A concise short note on Social Research & Social Survey (concepts, characteristics, types, importance, steps in formulation & reporting), and 30 objective (MCQ) questions with answers, plus a small interactive script to reveal correct answers or check user's choices.

Research Methodology — Short Note & 30 Objective Questions (with answers)

Short note — Social Research & Social Survey (concise)

• Social Research: Systematic, objective, and scientific study of social phenomena to generate valid knowledge about society, behavior, institutions, and relationships.
• Characteristics: Systematic, empirical, logical, replicable, objective (as far as possible), and cumulative (builds on prior knowledge).
• Types of Social Research: Basic (pure) vs. applied; Quantitative vs. Qualitative; Exploratory, Descriptive, Analytical, Explanatory, Evaluative; Longitudinal vs. Cross-sectional; Action research; Participatory research.
• Social Survey: A method of social research that gathers data from a sample of respondents using structured instruments (questionnaires/interviews) to describe or explain population attributes.
• Characteristics of Social Survey: Standardized instruments, sampling, generalizability, focus on attitudes/behaviors, often cross-sectional, emphasis on statistical analysis.
• Importance: Informs policy, identifies social needs/trends, tests theories, evaluates programs, supports planning and evidence-based decisions.
• Steps in Research Formulation: Identify problem → review literature → define objectives/questions/hypotheses → choose design/methods → sampling → instrumentation → data collection → data analysis → interpretation → reporting.
• Steps in Reporting: Title/abstract → introduction/problem statement/literature review → objectives/hypotheses → methodology → results → discussion → conclusions → recommendations → references → appendices.
• Forward-looking & Digital Note: Modern social research increasingly uses mixed methods, digital data sources (social media, administrative data), ethical data governance, and reproducible workflows (code, pre-registration, open data where possible).

Use this summary as a quick revision guide before attempting the objective questions below.

30 Objective Questions (MCQs) — select then check or reveal answers

1. Social research is primarily aimed at:

A. Generating valid and reliable knowledge about social phenomena B. Promoting a political agenda C. Only collecting statistics D. Replacing qualitative insights

Answer: A

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of scientific social research?

A. Systematic approach B. Empirical evidence C. Reliance exclusively on intuition D. Logical analysis

Answer: C

3. A social survey typically uses which instrument?

A. Ethnographic field notes B. Structured questionnaire C. Rorschach test D. Autoethnography

Answer: B

4. Cross-sectional survey means:

A. Follows same respondents over long time B. Experimental manipulation C. Qualitative interviews only D. Data collected at one point in time

Answer: D

5. Descriptive research primarily aims to:

A. Describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon B. Prove causal relations C. Provide therapy D. Replace theoretical frameworks

Answer: A

6. Which sampling method gives every member of the population an equal chance?

A. Purposive sampling B. Simple random sampling C. Snowball sampling D. Quota sampling

Answer: B

7. Which is a key advantage of surveys?

A. Deep contextual understanding B. No need for sampling C. Ability to generalize (with proper sampling) D. Avoids structured questions

Answer: C

8. Hypothesis in social research is:

A. A tentative statement about relationship between variables B. Always proven true C. A literature review D. Synonym for population

Answer: A

9. Which is NOT a step in research reporting?

A. Results B. Discussion C. Methodology D. Astrological prediction

Answer: D

10. Reliability of an instrument means:

A. It measures what it intends to measure B. Consistency of results over repeated uses C. Results are important D. Instrument is expensive

Answer: B

11. Validity refers to:

A. Accuracy — instrument measures what it is supposed to measure B. Speed of data collection C. Number of respondents D. Cost effectiveness

Answer: A

12. Qualitative research emphasizes:

A. Large-scale statistical tests B. Closed questionnaires only C. In-depth understanding and meanings D. Randomized trials only

Answer: C

13. Pilot study in social research is used to:

A. Replace the main study B. Test instruments and procedures on a small scale C. Publish preliminary results D. Select the population

Answer: B

14. Secondary data is:

A. Data collected earlier by someone else B. Data collected for the current study only C. Always invalid D. Data from experiments only

Answer: A

15. Action research is characterized by:

A. Theorizing without practice B. Solving practical problems while generating knowledge C. Large national surveys only D. Using only quantitative methods

Answer: B

16. A sampling frame is:

A. Same as population B. The questionnaire C. A list from which a sample is drawn D. A fieldwork tool

Answer: C

17. Informed consent in social research refers to:

A. Participants agreeing after being informed about purpose and risks B. Mandatory participation C. Concealing the study purpose D. Only for clinical trials

Answer: A

18. Longitudinal research is best for studying:

A. A single snapshot B. Only qualitative narratives C. Laboratory behavior D. Changes over time

Answer: D

19. Coding in quantitative analysis means:

A. Writing software only B. Converting responses into numeric form for analysis C"> C. Asking open questions D. Only for interviews

Answer: B

20. Literature review in research is done to:

A. Understand prior studies and identify gaps B. Replace methodology C. Only cite famous authors D. Avoid sampling

Answer: A

21. Which design is best to establish causality?

A. Cross-sectional survey B. Case study C. Ethnography D. Experimental design (with control & randomization)

Answer: D

22. Operationalization in research means:

A. Writing the discussion B. Defining how abstract concepts will be measured C"> C. Choosing the sample only D. Deleting data

Answer: B

23. Confidentiality in research ensures:

A. Public release of names B. Mandatory publication C. Protection of respondent identity and data D. Data destruction only

Answer: C

24. A quota sample is:

A. Non-probability sample with quotas for key groups B. A simple random sample C. Always unbiased D. A longitudinal technique

Answer: A

25. Triangulation in research refers to:

A. Using only three questions B. Random sampling of three groups C. Deleting inconsistent data D. Using multiple methods or sources to cross-check findings

Answer: D

26. Which statistic measures central tendency?

A. Standard deviation B. Mean C. Chi-square D. Correlation coefficient

Answer: B

27. Anonymity means:

A. Respondents' identities are not known even to researchers B. Identities are published C. Consent not required D. Only for quantitative studies

Answer: A

28. Research ethics includes all EXCEPT:

A. Informed consent B. Minimizing harm C. Fabrication of data D. Privacy protection

Answer: C

29. A case study is best described as:

A. Broad national survey B. In-depth study of a single case or small set of cases C. Quantitative only D. A type of experimental design

Answer: B

30. Reporting recommendations in research should be:

A. Practical, evidence-based and linked to findings B. Vague and general C. Irrelevant to study aims D. Only for academic audiences

Answer: A

Answer Key (1–30):

A, C, B, D, A, B, C, A, D, B, A, C, B, A, B, C, A, D, B, A, D, B, C, A, D, B, A, C, B, A

Use the "Show All Answers" button to display answers inline beside each question.

Prepared as a quick study and testing resource. Forward-looking note: consider adding short dataset exercises or mini digital-survey tasks (Google Forms, spreadsheet cleaning) to make this more practice-oriented.