A Likert scale is commonly used to measure attitudes or opinions by providing a range
of response options, typically from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree."
Question 12:
Methodology – COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT
ANSWERS | Verified UNISA Postgraduate
Research Guide | Updated Semester 2 2025
Portfolio | Comprehensive Study Resource for
South African Students
Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary purpose of a literature review in research?
A) To summarize previous studies
B) To present new data
C) To provide a theoretical framework
D) To justify the research problem
Correct Option: D) To justify the research problem
Rationale:
The literature review serves to contextualize the research problem within existing
knowledge, highlighting gaps that the current study aims to address. While summarizing
previous studies and presenting data are part of a literature review, its primary function
is to justify why the research is necessary.
Question 2:
In qualitative research, which of the following sampling methods is most commonly
used?
A) Stratified sampling
B) Random sampling
C) Purposive sampling
D) Cluster sampling
Correct Option: C) Purposive sampling
Rationale:
Qualitative research often requires in-depth understanding of specific phenomena,
making purposive sampling suitable as it allows researchers to select participants who
have specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the study.
Question 3:
Which of the following is a characteristic of quantitative research?
A) Data is collected through interviews
B) Research findings are subjective
,C) It relies on statistical analysis
D) It uses structured instruments
Correct Option: D) It uses structured instruments
Rationale:
Quantitative research typically employs structured instruments such as surveys and
questionnaires to collect numerical data, facilitating statistical analysis.
Question 4:
What is the main advantage of using a mixed-methods approach in research?
A) It simplifies the research process
B) It provides a more comprehensive understanding
C) It requires less time
D) It eliminates bias
Correct Option: B) It provides a more comprehensive understanding
Rationale:
A mixed-methods approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods, allowing
researchers to explore a research question more thoroughly and from multiple
perspectives.
Question 5:
In the context of research design, what does "validity" refer to?
A) The consistency of a measure
B) The relevance of the research question
C) The accuracy of the findings
D) The extent to which a study measures what it claims to measure
Correct Option: D) The extent to which a study measures what it claims to measure
Rationale:
Validity indicates how well a study's findings represent the reality they intend to
investigate, ensuring that the conclusions drawn are based on sound measures.
Question 6:
Which of the following is NOT a type of qualitative research?
A) Case study
B) Ethnography
,C) Grounded theory
D) Regression analysis
Correct Option: D) Regression analysis
Rationale:
Regression analysis is a statistical method used in quantitative research to examine
relationships between variables, whereas the other options are methods within
qualitative research.
Question 7:
What does "operationalization" mean in research?
A) Developing a hypothesis
B) Defining how variables will be measured
C) Selecting a research design
D) Analyzing data
Correct Option: B) Defining how variables will be measured
Rationale:
Operationalization involves specifying how abstract concepts will be measured in a
study, allowing researchers to quantify variables for analysis.
Question 8:
Which sampling technique involves dividing the population into subgroups and then
randomly selecting from these subgroups?
A) Simple random sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Systematic sampling
D) Convenience sampling
Correct Option: B) Stratified sampling
Rationale:
Stratified sampling ensures that specific subgroups within a population are adequately
represented by dividing the population and randomly sampling from each subgroup.
Question 9:
What is the purpose of a control group in an experimental study?
A) To provide additional data
B) To serve as a basis for comparison
, C) To increase sample size
D) To ensure random selection
Correct Option: B) To serve as a basis for comparison
Rationale:
A control group allows researchers to isolate the effect of the independent variable by
providing a baseline against which the experimental group can be compared.
Question 10:
Which ethical principle requires researchers to obtain participants' consent before
involving them in a study?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Fidelity
Correct Option: B) Autonomy
Rationale:
The principle of autonomy emphasizes the importance of informing participants about
the study and obtaining their voluntary consent, respecting their right to make informed
decisions.
Questions 11 to 80
Continuing in this format, here are the remaining questions up to 80:
Question 11:
In a survey, what is a "likert scale"?
A) A type of qualitative analysis
B) A method for random sampling
C) A scale for measuring attitudes
D) A framework for case studies
Correct Option: C) A scale for measuring attitudes
Rationale:
A Likert scale is commonly used to measure attitudes or opinions by providing a range
of response options, typically from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree."
Question 12:
