1Research aimed at solving an immediate practical problem is:
- Historical research
- Fundamental research
- Applied research
- Philosophical research
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Applied research
Applied research solves real-world problems.
UGC NET PAPER 1 · CODE 00 · UNIT 02
UGC NET Paper 1 Unit 2: Research Aptitude Notes and MCQs
Research Aptitude tests whether you understand how a study is planned, carried out and reported. You do not need advanced statistics, only the vocabulary of research and the logic of the steps. These notes follow the official syllabus topic by topic and end with sample MCQs.
- 6 syllabus topics
- 700+ free MCQs
- No sign-up
- Updated 11 October 2026
NET Law 058 is an independent study aid, not affiliated with UGC or NTA. Always check the official UGC NET syllabus and the latest official sources for any data.
What Unit 2 covers
Research Aptitude is mostly definitions and sequences, so short daily revision of terms works better than reading long chapters. The official syllabus lists 6 topics for this unit. Each is explained below with the points examiners most often use.
1Research: meaning, types, characteristics and approaches
- Research is a systematic, objective search for new knowledge or for better understanding of a problem.
- Types by purpose: basic (fundamental) research builds theory; applied research solves practical problems; action research improves practice in one's own setting.
- Characteristics: systematic, empirical, objective, logical, replicable and based on evidence.
- Approaches: quantitative (numerical data), qualitative (non-numerical, meaning and experience) and mixed methods.
2Research methods: experimental, descriptive, historical, qualitative and quantitative
- Experimental method: the researcher manipulates an independent variable and observes the effect on a dependent variable, usually with a control group.
- Descriptive method: describes existing conditions through survey, case study or correlational study.
- Historical method: studies past events using primary and secondary sources. Ex-post facto research studies causes after events have occurred, without manipulation.
- Qualitative methods include interviews, observation, case study, ethnography and grounded theory. Quantitative methods use measurement and statistics.
3Steps of research
- Typical sequence: identify the problem, review the literature, formulate the hypothesis or research questions, design the study, collect data, analyse data, interpret and report.
- A hypothesis is a testable tentative statement. The null hypothesis states no significant difference or relationship.
- Sampling: probability methods (simple random, systematic, stratified, cluster) and non-probability methods (purposive, quota, snowball, convenience).
- Tools must be reliable (consistent results) and valid (measure what they claim to measure). A pilot study helps refine tools before the main study.
4Thesis and article writing: format and styles of referencing
- A thesis usually has a title page, abstract, contents, introduction, review of literature, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, references and appendices.
- An abstract is a short summary of aims, methods and findings. A journal article follows a similar but shorter structure.
- APA is author-date style, common in social sciences. MLA is author-page, common in literature and humanities. Chicago uses notes and bibliography or author-date. Vancouver uses numbered references, common in medicine.
- A bibliography lists works consulted; a reference list lists only works cited in the text.
5Application of ICT in research
- Search and literature: online databases, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and INFLIBNET resources.
- Reference managers such as Zotero and Mendeley store and format citations. Statistical software such as SPSS and R supports analysis.
- Shodhganga is the national repository of Indian electronic theses and dissertations.
- Plagiarism detection software, online surveys, cloud storage and collaboration tools support the research workflow.
6Research ethics: integrity, plagiarism and responsible conduct
- Core principles: honesty, informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, avoidance of harm and proper credit to others.
- Research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification and plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting another person's work or ideas as one's own.
- Authorship should reflect real contribution, and conflicts of interest must be declared. Self-plagiarism and duplicate publication are also misconduct.
- UGC regulations on academic integrity (2018) set graded consequences based on the level of similarity found in a thesis or paper.
Quick reference tables
| Type | Aim | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (fundamental) | Extend theory and knowledge | Testing a theory of memory |
| Applied | Solve an immediate practical problem | Evaluating a new reading programme |
| Action | Improve practice in one's own setting | A teacher tries a new method in her class |
| Historical | Study past events from sources | History of a university's growth |
| Experimental | Test cause and effect by manipulating variables | Treatment group versus control group |
| Descriptive | Describe existing conditions | Survey of student opinions |
| Method | Kind | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Simple random | Probability | Every unit has an equal chance of selection |
| Systematic | Probability | Every kth unit is chosen from a list |
| Stratified | Probability | Population divided into strata, then sampled from each |
| Cluster | Probability | Whole groups are selected at random |
| Purposive | Non-probability | Units chosen by the researcher's judgement |
| Quota | Non-probability | Fixed numbers taken from each category |
| Snowball | Non-probability | Participants refer further participants |
Key terms and facts to remember
Independent variable
The variable manipulated by the researcher; the cause or treatment.
Dependent variable
The outcome that is measured; it depends on the treatment.
Null hypothesis
States no significant difference. It is tested and may be rejected; it is never simply proved.
Reliability and validity
Reliability is consistency of results. Validity is measuring what the tool is meant to measure.
Population and sample
The population is the whole group; the sample is the subset actually studied.
APA, MLA, Chicago
Referencing styles: author-date in social sciences, author-page in humanities, and notes or author-date.
Nuremberg Code1947
An early statement of voluntary informed consent in human research.
Declaration of Helsinki1964
Ethical principles for medical research involving human participants.
Belmont Report1979
Respect for persons, beneficence and justice in research ethics.
UGC academic integrity regulations2018
Rules to prevent plagiarism in higher education, with penalties graded by the level of similarity.
Shodhganga
Repository of Indian doctoral theses maintained by INFLIBNET.
Practise Research Aptitude MCQs topic by topic
Beyond the six samples, all 722 questions for this unit are on their own pages, grouped by syllabus topic, with the answer key on the page.
- Meaning and Characteristics of Research (Part 1) (20)
- Meaning and Characteristics of Research (Part 2) (20)
- Types of Research (Part 1) (20)
- Types of Research (Part 2) (20)
- Types of Research (Part 3) (19)
- Positivism and Post-Positivism (Part 1) (23)
- Positivism and Post-Positivism (Part 2) (22)
- Experimental Method (25)
- Descriptive Method (20)
- Historical Method (20)
- Qualitative Method (20)
- Quantitative Method (15)
Try 6 sample questions
Tap “Show answer” after you have tried each one. These come from the 700+ MCQs in this unit.
2Match: A Experimental, B Historical, C Descriptive with (1) Studies past events (2) Manipulates variables (3) Describes existing conditions
- A-3, B-1, C-2
- A-1, B-2, C-3
- A-2, B-3, C-1
- A-2, B-1, C-3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. A-2, B-1, C-3
Research methods and their focus.
3Consider the statements: 1. A null hypothesis states there is no significant difference. 2. A null hypothesis is always proved true.
- Only statement 1 is correct
- Only statement 2 is correct
- Both statements are correct
- Neither statement is correct
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Only statement 1 is correct
It is tested and may be rejected.
4Assertion (A): Stratified sampling suits heterogeneous populations. Reason (R): It ensures every subgroup is represented.
- Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
- A is true, but R is false
- A is false, but R is true
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
R explains A.
5A researcher picks every 10th name from a list. This is:
- Cluster sampling
- Systematic sampling
- Quota sampling
- Stratified sampling
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Systematic sampling
A fixed interval is used.
6Reliability of a research tool refers to:
- Consistency of results
- Cost
- Measuring what it claims
- Length of the tool
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Consistency of results
Same results on repeated use.
How to study this unit
- Make a one-page chart of sampling methods and sort them into probability and non-probability. This single chart answers many questions.
- Keep the steps of research in order and know why the literature review comes before the hypothesis.
- For ethics, remember the short list: consent, confidentiality, honesty, credit. Most options that violate one of these are wrong.
Planning your time? See the UGC NET Law preparation plans for 6 months, 3 months, 1 month or 2 weeks, or check the cut-off trend to set a target score.
Last updated: . Notes are a revision aid. Check official sources for the latest figures. Spotted a mistake? Write to netlawverse@gmail.com.