Question

Whenever a new research problem is being addressed, ................. research must be preceded by appropriate ................ research.

• A. qualitative; quantitative
• B. observational; experimental
• C. quantitative; qualitative
• D. experimental; observational

Hint:

Explore first (qualitative), measure later (quantitative) — like sketching before painting.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Sequence logic.
- Qualitative research is flexible, open-ended — helps define the problem, generate hypotheses, and identify variables.
- Quantitative research tests these hypotheses in a structured way.
Step 2: Why qualitative comes first.
When problem is new, we first explore (qualitative), then measure (quantitative).
Step 3: Matching to the blank.
- “Quantitative research must be preceded by qualitative research” → matches option (c). \[ \boxed{(c)} \]