Experimental and survey research features – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C, E and F together provide a sound comparison between experimental and survey research. A is true because manipulation of an independent variable is central to experiments, and B correctly notes that surveys often use structured questionnaires with relatively large samples. Statement C is accurate in highlighting that experiments focus on cause–effect links, while E is true since both designs may use random sampling. Statement F reflects that surveys are commonly used to study attitudes, opinions and self-reported behaviours, whereas D is false because surveys are usually conducted in natural or field settings rather than always in laboratories.

Option A:
Option A excludes statement F, even though surveys routinely investigate attitudes and self-reports, making F a correct statement. Omitting F means that the description of survey research is incomplete and does not fully portray its scope. Therefore Option A cannot be the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B leaves out statement E, which recognises that random sampling can be applied to both types of designs. While A, B, C and F are correct, failing to include E results in a partial characterisation of sampling possibilities. This makes the combination incomplete.

Option C:
Option C omits statement A, ignoring the basic defining feature of experimental research, namely manipulation of an independent variable. It also includes B, C, E and F but fails to capture the full set of true statements about both designs. Hence this option is not acceptable.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it includes A, B, C, E and F, all of which are accurate descriptions of experimental and survey research. It properly excludes statement D, which wrongly confines surveys to laboratory contexts. As a result, this combination presents all and only the true statements in the item.