Question-Answers of Thesis Writing

MCQs of Thesis Writing

1. What is the typical length of a PhD thesis?
a. 50-100 pages
b. 100-200 pages
c. 200-300 pages
d. 300-400 pages or more
Answer: d. 300-400 pages or more
2. What is the format of a PhD thesis?
a. A collection of journal articles
b. A single, cohesive document
c. A series of blog posts
d. A multimedia presentation
Answer: b. A single, cohesive document
3. What is the structure of a PhD thesis?
a. Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion
b. Abstract, introduction, methodology, results, conclusion
c. Introduction, literature review, case studies, results, discussion
d. Abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion
Answer: d. Abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion,
conclusion
4. What is the purpose of the literature review section in a PhD thesis?
a. To present the research methodology
b. To summarize the findings of the research
c. To provide background information on the research topic
d. To analyze the data collected in the research
Answer: c. To provide background information on the research topic
5. Minimum length of research proposal, excluding bibliography, is:
(a) 1500 words (b) 2000 words (c) 2500 words (d) 3000 words
Answer: a
6. Maximum length of research proposal, excluding bibliography, is:
(a) 4500 words (b) 5000 words (c) 6000 words (d) no limit
Answer: d
7. First main ingredient of a research proposal is:
(a) Title (b) Introduction (c) Background (d) None of These
Answer: a Title
8. Last main ingredient of a research proposal is:
(a) Research Outline (b) Bibliography (c) Background (d) None of These
Answer: b
9. Headings level one of a PhD thesis should be bold and of:
(a) 16 font size (b) 14 font size (c) 13 font size (d) 12 font size
Answer: a
10. Headings level two of a PhD thesis should be bold and of:
(a) 16 font size (b) 14 font size (c) 13 font size (d) 12 font size
Answer: b
11. Headings level three of a PhD thesis should be bold and of:
(a) 16 font size (b) 14 font size (c) 13 font size (d) 12 font size
Answer: c
12. Headings level four of a PhD thesis should be bold and of:
(a) 16 font size (b) 14 font size (c) 13 font size (d) 12 font size
Answer: d
13. The body text of the PhD thesis/synopsis/proposal should be non-bold and of:
(a) 16 font size (b) 14 font size (c) 13 font size (d) 12 font size
Answer: d
14. The Footnotes font size in the PhD thesis is:
(a) 12 font size (b) 11 font size (c) 10 font size (d) 8 font size
Answer: d
15. Unnecessary use of colored text and graphics should be:
(a) Minimum (b) Maximum (c) Avoided (d) none of these
Answer: c
16. Which font style shall be used throughout the PhD thesis?
(a) Calibri (b) Cambria (c) Times New Roman (d) none of these
Answer: c
17. The maximum word limit for the PhD thesis in IUB (excluding references, tables,
captions and appendices) is:
(a) 60000 words (b) 80000 words (c) 100000 words (d) no limit
Answer: b
18. What is a research proposal?
a. A document that outlines a plan for conducting research
b. A summary of research findings
c. A report on completed research
d. None of the above
Answer: a. A document that outlines a plan for conducting research
19. What is the importance of the introduction in a research proposal?
a. To provide background information and context for the proposed research
b. To present the research questions/hypotheses
c. To describe the methodology to be used
d. None of the above
Answer: a. To provide background information and context for the proposed research
20. How should a research problem be formulated?
a. As a clear and concise statement
b. As a broad and general statement
c. As a question
d. None of the above
Answer: a. As a clear and concise statement
21. How should a hypothesis be formulated?
a. As a clear and concise statement
b. As a broad and general statement
c. As a question
d. None of the above
Answer: a. As a clear and concise statement
22. What is a research question?
a. A statement of the topic to be researched
b. A question that needs to be answered through research
c. A summary of previous research on the topic
d. None of the above
Answer: b. A question that needs to be answered through research
23. What are the characteristics of a good research question?
a. It is specific, clear, and concise
b. It is broad, general, and vague
c. It is based on personal beliefs and opinions
d. None of the above
Answer: a. It is specific, clear, and concise
24. What is the difference between a research question and a research problem?
a. A research question is broader than a research problem
b. A research question is more specific than a research problem
c. A research problem is a statement, while a research question is a question
d. All of the above
Answer: b. A research question is more specific than a research problem
25. How should a research question be formulated?
a. As a clear and concise question
b. As a broad and general statement
c. As a hypothesis
d. None of the above
Answer: a. As a clear and concise question
26. What is the difference between an open-ended and closed-ended research question?
a. An open-ended question allows for a range of possible answers, while a closed-ended question
has a specific answer
b. An open-ended question is more specific than a closed-ended question
c. An open-ended question is broader than a closed-ended question
d. None of the above
Answer: a. An open-ended question allows for a range of possible answers, while a closed-ended
question has a specific answer
27. How many research questions should a research proposal have?
a. depending on the scope and complexity of the research
b. Two to three
c. Four to five
d. There is no limit
Answer: a. depending on the scope and complexity of the research
28. What is a research objective?
a. A statement of the topic to be researched
b. A question that needs to be answered through research
c. A specific goal to be achieved through research
d. None of the above
Answer: c. A specific goal to be achieved through research
29. What are the characteristics of a good research objective?
a. It is specific and clear
b. It is measurable and achievable
c. It is relevant and meaningful
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
30. What is the difference between a research objective and a research question?
a. A research objective is broader than a research question
b. A research objective is more specific than a research question
c. A research objective is a statement, while a research question is a question
d. All of the above
Answer: b. A research objective is more specific than a research question
31. How should research objectives be formulated?
a. As a clear and concise statement
b. As a broad and general statement
c. As a hypothesis
d. None of the above
Answer: a. As a clear and concise statement
32. What is research methodology?
a. The process of collecting and analyzing data
b. The study of how research is conducted
c. The theoretical framework for a research project
d. The interpretation of research findings
Answer: b. The study of how research is conducted
33. What are the two main types of research methods?
a. Quantitative and qualitative
b. Experimental and observational
c. Primary and secondary
d. Descriptive and inferential
Answer: a. Quantitative and qualitative
34. Which research method uses numerical data?
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Both
d. Neither
Answer: b. Quantitative
35. Which research method emphasizes the subjective experiences of individuals?
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Both
d. Neither
Answer: a. Qualitative
36. Which research method involves the manipulation of independent variables to
observe the effect on dependent variables?
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Experimental
d. Observational
Answer: c. Experimental
37. Which research method involves observing and recording the behavior of individuals
in their natural environment?
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Experimental
d. Observational
Answer: d. Observational
38. Which research method is best suited for exploring complex social phenomena and
understanding the meaning individuals attach to their experiences?
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Experimental
d. Observational
Answer: a. Qualitative
39. Which research method is best suited for testing cause-and-effect relationships
between variables?
a. Qualitative
b. Quantitative
c. Experimental
d. Observational
Answer: c. Experimental
Short Questions:

1. Characteristics of a Good Problem Statement

Main Characteristics of a Good Problem Statement are as under:
i. Interesting: A good problem statement must be interesting to the researcher.
ii. Scope: The scope of the good problem statement must be manageable by researcher.
iii. Ethical: A good problem statement must be ethical to investigate it.
iv. Knowledge: The researcher must have knowledge and resources needed to investigate it.
v. Importance: Investigating the problem has theoretical or practical significance.

2. Important points of the Problem Statement

Main important points of the problem statement are following:

i. Problem Statements Must Be Clear and Concise
ii. The Problem Statement Must Include All Variables to Be Considered
iii. The Problem Statement Should Not Interject the Bias of the Researcher

3. Fundamental Components of Research Questions:

While structuring research questions, there are following several fundamental components that
should be considered:

i. Research Objective
ii. Key Concepts or Variables
iii. Relationship or Comparison
iv. Clarity and Specificity
v. Feasibility and Relevance

4. Things to Keep in Mind About Research Hypotheses

While working with research hypotheses, the following things should be kept in mind:

i. A research hypothesis should be formulated in a way that allows for testing and
falsification.
ii. A hypothesis should be clear, specific, and unambiguous.
iii. Hypotheses should be grounded in existing theory and prior research.
iv. A research hypothesis should be logically coherent and consistent with established
principles in the field of study.
Long Question:

1. Difference between primary and secondary sources of literature

Primary sources of literature are original works that have been created by the author himself and
secondary sources of literature are such works that are not created by author himself.

Main points of difference between primary and secondary sources of literature are as under:

1. Definition
Primary sources of literature mean such sources that represent the raw information or the first-hand
evidence and secondary sources of literature mean such sources that interpret or analyze the
information which was sought from primary sources.

2. Information
Primary sources of literature give us direct and first-hand information while secondary sources of
literature give us indirect and second-hand information.

3. Examples
Some important examples of Primary sources of literature are interview transcripts, survey results,
official documents, works of art, photographs, video footage and diary entries. While some examples
of secondary sources are journal articles, reference books, textbooks, encyclopedias, documentaries
and academic essays.

4. Main Object
Main object of primary sources of literature is to discuss the core issues of a society while main object
of secondary sources of literature is to interpret the views of others.

5. Reliability
Primary sources of literature are more reliable due to their most authenticity while secondary sources
of literature are less reliable.

6. Data Collection Methods

In Primary sources of literature normally data is collected via interview, survey, official documents,
works of art, photographs, video footage and diary entries while in secondary sources of literature
data is collected via journal articles, reference books, textbooks, encyclopedias, documentaries and
academic essays.

7. Research Method
Normally in primary sources of literature conclusive research method is used and in secondary
sources of literature exploratory research method is used.

8. Objectivity
Sometimes, primary sources of literature can be subjective and personal since an individual’s account
of an incident may be colored by his views and experience. However, secondary sources of literature
tend to be more objective.

9. Preference
In quantitative research primary sources of literature are preferred while in qualitative research
secondary sources of literature are preferred.

10. Exercise
Primary sources of literature are mainly exercised to examine the cause, effect and relation between
the variables while secondary sources of literature are mainly exercised to discover various new ideas.
 11. Foundation
Primary sources of literature are the foundation of original research while secondary sources of
literature interpret the original research.

12. New Discoveries

Primary sources of literature help to make new discoveries while secondary sources of literature
critically and analytically analyze the new discoveries made through primary sources.

13. Credible Evidence

Primary sources of literature provide credible evidence for your arguments while secondary sources
of literature provide incredible evidence for your arguments.

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