The Various Software Tools of Research Reading Answers

Feb 12, 2024

The Various Software Tools of Research Reading Answers is a general reading topic. The Various Software Tools of Research Reading Answers have a total of 7 IELTS questions in total. The specified topic generates 3 question type: choose the correct heading, words, Yes, No, Not Given. Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly in order to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers, which feature topics such as The Various Software Tools of Research Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Section 1

The various software tools of research

The software tools of research are typically more abundant than hardware tools in the social sciences. The software is usually thought of as meaning computer programs that tell the hardware what to do, but any tool not related to a physical device can be considered software. Included in this category are published tests and questionnaires.
Often researchers want to gather information related to a general area such as personality or intelligence. For these instances, the use of a standardized test may be the best choice. With already published tests you can be sure of both validity and reliability and can save a lot of time that might otherwise be spent on test construction. Standardized tests can be classified into five main categories: achievement, aptitude, interest, personality, and intelligence.
Achievement tests are designed specifically to measure an individual's previously learned knowledge or ability. They are available for many topic areas related to psychology, education, business, and other fields. Achievement tests require that prior learning take place and that this learning is demonstrated in order to pass.
Aptitude tests attempt to predict an individual's performance in some activity at some point in the future. They do not require any specific prior learning although basic knowledge related to reading and writing is usually required and some preparation, such as studying up on math formulas or sentence structure, can be helpful. A well-known example of this type is the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), designed to predict future college performance.
Interest inventories also require only general knowledge but no preparation is needed. These tests look at an individual's subjective interests in order to make predictions about some future behavior or activity. Perhaps the most used interest inventory is the Strong Interest Inventory, which compares interests related to specific careers in order to help guide an individual's career path. Endorsed interests are compared with the interests of successful individuals in various fields and predictions are made regarding the test- taker's fit with the various career fields.
Typically designed to assess and diagnose personality and mental health-related disorders, personality tests are used extensively by psychologists in clinical, educational, and business-related settings. By far the most widely used test of this type is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2), which compares an individual's responses on a series of true-false items to those suffering from various mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety. The theory behind the test argues that if you endorse items similar to the items endorsed by those with depression, for example, then the chances that you are also depressed increases.
Intelligence tests could be classified as aptitude tests since they are sometimes used to predict future performance. They could also be classified as personality tests since they can be used to diagnose disorders such as learning disabilities and mental retardation. However, because of their limited scope, we will place them in their own category. The purpose of an intelligence test is to attain a summary score or intelligence quotient (IQ) of an individual's intellectual ability. Scores are compared to each other and can be broken down into different subcategories depending on the intelligence test used. The most commonly used tests of this type are the Wechsler Scales, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI).
Self-response questionnaires are a great way to gather large amounts of information in a relatively short amount of time. A questionnaire, similar to a survey you might see on a web page, allows subjects to respond to questions, rate responses, or offer opinions. Their responses can then be used to place them in specific categories or groups or can be compared to other subjects for data analysis. A concern with self-report, however, is the accuracy of the responses. Unlike direct observation, there is no way of knowing if the subject has told the truth or whether or not the question was understood as intended. There are several different methods for gathering information on a questionnaire or survey, including a Likert scale, the Thurstone technique, and the semantic differential. The Likert scale is a popular method used in surveys because it allows the researcher to quantify opinion based items. Questions are typically grouped together and rated or responded based on a five-point scale. This scale typically ranges in order from one extreme to the other, such as (1) very interested; (2) somewhat interested; (3) unsure; (4) not very interested; and (5) not interested at all. Items that might be rated with this scale representing the subject's level of interest could include a list of careers or academic majors, for example.

Section 2

Answer and Explanation

Questions 1-6
Reading Passage has eight paragraphs A-H. Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B and D-H from the list of headings below. Write the correct number, i-xi, in boxes 1-14 in your answer sheet.

List of Headings

Testing acquired knowledge
The way future performance is forecast through testing
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
Software tools in research explained
The use of a five-point scale in testing
A test used to obtain a summary score of an individual's intelligence
The method most widely used by psychologists in various situations
Subjective interests employed to predict future behaviour
The different classes of standardized tests
The importance of prior learning in tests
Information gathered by self-reporting

Paragraph B

Answer: IX
Supporting statement: “......Standardized tests can be classified into five main categories: achievement, aptitude, interest, personality, and intelligence........”
Keywords: achievement, aptitude
Keyword Location: para B, line 5
Explanation: It is given that the standardized tests can be classified into 5 categories. They are achievement, aptitude, interest, personality, intelligence.

Paragraph D

Answer: II
Supporting statement: “..... A well-known example of this type is the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), designed to predict future college performance........”
Keywords: test, future
Keyword Location: para D, line 4
Explanation: It is given that the aptitude does not require any prior learning before attending the test and SAT is an example which can help to predict the future college performance of a candidate.

Paragraph E

Answer: VIII
Supporting statement: “.....These tests look at an individual's subjective interests in order to make predictions about some future behavior or activity.........”
Keywords: predictions, activity
Keyword Location: para E, line 2
Explanation: It is given that the tests look into the subjective interest of the candidate. So that they can make predictions on future behavior or activity.

Paragraph F

Answer: VII
Supporting statement: “....... By far the most widely used test of this type is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2)......”
Keywords: personality, edition
Keyword Location: para F, line 3
Explanation: It is given in the passage F that the most widely used test by the psychologist are MMPI-2 test.

Paragraph G

Answer: VI
Supporting statement: “......The purpose of an intelligence test is to attain a summary score or intelligence quotient (IQ) of an individual's intellectual ability........”
Keywords: purpose, intelligence test
Keyword Location: para G, Line 5
Explanation: It is given that the Intelligent quotient test or IQ test is used to get the intelligence score of a person.

Paragraph H

Answer: XI
Supporting statement: “......A concern with self-report, however, is the accuracy of the responses. Unlike direct observation, there is no way of knowing if the subject has told the truth or whether or not the question was understood as intended........”
Keywords: self-report, observation
Keyword Location: para H, line 5
Explanation: it is given that the self reporting process is very great to know the opinion of people on the subject. People can fill their own choice and the owner can categorize them into different groups according to their answers.

Questions 7-10
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

Tests that are already on the market

need some form of reconstruction.
fail to ensure validity and reliability.
guarantee validity and reliability.
waste large amounts of time.

Answer: C
Supporting statement: “......With already published tests you can be sure of both validity and reliability and can save a lot of time that might otherwise be spent on test construction.......”
Keywords: validity, constriction
Keyword Location: para B, line 3
Explanation: It is clearly given in the second paragraph that the test that are already existing are designed with guaranteed validity and reliability.

Some knowledge of reading and writing

is commonly not necessary for aptitude tests.
is normally a requirement in aptitude tests.
is less important in aptitude tests than other tests.
is as important as prior learning in aptitude tests.

Answer: B
Supporting statement: “...... They do not require any specific prior learning although basic knowledge related to reading and writing is usually required and some preparation.......”
Keywords: knowledge, preparation
Keyword Location: para D, line 2
Explanation: It is given that the aptitude tests require some level of knowledge of reading and writing by the candidate.

With interest inventories, subjective interests are examined to

test people's general knowledge.
help people change their career.
compare individual's backgrounds.
forecast future behavior or activity.

Answer: D
Supporting statement: “......These tests look at an individual's subjective interests in order to make predictions about some future behavior or activity........”
Keywords: predictions, behavior
Keyword Location: para E, line 2
Explanation: It is given that the tests take the subjective interest of the candidate to make the prediction about future activity.

Intelligence tests could come under aptitude tests

because they can be used to forecast future performance.
since they are not used very widely.
as they can be broken down into different sub-groups.
because they are sometimes used to diagnose learning disabilities.

Answer: A
Supporting statement: “......Intelligence tests could be classified as aptitude tests since they are sometimes used to predict future performance.......”
Keywords: sometimes, performance
Keyword Location: para G, line 1
Explanation: It is given that the intelligence tests can come under the aptitude tests because they are also used to forecast future performances.

Questions 11-13

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage?
YES - if the statement reflects the claims of the writer
NO - if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks of this

The Wechsler Scales are the only type of intelligence test now used

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: there has been no instance in the passage that says that the Wechsler scales are the only type of intelligence test used now.

Where large quantities of data need to be collected fairly quickly self-response questionnaires work well.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement: “...... Self-response questionnaires are a great way to gather large amounts of information in a relatively short amount of time........”
Keywords: information, time
Keyword Location: para H, line 1
Explanation: It is given that if there is a large quantity of data that are needed to be collected in a short time, then the self-response questionnaires are best choice.

The Likert Scale ensures greater accuracy than other techniques.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: there has been no instance in the passage that says that the Likert scale ensures greater accuracy than other techniques.

Question 14
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

Which of the following is the most suitable heading for Reading Passage
A. Different types of intelligence test
B. How personality can be tested
C. The importance of aptitude tests
D. The various software tools of research

Answer: D
Explanation: This article mostly discusses various ways of testing and types of tests that checks various aspects of students. Hence D will be the best choice.

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