UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C, E and F together provide a sound comparison between experimental and survey research. A is true because manipulation of an independent variable is central to experiments, and B correctly notes that surveys often use structured questionnaires with relatively large samples. Statement C is accurate in highlighting that experiments focus on cause–effect links, while E is true since both designs may use random sampling. Statement F reflects that surveys are commonly used to study attitudes, opinions and self-reported behaviours, whereas D is false because surveys are usually conducted in natural or field settings rather than always in laboratories.

Option A:
Option A excludes statement F, even though surveys routinely investigate attitudes and self-reports, making F a correct statement. Omitting F means that the description of survey research is incomplete and does not fully portray its scope. Therefore Option A cannot be the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B leaves out statement E, which recognises that random sampling can be applied to both types of designs. While A, B, C and F are correct, failing to include E results in a partial characterisation of sampling possibilities. This makes the combination incomplete.

Option C:
Option C omits statement A, ignoring the basic defining feature of experimental research, namely manipulation of an independent variable. It also includes B, C, E and F but fails to capture the full set of true statements about both designs. Hence this option is not acceptable.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it includes A, B, C, E and F, all of which are accurate descriptions of experimental and survey research. It properly excludes statement D, which wrongly confines surveys to laboratory contexts. As a result, this combination presents all and only the true statements in the item.

A quasi-experimental design includes an active intervention or manipulation of an independent variable but does not use full random assignment of participants to groups. As a result, groups may differ on important characteristics before the treatment, making causal inferences more tentative. Such designs are common in real-world settings where randomisation is impractical or unethical. Therefore, the design described in the stem is known as quasi-experimental.

Option A:
Pre-experimental designs often involve one-group pre-test–post-test structures or static group comparisons with very weak control of threats to internal validity. They are usually considered methodologically weaker than quasi-experiments and may lack proper comparison groups. So pre-experimental is not the best completion.

Option B:
Correlational designs examine relationships between variables without manipulation, using naturally occurring variation. They do not involve assigning a treatment or intervention, so they do not match the stem.

Option C:
Ex post facto designs investigate potential causes after outcomes have occurred, without manipulating the independent variable. They are retrospective and non-manipulative, which differs from the active intervention element in quasi-experiments. Hence, ex post facto is not appropriate here.

Option D:
Option D, quasi-experimental design, specifically denotes studies where the researcher manipulates the treatment but uses existing or non-random groups such as intact classes. This fits the question exactly, so it is correct.

Statements A, B, C and D together describe core characteristics of experimental research. Manipulating independent variables, using control groups, assigning participants randomly and conducting experiments in both laboratory and field contexts are all standard features. Statement E is false because extraneous variables should be controlled or monitored, not ignored, to maintain internal validity. Therefore the correct combination includes A, B, C and D and excludes E.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits D, thereby failing to acknowledge that experiments need not be confined to laboratories. Field experiments are frequently used in educational and social settings, so leaving out D underrepresents the range of experimental contexts.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it includes all four true statements and omits E, which advises an obviously flawed practice of ignoring extraneous variables. The option reflects the importance of both design and control in experimental work.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes E, the statement suggesting that extraneous variables may be ignored, which would seriously threaten internal validity. Even though B, C and D are true, the presence of E makes the combination unsuitable.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it similarly incorporates E and omits B, leaving out the essential comparison role of control groups. Without acknowledging control groups, the design description is incomplete.