Deck 2: Developing Research Skills

Question 1

The aim and objectives of the research emerge from the research statement/question.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Your research project must be situated within your discipline. For example, if you are studying for a degree in Human Resource Management, then your research project must be situated within the discipline of human resource management. If you are studying for a degree in marketing, then your research project must be situated within the discipline of marketing.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

There are software packages that can help you in compiling your bibliography. Among them are the software packages EndNote, ProCite, Papyrus and Reference Manager.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Survey research facilitates the broad study of phenomena, the study of big populations and samples, and the study of populations and samples that are geographically scattered.

Question 5

The objectives of the research are the actions the researcher takes in order to accomplish the aim of the research.

Question 6

There are different approaches to research, for example in this chapter we have seen examples of research projects to be developed using survey methodology and examples of research projects to be developed using case study methodology.

Question 7

The bibliography is just a list of references. It's not a very important element of the research project.

Question 8

A pilot study is a small study carried out before the main study, in order to ensure that the data collection method designed for the study works as it is meant to work.

Question 9

The work of every researcher is both theoretical and applied. Theory is to be found in literature, i.e. in books, journal articles, in theses, in government reports and papers, in the published works of company's and NGO's, and in the reports of conference proceedings. The applied aspect of the research task is in the actual work involved in carrying out research.

Question 10

There are very many software packages available to help in carrying out research and there are very many ways in which the internet can be used in the research process.

Question 11

The theoretical framework is the second framework in the four
frameworks approach to the research project.

Question 12

The key to the precisely defined research project is focus. The question is what, precisely, are you interested in researching, what exactly do you wish to focus on in your research project?

Question 13

Case study research facilitates the in-depth study of phenomena, the study of clearly bounded entities, such as incidents or events, or particular businesses or organisations.

Question 14

Throughout the research project the researcher is actively and critically engaged with every aspect of the research. It is appropriate that their thoughts, insights and experiences are recorded on scraps of paper and in lots of different copybooks and notebooks.

Question 15

Unfortunately, there is no software available to help in carrying out research.

Question 16

The key to developing an idea for a research project is to focus on are area of interest and/or of use to you.

Question 17

The objectives of the research are similar to the aim of the research.

Question 18

The five basic skills required by every researcher are: the ability to generate ideas for research projects; the ability to identify, source and use appropriate literature; the ability to develop research projects with a good fit; the ability to gather and analyse data; and the ability to write well, to be able to communicate clearly, thoroughly and simply through writing.

Question 19

You do not have a viable research project if you cannot access the data required.

Question 20

The research diary is a valuable tool for any researcher.

Question 21

What is the research statement or question?

A)The research statement or question details the research project. It contains all of the key concepts in the research, and a statement of the methodology to be used in the research
B)It is the aim and objectives of the research.
C)It details the cost of the research.
D)It is the response the researcher makes to enquiries about the research.

Question 22

The well-conceptualised research statement or question is the conceptual framework for the research project. On this framework rest the other three frameworks in the four frameworks approach to the research project, the theoretical framework, the methodological framework and the analytical framework.

Question 23

The two dimensions to scope in the research project are:

A)Length and width
B)Breadth and depth
C)Visual and oral
D)Mind and matter

Question 24

What is the aim of the research?

A)It is the trajectory the research takes over the course of the research.
B)It is to contribute to knowledge.
C)The aim of the research sets out what it is that the research is to accomplish
D)It is the researcher's hope for the research.

Question 25

What are the objectives of the research project?

A)The objectives of the research are a series of aims for the research.
B)The objectives of the research are to carry out the research to the highest standards and to ensure that any ethical issues are dealt with appropriately.
C)The objectives of the research are simply further aims.
D)The objectives of the research project are the actions the researcher takes in order to accomplish the aim of the research.

Question 26

A hypothesis is:

A)A hyped-up thesis.
B)A very large thesis.
C)A proposed explanation for the phenomenon under investigation.
D)A thesis on hypnosis.

Question 27

The research process:

A)Is long and very complicated.
B)Is the step by step process used to accomplish the research project.
C)Changes with each research project.
D)Is comprised of a lot of simple steps.

Question 28

A sample literature review is the same as a literature review, just shorter. The length of the literature review, and the sample literature review, depends on the requirements of the programme.

Question 29

When you have decided on the broad area within which you want to situate your research project :

A)You can begin to gather data.
B)The first step is to develop a simple research statement which clearly expresses your idea for your research project.
C)You have your research project.
D)You can begin to test hypotheses.

Question 30

The entire research project rests on:

A)The table in the living room.
B)The primary framework.
C)The conceptual framework.
D)The shoulders of the researcher.

Question 31

The ability to generate ideas for research projects:

A)Is one of the five basic skills required by every researcher.
B)Is quite difficult to develop.
C)Is a special ability that only very few researchers have.
D)Is a skill researchers develop after years of training.

Question 32

The temporal span of the research project is:

A)The time it takes to design, carry out and complete the research.
B)The width of the thesis or the report of the research.
C)The way in which time flies by when one is working on a research project.
D)The temporary nature of the research endeavour.

Question 33

A research project is researchable if:

A)You have the time and money (if any money is required) and access to the data necessary to carry out the research.
B)You have permission to do it.
C)If you have the energy necessary to complete it.
D)You decide to commit your resources to it.

Question 34

It is important to develop a research project with a good fit. This means:

A)That the researcher and the research project must fit well together.
B)That the research project must fit well into the time allowed for it.
C)That the researcher can fit the project in with all of the other tasks and assignments s/he is charged with completing.
D)That each aspect of the research projects fits well, is congruent, with every other aspect of the research project.

Question 35

The conceptual framework of the research project:

A)Contains a lot of ideas for the research project.
B)Is the model of the research project that the researcher develops.
C)Is the plan the researcher develops to guide the research.
D)Contains all of the key concepts in the research and a statement of the methodology to be used in the research.

Question 36

Theory is to be found:

A)Through long periods of reflection.
B)In literature.
C)In the arguments of theorists.
D)In very complex, scholarly books.

Question 37

The conceptual framework for the research project can be stated:

A)As a research statement or as a research question.
B)At the beginning, the middle or the end of the research project.
C)And it can be accepted or rejected.
D)In terms of the social world.

Question 38

The research statement is:

A)Useful to researchers using advanced computerised technologies.
B)Necessary only for research carried out In laboratory conditions.
C)Developed by teams of researchers working together.
D)A simple statement of the research project.

Question 39

Literature in the context of the research project is:

A)Any high brow book.
B)Very well written material.
C)Found in books and journal articles, in theses, in government reports and papers, in the published works of NGO's (non-governmental organisations) and in the reports of conference proceedings.
D)Any written resource used in the research.

Question 40

The first framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project is:

A)The conceptual framework.
B)The primary framework.
C)The initial framework.
D)The starter framework.

Question 41

Name the four frameworks in the four frameworks approach to the research project.

Question 42

What is contained in the theoretical framework?

Question 43

The term reliabiltiy in research relates to:

A)How reliable the researcher is.
B)The dependability of the research, to the degree to which the research can be repeated while obtaining consistent results.
C)The propensity of the researcher to keep appointments.
D)The regular and sustained engagement of the researcher with the research.

Question 44

The different kinds of triangulation are:

A)Very difficult to understand.
B)Used in every research project.
C)Used to make the research project more complicated.
D)Theoretical triangulation, researcher triangulation and methodological triangulation.

Question 45

Triangulation in research calls for:

A)The use of triangles whenever possible.
B)The development of triads among research populations.
C)More than one approach to answering the research question, more than one approach to responding to the research statement.
D)The use of three research questions in the research project.

Question 46

A key concept is:

A)A brilliant idea.
B)A thought that facilitates the researcher in completing the research project.
C)A key idea, a key word or a key phrase in the research project.
D)An idea that opens up the research project.

Question 47

What is the first step in the research process?

Question 48

The concept of validity in research is:

A)Assured when the college confers a qualification on the student.
B)Guaranteed when ethical approval has been secured for the research.
C)Highly problematic in most research projects.
D)A question of how logical, truthful, robust, sound, reasonable, meaningful and useful the research is.

Question 49

Survey research methodology facilitates:

A)The study of big populations and samples and populations and samples that are geographically scattered.
B)Researchers in carrying out their research.
C)The development of questionnaires.
D)The development of reliable researchers.

Question 50

The second framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project is:

A)The secondary framework,
B)The theoretical framework.
C)The key framework.
D)The critical framework.