UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Descriptive research focuses on portraying the current status or characteristics of a phenomenon as it exists, without manipulating variables. It answers “what is” questions by summarising frequencies, averages and patterns. The intent is not to establish cause–effect but to provide an accurate picture of the situation. Therefore, a study that only describes characteristics without testing causal relationships is correctly classified as descriptive research.

Option A:
Descriptive research uses methods like surveys, observations and documentary analysis to characterise a population or situation. It does not manipulate an independent variable and generally does not use experimental control. Because its purpose is description rather than causal explanation, descriptive research fits the stem precisely.

Option B:
Experimental research involves manipulation of one or more independent variables and control of extraneous variables to test causal hypotheses. Its primary goal is to determine cause–effect relationships, which goes beyond mere description. Hence, experimental research is not the best label for a study that only describes characteristics.

Option C:
Correlational research examines the statistical relationships between variables, often using correlation coefficients and regression, and may suggest associations that could be causal. Although it does not manipulate variables, it focuses on relationships rather than on simple description of one variable at a time. Thus, correlational research is not the most accurate completion for a purely descriptive aim.

Option D:
Historical research reconstructs past events and processes through records, documents and narratives to understand how and why things happened over time. Its emphasis is on historical interpretation rather than on describing the current characteristics of a present-day situation. Therefore, historical research is not appropriate for the stem.