UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 89

Which of the following explains the difference between Conceptual Research and Empirical Research?

Answer: 1. The former of the two is related to some abstract idea(s) or theory, and the latter relies on experience and observation alone.

Conceptual Research focuses on abstract ideas, theories, and concepts. It aims to explore and develop new concepts or theories, often with the goal of finding a solution to a specific problem or addressing a particular issue.

On the other hand, Empirical Research relies on experience, observation, and data collection. It involves the systematic gathering and analysis of data to draw conclusions, make generalisations, and formulate theories based on empirical evidence.

Other Explanations:

Conceptual Research:

  • Focuses on abstract ideas and theories.
  • Seeks to develop new concepts and frameworks.
  • Often driven by philosophical or theoretical inquiries.
  • Explores relationships between concepts and constructs.
  • Often relies on literature reviews and theoretical analysis.
  • Used frequently in disciplines like philosophy and theoretical social sciences.

Empirical Research:

  • Relies on observation and data collection.
  • Involves systematic gathering of empirical evidence.
  • Uses empirical methods like experiments or surveys.
  • Tests hypotheses and research questions using statistical analysis.
  • Focuses on measurable and observable phenomena to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
UGC NET English 2023 June Shift II

Question 90

What is the standard format for citing a book as per the requirements of the MLA Handbook Eighth Edition?

Answer: 3. Surname, First name. Title of the Book in italics. Name of the Publishing House. Year of publication.

The correct format for citing a book according to the core elements introduced in the MLA Handbook Eighth Edition drops the "Place of Publication" entirely. The structure is: Surname, First name. Title of the Book in italics. Name of the Publishing House. Year of publication.

Example:
Smith, John. The Art of Writing. ABC Publishing House, 2022.

Note: The 8th edition streamlined citations into a universal set of core elements, notably removing the requirement for the city of publication and the medium of publication (e.g., "Print" or "Web") that were previously mandated in the 7th edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between Conceptual and Empirical Research?

Conceptual research involves developing or exploring abstract ideas, theories, and concepts, often used by philosophers and theoretical researchers. Empirical research relies on verifiable evidence gathered through direct experience, observation, and data collection.

How does the MLA 8th Edition book citation differ from earlier editions?

The MLA Handbook 8th Edition significantly simplified the citation process by introducing core elements. One of the biggest changes for book citations was the removal of the requirement to include the "Place of Publication" and the medium format (such as "Print").

Tags: UGC NET English, Literary Research, Previous Year Questions, Research Methodology, MLA Style, June 2023 | Published: May 11, 2026

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Ankit Sharma

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Aswathy V P

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