BRM-MCQ QUSETION AND ANSWERS

Course: Business Research (BRM501)

Business Research Methods- Multiple Choice Questions

1. Research is (A) Searching again and again (B) Finding solution to any problem (C) Working in a
scientific way to search for truth of any problem (D) None of the above

2. Which of the following is the first step in starting the research process? (A) Searching
sources of information to locate problem. (B) Survey of related literature (C) Identification of
problem (D) Searching for solutions to the problem

3. A common test in research demands much priority on (A) Reliability (B) Usability (C)
Objectivity (D) All of the above

4. Action research means (A) A longitudinal research (B) An applied research (C) A research
initiated to solve an immediate problem (D) A research with socioeconomic objective

5. A reasoning where we start with certain particular statements and conclude with a universal
statement is called (A) Deductive Reasoning (B) Inductive Reasoning (C) Abnormal Reasoning
(D) Transcendental Reasoning

6. The essential qualities of a researcher are (A) Spirit of free enquiry (B) Reliance on
observation and evidence (C) Systematization or theorizing of knowledge (D) All the above

7. In the process of conducting research ‘Formulation of Hypothesis” is followed by (A)

Statement of Objectives (B) Analysis of Data

(C) Selection of Research Tools (D) Collection of Data

8. A research paper is a brief report of research work based on (A) Primary Data only (B)
Secondary Data only (C) Both Primary and Secondary Data (D) None of the above

9. An appropriate source to find out descriptive information is................ . (A) Bibliography (B)
Directory (C) Encyclopedia (D) Dictionary

10. “Controlled Group” is a term used in.............. . (A) Survey research (B) Historical research
(C) Experimental research (D) Descriptive research

11. Testing hypothesis is a (A) Inferential statistics (B) Descriptive statistics (C) Data preparation
(D) Data analysis
12. The method that consists of collection of data through observation and experimentation,
formulation and testing of hypothesis is called (A) Empirical method (B) Scientific method (C)
Scientific information (D) Practical knowledge (E)

13. Information acquired by experience or experimentation is called as (A) Empirical (B)

Scientific (C) Facts (D) Scientific evidences

14. “All living things are made up of cells. Blue whale is a living being. Therefore blue whale is
made up of cells”. The reasoning used here is (A) Inductive (B) Deductive (C) Both A and B (D)
Hypothetic-Deductive

15. The reasoning that uses general principle to predict specific result is called (A) Inductive

Business Research Methods-

Multiple Choice Questions

1 Research is (A) Searching again and again (B) Finding solution to any problem (C) Working in a
scientific way to search for truth of any problem (D) None of the above

2 Which of the following is the first step in starting the research process? (A) Searching sources
of information to locate problem. (B) Survey of related literature (C) Identification of problem
(D) Searching for solutions to the problem

3 A common test in research demands much priority on (A) Reliability (B) Usability (C)
Objectivity (D) All of the above

4 Action research means (A) A longitudinal research (B) An applied research (C) A research
initiated to solve an immediate problem (D) A research with socioeconomic objective

5 A reasoning where we start with certain particular statements and conclude with a universal
statement is called (A) Deductive Reasoning (B) Inductive Reasoning (C) Abnormal Reasoning
(D) Transcendental Reasoning

6 The essential qualities of a researcher are (A) Spirit of free enquiry (B) Reliance on
observation and evidence (C) Systematization or theorizing of knowledge (D) All the above

7 In the process of conducting research ‘Formulation of Hypothesis” is followed by (A)

Statement of Objectives (B) Analysis of Data (C) Selection of Research Tools (D) Collection of
Data

8 A research paper is a brief report of research work based on (A) Primary Data only (B)
Secondary Data only (C) Both Primary and Secondary Data (D) None of the above
9 An appropriate source to find out descriptive information is................. (A) Bibliography (B)
Directory (C) Encyclopedia (D) Dictionary

10 “Controlled Group” is a term used in............... (A) Survey research (B) Historical research (C)
Experimental research (D) Descriptive research

11 Testing hypothesis is a (A) Inferential statistics (B) Descriptive statistics (C) Data preparation
(D) Data analysis

12 The method that consists of collection of data through observation and experimentation,
formulation and testing of hypothesis is called (A) Empirical method (B) Scientific method (C)
Scientific information (D) Practical knowledge (E)

13 Information acquired by experience or experimentation is called as (A) Empirical (B)

Scientific (C) Facts (D) Scientific evidences

14 “All living things are made up of cells. Blue whale is a living being. Therefore blue whale is
made up of cells”. The reasoning used here is (A) Inductive (B) Deductive (C) Both A and B (D)
Hypothetic-Deductive

15 The reasoning that uses general principle to predict specific result is called (A) Inductive

Qualitative research is: (A) Not as rigorous as quantitative research (B) Primarily concerned with
the collection and analysis of numerical data (C) Primarily concerned with in-depth exploration
of phenomena (D) Primarily concerned with the quality of the research

16 Quantitative research involves (A) Interviewing people to find out their deeply held views
about issues (B) Collecting data in numerical form (C) More rigor than qualitative research (D)
Interviewing every member of the target population

17 What is the basis of the scientific method (A) To test hypothesis in conditions that are
conducive to its success (B) To formulate a research problem and disprove the hypothesis (C) To
formulate a research problem, test the hypothesis in carefully controlled conditions that
challenge the hypothesis (D) To test hypothesis and if they are disproved, they should be
abandoned completely

18 Of all the steps in the research process, the one that typically takes the most time is (A) Data
collection (B) Formulating the problem (C) Selecting a research method (D) Developing a
hypothesis

19 The concepts in a hypothesis are stated as (A) Variables (B) Theories (C) Indices (D) Ideas
20 In order for a variable to be measured, a researcher must provide a (A) Operational
definition (B) Hypothesis (C) Theory (D) Scale

21 Which of the following was not identified as a major research design? (A) secondary
research (B) Surveys (C) Field Research (D) ethnography

22 When a number of researchers use the same operational definition to measure a variable
and achieve the same results, the measure is said to be (A) Instrumental (B) Reliable (C) Valid
(D) Factual

23 There are various types of research designed to obtain different types of information. What
type of research is used to define problems and suggest hypotheses? (A) Descriptive Research
(B) Primary research (C) Secondary research (D) Causal research

24 What type of research would be appropriate in the following situation? Nestlé wants to
investigate the impact of children on their parents' decisions to buy breakfast foods. (A)
Quantitative research. (B) Qualitative research (C) Secondary Research (D) Mixed methodology

25 What type of research would be appropriate in the following situation? A college or

university bookshop wants to get some insights into how students feel about the shop's
merchandise, prices and service. (A) Secondary data (B) Qualitative research (C) Focus groups
(D) Quantitative research

26 The Internet is a powerful mechanism for conducting research. However it does have its
drawbacks. Which of the following signify these drawbacks? (A) The possible inclusion of
individuals not being targeted, that could skew the results (B) Lack of information about the
population responding to the questionnaire. (C) Eye contact and body language, (two useful
research indicators) are excluded from the analysis (D) All of the above

27 _____________ research is the gathering of primary data by watching people. (A)

Experimental (B) Causal (C) Informative (D) Observational

28 Which is the best type of research approach for gathering causal information? (A)
Observational (B) Informative (C) Experimental (D) Survey

29 The outcome of what is being measured is termed: (A) Independent Variable (B) Dependent
Variable (C) Predictor variable(D) Plan that directs the research design
30 A research proposal is best described as a (A) Framework for data collection and analysis (B)
Argument for the merit of the study (C) Description of how the researcher plans to maintain an
ethical perspective during the study (D) Description of the research process for a research
project

31 The purpose of a literature review is to: (A) Use the literature to identify present knowledge
and what is unknown (B) Assist in defining the problem and operational definition (C) Identify
strengths and weaknesses of previous studies (D) All of the above

32 The statement 'To identify the relationship between the time the patient spends on the
operating table and the development of pressure ulcers' is best described as a research: (A)
Objective (B) Aim (C) Question (D) Hypothesis

33 An operational definition specifies (A) The data analysis techniques to be used in the study
(B) The levels of measurement to be used in the study (C) How a variable or concept will be
defined and measured in the study (D) How the outcome of the research objectives for the
study will be measured

34 A statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables is known as the:
(A) Concept definition (B) Hypothesis (C) Problem statement (D) Research question

35 There is no difference in the incidence of phlebitis around intravenous cannulae changed

every 72 hours and those changed at 96 hours' is an example of a: (A) Null hypothesis (B)
Directional hypothesis (C) Non-directional hypothesis (D) Simple hypothesis

36 Which of the following statements meets the criteria for a researchable question? (A) Is the
use of normal saline to cleanse wounds harmful to patients? (B) Do generalist registered nurses
meet the mental health needs of general patients? (C) Do palliative care patients have spiritual
needs? (D) What are the patients perceptions of the effectiveness of pre-operative education
for total hip replacement?

37 The researcher needs to clearly identify the aim of the study; the question to be answered;
the population of interest; information to be collected, and feasibility in order to decide on the
research (A) Design and method (B) Design and assumptions (C) Purpose and data analysis (D)
Purpose and assumptions

38 A variable that changes due to the action of another variable is known as the (A)
Independent variable (B) Extraneous variable (C) Complex variable (D) Dependent Variable
39 When planning to do social research, it is better to (A) Approach the topic with an open
mind (B) Do a pilot study before getting stuck into it (C) Be familiar with the literature on the
topic (D) Forget about theory because this is a very practical undertaking

40 Which comes first, theory or research? (A) Theory because otherwise you are working in the
dark (B) Research because that is only the way you can develop a theory (C) It depends on your
point of view (D) The question is meaningless, because you cannot have one without the other

41 We review the relevant literature to know (A) What is already known about the topic (B)
What concepts and theories have been applied to the topic (C) Who are the key contributors to
the topic (D) All of the above

42 A deductive theory is one that: (A) Allows theory to emerge out of the data (B) Involves
testing an explicitly defined hypothesis (C) Allows for findings to feed back into the stock of
knowledge (D) Uses qualitative methods whenever possible

43 Which of the following is not a type of research question? (A) Predicting an outcome (B)
Evaluating a phenomenon (C) Developing good practice (D) A hypothesis

44 Because of the number of things that can go wrong in research there is a need for: (A)
Flexibility and Perseverance (B) Sympathetic supervisors (C) An emergency source of finance (D)
Wisdom to know the right time to quit

45 What is the basis of the scientific method? (A) To test hypotheses in conditions that are
conducive to its success (B) To formulate a research problem and disprove the hypothesis (C) To
formulate a research problem, test the hypothesis in carefully controlled conditions that
challenge the hypothesis (D) To test hypotheses and if they are disproved, they should be
abandoned completely

46 A literature review requires (A) Planning (B) Clear writing (C) Good writing (D) All of the
above

47 The facts that should be collected to measure a variable, depend upon the (A) Conceptual
understanding (B) Dictionary meaning (C) Operational definition (D) All of the above

48 Which of the following is the BEST hypothesis? (A) Students taking formative quizzes will
perform better on chapter exams than students not taking these quizzes (B) Taller students will
have higher test scores than shorter students (C) Students taught in a cooperative group setting
should do better than students in a traditional class (D) Students using laptops will do well
49 Which of the following is the best hypothesis statement to address the research question?
“What impact will the new advertising campaign have on use of brand B”? (A) The new
advertising campaign will impact brand B image (B) The new advertising campaign will impact
brand B image trial (C) The new advertising campaign will impact brand B usage at the expense
of brand C (D) The new advertising campaign will impact brand B’s market penetration

50 Qualitative and quantitative research are the classifications of research on the basis of (A)
Use of the research (B) Time dimension (C) Techniques used (D) Purpose of the research

51 Rationalism is the application of (A) Research Solution (B) Logic and arguments (C)
Reasoning (D) Previous findings

52 Why do you need to review the existing literature? (A) To give your dissertation a proper
academic appearance with lots of references (B) Because without it, you could never reach the
required word count (C) To find out what is already known about your area of interest (D) To
help in your general studying

53 The application of the scientific method to the study of business problems is called (A)
Inductive reasoning (B) Deductive reasoning (C) Business research (D) Grounded Theory

An operational definition (A) One that bears no relation to the underlying concept (B) An
abstract, theoretical definition of a concept (C) A definition of a concept in terms of specific,
empirical measures (D) One that refers to opera singers and their work

79 According to empiricism, which of the following is the ultimate source of all our concepts
and knowledge? (A) Perceptions (B) Theory (C) Sensory experiences (D) Logics and arguments

80 Which of the following is most beneficial to read in an article? (A) Methods (B) Introduction
(C) Figures (D) References

81 Which of the following is not a function of clearly identified research questions? (A) They
guide your literature search (B) They keep you focused throughout the data collection period
(C) They make the scope of your research as wide as possible (D) They are linked together to
help you construct a coherent argument

82**.** Hypothesis refers to A. The outcome of an experiment B. A conclusion drawn from an

experiment C. A form of bias in which the subject tries to outguess the experimenter D. A
tentative statement about the relationship
Statistics is used by researchers to A. Analyze the empirical data collected in a study B. Make
their findings sound better C. Operationally define their variables D. Ensure the study comes out
the way it was intended

A literature review is based on the assumption that

92. “Officers in my organization have higher than average level of commitment” Such a
hypothesis is an example of.......... A. Descriptive Hypothesis B. Directional Hypothesis C.
Relational Hypothesis D. All of the above

93. ‘Science’ refers to.......... A. A system for producing knowledge B. The knowledge produced
by a system C. Both A & B D. None of the above

94. Which one of the following is not a characteristic of scientific method? A. Deterministic B.
Rationalism C. Empirical D. Abstraction

95፟ The theoretical framework discusses the interrelationships among the.......... A. Variables B.
Hypothesis C. Concept D. Theory

96 ........ is based on naturalism. A. Field research B. Descriptive research C. Basic research D.

Applied research

Rationalism is the application of which of the following? A. Logic and arguments B. Research
solution C. Reasoning D. Previous findings

98- On which of the following, scientific knowledge mostly relies? A. Logical understanding B.
Identification of events C. Prior knowledge D. All of the given options

99- Which of the following refers to research supported by measurable evidence? A. Opinion B.
Empiricism C. Speculation D. Rationalism

Research method is applicable in all of the following fields, EXCEPT; A. Health care B. Religion C.
Business D. Government offices

101 All of the following are true statements about action research, EXCEPT; A. Data are
systematically analyzed B. Data are collected systematically C. Results are generalizable D.
Results are used to improve practice

102 of the following is characteristic of action research? A. Variables are tightly controlled B.
Results are generalizable C. Data are usually qualitative D. Results demonstrate cause-and-
effect relationships
“Income distribution of employees” in a specific organization is an example of which of
following type of variable?

A. Discontinuous variable B. Continuous variable C. Dependent variable D. Independent variable

104. “There is no relationship between higher motivation level and higher efficiency” is an
example of which type of hypothesis? A. Alternative B. Null C. Co relational D. Research

Which of the following is not a role of hypothesis? A. Guides the direction of the study B.
Determine feasibility of conducting the study C. Identifies relevant and irrelevant facts D.
Provides framework for organizing the conclusions

105 Which of the following is not the source for getting information for exploratory research?
A. Content analysis B. Survey C. Case study D. Pilot study

106 Which of the following is the main quality of a good theory? A. A theory that has survived
attempts at falsification B. A theory that is proven to be right

107 In which one of the following stage researcher consult the literature? a. Operation test b.
Response analysis survey c. Document design analysis d. Pretest interviews

108 Two variables may be said to be causally related if a show a strong positive correlation. b
extraneous variables are controlled, and the independent variable creates consistent
differences in behavior of the experimental group. c are observed to co-vary on many separate
occasions. d have been observed in a laboratory setting.

109 Theories explain results, predict future outcomes, and a only on naturalistic observations.
b research for future studies. c only on surveys. d only on case studies.

110 Characteristics of the scientific method include a. anecdotal definition. b. controlled

observation. c. analysis formulation. d. adherence to inductive thinking or common sense
reasoning.

A scientific explanation that remains tentative until it has been adequately tested is called a(n)
a. b. c. d.

120**.** The phrase "a theory must also be falsifiable" means a misrepresent their data. b
theory must be defined so it can be disconfirmed. c are a rich array of observations regarding
behavior but with few facts to support them. d.

The products of naturalistic observation are best described in terms of a. b. c. d.

A psychologist watches the rapid eye movements of sleeping subjects and wakes them to find
they report that they were dreaming. She concludes that dreams are linked to rapid eye
movements. This conclusion is based on a speculation. b observation. c from direct observation.
d prediction.

We wish to test the hypothesis that music improves learning. We compare test scores of
students who study to music with those who study in silence. Which of the following is an

#extraneous variable in this experiment? a presence or absence of music b students' test scores
c amount of time allowed for the studying d

#An experiment is performed to see if background music improves learning. Two groups study
the same material, one while listening to music and another without music. The independent
variable is a. b size of the group. c material studied. d.

The most powerful research tool is a (an) a study. b. c. d study.

A major disadvantage of the experimental method is that a funding can never be obtained. b
Ethical Review Committees often do not approve of the research techniques. c is a certain
amount of artificiality attached to it. d are difficult to find for research projects.

In the traditional learning experiment, the effect of practice on performance is investigated.

Performance is the __________ variable. a b c d

137 Collection of observable evidence, precise definition, and replication of results all form the
basis for a observation. b scientific method. c a scientific problem. d generation.

138 Which of the following is not characteristic of qualitative data? a. Rich descriptions b.
Concise c. Voluminous d. Unorganized

139 An interview conducted by a trained moderator among a small group of respondents in an

unstructured and natural manner is a ---------- a. Depth Interview b. Case Study c. Focus Group
d. None of the above

140 Which of the following is not a longitudinal study? a. Cohort Study (B) random assignment
of participants and measuring dependent variables (C) manipulation of independent variables
and control over extraneous variables (D) random assignment of participants and control over
extraneous variables
141. In an experiment on the effects of noise on problem solving, you have some participants
solve a problem while being exposed to noise, whereas other participants do the same
problems while not being exposed to noise. In this example, exposing or not exposing
participants to the noise constitutes a(n). (A) independent variable (B) dependent variable (C)
extraneous variable (D) correlational variable.

142. In an experiment on visual perception, you make sure that your laboratory is the same
temperature and has the same level of lighting throughout the experiment. This is an example
of:. (A) holding extraneous variables constant. (B) manipulating an independent variable (C)
randomly assigning participants to conditions (D) ignoring extraneous variables

143 According to your text, extraneous variables can be dealt with in an experiment by. (A)
holding their values constant across conditions (B) random assignment of subjects to condition
(C) increasing the power of your independent variables (D) All of the above (E) Both a and b

144. which of the following is the greatest strength of the experimental approach? (A) the
ability to study relationships under naturally occurring conditions (B) the ability to identify and
describe causal relationships (C) the ability to generalize results beyond the original research
situation (D) All of the above

145. A disadvantage of the experimental approach is that (A) you cannot adequately control
extraneous variables. (B) causal relationships among variables cannot be established (C) your
results may have limited generality (D) All of the above

146. If your experimental design measures what it is intended to measure, we say that the
design has a high level of: (A) reliability. (B) internal validity. (C) ecological validity. (D) external
validity

147. Alternative explanations for the findings of a study that may become viable because of
flaws in the design are termed: (A) rival hypotheses (B) experimental hypotheses (C) theoretical
possibilities (D) goofs

148. Which of the following was listed in your text as a factor affecting external validity? (A)
history (B) reactive testing (C) statistical regression (D) All of the above

149. you would be most concerned with external validity if you were conducting (A) applied
research (B) basic research (C) a demonstration (D) None of the above

150. Power of the test of significance means probability of what?

(a) Incorrect rejection of the null hypothesis (b) Correct rejection of the null hypothesis (c)
Incorrect acceptance of the null hypothesis (d) Correct acceptance of the null hypothesis.
151. In evaluating the significance of the research problem, an important social consideration is

(a) The genuine interest of the researcher in the problem. (b) Practical value of the findings to
educationists, parents and social workers, etc. (c) Necessary skills, abilities and background of
knowledge of the researcher. (d) Possibility of obtaining reliable and valid data by the
researchers.

152. Thinking analogously about hypothesis, a researcher should

(a) First bet and then roll the dice. (b) First roll the dice and then bet. (c) Change his bet after
the data are in. (d) Have no bets, but dice only.

153. Why is research in education important for teachers? (a) It adds to their academic
qualifications. (b) It makes them wiser (c) It makes them better teachers (d) It enables them to
make best possible judgments about what should be taught and how.

154. Action research is ordinarily concerned with problems (a) Of general nature. (b)
Constituting universal truths. (c) Are of immediate concern and call for immediate solutions. (d)
Have long-range implications.

155. Which of the following is not a correct statement?

(a) A test can be reliable without being valid (b) A test cannot be valid without being reliable (c)
A test can be reliable and valid both (d) A test can be valid without being reliable. 156.
Projective technique is used for measuring

(a) Individual’s need for self-actualization. (b) Individual’s inventoried interests. (c) Individual’s
dominant feelings, emotions, conflicts, needs which are, generally, repressed by the individual
and are stored up in the unconscious mind. (d) Individual’s value-system.

157.. Which of the following is not a projective technique?