UGC NET Paper 1 — Research Aptitude 
🔬 Top 20 Research Aptitude PYQs 

Q1. A hypothesis is a:

A) Law

B) Canon

C) Postulate

D) Supposition

✅ Answer: D) Supposition

Explanation: A hypothesis is a tentative statement or supposition about the relationship between variables that can be tested through research.

Q2. Assertion–Reason

Assertion (A): Research should be systematic and objective.

Reason (R): Research findings should be based on evidence rather than personal opinions.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Scientific research follows a systematic procedure and aims to minimize researcher bias. Evidence-based conclusions ensure objectivity.

Q3. Match List-I with List-II:

          List-I                                             List-II

a. Fundamental Research        1. Immediate practical problem

b. Applied Research                  2. Development of theory

c. Action Research                     3. Improvement of practice

d. Historical Research              4. Study of past events

A) a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4

B) a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3

C) a-3, b-1, c-2, d-4

D) a-2, b-3, c-1, d-4

✅ Answer: A

Explanation:

Fundamental: expands knowledge/theory.

Applied: solves practical problems.

Action: improves existing practice.

Historical: investigates past events.

Q4. Which of the following are characteristics of good research?

1. It is systematic.

2. It is objective.

3. It is based on empirical evidence.

4. It always proves the researcher's hypothesis.

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 4 only

C) 2, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: A good research study is systematic, objective and evidence-based. A hypothesis does not have to be proved; it may also be rejected.

Q5. A researcher selects every 10th individual from a population list. This is an example of:

A) Stratified sampling

B) Cluster sampling

C) Systematic sampling

D) Purposive sampling

✅ Answer: C) Systematic sampling

Explanation: In systematic sampling, units are selected at a fixed interval (k), such as every 5th, 10th or 20th individual.

Q6. Assertion–Reason

Assertion (A): A null hypothesis is tested statistically.

Reason (R): A null hypothesis generally states that there is no significant difference or relationship.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: The null hypothesis (H₀) generally proposes no significant difference or relationship. Statistical tests determine whether there is sufficient evidence to reject H₀.

Q7. Match the following:

Research Method                Major Purpose

a. Experimental             1. Study of past events

b. Historical                    2. Cause-effect relationship

c. Survey                         3. Collection of information from respondents

d. Case Study                 4. In-depth study of an individual/unit

A) a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4

B) a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3

C) a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2

D) a-4, b-3, c-2, d-1

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Experimental research investigates cause and effect; historical research studies the past; surveys collect information from respondents; case studies provide an in-depth analysis of a particular unit.

Q8. Arrange the following stages of research in the most appropriate sequence:

1. Data collection

2. Identification of research problem

3. Data analysis

4. Review of literature

5. Formulation of hypothesis/research questions

A) 2 → 4 → 5 → 1 → 3

B) 4 → 2 → 5 → 3 → 1

C) 2 → 5 → 4 → 1 → 3

D) 5 → 2 → 4 → 3 → 1

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Generally, research proceeds from problem identification → literature review → hypothesis/research questions → data collection → analysis.

Q9. The variable manipulated by the researcher in an experiment is called:

A) Dependent variable

B) Independent variable

C) Extraneous variable

D) Intervening variable

✅ Answer: B) Independent variable

Explanation: The independent variable is deliberately manipulated or varied by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Q10. Which of the following are important ethical principles in research?

1. Informed consent

2. Confidentiality

3. Avoidance of plagiarism

4. Fabrication of data

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 4 only

C) 2, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Informed consent, confidentiality and academic integrity are important ethical principles. Fabrication of data is research misconduct.

Q11. Assertion–Reason

Assertion (A): Stratified sampling can ensure representation of important sub-groups of a population.

Reason (R): In stratified sampling, the population is divided into homogeneous sub-groups called strata.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: In stratified sampling, the population is divided into strata based on relevant characteristics, and samples are drawn from each stratum.

Q12. Term                      Meaning

a. Primary Data          1. Data collected first-hand

b. Secondary Data     2. Data already collected by others

c. Population               3. Entire group under study

d. Sample                     4. Subset of population

A) a-1, b-2, c-3, d-4

B) a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3

C) a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3

D) a-4, b-3, c-2, d-1

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Primary data are collected directly by the researcher. Secondary data already exist. A population is the complete group, while a sample is a selected part of it.

Q13. Which of the following statements regarding qualitative research are correct?

1. It emphasizes contextual understanding.

2. It commonly uses interviews and observations.

3. It necessarily depends on numerical measurement.

4. It can involve interpretive analysis.

A) 1, 2 and 4 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Qualitative research focuses on meanings, experiences and context. Interviews, observations and thematic/interpretive analysis are commonly used.

Q14. A research study conducted to solve an immediate problem in a particular classroom is best described as:

A) Fundamental research

B) Historical research

C) Action research

D) Pure research

✅ Answer: C) Action research

Explanation: Action research is conducted to solve/improve a specific practical problem, often within a particular classroom, institution or workplace.

Q15. Assertion–Reason

Assertion (A): Plagiarism is considered research misconduct.

Reason (R): Plagiarism involves presenting another person's work or ideas as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Plagiarism is the unauthorized presentation of another person's words, ideas or work as one's own without proper attribution.

Q16. Match the sampling techniques with their descriptions:

    Sampling                  Description

a. Simple Random 1. Every unit has an equal chance

b. Systematic          2. Every kth unit

c. Stratified             3. Population divided into strata

d. Cluster                 4. Selection of groups/clusters

A) a-1, b-2, c-3, d-4

B) a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3

C) a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2

D) a-4, b-3, c-2, d-1

✅ Answer: A

Explanation:

Random → equal chance

Systematic → every kth unit

Stratified → strata

Cluster → groups/clusters

Q17. Which of the following are characteristics of a good research hypothesis?

1. It should be testable.

2. It should be clear and specific.

3. It should be empirically verifiable.

4. It should always be proved true.

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 4 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: A good hypothesis should be clear, specific, testable and empirically verifiable. It may be supported or rejected after investigation.

Q18. Arrange the following in the usual order of a research report:

1. Results/Findings

2. Introduction

3. References

4. Methodology

5. Discussion/Conclusion

A) 2 → 4 → 1 → 5 → 3

B) 4 → 2 → 1 → 3 → 5

C) 2 → 1 → 4 → 5 → 3

D) 1 → 2 → 4 → 5 → 3

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: A typical sequence is Introduction → Methodology → Results/Findings → Discussion/Conclusion → References.

Q19. Assertion–Reason

Assertion (A): Applied research is generally undertaken to address practical problems.

Reason (R): Applied research is primarily concerned with generating knowledge without considering its practical application.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true, but R is false

D) A is false, but R is true

✅ Answer: C

Explanation: The Assertion is true because applied research focuses on practical problems. The Reason is false because generating knowledge without immediate practical application is more characteristic of fundamental/basic research.

Q20. Which of the following can be considered research tools?

1. Questionnaire

2. Interview schedule

3. Observation schedule

4. Personal bias of the researcher

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 4 only

C) 2, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

✅ Answer: A

Explanation: Questionnaires, interview schedules and observation schedules are commonly used research tools for collecting data. Personal bias is not a research tool and should be minimized.

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