Deck 3: Locating and Reviewing the Literature

Question 1

In general, surveying related literature that has implications for the research question of an investigation should be done:

A) before conducting a study
B) while conducting a study
C) after conducting a study
D) only if a recent review is unavailable

Answer 1

before conducting a study

Question 2

Where should one look for a general summary of the research completed on "direct instruction"?

A) "Journal of Educational Research"
B) "Psychological Abstracts"
C) "Encyclopedia of Educational Research"
D) A current text on research methods

Answer 2

"Encyclopedia of Educational Research"

Question 3

"Education Index is most useful as a source for locating:

A) research conference papers and proceedings
B) research references, abstracts and articles
C) names of research authorities
D) names of institutions that conduct research

Answer 3

research references, abstracts and articles

Question 4

Doctoral dissertations and masters' theses:

A) should not be used as sources in literature reviews
B) are usually not considered original research
C) are available in digital format dating back to 1861
D) are available in digital format dating back to 1988

Question 5

General reference tools are most useful for:

A) locating original reports of research
B) reviewing the status of the research problem
C) evaluating the adequacy of previous studies
D) helping with methodological problems

Question 6

The first step in conducting a literature search generally should be to refer to:

A) general references
B) primary sources
C) secondary sources
D) computer search sources

Question 7

A common problem occurring at the beginning of a literature search is that:

A) the research problem is not specific enough
B) pertinent references cannot be obtained
C) primary sources are classified in so many ways
D) no mechanism exists for systematically organizing all the studies done

Question 8

In order to conduct a thorough search of relevant primary sources, it may be necessary to:

A) consult Who's Who in American Education
B) search manually for sources only available in print/paper format
C) search the Subject Guide to Books in Print
D) write an annotated bibliography

Question 9

When searching using general reference tools, the first step is to:

A) define the problem as precisely as possible
B) determine if the problem is feasible and significant
C) consult a secondary source to verify the sources are primary
D) limit the search to peer-reviewed sources

Question 10

Which of the following is the least effective example of search terms used to start a literature search on high school teaching methods:

A) teaching methods and high school
B) secondary education and instruction
C) effective instructional methods in American high schools
D) pedagogy and (secondary education or high school)

Question 11

A journal article that is missing from local libraries can usually be obtained from:

A) a general reference
B) interlibrary loan
C) the publisher of the article
D) a secondary source

Question 12

The Education Resources Information Center or ERIC is:

A) the name of the U.S. Department of Education's central library
B) a card catalog system used to locate education books and resources
C) an online database of education research and information sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education
D) a government sponsored education website for educational researchers

Question 13

The recommended sequence for reading primary sources is to read:

A) the most recent first
B) the oldest first
C) about twenty years back
D) groups of articles in the last five years and to begin anywhere among them

Question 14

The advantage of a search engine is

A) speed
B) cost
C) accuracy
D) comprehensiveness

Question 15

Common mistakes in preparing notes on primary sources include all of the following except:

A) incorrect citation
B) insufficient detail given on procedures
C) insufficient detail given on results
D) failure to verify the author's credentials

Question 16

Which of the following is not an advantage of a computer search over a manual one?

A) Speed
B) Cost
C) Unwanted references
D) Thoroughness

Question 17

In carrying out a computer search, which of the following is not required of the researcher?

A) Selecting the database
B) Deciding on the number of citations desired
C) Defining key terms
D) Selecting descriptors

Question 18

What descriptor would you begin with to locate references on the following research question: "What effect does the use of word processors have on the grammatical skills of high school students?"

A) High school students
B) Word processors
C) Language skills
D) Computer-assisted instruction

Question 19

Which of the following would not contain primary sources?

A) "Journal of Research in Mathematics Education"
B) "Journal of Experimental Education"
C) "Handbook of Research on Teaching"
D) "Child Development"

Question 20

Which of the following is likely to have a computer search capability?

A) University library
B) Public library
C) County education office
D) All of the above

Question 21

A highly effective means of reducing the list of citations produced in a computer search is to:

A) reduce the number of descriptors used
B) instruct the computer to select only those fitting two or more descriptors
C) systematically delete by hand those that are inappropriate
D) use the Boolean operator "or"

Question 22

Matching

-Secondary sources

A) Indexes and abstracts
B) Textbooks and yearbooks
C) Journals
D) Descriptors
E) "And" and "or"

Question 23

Matching

-Boolean operators

A) Indexes and abstracts
B) Textbooks and yearbooks
C) Journals
D) Descriptors
E) "And" and "or"

Question 24

Matching

-Primary sources

A) Indexes and abstracts
B) Textbooks and yearbooks
C) Journals
D) Descriptors
E) "And" and "or"

Question 25

Matching

-General reference tools

A) Indexes and abstracts
B) Textbooks and yearbooks
C) Journals
D) Descriptors
E) "And" and "or"

Question 26

Matching

-Search terms

A) Indexes and abstracts
B) Textbooks and yearbooks
C) Journals
D) Descriptors
E) "And" and "or"

Question 27

A thorough literature review locates other works dealing with the intended area of study and evaluates them in terms of their relevance to the research question of interest.

Question 28

A thesaurus or subject headings list can be used to find alternative search terms.

Question 29

Information on the Internet is checked for accuracy and credibility before it gets published.

Question 30

The process of writing a literature review is like weaving a tapestry.

Question 31

The main purpose of a meta-analysis is to examine many studies on the same topic in order to derive an overall index of outcome or relationship.