UGC NET Psycology Research Methodology and Statistics Syllabus

Research Methodology and Statistics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Research Methodology and Statistics in UGC NET Psycology, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Research

   5 topics

   • Meaning, Purpose, and Dimensions
   • Research problems, Variables and Operational Definitions, Hypothesis
   • Sampling
   • Ethics in conducting and reporting research
   • Paradigms of research: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed methods approach
2. 2

   Methods of research

   12 topics

   • Observation
   • Survey
     • Interview
     • Questionnaires
   • Experimental
   • Quasi-experimental
   • Field studies
   • Cross-Cultural Studies
   • Phenomenology
   • Grounded theory
   • Focus groups
   • Narratives
   • Case studies
   • Ethnography
3. 3

   Statistics in Psychology

   10 topics

   • Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
   • Normal Probability Curve
   • Parametric and Non-parametric tests
     • t-test
     • Sign Test
     • Wilcoxon Signed rank test
     • Mann-Whitney test
     • Kruskal-Wallis test
     • Friedman
   • Power analysis
   • Effect size
   • Correlational Analysis
     • Correlation
     • Partial correlation
     • Multiple correlation
   • Special Correlation Methods
     • Biserial
     • Point biserial
     • Tetrachoric
     • Phi coefficient
   • Regression
     • Simple linear regression
     • Multiple regression
   • Factor analysis
     • Assumptions
     • Methods
     • Rotation and Interpretation
   • Experimental Designs
     • ANOVA
     • Randomized Block Designs
     • Repeated Measures Design
     • Latin Square
     • Cohort studies
     • Time series
     • MANOVA
     • ANCOVA
     • Single-subject designs

Research Methodology and Statistics flashcards for UGC NET Psycology

24 of 63 cards from the Research Methodology and Statistics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the primary purpose of research as a systematic activity?

   To generate new knowledge or verify existing knowledge through objective, systematic, and replicable investigation of phenomena, enabling description, explanation, prediction, and control.

2. Name the four main dimensions/objectives along which research can be classified by purpose.

   Exploratory (gain familiarity/insight), Descriptive (portray characteristics accurately), Explanatory/Diagnostic (test cause-effect relationships), and Predictive (forecast future outcomes).

3. What is a research problem?

   A clearly stated, researchable question or gap in knowledge that identifies a difficulty, condition, or relationship requiring systematic investigation and a solution.

4. Distinguish between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

   The independent variable (IV) is manipulated or selected to observe its effect; the dependent variable (DV) is the measured outcome presumed to be affected by the IV.

5. What is an extraneous variable, and what is it called once it actually distorts results?

   An extraneous variable is any unwanted variable that may influence the DV; when it systematically varies with the IV and confounds interpretation, it becomes a confounding variable.

6. What is an operational definition?

   A definition that specifies a concept in terms of the concrete, observable operations or procedures used to measure or manipulate it (e.g., defining anxiety as a score on the STAI).

7. What is a research hypothesis?

   A specific, testable, falsifiable tentative statement predicting the relationship between two or more variables, derived from theory or observation.

8. Differentiate the null hypothesis (H0) from the alternative hypothesis (H1).

   H0 states there is no effect/no difference/no relationship; H1 (alternative) states there is a significant effect, difference, or relationship. Statistical testing seeks to reject H0.

9. What is the difference between a directional and a non-directional hypothesis?

   A directional (one-tailed) hypothesis predicts the specific direction of an effect (e.g., greater than); a non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis predicts a difference/relationship exists without specifying direction.

10. Define probability sampling and name its main types.

    Probability sampling gives every population element a known, non-zero chance of selection. Types: simple random, systematic, stratified, cluster, and multistage sampling.

11. Compare stratified sampling and cluster sampling.

    Stratified sampling divides the population into homogeneous strata and samples from each (increases precision); cluster sampling divides into heterogeneous clusters and randomly selects whole clusters (reduces cost).

12. List the main types of non-probability sampling.

    Convenience (accidental), purposive (judgmental), quota, snowball, and self-selection/volunteer sampling.

13. What is sampling error?

    The difference between a sample statistic and the true population parameter that arises purely because a sample, rather than the whole population, is studied; it decreases as sample size increases.

14. What core ethical principle requires participants to be told the nature, risks, and purpose of a study before agreeing to take part?

    Informed consent.

15. In research ethics, what is debriefing and when is it especially required?

    Debriefing is informing participants about the study's true purpose after participation, correcting any deception and addressing distress; it is especially required when deception was used.

16. Name three forms of research misconduct in reporting research.

    Fabrication (making up data), falsification (manipulating data/results), and plagiarism (using others' work or ideas without credit).

17. Distinguish anonymity from confidentiality in research ethics.

    Anonymity means the researcher cannot link responses to identities (no identifiers collected); confidentiality means identities are known but protected and not disclosed.

18. What is the key philosophical (ontological/epistemological) difference between quantitative and qualitative paradigms?

    Quantitative research is rooted in positivism/post-positivism (objective, single reality, deductive, numerical); qualitative research is rooted in constructivism/interpretivism (multiple subjective realities, inductive, meaning-based).

19. What defines a mixed methods research approach?

    The deliberate integration of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis within a single study or program to draw on the strengths of both and offset their weaknesses.

20. Name three common mixed methods designs.

    Convergent parallel (concurrent), explanatory sequential (quant then qual), and exploratory sequential (qual then quant); also embedded designs.

21. Differentiate naturalistic observation from participant observation.

    Naturalistic observation records behavior in its natural setting without intervention; participant observation involves the researcher joining and interacting within the group being studied.

22. What is the Hawthorne effect in observational/survey research?

    The tendency of participants to alter their behavior simply because they know they are being observed or studied.

23. What is the main distinguishing feature of a true experimental design?

    Manipulation of an independent variable, presence of a control group, and random assignment of participants to conditions, allowing causal inferences.

24. How does a quasi-experimental design differ from a true experiment?

    A quasi-experiment manipulates an IV and has comparison groups but lacks random assignment, using pre-existing/intact groups, which weakens causal inference.

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