HMEMS80 (RESEARCH METHODOLOGY)
COMPREHENSIVE PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE (POE)
FOR SEMESTER 2
HMEMS80 Portfolio of Evidence: Semester 2
Examination
Module: HMEMS80 – Research Methodology
Total Marks: 150 (1 mark per question)
Duration: 3 Hours
Instructions:
Answer all questions.
Select the most correct answer for multiple-choice questions.
Provide concise answers for short answer questions.
For case study questions, apply your knowledge of research methodology.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
Select the single best answer for each question.
1. What is the primary purpose of a literature review in the research process?
a) To summarise every book and article ever written on a topic
b) To identify gaps in existing knowledge and position your research
c) To prove that your research question is original and has never been asked
d) To provide a list of references for the final dissertation
, Answer: b) The literature review is a critical synthesis of existing research to establish the
context for a study, justify its significance, and identify the gap that the new research will
fill.
2. A researcher who believes that reality is socially constructed and seeks to understand
the subjective meanings people attach to their experiences is operating from which
paradigm?
a) Positivism
b) Interpretivism
c) Critical Realism
d) Pragmatism
Answer: b) Interpretivism is rooted in the belief that reality is not objective but is
constructed through social interactions and individual perspectives, focusing on subjective
meaning.
3. Which of the following best describes a "unit of analysis"?
a) The specific statistical test used in a study
b) The 'who' or 'what' that is being studied and about which conclusions are drawn
c) The geographical location where the research is conducted
d) The sample size required for statistical significance
Answer: b) The unit of analysis is the major entity that is being analyzed in a study. It
could be individuals, groups, organizations, or social artifacts.
4. What is the defining characteristic of a longitudinal research design?
a) Data is collected from a large sample at a single point in time
b) Data is collected from the same subjects repeatedly over a period of time
c) Data is collected from different age groups at the same time
d) Data is collected through in-depth interviews only
Answer: b) Longitudinal designs involve repeated observations of the same variables over
long periods, which allows for the analysis of change and the direction of causality.
5. Which type of validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be
generalised to other populations, settings, or times?
a) Internal validity
, b) Construct validity
c) External validity
d) Face validity
Answer: c) External validity is about the generalizability of research findings beyond the
specific context of the study.
6. In a quantitative study, a researcher measures job satisfaction using a 5-point Likert
scale. This is an example of which level of measurement?
a) Nominal
b) Ordinal
c) Interval
d) Ratio
Answer: b) An ordinal scale categorizes data into ordered categories (e.g., strongly
disagree to strongly agree), but the intervals between the points are not assumed to be
equal.
7. A researcher wants to ensure that their sample accurately reflects the demographic
characteristics of the entire university population. Which sampling technique is most
appropriate?
a) Convenience sampling
b) Snowball sampling
c) Quota sampling
d) Stratified random sampling
Answer: d) Stratified random sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups
(strata) based on key characteristics and then randomly sampling from each stratum to
ensure proportional representation.
8. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a qualitative research question?
a) It often starts with "What is the relationship between...?"
b) It aims to measure the frequency of a phenomenon
c) It is often open-ended and exploratory, using words like "how" or "what"
d) It must include a hypothesis to be tested
, Answer: c) Qualitative research questions are typically exploratory and open-ended,
focusing on understanding processes, experiences, or meanings in depth.
9. What is the primary purpose of an "informed consent" form?
a) To protect the researcher from legal liability
b) To ensure participants understand the research and voluntarily agree to participate
c) To guarantee participant anonymity
d) To provide a contract that binds the participant to the study
Answer: b) Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle ensuring that participants
have all the information about the research to make a voluntary, uncoerced decision
about their participation.
10. A researcher uses a survey to collect data on income. Which ethical principle is most
directly concerned with ensuring that individual responses cannot be linked to a specific
participant?
a) Anonymity
b) Confidentiality
c) Beneficence
d) Justice
Answer: a) Anonymity means that the researcher cannot identify which specific
participant provided which data. Confidentiality means the researcher knows who
provided the data but promises not to disclose it publicly.
11. In qualitative research, "member checking" is a technique used to enhance which aspect
of trustworthiness?
a) Transferability
b) Dependability
c) Credibility
d) Confirmability
Answer: c) Member checking involves sharing findings with participants to ensure that
the researcher’s interpretation accurately reflects their experiences. This directly enhances
credibility, which is the qualitative equivalent of internal validity.
COMPREHENSIVE PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE (POE)
FOR SEMESTER 2
HMEMS80 Portfolio of Evidence: Semester 2
Examination
Module: HMEMS80 – Research Methodology
Total Marks: 150 (1 mark per question)
Duration: 3 Hours
Instructions:
Answer all questions.
Select the most correct answer for multiple-choice questions.
Provide concise answers for short answer questions.
For case study questions, apply your knowledge of research methodology.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
Select the single best answer for each question.
1. What is the primary purpose of a literature review in the research process?
a) To summarise every book and article ever written on a topic
b) To identify gaps in existing knowledge and position your research
c) To prove that your research question is original and has never been asked
d) To provide a list of references for the final dissertation
, Answer: b) The literature review is a critical synthesis of existing research to establish the
context for a study, justify its significance, and identify the gap that the new research will
fill.
2. A researcher who believes that reality is socially constructed and seeks to understand
the subjective meanings people attach to their experiences is operating from which
paradigm?
a) Positivism
b) Interpretivism
c) Critical Realism
d) Pragmatism
Answer: b) Interpretivism is rooted in the belief that reality is not objective but is
constructed through social interactions and individual perspectives, focusing on subjective
meaning.
3. Which of the following best describes a "unit of analysis"?
a) The specific statistical test used in a study
b) The 'who' or 'what' that is being studied and about which conclusions are drawn
c) The geographical location where the research is conducted
d) The sample size required for statistical significance
Answer: b) The unit of analysis is the major entity that is being analyzed in a study. It
could be individuals, groups, organizations, or social artifacts.
4. What is the defining characteristic of a longitudinal research design?
a) Data is collected from a large sample at a single point in time
b) Data is collected from the same subjects repeatedly over a period of time
c) Data is collected from different age groups at the same time
d) Data is collected through in-depth interviews only
Answer: b) Longitudinal designs involve repeated observations of the same variables over
long periods, which allows for the analysis of change and the direction of causality.
5. Which type of validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be
generalised to other populations, settings, or times?
a) Internal validity
, b) Construct validity
c) External validity
d) Face validity
Answer: c) External validity is about the generalizability of research findings beyond the
specific context of the study.
6. In a quantitative study, a researcher measures job satisfaction using a 5-point Likert
scale. This is an example of which level of measurement?
a) Nominal
b) Ordinal
c) Interval
d) Ratio
Answer: b) An ordinal scale categorizes data into ordered categories (e.g., strongly
disagree to strongly agree), but the intervals between the points are not assumed to be
equal.
7. A researcher wants to ensure that their sample accurately reflects the demographic
characteristics of the entire university population. Which sampling technique is most
appropriate?
a) Convenience sampling
b) Snowball sampling
c) Quota sampling
d) Stratified random sampling
Answer: d) Stratified random sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups
(strata) based on key characteristics and then randomly sampling from each stratum to
ensure proportional representation.
8. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a qualitative research question?
a) It often starts with "What is the relationship between...?"
b) It aims to measure the frequency of a phenomenon
c) It is often open-ended and exploratory, using words like "how" or "what"
d) It must include a hypothesis to be tested
, Answer: c) Qualitative research questions are typically exploratory and open-ended,
focusing on understanding processes, experiences, or meanings in depth.
9. What is the primary purpose of an "informed consent" form?
a) To protect the researcher from legal liability
b) To ensure participants understand the research and voluntarily agree to participate
c) To guarantee participant anonymity
d) To provide a contract that binds the participant to the study
Answer: b) Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle ensuring that participants
have all the information about the research to make a voluntary, uncoerced decision
about their participation.
10. A researcher uses a survey to collect data on income. Which ethical principle is most
directly concerned with ensuring that individual responses cannot be linked to a specific
participant?
a) Anonymity
b) Confidentiality
c) Beneficence
d) Justice
Answer: a) Anonymity means that the researcher cannot identify which specific
participant provided which data. Confidentiality means the researcher knows who
provided the data but promises not to disclose it publicly.
11. In qualitative research, "member checking" is a technique used to enhance which aspect
of trustworthiness?
a) Transferability
b) Dependability
c) Credibility
d) Confirmability
Answer: c) Member checking involves sharing findings with participants to ensure that
the researcher’s interpretation accurately reflects their experiences. This directly enhances
credibility, which is the qualitative equivalent of internal validity.
