Exam 1: The Nature and Tools of Research

Which of the following examples illustrates research as it is described in your textbook?

Kade has spent the past month carefully observing a group of third graders on the playground during recess,taking note of how the students interact with one another.On the basis of these observations,Kade is drawing conclusions about the interaction styles of boys and girls.This is an example of:

The primary reason to seek research articles published in academic journals,rather than those posted by the author on the Internet,is that:

Having completed a series of studies for her dissertation,Marianela sits down to brainstorm about possible explanations for her key findings.She can see a variety of ways in which all data work together,and she prepares to write a final chapter in which she presents those ideas.We would most likely say Marianela is engaged in the process of:

Graduate professors like to insist that the completion of thesis or dissertation research is not merely an "academic exercise" or final hurdle to obtaining the desired degree.Explain at least one personal benefit that the individual derives from completing a high- quality thesis or dissertation.Then explain at least one societal benefit that follows from the individual's completion of a high-quality thesis or dissertation.

The primary purpose of inferential statistics is to:

A specific mechanism or strategy the researcher uses to collect,manipulate,or interpret data is known as a:

Which of the following is most likely a statement made by a qualitative researcher?

Which of the following is most likely a statement made by a quantitative researcher?

Research is considered cyclical because:

Describe an example of the word research being used inappropriately.Be clear about how your example deviates from the definition of research offered in the chapter.

The philosophical assumption that objective scientific research can uncover true cause-and-effect relationships in the world is known as:

Kimberly knows that teenagers often do not make good decisions in areas where they have little knowledge.She also knows that most teens have little knowledge about human sexuality.Therefore,Kimberly believes that teens are likely to make poor decisions about sexual activity.This is an example of:

Do recent technological advances (e.g.,the World Wide Web,electronic databases)assure that future research will be of higher quality,or of greater utility,than past research? Support your answer.

To be considered true research,a project must:

Cameron is conducting a study that addresses the differences in achievement scores between schools that use block scheduling and schools that use a traditional scheduling format.He has accessed average achievement scores for 1200 schools and now is comparing the two groups.In which research step is Cameron engaged?

Qualitative researchers most commonly (but not exclusively)align with which of the following philosophical approaches to research?

Research methodology refers to: