Thesis & Article Writing: Previous Years Questions | Research Aptitude for UGC NET PDF Download

Q1: A researcher obtains the following p-values for sample correlation coefficients of different samples. Which of these can be considered significant at 1% level of significance? (June 2023)
(A) 0.004
(B) 0.99
(C) 0.995
(D) 0.001
(E) 0.1
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) B & C only
(b) B, D & E only
(c) A, & D only
(d) B, C & E only
Ans: (a)
Sol: P-Value of level of significance is considered less than 1% or 0.05. With this reference, values of 0.99 and 0.995 can be considered by researchers.

Q2: Which among the following would be the ethical issues in a research study that involves participation of human subjects? (June 2023)
(A) Lack of informed consent
(B) Physical and psychological harm
(C) Excessive inducements
(D) Debriefing
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) A, B & C only
(b) B, C & D only
(c) A, C & D only
(d) A, B, C & D
Ans:  (a)
Sol: Ethical issue in research can involve all the given options except debriefing which is not a part of data collection that involves participation of human subjects.

Q3: Given below are two statements: Statement I: In a ratio scale, zero point is arbitrary. Statement II: The nominal scale allows ordering/ ranking of data. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: (June 2023)
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Ans:  (b)
Sol:

Q4: Given below are two statements: Statement I: The standard deviation of a series of repeated measurements estimates the likely size of the chance error in a single measurement. Statement II: Bias affects all the measurements the same way, pushing them in the same direction. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: (June 2023)
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Ans:  (a)
Sol: Statement I is correct but biasness does not affect all the measurements in the same way. Hence, statement II is incorrect.

Q5: Which aspect of the researcher may cause psychosocial effect in the participant of a study? (March 2023)
(a) Age
(b) Race
(c) Sex
(d) Attitude
Ans:  (d)
Sol: Attitude of a researcher can affect the results and outcome of research. Age, sex, and race do not affect majorly.

Q6: Arrange the following components of a research paper written in APA style, in the correct order: 1. Figures 2. Methods 3. Introduction 4. Tables 5. Results (March 2023)
(a) 3, 5, 2, 4, 1
(b) 3, 2, 5, 4, 1
(c) 3, 2, 1, 4, 5
(d) 3, 2, 5, 1, 4
Ans:  (b)
Sol: APA or American Psychological Association format is a very commonly used format for research writing or thesis writing. This format is used for psychology, business, nursing, sociology, linguistic research, and economics. Correct order of report writing in this format is: -

• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Tables
• Figures

Q7: In the case of negatively skewed distribution (March 2023)
(a) Mean < Mode < Median
(b) Mean > Mode > Median
(c) Mean > Median > Mode
(d) Mean < Median < Mode
Ans:  (d)
Sol: 
Bell shaped curve in the case of symmetrical data. In this case, Mean, median and mode are equal or Mean = Median = Mode. In case of asymmetrical data, the curve is bended or skewed. It can be positively or negatively skewed.

This given curve is a positively skewed curve. In this case, Mean is highest and mode is lowest or Mean>Median>Mode. (Note: This can be learned by remembering “Positive people are always right and mean.” This shows that positively skewed curve is bend from right side and mean has highest value in it.)

This given curve is a negatively skewed curve. In this case, mode is highest and mean is lowest or Mode>Median>Mean.

Q8: What is SCOPUS? (September 2022)
(a) Software to prepare Ph.D thesis
(b) Database containing abstracts and citations of academic journals
(c) Agency to fund research and development
(d) Plagiarism checking software
Ans:  (b)
Sol: 

• SCOPUS is the database of peer reviewed journals.
• It is focused on independent journals in various fields of research.
• Main Fields of SCOPUS are science, social science, technology, medicine etc.
• Research journals of SCOPUS are in approximately 40 languages.

Q9: The style of writing a thesis and research article has to be (December 2019)
(a) Creative in so far as diction is concerned
(b) Scientific in respect of language used
(c) Mechanical in so far as placement of figures and tables is concerned
(d) Variable in respect of referencing
Ans:  (b)
Sol: Thesis or research article should be written by following scientific process and procedures. Scientific methods will have clearly defined sections, subsections and style of writing.

Q10: Position papers are (June 2019)
(a) Compiling of academic articles
(b) Providing review articles
(c) Offering a synopsis of an extended research
(d) Highlighting of issues and depiction of status
Ans:  (d)
Sol: Position paper is compiled to put forward an opinion or position in relation to any ongoing issue. It is basically an argument for or against any topic and its goal is to convince an audience.

Q11: In which of the following activities, potential for nurturing creative and critical thinking is relatively greater? (July 2018)
(a) Preparing research summary
(b) Presenting a seminar paper
(c) Participation in research conference
(d) Participation in a workshop
Ans: (d)
Sol: Participation in a workshop promotes creative and innovative thinking in learners more in comparison to other given options. Learners are encouraged to identify the various aspects of any field of study.

Q12: In finalizing a thesis writing format, which of the following would form part of supplementary pages? (November 2017)
(a) List of tables and figures
(b) Table of contents
(c) Conclusions of the study
(d) Bibliography and Appendices
Ans:  (d)
Sol: Bibliography and Appendices are included at the end of any thesis. They provide the information which is not entirely necessary to understand the findings of the thesis, but can be referred to if required by the reader.

Q13: In which of the following is the reporting format prescribed? (January 2017)
(a) Doctoral level thesis
(b) Conference of researchers
(c) Workshops and seminars
(d) Symposia
Ans:  (a)
Sol: While writing a doctoral level thesis, the researcher has to follow a strict pre-defined format of report writing.

Q14: The format of thesis writing is the same as in (June 2016)
(a) Preparation of a research paper/article
(b) Writing of seminar presentation
(c) A research dissertation
(d) Presenting a workshop/conference paper
Ans:  (c)
Sol: The format of writing a thesis is the same as that of writing a master’s or graduate dissertation.

Q15: Which of the following are the basic rules of APA style of referencing format? (December 2015)
1. Italicise titles of shorter works such as journal articles or essays
2. Invert authors’ names (last name first)
3. Italicise titles of longer works such as books and journals
4. Alphabetically index reference list
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans:  (b)
Sol: Italicizing the name of shorter works is not the rule under APA style of referencing.

Q16: A good thesis writing should involve: (June 2015)
1. Reduction of punctuation and grammatical errors to a minimum.
2. Careful checking of references.
3. Consistency in the way the thesis is written.
4. A clear and well-written abstract.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Ans:  (a)
Sol: 

All the given statements are correct with reference to a good thesis.

Thesis is the research result or output which a research scholar writes after conducting his/her research. A good thesis should be 

1. Reliable    
2. Valid        
3. Objective 
4. Accurate   
5. Systematic  
6. Clear 
7. Well written 
8. With least grammatical errors

Q17: The core elements of a dissertation are (December 2014)
(a) Introduction; Data Collection; Data Analysis; Conclusions and Recommendations
(b) Executive Summary; Literature review; Data gathered; Conclusions; Bibliography
(c) Research Plan; Research Data; Analysis; References
(d) Introduction; Literature Review; Research Methodology; Results; Discussion and Conclusion
Ans:  (d)
Sol: It is the standard format of any dissertation/thesis prescribed by various universities.

Q18: In a thesis, figures and tables are included in (June 2013)
(a) the appendix
(b) a separate chapter
(c) the concluding chapter
(d) the text itself
Ans:  (d)
Sol: The tables and figures are included in the text itself. Content of figures and tables is separately presented.

Q19: A thesis statement is (June 2013)
(a) an observation
(b) a fact
(c) an assertion
(d) a discussion
Ans: (c)
Sol: Thesis is the research report which is an assertion. Thesis is a conclusion of the research process.

Q20: Which one of the following references is written as per Modern Language Association (MLA) format? (June 2013)
(a) Hall, Donald. Fundamentals of Electronics, New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India, 2005
(b) Hall, Donald, Fundamentals of Electronics, New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India, 2005
(c) Hall, Donald, Fundamentals of Electronics, New Delhi – Prentice Hall of India, 2005
(d) Hall, Donald. Fundamentals of Electronics. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India, 2005
Ans:  (d)
Sol: Option (d) is written in MLA format correctly. APA is another famous and commonly used format of reference writing.

Q21: A research paper (June 2013)
(a) is a compilation of information on a topic.
(b) contains original research as deemed by the author.
(c) contains peer-reviewed original research or evaluation of research conducted by others.
(d) can be published in more than one journal.
Ans:  (c)
Sol: Research paper is a short research which contains peer-reviewed original research or evaluation of research conducted by others.

Q22: Which one of the following references is written according to the American Psychological Association (APA) format? (December 2012)
(a) Sharma, V. (2010). Fundamentals of Computer Science. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill
(b) Sharma, V. 2010. Fundamentals of Computer Science. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill
(c) Sharma.V. 2010. Fundamentals of Computer Science, New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill
(d) Sharma, V. (2010), Fundamentals of Computer Science, New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill
Ans:  (a)
Sol: New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill
Option a is correctly written in APA format.

Q23: When two or more successive footnotes refer to the same work, which one of the following expressions is used? (June 2012)
(a) ibid
(b) et al.
(c) op.cit:
(d) loc.cit.
Ans:  (a)
Sol: Ibid is a Latin word which means ‘the same’.
This is used in research reports when footnotes or any other references are used from the same author or source. Op.cit is also a Latin word which is used for ‘the work cited’.
Et al. is used for ‘and others’ when referencing multiple authors without specifying the number.
Loc.cit is used for a footnote or endnote referring to a previously cited title.

Q24: A research paper is a brief report of research work based on (June 2011)
(a) Primary Data only
(b) Secondary Data only
(c) Both Primary and Secondary Data
(d) None of the above
Ans:  (c)
Sol: Both primary and secondary data.

Primary data refers to the data collected by the researcher himself whereas secondary data is the data that has previously been collected by someone other than the primary researcher. Survey and observation are some examples of primary data collection techniques. Newspapers, magazines, reports and old research are some examples of sources of secondary data.

Research report, which is a brief report of information collected from both types of data, is the final conclusion of any research.