UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C and D describe the central logic of grounded theory, and F adds a key analytical tool. A is true because the method aims to build theory from data rather than impose it a priori, and B correctly notes the iterative nature of collection and analysis. C is accurate in defining theoretical sampling, and D states the importance of constant comparison. F is also true since memos help researchers articulate developing concepts, whereas E is false because grounded theory does not start with a fully specified theory to test.

Option A:
Option A omits statement F, ignoring the practical role of memo writing as an integral part of grounded theory analysis. Although A, B, C and D are correct, the absence of F means that not all true statements are represented. Thus, this option is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it selects A, B, C, D and F, covering aims, process, sampling, comparison and memoing in grounded theory. It excludes E, which contradicts the emergent nature of the approach. Therefore this combination includes all and only the true statements.

Option C:
Option C leaves out statement A, thereby losing the basic goal of grounded theory: producing theory rooted in data. Even though B, C, D and F are true, missing A prevents this option from giving a full picture of the methodology.

Option D:
Option D includes statement E, which wrongly asserts that grounded theory begins with a fully specified theory. This misrepresents the method and, even though other statements in the option are true, the presence of E renders the entire combination incorrect.

Statements A, B, C and E correctly describe typical qualitative sampling practices. Purposive sampling is widely used to select cases that yield rich information, and the goal is depth rather than statistical representativeness. Theoretical sampling helps refine emerging categories, and sample size is often guided by saturation, when new data no longer add substantially new insights. Statement D is false because probability sampling is not mandatory in qualitative research and is often not used.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it brings together the four true statements and excludes D, which misrepresents qualitative sampling requirements. It portrays qualitative sampling as flexible, concept-driven and oriented toward information richness rather than probability.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits E, ignoring how the concept of saturation influences decisions about when to stop collecting data. Without E, the dynamic nature of sample size determination in qualitative work is underplayed.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes D, the statement that probability sampling is mandatory, which contradicts common qualitative practice. Including D alongside true statements creates a misleading picture of qualitative methodology.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it retains D and drops B, failing to acknowledge that depth of understanding, rather than representativeness, is the usual goal. This combination therefore distorts both the purpose and the technique of qualitative sampling.

Statements A, B, C and E accurately portray grounded theory as a methodology that develops theory inductively from data. Data collection and analysis are intertwined, with theoretical sampling and constant comparison used to refine categories and relationships. Statement D is false because grounded theory does not start from a rigid prior framework; rather, it allows categories and theory to emerge from the data. Therefore the correct combination includes A, B, C and E but not D.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it brings together the statements that describe the emergent, iterative and comparative nature of grounded theory. By excluding D, it respects the inductive spirit of the approach, where theory is discovered rather than imposed beforehand.

Option B:
Option B omits E, thereby neglecting constant comparison, which is one of the most characteristic analytic strategies in grounded theory. Without E, the methodological description is incomplete.

Option C:
Option C includes B, C and E but leaves out A, so it does not explicitly state that the main goal is to develop grounded theory. The absence of A takes away the overarching purpose of the methodology.

Option D:
Option D contains A, C and E but omits B, ignoring the iterative interplay between data collection and analysis. Since this iterative process is central to grounded theory, leaving it out makes the option incomplete.