BA Research Methods and Academic Skills

Question 1

What is a 'literature review' in an academic research paper?

Accepted Answer

A critical survey of existing scholarship relevant to the research question

Answer

A personal reading list for a course

Answer

A summary of fictional literature on a topic

Answer

A list of all books in a library database

Question 2

What is the purpose of an 'Institutional Review Board' (IRB) in US academic research?

Accepted Answer

To review and approve research involving human subjects to protect their rights and welfare

Answer

To evaluate faculty tenure applications

Answer

To audit university financial accounts

Answer

To certify academic degree programs

Question 3

What does 'informed consent' mean in research ethics?

Accepted Answer

Participants voluntarily agree to participate after being fully informed of the study's risks and nature

Answer

Researchers obtain data without telling participants the true purpose

Answer

Participants are paid for their involvement

Answer

Researchers get permission from a department chair only

Question 4

Which research design involves studying the same group of subjects over an extended period of time?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 5

What is 'triangulation' in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Using multiple data sources or methods to increase the validity of findings

Answer

A statistical technique for analyzing three variables simultaneously

Answer

A method of drawing conclusions from a single interview

Answer

A way to assign participants to experimental groups

Question 6

What is the difference between a 'random sample' and a 'convenience sample' in research?

Accepted Answer

A random sample gives every member of the population an equal chance of selection; a convenience sample uses whoever is easily available

Answer

A random sample is smaller than a convenience sample

Answer

A convenience sample is more generalizable than a random sample

Answer

A random sample is only used in qualitative research