Deck 3: The Theoretical Basis of Research

Question 1

Think of a research topic and outline concepts and constructs that could be used for a literature review.

Answer 1

Students should select a topic or be given one for all to consider. The basic response should differentiate the "ideas," which are concepts, from the structuring together of concepts in some kind of hypothesis (i.e., a research construct).

Question 2

List some Internet sources that might be used to begin a search for research information.

Answer 2

Sources should include the standard sources, such as ERIC, Google, and Yahoo, and could include sources specific to the student's area of study.

Question 3

Name some sources of literature that publish research reports. How would you access these sources?

Answer 3

The responses will vary based on the area of study. It is important for students to remember that the best source of valid and reliable information is refereed journals in the subject field.

Question 4

Think of a source of information that you know to be false (such as negative campaign tactics in elections). Why was it published (i.e., what research standards were ignored)?

Question 5

Sometimes, conflicting literature on a topic exists. Why is it important to report all sides of an issue?

Question 6

Select a topic and compare the results of a Google search with those of an ERIC search on the topic.