Assertion (A): In media research, the biological and psychological characteristics of

respondents change during the course of a study.

Reason (R): The respondents may grow older or become tired and their responses change during a long research project.

Codes: 

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true.

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Correct Ans: (A)

The assertion (A) claims that in media research, the biological and psychological characteristics of respondents change over time. This statement is true. Respondents participate in media studies for weeks or even months. During this period, they naturally undergo physical and emotional changes. These changes may affect how they think, feel, or behave.

Now, the reason (R) explains that respondents may grow older or become tired, which causes shifts in their responses. This is also true. Age-related changes such as maturity or new experiences can alter opinions. Similarly, long interviews or repeated surveys can exhaust people. Fatigue affects concentration, and this can change their answers.

Moreover, this explanation clearly supports the assertion. As the study continues, the respondent’s body and mind adapt or react to ongoing participation. This often results in different outcomes compared to the beginning of the research. Therefore, researchers must remain aware of this problem. They usually address it by shortening surveys, spacing out sessions, or using different participants for different phases.

In addition, this concept connects to what researchers call “testing effects” and “maturation” in longitudinal studies. Both terms refer to natural changes in participants over time. Hence, the statement and its reason are grounded in accepted research theory.

So, to sum up, both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. Therefore, the right answer is (A) — Both (A) and (R) are true.