Steps in research process – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, D and E correctly outline the main steps of a typical research process. The researcher first identifies and defines a problem, reviews literature to refine it and then formulates objectives or hypotheses that shape methodological choices. After data collection and analysis, communicating findings through reports and other channels is essential. Statement C is false because data analysis obviously follows data collection, not the other way round.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all the true statements and excludes C, which inverts the logical order of data collection and analysis. It captures the idea of research as a structured sequence from problem formulation to reporting.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits E, thereby ignoring the crucial final step of disseminating results to the academic or practitioner community. Without E, the research cycle appears truncated.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes C, the statement that suggests analysing data before collecting them, which is methodologically impossible. Adding C corrupts an otherwise mostly accurate sequence.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it excludes A, failing to mention the explicit step of problem identification and definition, even though this is fundamental to any research project. Without A, the process appears to start midway.