Deck 5: Identifying Interests and Operationalizing Topics: Forget That Perfect Study

Question 1

Identify a major federal grant funding agency for counseling research.

A) Federal Bureau of Psychology Research (FBPR)
B) National Association of Health (NAH)
C) Institute of Educational Foundation (IEF)
D) The National Science Foundation (NSF)

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Depression scores on a standardized test, such as the MMPI-Depression scale, are examples of independent variables.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

In nonexperimental studies of research, the _____ in a regression equation are sometimes referred to as independent variables.

A) predictor variables
B) ordinal variables
C) criterion variables
D) dichotomous variables

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Alan is new to the field of research. He has chosen a simple research project to understand the overall sequence of steps to be followed in developing the research idea. He has successfully completed the stage of identifying research variables. Which of the following steps should Alan take to begin the collection and analysis of relevant data?

A) He should determine the number of participants.
B) He should define the target population.
C) He should select participants.
D) He should create a participant pool.

Question 5

The independent variable in a research study is the variable that is:

A) manipulated or controlled.
B) derived from the dependent variable.
C) held constant.
D) affected by the dependent variable.

Question 6

Identifying a topic of research is the same as developing a specific research question or hypothesis that can guide research.

Question 7

Identify a main component in the process of selecting a research topic and developing a research idea into a testable hypothesis.

A) Developing an original research method
B) Identifying research variables
C) Working as an apprentice for an experienced researcher
D) Creating a new assessment instrument

Question 8

_____ essentially ask what some phenomena or events are like and explain the variables of interest with questions such as how much, how often, what percentage, and so on.

A) Descriptive questions
B) Hypothetical questions
C) Difference questions
D) Divergent questions

Question 9

Which of the following is a reason to pay particular attention to the discussion section of articles when specifying research questions and hypotheses?

A) The summary statement is the easiest way to understand complex data.
B) There may be explicit discussion of future research needs.
C) This section holds the references the author used.
D) This section strives to clarify unanswered research questions.

Question 10

In the context of identifying a research idea, theory and research from one topic can be extended to another related topic.

Question 11

It is essential for researchers to focus on investigating a few constructs only and not to try to do too much in developing an original contribution.

Question 12

The function of a testable research question or hypothesis is to provide direction for experimental inquiry.

Question 13

_____ explore the degree to which two or more research constructs are related or vary together.

A) Quasi-experiments
B) Demand characteristics
C) Reliability estimates
D) Relationship questions

Question 14

Which of the following is considered riskier for inexperienced counselors and researchers?

A) Beginning research training by working closely within their advisor's research interests
B) Using their own observations about a topic as a source of ideas for research topics
C) Spending precious time reading literature review articles and handbooks
D) Attending more closely to the constructs that have been used in the previous research

Question 15

Operational definitions are referred to as a sort of manual of instructions that spells out what an investigator must do to measure or manipulate research variables during the procedures of a study.

Question 16

It is not recommended for students to bring their own observations and beliefs into their research topics.

Question 17

Once a research question enters the formative stage and an investigator continues to develop the design and methodologies of a particular study, the original research question cannot be changed.

Question 18

A great deal of research in counseling involves extending the results of previous research.

Question 19

A problem arises when researchers investigate a given construct but develop different operational definitions for it.

Question 20

The primary function of an operational definition in the development of a research idea is to:

A) clarify the operation of a study's methodology.
B) define the constructs involved in a particular study.
C) define the organization of one's references and citations.
D) clarify how variables operate relative to each other.