Steps and process of research – UGC NET Question

Statements A, C and D reflect the logical sequence of steps in the research process. Statement A is true because every study begins with identifying and defining a problem. Statement C is correct since hypotheses or research questions provide direction for data collection. Statement D is also correct because designing the research plan must precede data collection, whereas statement B wrongly places review of literature after data analysis and statement E incorrectly suggests that interpretation comes before data collection.

Option A:
Option A takes statements A and C only and leaves out D. Although A and C are true, omitting D ignores the crucial step of designing the research plan before data collection. Because a correct answer must include all the true statements, this incomplete combination cannot be accepted.

Option B:
Option B includes statements A and D but excludes C. Statement C is essential because hypotheses or research questions guide what data will be collected and how. By leaving out this guiding function, Option B fails to represent the full set of correct steps.

Option C:
Option C correctly groups statements A, C and D, all of which describe genuine steps in the research process. It excludes statement B, which wrongly places review of literature after data analysis, and statement E, which wrongly suggests interpretation before data collection. Therefore this combination captures all and only the true statements given in the question.

Option D:
Option D includes statement B along with C and D, and this makes it incorrect. Statement B is false because review of related literature is generally carried out soon after problem identification, not after data analysis. Any option that incorporates a false statement, even if it also contains some true statements, cannot be the correct answer.