Deck 1: Introduction to Educational Research

Question 1

Karen is a school principal. She has been collecting data all year regarding the benefits and costs of an after-school community service program. She thinks the program is effective but must make a decision about whether or not the outcomes of the program for the children justify the cost. She collects data from the students, parents, and those that have benefited from the program to assist in making her decision. Karen is engaging in which type of research?

A) Evaluation
B) Experimental
C) Correlational
D) Causal comparative

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a correlational study?

A) What are the attitudes of the parents about our districts new homework policy?
B) Is there a relationship between student achievement and homework completion?
C) Are there differences in parent attitudes about homework between mothers and fathers?
D) How much homework does the average fifth grade teacher in our district assign?

Answer 2

B

Question 3

After reviewing the literature the qualitative researcher will select participants. The participants in a qualitative study differ from those in a quantitative study in that

A) the number of participants are usually larger in qualitative studies.
B) the participants are purposefully selected.
C) the participants provide no personally identifiable information.
D) the time commitment for participants is generally shorter.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Paula is a materials scientist. She does research on the effects of environmental toxins on various materials samples. She carefully designs these studies and collects data in order to derive theory about how toxins affect these materials. Of the following, Paula's research could best be described as

A) basic.
B) correlational.
C) ethnography.
D) applied.

Question 5

Which of the following is indicative of most survey research?

A) This method relies on controlling independent variables.
B) This method relies on internal and external criticism.
C) This method relies on tests and questionnaires.
D) This method relies on interviews and observations.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a causal-comparative question?

A) Are there gender differences in the effectiveness of computer-based simulations?
B) Is there a relationship between computer based simulation training and attitudes about computers?
C) What happens in a typical science lesson that includes computer based simulations?
D) What are the reasons a school would include computer-based simulations in their instructional materials?

Question 7

Case Study is a method employed by

A) quantitative researchers.
B) qualitative researchers.
C) experimental researchers.
D) empirical researchers.

Question 8

One difference between qualitative and quantitative research is that:

A) Quantitative researchers develop deep relationships with their participants.
B) Qualitative researchers rely on objective analysis of the data.
C) Qualitative researchers manipulate the research context.
D) Quantitative researchers state hypothesis prior to beginning the study.

Question 9

Of the following, which is a type of qualitative research?

A) Experimental
B) Survey
C) Prediction
D) Case study

Question 10

Chris is interested in the role of attitudes about weight training. He developed a questionnaire and sent it out to a sample of 30-59 year old males and females. Of the following, Chris's attitude study could best be described as ____________ research.

A) survey
B) correlational
C) experimental
D) narrative

Question 11

Narrative is a method employed by

A) quantitative researchers.
B) qualitative researchers.
C) experimental researchers.
D) empirical researchers.

Question 12

Max is a trainer with the "Information Technology Consulting Firm." The CEO of a large business hired Max's firm to do a long-term training for her company. Max wants to gain a sense of how the training is going so he can make any necessary changes over the next few months. Max is illustrating which of the following?

A) Basic research
B) Qualitative methods
C) Formative evaluation
D) Summative evaluation

Question 13

Won is interested in academic procrastination. She provides her participants a number of instruments on academic procrastination and then examines the relationships among the answers they provide. Of the following, which type of research does Won's study represent?

A) Survey
B) Causal-comparative
C) Experimental
D) Case study

Question 14

Katelin is interested in examining the relationship between years of gymnastics classes taken as a child and osteoporosis as an adult. She is concerned only with females because more girls take gymnastics than do boys and more women have osteoporosis than do men. Katelin addressing this concern and then developing research questions and hypotheses involves which step of the research process?

A) Selection and definition of a problem
B) Execution of procedures
C) Analysis of data
D) Drawing and stating conclusions

Question 15

Michele is interested in the effects on learning outcomes of questions within instructional materials delivered to learners via the web. She randomly assigns students to groups given either materials with questions or materials with no questions and assesses the effects of the questions based upon student performance on multiple-choice questions administered after learning. Of the following, Michele's research could best be described as

A) survey.
B) correlational.
C) experimental.
D) narrative.

Question 16

A publishing company is interested in determining if there is a need for a new reading curriculum. The research they will conduct is best categorized as

A) experimental research.
B) correlational research.
C) action research.
D) research and development.

Question 17

Developing generalizations from a limited number of related observations or experiences is referred to as

A) deductive reasoning.
B) inductive reasoning.
C) scientific method.
D) reliance on tradition.

Question 18

The first step of the scientific method is to

A) recognize and define a problem.
B) describe and execute research procedures.
C) analyze the collected data.
D) formulate hypotheses.

Question 19

Kai is a qualitative researcher. The topic of his study is the homework strategies used by middle school children in an after-school homework club. He has reviewed the literature on both homework strategies and after-school programs and he has selected five children to study over the next 3 months. Of the following, which is most likely the next step in Kai's study?

A) Random assignment of participants to condition
B) Reporting his results
C) Collecting data
D) Conducting statistical analyses

Question 20

Of the following, which is a type of qualitative research?

A) Correlational
B) Causal-comparative
C) Ethnographic
D) Experimental

Question 21

In a causal-comparative study that examines differences in psychomotor skills between young, suburban, middle-class Hispanic children and young, urban, middle-class Caucasian children, the dependent variable is

A) Hispanic.
B) psychomotor skills.
C) urban.
D) middle class.

Question 22

The main purpose of research and development efforts in education is to

A) contribute to science.
B) formulate theory.
C) develop products.
D) make educational decisions.

Question 23

Evaluation researchers collect data primarily to

A) determine methods for practical problems.
B) make decisions about programs.
C) develop theories.
D) develop educational 'best practices'.

Question 24

A research study lead to the following finding, "Students in the treatment condition indicated significantly better achievement on the recognition assessment than those in the control condition." What type of research was likely conducted?

A) Survey
B) Action
C) Correlational
D) Experimental

Question 25

Of the following which is likely a statement made by a qualitative researcher in a study that addresses social skills training.

A) I would like to interview a few of the participants to understand their training.
B) I would like to give participants a test to determine their skill level.
C) I would like to use teacher ratings to see if the program worked.
D) I would like to control which students get the training so we can compare groups of children that did and did not get training.

Question 26

Which of the following research questions is most consistent with a survey study?

A) What are the behaviors users display while they play violent video games?
B) Is there a relationship between violent video game use and aggressive behavior in school?
C) How many hours per week does the average 6^th grader play video games?
D) Are there gender differences in types of violent behavior of children who play video games?

Question 27

Leslie is finishing her final research report on challenges faculty face when using new technologies. She includes some direct quotations from her participants to best illustrate her main findings. Of the following, which type of research best represents Leslie's study?

A) Experimental
B) Research and Development
C) Survey
D) Narrative

Question 28

Which of the following examples illustrates reliance on deductive reasoning?

A) Paul believes a vaccine works because his doctor says that it does.
B) Bill concludes that his car uses unleaded fuel because it is an Escape and all Escapes use unleaded fuel.
C) Juan assumes that black holes exist because scientists have told him that they do.
D) Jack concludes that all mammals have fur based upon observing his cat and dog.

Question 29

Action research is used to

A) find and solve educators' problems.
B) control independent variables.
C) promote generalization of research findings.
D) examine historical educational trends.

Question 30

Correlational research is concerned with

A) differences between conditions.
B) examining relationships among variables.
C) describing the preferences of some group of people.
D) controlling treatment conditions for appropriate comparison.

Question 31

Which of the following illustrates Aaron, a qualitative researcher, collecting data for an ethnographic study on alternative schooling.

A) Aaron sends out surveys to directors of alternative schools.
B) Aaron examines achievement measures of students enrolled in alternative schools.
C) Aaron invites students from alternative schools to visit him and conducts interviews.
D) Aaron goes to an alternative school and volunteers on the staff.

Question 32

Which of the following research questions is most consistent with a correlational study?

A) Is there a relationship between amount of silent independent reading time allocated in a classroom and reading standardized test scores?
B) What are the characteristics of a typical classroom's silent independent reading session?
C) Are there grade level differences in the effectiveness of independent silent reading?
D) How many minutes is the typical independent silent reading session?

Question 33

Given the following portion of a research manuscript, "Three-hundred and sixty students were asked about their attitudes toward school. Findings indicate positive attitudes in the lower grades and more negative attitudes as learners age." What type of study does this suggest was conducted?

A) Experimental
B) Correlational
C) Survey
D) Ethnography

Question 34

Marge is conducting a study that addresses the effects of a funded program that recently concluded. Marge is likely conducting

A) basic research.
B) experimental research.
C) formative evaluation.
D) summative evaluation.

Question 35

Basic researchers collect data primarily to

A) determine methods for practical problems.
B) make decisions about programs.
C) develop theories.
D) develop educational 'best practices'.

Question 36

Dean is a quantitative researcher who studies attitudes about computer use. Which of the following data collection strategies is most consistent with a quantitative research design?

A) Observe a few participants over an extended period of time as they work on computers.
B) Conduct focus group interviews to determine computer users' attitudes.
C) Interview a few participants and ask them to refer others to the study.
D) Develop and administer a Likert-type survey to collect attitude data.

Question 37

Experimental research differs from causal-comparative research in that

A) causal-comparative research is interested in statistical relationships between variables and experimental research is not.
B) experimental research relies on data collection from multiple pools of participants while causal comparative research relies on participants from a single pool.
C) experimental research controls the dependent variable in the study and causal-comparative does not.
D) experimental research controls the selection of participants from a single pool and divides them into groups while causal-comparative research does not.

Question 38

Which of the following is a typical characteristic of a qualitative research study?

A) Data collection is ongoing
B) Control over contextual factors
C) Generalization of findings
D) Statistical procedures for data analysis

Question 39

Of the following, which is a type of qualitative research?

A) Narrative
B) Causal-comparative
C) Experimental
D) Correlational

Question 40

Roger is a narrative researcher who studies the steeltown communities of the 1950s. Of the following which is a data source Roger will likely use in his work?

A) A new book on the subject
B) A recording of a journalist's visit
C) A newspaper story written overseas
D) An interview with longtime residents

Question 41

Michele wants to conduct a study in a local charter school. Which of the following is likely a 'first step'?

A) Contact the parents by sending a mailing that introduces her study so they consent.
B) Determine required procedures for entry into the school for research.
C) Send a letter to the superintendent, the principal, and the classroom teacher introducing the study.
D) Arrive at the school, obtain a visitor's pass, and observe several classrooms to assure this is an appropriate site.

Question 42

Sara conducted a study in her sixth grade classroom. The study focused on students' interests in science classes. Sara shared what individual students said about their interest in science with the seventh grade teachers to help place students in next years' classes. What can one conclude about Sara's sharing this information?

A) In this case it was ethical to share students' data since it will help them in their education.
B) In this case it was ethical to share students' data since the study was conducted in school.
C) In this case, it was unethical to share students' data since that information was confidential.
D) In this case, it was unethical to share students' data since the information was anonymous.

Question 43

Nigel, age 17, is a high school student attending classes at a local community college. He was asked to sign consent to participate in a research study for one of his classes for extra credit. Can Nigel participate without his parent's consent?

A) Yes, because he is attending a post-secondary institution, his parent's consent is not necessary.
B) No, Nigel can only participate if his parents consent to his participation.
C) Yes, Nigel wants to participate and at his age his assent overrides parental consent.
D) No, it is always unethical for students to participate in studies for extra credit.

Question 44

Which of the following, by law, is a required characteristic of Institutional Review Board (IRB) membership composition?

A) a minimum of seven members
B) both qualitative and quantitative researchers
C) gender diversity
D) cultural diversity

Question 45

Researchers seek approval from the IRB prior to

A) generating hypothesis.
B) collecting research data.
C) developing a research plan.
D) conducting a literature review.

Question 46

The Federal Act that protects privacy of educational records is referred to as the

A) National Family Rights and Privacy Act.
B) National Family Research Act.
C) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
D) National Research Act.

Question 47

The type of qualitative research that includes conducting research on a unit of study or bounded system is most often referred to as

A) narrative
B) case study
C) ethnography
D) survey

Question 48

James conducted a qualitative study in a Fraternity House. As a researcher, he pledged the Frat and conducted an ethnography about the nature of fraternity life at a large University. When he wrote up the study he did not use 'real' names of the other members. He also did not identify the University in his research report. He did not tell the other Fraternity members he was a researcher and that he was collecting data. Which of the following addresses ethical considerations of James study.

A) There are not ethical violations, it was an ethnography and participants were kept confidential.
B) There are not ethical violations, it was an ethnography and the participants were kept anonymous.
C) There are ethical concerns, participants did not given their informed consent for the study.
D) There are ethical concerns, clear potential to harm participants was included within the study design.

Question 49

One of the reasons why ethical concerns for qualitative researchers are enhanced is because

A) the researcher is engaged in the research context.
B) the research generally addresses sensitive topics.
C) qualitative researchers do not obtain informed consent.
D) qualitative researchers generally employ deception.

Question 50

The philosophical assumption that addresses the nature of reality is referred to as

A) epistemology.
B) phenomenology.
C) ontology.
D) methodology.

Question 51

In order to gain approval to conduct a study in a certain school, researchers usually need to first obtain permission from

A) the superintendent.
B) the state.
C) the children.
D) the classroom teacher.

Question 52

Jackie is conducting a study at the local skate park on youth's use of slang language. She is unsure if she needs to submit her research to the IRB and asks for your opinion. How would you respond?

A) She does not need IRB permission because of anonymity.
B) She needs IRB permission because of personal privacy.
C) She does not need IRB permission because she is observing only.
D) She does not need IRB permission because there is no deception.

Question 53

Genna has told parents that their children's responses to a spatial ability measure that she used in research will not be reported in the research report. However, she intends to report the data. This ethical concern relates to

A) anonymity.
B) confidentiality.
C) debriefing.
D) deception.

Question 54

Kyle, age 10, heard about a great research study and wants to participate. His parents do not wish him to participate and have not signed a consent form. Can Kyle participate?

A) Yes, Kyle is old enough that he does not need parental consent.
B) Yes, Kyle wants to participate and his assent overrides parental consent.
C) No, Kyle can not participate unless his parents consent.
D) No, Kyle can not participate because the study involves deception.

Question 55

Which of the following illustrates anonymity?

A) After interviewing participants, the researcher assigns each participant pseudonyms.
B) Although she can identify responses on the attitude measure by their handwriting, Kate does not report the names.
C) Kristi replaces the participants' names on their research materials with a random number.
D) Because Kelly does not know who participated in her study, she cannot report their names.

Question 56

Bruce studies the effects of class size on standardized test scores. He recently approached a school district about conducting a study in their school. The school personnel were really excited to work with Bruce so they provided hard copies of students' individual standardized test results. Although the school district was being helpful this illustrates a violation of

A) The National Research Act.
B) The Family Research Act.
C) The National Family Rights and Privacy Act.
D) The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Question 57

Of the following, informed consent accurately refers to a

A) minor child participant's agreement to participate in a study knowing the true nature of the study.
B) parent's legal permission for their children to participate in a study knowing the true nature of the study.
C) a school's formal agreement to allow researchers to conduct work in their school knowing the true nature of the study.
D) a teacher's formal permission to allow researchers in his or her classroom knowing the true nature of the study.