UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A research design is a structured plan that links the research problem and questions to methods of data collection and analysis. It clarifies decisions about sampling, instruments, procedures and controls. A good design enhances the validity of conclusions by anticipating sources of error and specifying strategies to handle them. Therefore, the overall blueprint referred to in the stem is known as the research design.

Option A:
The design details whether the study will be experimental, correlational, descriptive or qualitative and indicates how variables will be measured and compared. Without a clear design, data collection may become unfocused and analyses inappropriate. This central planning role aligns exactly with the stem, making this option correct.

Option B:
A hypothesis is a tentative prediction or explanation about relationships between variables; it informs the design but is not the plan itself.

Option C:
A schedule usually refers to instruments such as interview schedules, not to the entire plan of the study.

Option D:
A scale is a measurement tool for quantifying attitudes or traits, such as a Likert scale, and is only one component of the larger design.