Fall SemeSter 2025 – HmemS80 reSearcH
metHodology | November/december PortFolio
comPlete aNSWerS | UPdated 2025/2026 editioN
| veriFied UNiSa PoStgradUate StUdy gUide |
dUe 12 december 2025 | 100% exam-ready
reSearcH PortFolio For UNiverSity oF SoUtH
aFrica StUdeNtS
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of a literature review in research?
A) To gather data from primary sources
B) To summarize existing research and identify gaps
C) To present the researcher's findings
D) To provide a detailed methodology
Correct Option: B) To summarize existing research and identify gaps
Rationale:
The literature review serves to contextualize the research by summarizing existing
studies, identifying gaps in knowledge, and establishing the significance of the current
research. It is not primarily for data collection or presenting findings.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative research?
A) It uses numerical data to analyze trends
B) It focuses on understanding phenomena from a subjective perspective
C) It employs statistical analysis to test hypotheses
D) It aims to establish causal relationships
Correct Option: B) It focuses on understanding phenomena from a subjective
perspective
Rationale:
Qualitative research emphasizes understanding the meanings and experiences of
participants, often through interviews or observations, rather than quantifying data. This
approach is essential for exploring complex phenomena.
Question 3:
In a randomized controlled trial, what is the role of the control group?
A) To receive the experimental treatment
,B) To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group
C) To account for ethical considerations in the research
D) To eliminate all variables in the study
Correct Option: B) To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental
group
Rationale:
The control group serves as a benchmark against which the effects of the treatment can
be measured, allowing researchers to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Question 4:
Which sampling method ensures that every member of the population has an equal
chance of being selected?
A) Convenience sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Random sampling
D) Purposive sampling
Correct Option: C) Random sampling
Rationale:
Random sampling eliminates selection bias by giving each individual in the population
an equal opportunity to be chosen, which enhances the generalizability of the study's
findings.
Question 5:
What is the primary ethical concern in conducting research involving human
subjects?
A) Ensuring the study is cost-effective
B) Maintaining confidentiality and obtaining informed consent
C) Ensuring the research is published
D) Reducing the sample size
Correct Option: B) Maintaining confidentiality and obtaining informed consent
Rationale:
Ethical considerations are paramount in research involving human subjects,
particularly ensuring that participants are fully informed about the study and that their
privacy is protected.
Question 6:
What is a hypothesis?
A) A proven fact
,B) A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
C) A conclusion drawn from data
D) A summary of research findings
Correct Option: B) A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
Rationale:
A hypothesis is an educated guess that can be tested through research and
experimentation, allowing researchers to explore the relationships between different
variables.
Question 7:
Which type of research design is best for establishing causal relationships?
A) Descriptive design
B) Correlational design
C) Experimental design
D) Case study design
Correct Option: C) Experimental design
Rationale:
Experimental designs manipulate one or more independent variables to observe the
effect on a dependent variable, thus allowing researchers to draw conclusions about
causality.
Question 8:
What does "informed consent" entail in research?
A) Participants agree to participate without any information
B) Participants are coerced into participating
C) Participants are fully informed of the study's purpose and risks before agreeing
D) Participants are only told the results after the study
Correct Option: C) Participants are fully informed of the study's purpose and risks
before agreeing
Rationale:
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement that ensures participants
understand what the research involves, including any potential risks, before they agree
to participate.
Question 9:
, What is the main purpose of using a pilot study?
A) To finalize the research findings
B) To collect data for analysis
C) To test the feasibility and design of the research methodology
D) To recruit participants for the main study
Correct Option: C) To test the feasibility and design of the research methodology
Rationale:
A pilot study allows researchers to assess the practicality of their research design and
make necessary adjustments before conducting the full-scale study.
Question 10:
Which of the following is a limitation of qualitative research?
A) It provides rich, detailed data
B) It allows for in-depth exploration of topics
C) It may lack generalizability to larger populations
D) It is time-consuming and resource-intensive
Correct Option: C) It may lack generalizability to larger populations
Rationale:
Qualitative research often focuses on a small sample size, which can limit the ability to
generalize findings to larger populations compared to quantitative research.
Question 11:
What is a cross-sectional study?
A) A study that follows participants over time
B) A study that examines data at a single point in time
C) A study that collects data from multiple sources
D) A study that compares groups with different outcomes
Correct Option: B) A study that examines data at a single point in time
Rationale:
Cross-sectional studies analyze data from a population at one specific time, allowing
researchers to identify patterns or relationships but not causal effects over time.
Question 12:
Which of the following best describes a "variables"?
A) Fixed characteristics
B) Traits that can change or vary
metHodology | November/december PortFolio
comPlete aNSWerS | UPdated 2025/2026 editioN
| veriFied UNiSa PoStgradUate StUdy gUide |
dUe 12 december 2025 | 100% exam-ready
reSearcH PortFolio For UNiverSity oF SoUtH
aFrica StUdeNtS
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of a literature review in research?
A) To gather data from primary sources
B) To summarize existing research and identify gaps
C) To present the researcher's findings
D) To provide a detailed methodology
Correct Option: B) To summarize existing research and identify gaps
Rationale:
The literature review serves to contextualize the research by summarizing existing
studies, identifying gaps in knowledge, and establishing the significance of the current
research. It is not primarily for data collection or presenting findings.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative research?
A) It uses numerical data to analyze trends
B) It focuses on understanding phenomena from a subjective perspective
C) It employs statistical analysis to test hypotheses
D) It aims to establish causal relationships
Correct Option: B) It focuses on understanding phenomena from a subjective
perspective
Rationale:
Qualitative research emphasizes understanding the meanings and experiences of
participants, often through interviews or observations, rather than quantifying data. This
approach is essential for exploring complex phenomena.
Question 3:
In a randomized controlled trial, what is the role of the control group?
A) To receive the experimental treatment
,B) To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group
C) To account for ethical considerations in the research
D) To eliminate all variables in the study
Correct Option: B) To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental
group
Rationale:
The control group serves as a benchmark against which the effects of the treatment can
be measured, allowing researchers to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Question 4:
Which sampling method ensures that every member of the population has an equal
chance of being selected?
A) Convenience sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Random sampling
D) Purposive sampling
Correct Option: C) Random sampling
Rationale:
Random sampling eliminates selection bias by giving each individual in the population
an equal opportunity to be chosen, which enhances the generalizability of the study's
findings.
Question 5:
What is the primary ethical concern in conducting research involving human
subjects?
A) Ensuring the study is cost-effective
B) Maintaining confidentiality and obtaining informed consent
C) Ensuring the research is published
D) Reducing the sample size
Correct Option: B) Maintaining confidentiality and obtaining informed consent
Rationale:
Ethical considerations are paramount in research involving human subjects,
particularly ensuring that participants are fully informed about the study and that their
privacy is protected.
Question 6:
What is a hypothesis?
A) A proven fact
,B) A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
C) A conclusion drawn from data
D) A summary of research findings
Correct Option: B) A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
Rationale:
A hypothesis is an educated guess that can be tested through research and
experimentation, allowing researchers to explore the relationships between different
variables.
Question 7:
Which type of research design is best for establishing causal relationships?
A) Descriptive design
B) Correlational design
C) Experimental design
D) Case study design
Correct Option: C) Experimental design
Rationale:
Experimental designs manipulate one or more independent variables to observe the
effect on a dependent variable, thus allowing researchers to draw conclusions about
causality.
Question 8:
What does "informed consent" entail in research?
A) Participants agree to participate without any information
B) Participants are coerced into participating
C) Participants are fully informed of the study's purpose and risks before agreeing
D) Participants are only told the results after the study
Correct Option: C) Participants are fully informed of the study's purpose and risks
before agreeing
Rationale:
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement that ensures participants
understand what the research involves, including any potential risks, before they agree
to participate.
Question 9:
, What is the main purpose of using a pilot study?
A) To finalize the research findings
B) To collect data for analysis
C) To test the feasibility and design of the research methodology
D) To recruit participants for the main study
Correct Option: C) To test the feasibility and design of the research methodology
Rationale:
A pilot study allows researchers to assess the practicality of their research design and
make necessary adjustments before conducting the full-scale study.
Question 10:
Which of the following is a limitation of qualitative research?
A) It provides rich, detailed data
B) It allows for in-depth exploration of topics
C) It may lack generalizability to larger populations
D) It is time-consuming and resource-intensive
Correct Option: C) It may lack generalizability to larger populations
Rationale:
Qualitative research often focuses on a small sample size, which can limit the ability to
generalize findings to larger populations compared to quantitative research.
Question 11:
What is a cross-sectional study?
A) A study that follows participants over time
B) A study that examines data at a single point in time
C) A study that collects data from multiple sources
D) A study that compares groups with different outcomes
Correct Option: B) A study that examines data at a single point in time
Rationale:
Cross-sectional studies analyze data from a population at one specific time, allowing
researchers to identify patterns or relationships but not causal effects over time.
Question 12:
Which of the following best describes a "variables"?
A) Fixed characteristics
B) Traits that can change or vary
