BA Research Methods and Academic Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'literature review' in an academic research paper?
- A critical survey of existing scholarship relevant to the research question (Correct answer)
- A personal reading list for a course
- A summary of fictional literature on a topic
- A list of all books in a library database
Correct answer: A critical survey of existing scholarship relevant to the research question
A literature review critically synthesizes existing research on a topic, identifying trends, gaps, and debates to situate a new study within the scholarly conversation.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an 'Institutional Review Board' (IRB) in US academic research?
- To review and approve research involving human subjects to protect their rights and welfare (Correct answer)
- To evaluate faculty tenure applications
- To audit university financial accounts
- To certify academic degree programs
Correct answer: To review and approve research involving human subjects to protect their rights and welfare
An IRB is a federally required committee that reviews research proposals involving human participants to ensure ethical standards, informed consent, and minimal risk.
Question 3: What does 'informed consent' mean in research ethics?
- Participants voluntarily agree to participate after being fully informed of the study's risks and nature (Correct answer)
- Researchers obtain data without telling participants the true purpose
- Participants are paid for their involvement
- Researchers get permission from a department chair only
Correct answer: Participants voluntarily agree to participate after being fully informed of the study's risks and nature
Informed consent requires that research participants receive complete information about the study's purpose, procedures, and risks and voluntarily agree to participate before data collection begins.
Question 4: Which research design involves studying the same group of subjects over an extended period of time?
- Longitudinal study (Correct answer)
- Cross-sectional study
- Case study
- Meta-analysis
Correct answer: Longitudinal study
A longitudinal study follows the same participants over time to track changes and developments, making it ideal for studying development, aging, or long-term trends.
Question 5: What is 'triangulation' in qualitative research?
- Using multiple data sources or methods to increase the validity of findings (Correct answer)
- A statistical technique for analyzing three variables simultaneously
- A method of drawing conclusions from a single interview
- A way to assign participants to experimental groups
Correct answer: Using multiple data sources or methods to increase the validity of findings
Triangulation strengthens research credibility by cross-checking findings using multiple data sources, methods, investigators, or theoretical frameworks.
Question 6: What is the difference between a 'random sample' and a 'convenience sample' in research?
- A random sample gives every member of the population an equal chance of selection; a convenience sample uses whoever is easily available (Correct answer)
- A random sample is smaller than a convenience sample
- A convenience sample is more generalizable than a random sample
- A random sample is only used in qualitative research
Correct answer: A random sample gives every member of the population an equal chance of selection; a convenience sample uses whoever is easily available
Random sampling maximizes representativeness and allows generalization to a broader population, while convenience sampling (using available participants) is easier but less representative.
BA Research Methods and Academic Skills 1
What is a 'literature review' in an academic research paper?