UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The dependent variable represents the effect or outcome that may change as a result of manipulations of the independent variable. It is the main variable of interest whose variation the researcher wishes to explain or predict. Measurements of the dependent variable are compared across groups or conditions to evaluate the impact of the treatment. Thus, the outcome described in the stem is correctly called the dependent variable.

Option A:
The dependent variable is “dependent” in the sense that its values are expected to depend on or be influenced by the independent variable under investigation. In educational experiments, typical dependent variables include achievement scores, attitudes or skills. Because the stem refers to the outcome measured to assess treatment effect, this label is appropriate and correct.

Option B:
A control variable is a factor that the researcher keeps constant to prevent it from confounding the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It is not the main outcome of interest.

Option C:
A moderator variable affects the strength or direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables, rather than being the primary outcome. It answers questions about for whom or under what conditions the treatment works.

Option D:
A confounding variable is an uncontrolled factor that influences the dependent variable along with the independent variable, making it difficult to interpret causal effects. It is considered a threat rather than the planned outcome.

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.

Experimental research aims to establish cause effect relationships by deliberately changing one variable and observing its effect on another. The researcher manipulates the independent variable while controlling or holding constant other variables that could influence the outcome. This control allows more confident inferences about causality. Thus, manipulation and control are central to experimental design.

Option A:
Option A involves secondary data analysis, which can be part of non experimental or correlational studies but does not by itself define experimentation.

Option B:
Option B correctly identifies the two core requirements: manipulation of an independent variable and control of extraneous factors. Without these, it is difficult to attribute observed changes in the dependent variable to the experimental treatment. Therefore, this feature is essential.

Option C:
Option C describes descriptive research, which observes and records phenomena without intervention. It does not satisfy the requirements of experimental design.

Option D:
Option D refers to large sample selection, which may be useful but is neither necessary nor sufficient for an experiment. Many experiments use relatively small samples yet retain strong internal validity.

Experimental research aims to determine whether changes in one variable cause changes in another. This requires deliberate manipulation of the independent variable and control over other factors that might influence the outcome. By holding extraneous variables constant or randomizing them, the researcher can attribute observed differences in the dependent variable more confidently to the treatment.

Option A:
Option A describes qualitative interviewing, which is useful for exploration but does not by itself establish causality through controlled manipulation.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it combines the two essential ingredients of true experimentation: manipulation and control. Without these, causal claims remain weak or speculative.

Option C:
Option C refers to biased selection of participants, which can threaten internal validity and does not help in establishing causal relationships.

Option D:
Option D mentions very small samples and lack of control group, both of which weaken the ability to infer causality and generalize findings.

Statements A, C, D and E together describe core features of experimental, non-experimental and quasi-experimental research. Statement A is true because experiments require manipulation of an independent variable and control of extraneous variables as far as possible. Statement C is correct since descriptive and correlational studies are non-experimental; they do not involve manipulation of variables. Statement D is true because random assignment is a hallmark of true experimental designs, and statement E is correct as quasi-experimental designs lack full control over randomisation or manipulation. Statement B is false because experimental research can be conducted in field settings as well as laboratories, so the complete set of correct statements is A, C, D and E.

Option A:
Option A includes A, C and D, which are all true statements about experimental and non-experimental research, but it omits E. Since E is also a correct statement about quasi-experimental designs lacking full control, leaving it out makes the combination incomplete. A correct option must include all the true statements specified in the list, so this option cannot be accepted.

Option B:
Option B selects A, D and E and ignores C. Although A, D and E are correct, C is also true because descriptive and correlational studies are classical examples of non-experimental research. By failing to include C, the option does not reflect the complete set of correct statements. Therefore Option B is not the right answer.

Option C:
Option C correctly groups A, C, D and E, all of which accurately characterise experimental, non-experimental and quasi-experimental designs. It excludes statement B, which is wrong because experiments can be conducted outside laboratories as field experiments. Since this choice contains all and only the true statements, it is the best answer to the question.

Option D:
Option D brings together C, D and E but leaves out A. While C, D and E are indeed true, excluding A ignores the essential feature that experiments involve manipulation of an independent variable and control of extraneous variables. Because it omits one of the key correct statements, this option is also incorrect.

Statements A, B, C and D together describe core characteristics of experimental research. Manipulating independent variables, using control groups, assigning participants randomly and conducting experiments in both laboratory and field contexts are all standard features. Statement E is false because extraneous variables should be controlled or monitored, not ignored, to maintain internal validity. Therefore the correct combination includes A, B, C and D and excludes E.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits D, thereby failing to acknowledge that experiments need not be confined to laboratories. Field experiments are frequently used in educational and social settings, so leaving out D underrepresents the range of experimental contexts.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it includes all four true statements and omits E, which advises an obviously flawed practice of ignoring extraneous variables. The option reflects the importance of both design and control in experimental work.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes E, the statement suggesting that extraneous variables may be ignored, which would seriously threaten internal validity. Even though B, C and D are true, the presence of E makes the combination unsuitable.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it similarly incorporates E and omits B, leaving out the essential comparison role of control groups. Without acknowledging control groups, the design description is incomplete.

Statement B is the only wrong statement because ex post facto research does not randomly assign participants to treatment and control groups; it studies groups that already differ on the variable of interest. Statements A, C, D and E correctly distinguish experimental designs from ex post facto designs. Experimental work manipulates the independent variable and controls extraneous factors, whereas ex post facto designs rely on existing differences and require cautious causal interpretation. The phrase “after the fact” correctly captures that the critical events have already occurred in ex post facto research.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it identifies B alone as the wrong statement and leaves A, C, D and E as correct descriptions. It acknowledges that random assignment is a feature of true experiments, not ex post facto designs, and correctly treats all other statements as conceptually sound.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it treats A as if it were also wrong, even though A correctly characterises experimental research as involving manipulation and control. By misclassifying a true statement as wrong, this option fails to isolate the actual source of error.

Option C:
Option C wrongly groups D with B, even though D correctly notes that causal claims from ex post facto studies must be cautious. While B is indeed false, D is a prudent caution and should not be listed as wrong, so this option presents an inaccurate combination.

Option D:
Option D adds E to B as if both were wrong, but E accurately explains the meaning of “after the fact” in ex post facto research. Because it treats a true explanatory statement as incorrect, this option cannot be accepted.

Option E is also incorrect because it includes A and C, both of which are true, among the wrong statements. This shows confusion between features of experiments and ex post facto designs and leads to an invalid set of “wrong” statements.