Table of Contents
Question 86
The deductive method differs from the inductive method in drawing conclusions exclusively from:
Deductive reasoning is a "top-down" logic process. It starts with established general truths (or premises) and logically narrows them down to a specific, certain conclusion.
For example: All men are mortal (General Truth) -> Socrates is a man -> Therefore, Socrates is mortal (Specific Conclusion).
Inductive reasoning is the opposite ("bottom-up"). It starts with specific, particular instances (Option 1) and synthesizes them to form a broad, probable general theory.
Question 87
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: Research methods are a range of tools that are used for different types of inquiry.
Reason R: The tools used in research are products of the situations in which they are applied.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Assertion (A) is True: Research methods (qualitative, quantitative, archival, etc.) are indeed toolkits chosen based on what you are trying to find out.
Reason (R) is True, but not explanatory: While it is true that certain tools are adapted or produced specifically to handle unique situations, this fact does not *explain* why research methods are a broad range of tools. The availability of tools is an independent concept from how those tools were historically produced.
Question 88
A research hypothesis is:
A. a proposition which is always true
B. a provisional explanation of anything
C. a theory which will be disproved by evidence
D. a statement which is assumed to be true for the sake of argument
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
A hypothesis is fundamentally an "educated guess" made before the research begins.
- (B) True: It is a provisional (temporary) explanation that guides the research.
- (D) True: You assume it to be true for the sake of the argument or experiment, and then you test it to see if the evidence actually supports it or not.
Why A and C are wrong: A hypothesis is never "always true" (A) before testing. While a hypothesis can be disproved (the null hypothesis), it is not formulated with the absolute guarantee that it will be disproved (C).
Question 89
Which two of the following aspects are to be scrupulously followed to avoid the trap of plagiarism?
A. subjectivity
B. acknowledgement
C. citation
D. interpretation
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Plagiarism is the academic crime of presenting someone else's ideas, words, or data as your own. To avoid it, you must follow two strict mechanical rules:
- (B) Acknowledgement: You must explicitly state when an idea is not your original thought.
- (C) Citation: You must provide the exact location of where you found that idea using a standardized format (like MLA or APA), allowing the reader to verify the original source.
Subjectivity and interpretation are cognitive acts of literary analysis, not mechanical rules for avoiding plagiarism.
Question 90
Which two of the following strictly follow the parameters of documentation prescribed by the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook?
A. Nunberg, Geoffrey, editor. The Future of the Book. U of California P, 1996.
B. Puig, Manuel. Kiss of the Spider Woman. Trans. Thomas Colchie, London: Vintage, 1991.
C. Nunberg, Geoffrey, ed. The Future of the Book. Berkeley. U of California P, 1996.
D. Puig, Manuel. Kiss of the Spider Woman. Translated by Thomas Colchie, Vintage Books, 1991.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
The MLA 8th Edition (2016) brought massive changes to formatting, primarily to simplify citations in the digital age. A key change was the removal of the city of publication.
- Statement A is Correct: It correctly spells out "editor" (MLA 8 prefers spelling out roles) and drops the city.
- Statement D is Correct: It spells out "Translated by" and correctly lists the publisher without the city.
Why B and C are wrong: Statement B includes the city ("London:"). Statement C abbreviates editor ("ed.") and includes the city ("Berkeley."), which adheres to older, obsolete MLA 7 rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest change in the MLA 8th Edition?
The most noticeable change in the MLA 8th Edition (and continued in the 9th Edition) is that you no longer need to include the city of publication for books. For example, instead of writing "New York: Penguin, 2010," you simply write "Penguin, 2010." It also created a universal "container" system rather than having different rules for books vs. journals.
What is the difference between a Hypothesis and a Theory?
A Hypothesis is an initial, educated guess made before research is conducted. It is provisional. A Theory is an established principle that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by extensive evidence and observation.
Can you plagiarize yourself?
Yes. This is called "self-plagiarism." If you reuse significant portions of a paper you previously submitted for another class or publication without citing yourself, it is considered an academic ethics violation because you are presenting old work as new, original labor.
