Research Methods in Library and Information Science MCQs

1. : What is research in Library and Information Science (LIS)?
(A) A systematic investigation to establish facts or principles
(B) Random collection of books
(C) Routine library work
(D) Cataloging of materials

2. : The first step in the research process is:
(A) Identifying the research problem
(B) Data analysis
(C) Report writing
(D) Hypothesis testing

3. : A hypothesis is:
(A) A tentative statement about the relationship between variables
(B) A final conclusion
(C) A statistical formula
(D) A research tool

4. : Which of the following is a quantitative research method?
(A) Survey research
(B) Historical research
(C) Case study
(D) Interview

5. : Which of the following is an example of qualitative research?
(A) Focus group discussion
(B) Statistical analysis
(C) Experimental design
(D) Correlation study

6. : The term population in research refers to:
(A) The entire group of individuals relevant to the study
(B) Only library staff
(C) Data collected from questionnaires
(D) A sample group

7. : What is a sample?
(A) A subset of the population selected for study
(B) A hypothesis
(C) An entire library collection
(D) Research report

8. : Which sampling method gives every member of the population an equal chance of selection?
(A) Simple random sampling
(B) Purposive sampling
(C) Snowball sampling
(D) Quota sampling

9. : A literature review is conducted to:
(A) Understand existing research and identify research gaps
(B) Collect raw data
(C) Write conclusions
(D) Interview respondents

10. : The main purpose of research design is to:
(A) Plan the procedures for conducting research
(B) Collect books for study
(C) Write references
(D) Conduct interviews

11. : What is data collection?
(A) Gathering relevant facts, figures, and information for analysis
(B) Writing a bibliography
(C) Framing hypotheses
(D) Reviewing literature

12. : Which of the following is a primary data source?
(A) Questionnaire responses
(B) Textbooks
(C) Encyclopedias
(D) Literature reviews

13. : Secondary data refers to:
(A) Data collected from existing sources
(B) Data gathered directly from respondents
(C) Experimental results
(D) Statistical outputs

14. : What is the main tool used in survey research?
(A) Questionnaire
(B) Laboratory experiment
(C) Observation checklist only
(D) Library catalog

15. : A variable is:
(A) A characteristic that can take on different values
(B) A fixed constant
(C) A research problem
(D) A data collection tool

16. : What is data analysis?
(A) Examining and interpreting data to draw conclusions
(B) Collecting data from books
(C) Typing the research report
(D) Conducting interviews

17. : Which software is commonly used for data analysis in LIS research?
(A) SPSS
(B) MS Word
(C) Photoshop
(D) CorelDraw

18. : What type of research studies library history and development?
(A) Historical research
(B) Experimental research
(C) Descriptive research
(D) Analytical research

19. : Action research is conducted to:
(A) Solve immediate practical problems
(B) Develop theoretical models
(C) Write dissertations
(D) Study past events

20. : A case study method is used to:
(A) Study an individual or institution in depth
(B) Collect large-scale statistical data
(C) Observe group behavior
(D) Conduct experiments

21. : Experimental research is characterized by:
(A) Control and manipulation of variables
(B) Use of interviews only
(C) Historical analysis
(D) Library cataloging

22. : The null hypothesis states that:
(A) There is no significant difference or relationship between variables
(B) There is always a difference
(C) The hypothesis is true
(D) The research is invalid

23. : What is correlation in research?
(A) A measure of the relationship between two variables
(B) An experimental tool
(C) A data collection method
(D) A research report

24. : What is reliability in research instruments?
(A) Consistency of results when repeated
(B) Ability to test new variables
(C) Number of respondents
(D) Speed of data entry

25. : What is validity in research?
(A) Accuracy of measurement
(B) Speed of data collection
(C) Reliability test
(D) Statistical computation

26. : In research, operational definition means:
(A) Defining variables in measurable terms
(B) Writing general definitions
(C) Listing library operations
(D) Creating job roles

27. : A pilot study is conducted to:
(A) Test research instruments before the main study
(B) Collect the final data
(C) Conduct interviews
(D) Write a report

28. : Content analysis is mainly used to:
(A) Analyze written or recorded communication
(B) Observe physical behavior
(C) Conduct experiments
(D) Design questionnaires

29. : The final step in the research process is:
(A) Report writing and presentation
(B) Sampling
(C) Data collection
(D) Hypothesis formulation

30. : The main purpose of LIS research is to:
(A) Improve library services and information systems
(B) Increase book sales
(C) Build more libraries only
(D) Reduce research funding