UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

After a researcher has identified and selected a research problem, the next logical step is to examine what has already been studied about that topic. Reviewing related literature helps in understanding existing theories, methods and findings relevant to the problem. It also assists in identifying gaps, refining the problem and avoiding unnecessary duplication. Therefore, in the usual research sequence, reviewing related literature follows the selection of the research problem.

Option A:
Defining the population is important for planning sampling, but it occurs after the researcher has clarified the problem and understood the context through the literature. Without a clear grasp of previous work, decisions about the population may be poorly informed. Hence, defining the population is not the immediate next step after selecting the problem.

Option B:
Constructing the tool for data collection requires clarity about what variables need to be measured and how they have been operationalised in previous studies. This information usually emerges from the review of literature. Designing instruments too early, before reviewing existing work, can lead to inappropriate or incomplete measures, so it is not the next step in the general sequence.

Option C:
Collecting the data is a field activity that should begin only after the problem has been refined, literature has been reviewed, hypotheses or questions have been formulated and tools and sampling plans have been prepared. Starting data collection immediately after selecting a problem would be premature and unstructured. Thus, data collection does not follow directly after problem selection in the standard sequence.

Option D:
Reviewing related literature allows the researcher to position the new study within the existing body of knowledge and to justify its significance. It influences all subsequent steps, including hypothesis formulation, tool construction and design selection. For this reason, review of related literature is correctly placed as the next major step after selecting the problem.