10 MCQ on Social Science Research

Which of the following is NOT a goal of social science research? a) To describe social phenomena b) To predict social outcomes c) To influence public policy d) To sell products to consumers Answer: d) To sell products to consumers

Which research method involves observing people in their natural settings without intervention or manipulation? a) Survey research b) Experimental research c) Correlational research d) Observational research Answer: d) Observational research

What is the purpose of a hypothesis in social science research? a) To provide a tentative explanation for a phenomenon b) To prove that a phenomenon exists c) To guarantee a particular research outcome d) To limit the scope of the research study Answer: a) To provide a tentative explanation for a phenomenon

Which of the following is an example of a qualitative research method? a) Experimentation b) Survey research c) Content analysis d) Correlational research Answer: c) Content analysis

What is the difference between a population and a sample in social science research? a) A population is a small subset of a larger group, while a sample includes the entire group. b) A population is a group of people who share a common characteristic, while a sample is a group of people who are randomly selected from the population. c) A population is the group of people being studied, while a sample is a smaller group selected from the population. d) A population is a group of people who are closely related to each other, while a sample is a group of people who are not related. Answer: c) A population is the group of people being studied, while a sample is a smaller group selected from the population.

Which of the following is an example of a dependent variable? a) Age b) Gender c) Income d) Happiness Answer: d) Happiness

Which research method involves manipulating one variable to see if it affects another variable? a) Survey research b) Experimental research c) Correlational research d) Observational research Answer: b) Experimental research

Which of the following is an example of a quantitative research method? a) Ethnography b) Case study c) Survey research d) Grounded theory Answer: c) Survey research

What is a random sample in social science research? a) A sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being included. b) A sample in which only the most qualified individuals are selected. c) A sample in which every member of the population is included. d) A sample in which the researcher chooses which individuals to include. Answer: a) A sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being included.

Which research method involves measuring the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables? a) Survey research b) Experimental research c) Correlational research d) Observational research Answer: c) Correlational research