Research Methodology MCQs

One of the conditions under which it is appropriate to use multivariate analysis is when the relationship between two variables might be spurious: this means that the relationship, which seemed to exist, doesn’t exist in reality. A third variable turns out, perhaps, to be responsible for the variation in both sets of values, and so they are not really related to each other, so their relationship was “spurious”.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 344

Author: rikazzz Comment

Focus groups

What are “natural groups” in the context of focus group research?

Groups of strangers selected from a particular location

Random samples of participants from the general population

Groups of participants who already know each other

Groups of non-human animals studied in their natural environment

A focus group can be composed of strangers selected from the target population or “natural groups” of people who already know each other from a particular social setting: these might be peer groups in a school, work colleagues, members of a club and so on. “Natural groups” might be selected because of the fact that they have already worked out ways of interaction but, conversely, that might be the very reason they could prove unsuitable for a particular research enquiry.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 510

Author: rikazzz Comment

Getting started: reviewing the literature

When accessing the internet, which of these steps is the most essential?

Recording the full URL

Noting the access dates

Downloading material to be referenced

They are all equally important

The internet is a powerful aid to research but its ease of use sometimes causes problems. Complex sites may be difficult to navigate through a second time and the URL may well have shown up via a search. Some people advise the saving (or book-marking) of searches, a simple procedure. In any event, the full URL and access dates are required for proper referencing. Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, your sources should be downloaded and saved for presentation (if required).
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 112-115

Author: rikazzz Comment