UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, D and E collectively capture important aspects of qualitative and quantitative research. Statement A is true because quantitative studies rely on numerical data and statistical techniques. Statement B correctly points to the interpretive focus of qualitative research, and statement D is accurate in noting the use of tools such as interviews, observations and field notes in qualitative designs. Statement E is also true since many contemporary studies adopt mixed-methods designs that combine both approaches, whereas statement C is false because smaller, non-random samples and flexible designs characterise qualitative rather than quantitative research.

Option A:
Option A groups A, B and D, all of which are correct statements, but it leaves out statement E. Since mixed-methods designs are widely recognised as a legitimate combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, excluding E makes this option incomplete. Therefore it cannot be treated as the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B includes statements A, B, D and E, which together provide a comprehensive and accurate description of the two research traditions and their possible integration. It rightly excludes statement C, which misattributes characteristics of qualitative designs to quantitative research. Because this option lists all the true statements and no false ones, it is the correct choice.

Option C:
Option C wrongly incorporates statement C along with B and D. While B and D are correct, C is incorrect because quantitative research usually involves larger, often randomly selected samples and more rigid designs. As soon as a false statement is included in the combination, the entire option becomes invalid.

Option D:
Option D mixes correct statements A, D and E with the incorrect statement C. By including C, it misrepresents quantitative research as typically using small, non-random samples and flexible designs. A correct answer must exclude this faulty description, so this combination cannot be accepted.

Qualitative research focuses on understanding meanings, experiences and social processes as seen by participants. It uses methods such as interviews, observations and document analysis to collect detailed narrative data. Analysis often involves identifying themes, patterns and interpretations rather than numerical summaries. Thus, an approach centred on participants’ perspectives and rich narratives is correctly termed qualitative research.

Option A:
Experimental research manipulates variables under controlled conditions to test cause–effect relationships and usually relies on quantitative measurements and statistical analysis. While it may include some qualitative elements, it is not defined primarily by narrative understanding from participants’ viewpoints. Therefore, experimental is not the right completion.

Option B:
Survey research typically uses structured questionnaires to gather information from large samples, with responses summarised numerically. Although open-ended survey questions can yield qualitative data, the survey approach is not inherently interpretive and narrative-focused in the same way. Hence, survey does not best fit the stem.

Option C:
Qualitative research aims to capture context, language and meaning, often accepting that multiple realities exist and that the researcher is part of the interpretive process. This emphasis on depth and subjectivity matches precisely what the question describes.

Option D:
Correlational research examines the statistical relationships between quantitative variables without manipulating them and is primarily numerical in orientation. It does not typically rely on rich narrative data or participants’ interpretations, so correlational is not appropriate here.