UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Cross sectional studies examine a phenomenon at one point or short span of time, using data from different individuals or groups. They provide a snapshot of characteristics, opinions or behaviors in a population. Such designs are common in survey research when the primary interest is in describing current status rather than change over time.

Option A:
Option A describes longitudinal design, where the same participants are followed and measured across multiple time points to study change. This is conceptually distinct from cross sectional design.

Option B:
Option B correctly identifies cross sectional research as involving a single time of measurement across different participants. It captures the snapshot nature and the absence of repeated measures on the same individuals.

Option C:
Option C characterizes experimental research, which focuses on manipulation and control to infer causality, not merely on time dimension.

Option D:
Option D suggests a purely qualitative case study emphasis, which can be cross sectional or longitudinal but is not inherent to the definition of cross sectional design.

Statements A, B, C and D correctly distinguish different types of longitudinal surveys and their purpose of tracking change. Trend studies follow a population over time through different samples, cohort studies track a defined cohort and panel studies repeatedly survey the same individuals; all can reveal changes. Statement E is false because longitudinal surveys can indeed show both change and stability in attitudes or behaviours. Thus, the combination including A, B, C and D and excluding E is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits D, the explicit recognition that longitudinal surveys provide information about change over time. Without D, the description of their main analytic value is less clear.

Option B:
Option B is wrong because it leaves out A, thereby failing to describe trend studies, which are a major type of longitudinal design. The omission prevents the option from covering all main variants.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it summarises all the true statements about trend, cohort and panel designs and about their capacity to track changes. It rejects E, which wrongly denies the possibility of assessing stability.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it includes E, the statement that denies insights into stability, and omits B, leaving out the cohort design. This combination therefore mixes a false statement with an incomplete set of true ones.