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UGC NET Sociology Research Methodology and Methods Flashcards
60 question-and-answer cards covering Research Methodology and Methods as it is examined in UGC NET Sociology. 24 of them are printed below, taken from across the deck — no signup, no paywall on the preview.
24 sample cards from the Research Methodology and Methods deck
Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.
What is the comparative method in sociology?
The systematic comparison of two or more societies, groups or institutions to identify similarities, differences and causal patterns — a substitute for experiment in establishing generalisations (Durkheim called it sociology's essential method).
What were Durkheim's 'rules' for the comparative method, especially the method of concomitant variation?
Durkheim favoured concomitant variation: if two phenomena vary together regularly, one may cause the other or both share a common cause — used to establish sociological laws without controlled experiments.
What is sampling in research?
Sampling is the process of selecting a subset (sample) of units from a larger population so that the sample can be studied and its findings generalised to the whole population, saving time and cost.
Distinguish probability from non-probability sampling.
In probability sampling every unit has a known, non-zero chance of selection (random basis), allowing statistical inference. In non-probability sampling selection is non-random (judgment/convenience), so generalisation is limited.
Name and briefly define four types of probability sampling.
(1) Simple random — every unit equal chance; (2) Systematic — every kth unit from a random start; (3) Stratified — random sampling within homogeneous sub-groups; (4) Cluster — random selection of whole groups/clusters.
Name four types of non-probability sampling.
(1) Convenience/accidental, (2) Purposive/judgmental, (3) Quota, and (4) Snowball (chain-referral) sampling.
What is snowball sampling and when is it used?
A non-probability technique where existing participants refer further participants, building the sample like a snowball — used for hidden, hard-to-reach or rare populations (e.g., drug users, undocumented migrants).
What is the difference between sampling error and non-sampling error?
Sampling error is the discrepancy between sample and population due to studying only a subset (reduced by larger/random samples). Non-sampling error arises from flaws in measurement, coverage, non-response, recording or processing — present even in a census.
Distinguish a questionnaire from a schedule.
A questionnaire is filled in by the respondent themselves (often mailed); a schedule is a set of questions filled in by the investigator/enumerator during a face-to-face interview, allowing clarification and higher response rates.
Distinguish open-ended from closed-ended questions.
Open-ended questions let respondents answer freely in their own words (rich but hard to code); closed-ended questions offer fixed response options (easy to quantify but restrictive).
What is a Likert scale?
A Likert scale measures attitudes by asking respondents to rate their level of agreement with statements on an ordered set of categories (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree), typically scored 1–5.
Distinguish structured, unstructured and semi-structured interviews.
Structured interviews use a fixed set of standardised questions; unstructured interviews are flexible, open and conversational; semi-structured interviews use a guide of themes with freedom to probe and reorder.
What is participant observation and its main types?
Participant observation is studying a group by taking part in its activities while observing. Types per Gold: complete participant, participant-as-observer, observer-as-participant, complete observer — varying in involvement and disclosure.
What is the case study method and its chief strengths and weaknesses?
An intensive, holistic study of a single unit (person, group, institution, event) in depth and context. Strength: rich, detailed, holistic understanding; Weakness: limited generalisability and possible subjectivity.
What is the difference between reliability and validity in measurement?
Reliability is the consistency/repeatability of a measure (same results on repetition). Validity is whether the measure actually captures what it claims to measure. A measure can be reliable yet invalid, but not valid without being reliable.
Distinguish the mean, median and mode as measures of central tendency.
Mean = arithmetic average (sum/N); Median = middle value when data are ordered; Mode = most frequently occurring value. The median is preferred for skewed data, the mode for nominal/categorical data.
What is standard deviation and what does it indicate?
Standard deviation is the square root of the variance — the average distance of values from the mean. It measures dispersion/spread: a small SD means values cluster near the mean, a large SD means wide scatter.
What does the correlation coefficient (Karl Pearson's r) measure, and what is its range?
Pearson's r measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 (perfect negative) through 0 (no linear relationship) to +1 (perfect positive). Correlation does not imply causation.
What is the chi-square (χ²) test used for?
The chi-square test is a non-parametric test of association between two categorical variables, comparing observed frequencies with expected frequencies to assess whether they differ significantly (test of independence/goodness of fit).
What is the level of significance (e.g., p < 0.05) in statistical testing?
It is the probability threshold for rejecting the null hypothesis — the maximum acceptable risk of a Type I error. p < 0.05 means there is less than a 5% chance the observed result occurred by chance.
Distinguish Type I and Type II errors.
Type I error (alpha): rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive). Type II error (beta): failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative).
Distinguish qualitative from quantitative data analysis.
Quantitative analysis uses numerical data and statistics to test hypotheses and measure relationships; qualitative analysis interprets non-numerical data (texts, transcripts, observations) through coding and themes to understand meaning.
What is 'interpretation' in the stage of data analysis?
Interpretation is the process of drawing inferences and meaning from analysed data — explaining what the findings signify, linking them to theory and the research questions, and identifying their broader implications.
What are the standard components of a social science research report?
Typically: title; abstract; introduction/statement of problem; review of literature; objectives and hypotheses; methodology; data analysis and findings; discussion/interpretation; conclusion and suggestions; references/bibliography; and appendices.
What this deck covers
The Research Methodology and Methods deck follows the UGC NET Sociology Research Methodology and Methods syllabus — 4 chapters and 18 topics — so questions land on material that is genuinely examinable rather than trivia around it. That works out to roughly 15.0 cards per chapter.
Answers are written to be recallable, not just readable — averaging about 214 characters, which is long enough to carry the reasoning and short enough to say out loud.
A deck like this earns its keep on the second and third pass. Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then use the cards to find the specific facts that have not stuck.
Research Methodology and Methods flashcards FAQ
How many Research Methodology and Methods flashcards are in this UGC NET Sociology deck?
60 cards. This page previews 24 of them, sampled evenly across the deck so you can judge the difficulty before installing anything.
Are these UGC NET Sociology flashcards free?
Yes. The preview here is free to read with no signup, and the full 60-card deck is free inside the Examius app.
What do the Research Methodology and Methods cards cover?
They follow the UGC NET Sociology Research Methodology and Methods syllabus — 4 chapters and 18 topics — so the questions track what is actually examinable.
How should I use these flashcards?
Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then drill the deck. Examius schedules each card with spaced repetition, so cards you keep missing come back sooner and ones you know drift further apart.