UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

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.

Qualitative research aims to explore how people interpret and make sense of their experiences and social worlds. It uses data such as interviews, observations and documents, which are analysed interpretively rather than through purely numerical statistics. The focus is on depth, context and multiple perspectives rather than on generalisable numerical patterns. Hence, research emphasising meanings and rich textual data is correctly termed qualitative research.

Option A:
Option A, qualitative research, typically employs methods like in-depth interviews, focus groups and field observations to capture nuanced experiences. It allows for flexible designs where concepts and theories may emerge from the data. These characteristics match the stem’s emphasis on meanings and social processes, making this option appropriate.

Option B:
Quantitative research, by contrast, concentrates on numerical measurement and statistical analysis and often uses structured instruments. It does not primarily seek thick description of meanings and experiences, so it is not the correct completion.

Option C:
Experimental research is defined by manipulation and control of variables to test causal hypotheses; it can be either quantitative or qualitative in some aspects but is not defined solely by textual data and meaning. Thus, it does not fit the stem.

Option D:
Survey research usually refers to large-scale structured data collection using questionnaires, commonly associated with quantitative analysis, so it is not the best match for the description of rich, textual data.

Qualitative research focuses on exploring how people interpret and make sense of their experiences, social roles and interactions. It typically uses data in the form of words, images or observations rather than numbers. Methods such as interviews, focus groups and participant observation are common in this approach. Because the stem emphasises understanding meanings, experiences and social processes through non-numerical data, it clearly refers to qualitative research.

Option A:
Qualitative research aims at depth of understanding rather than breadth of coverage, often studying fewer cases in greater detail. It allows for rich descriptions and the development of concepts grounded in participants’ perspectives. These features match the emphasis in the stem on meanings and experiences, so qualitative is the correct completion.

Option B:
Experimental research involves manipulating an independent variable under controlled conditions to examine its effect on a dependent variable, relying heavily on numerical data and statistics. While it can include qualitative components, it is not defined by non-numerical data and meaning-focused analysis. Thus, experimental is not the best description here.

Option C:
Correlational research examines the statistical relationships between variables without manipulating them, often using numerical data and correlation coefficients. Its primary concern is the strength and direction of associations rather than deep exploration of meanings. Therefore, correlational research does not fit the definition in the stem.

Option D:
Ex post facto research looks for possible causes after an effect has already occurred, usually using existing groups and quantitative measures. Although it may complement qualitative work, it is not inherently about understanding meanings through non-numerical data. Hence, ex post facto is not the appropriate answer.