Deck 4: Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan

Question 1

Generally, as part of the research plan qualitative but not quantitative researchers indicate

A) a design to be used in the study.
B) a means for data analysis.
C) the nature of the data collected.
D) a description of the sample.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Jocylen is proposing a grounded theory study of Professional Development Schools as her dissertation. She provides a research plan to her committee members. Of the following, which is likely true of her research plan?

A) Her plan includes stated hypothesis.
B) Her plan includes operational definitions for variables of interest.
C) Her plan includes a description of the nature of evidence to be collected.
D) Her plan includes a description of the statistics that will be conducted.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Peggy is planning to conduct a study in a small rural school. She recognizes it is important to include the setting information in her study. Where should Peggy place this information?

A) Literature review
B) Method
C) Results
D) Discussion

Answer 3

B

Question 4

In which of the following quantitative research plan sections is the description of the instruments used in a study generally presented?

A) Method
B) Introduction
C) Data analysis
D) Appendix

Question 5

A research plan includes all EXCEPT which of the following?

A) The interpretation of the findings
B) The nature of the participants
C) The instruments used to collect the data
D) The techniques to analyze the data

Question 6

One difference between quantitative and qualitative research plans is that

A) qualitative plans are developed earlier in the research process.
B) qualitative plans are developed throughout the research process.
C) qualitative plans state the hypothesis and a means to test the hypothesis.
D) qualitative studies do not rely on research plans.

Question 7

Nate has proposed to do a motivation study that includes three self-report measures of motivation for his dissertation. His committee told him he must include reliability and validity information about the scales he is using within his research plan. Where should he place this information?

A) Literature review
B) Method
C) Results
D) Discussion

Question 8

Gary has developed a research plan that involves collecting problem-solving ability of preschool children. He has gone through the steps to gain permission to collect data in a private child-care setting. In which portion of the methods section will Gary include how he gained entry into the research setting?

A) Participants
B) Materials
C) Procedure
D) Design

Question 9

Of the following, which is NOT a reason your text provides for developing a research plan?

A) It helps the researcher anticipate problems.
B) It helps the researcher budget time and money.
C) It provides an opportunity to obtain valuable feedback.
D) It is often required to gain entry into research sites.

Question 10

Matt studies the role of instructions in how much intermediate grade level students learn from things that they have read. In his work it is critical that the texts he uses are hard enough for the readers so that they can't easily remember everything but easy enough so that they can read them independently. Which of the following strategies would you suggest is best for Matt to use to assure that his materials are working well?

A) Use the readability checker on his computer to make sure the materials are the right grade level.
B) Do post-hoc analyses to assure that the internal consistency of the instruments was sound.
C) Conduct a pilot study with a sample of participants from the same population as his study.
D) Consult with fourth grade teachers to get feedback as to their perceptions of the materials.

Question 11

Where in the method section of a research plan should a researcher place any assumptions and limitations of a study?

A) Participants
B) Materials
C) Procedure
D) Design

Question 12

Sophie is preparing a qualitative research plan for her study that explores the stories of young cancer survivors.
Of the following, which is Sophie likely to include in her plan?

A) A description of her hypothesis
B) A discussion of the representativeness of sample
C) A section that demonstrates relevance of the study
D) A presentation of her initial findings

Question 13

Often researchers field-test their instruments and research plan procedures prior to conducting research. This strategy is referred to as an)

A) a priori testing.
B) reliability test.
C) validity test.
D) pilot test.

Question 14

Which of the following represents the most ideal sequence of preparing the research plan?

A) Develop a research plan, conduct the literature review, form research questions and hypothesis
B) Formulate a hypothesis, support your hypothesis with literature review, develop your research plan
C) Review the literature, formulate a proposal, generate your hypothesis
D) Review the literature, generate a research question, develop your plan

Question 15

Lance is studying self-esteem of low achieving children. He needs to include an operational definition of self-esteem. Where would this information be included in his research plan?

A) Literature review
B) Statement of the hypothesis
C) Results section
D) Method section

Question 16

Sophie is preparing a qualitative research plan for her study that explores the stories of young cancer survivors.
The primary data collection strategy in Sophie's study most likely includes:

A) Interviews
B) Questionnaires
C) Medical tests
D) Surveys

Question 17

Farhat is interested in the reading practices of Turkish families. He needs to prepare a research plan for the Ministry of Education to be able to conduct the study. Which of the following is NOT likely part of his shared plan?

A) A description of his instrumentation for the study
B) A time schedule for how the study will progress
C) A discussion of his sampling procedure
D) An analysis of the data he has collected

Question 18

When comparing approaches to a research plan, regarding the review of the literature

A) both quantitative and qualitative researchers review the literature early in the study to identify related research.
B) quantitative researchers write their hypotheses prior to reviewing the literature.
C) qualitative researchers generally examine literature after the participants and context are known.
D) neither quantitative or qualitative researchers rely on the literature as an aspect of their study.

Question 19

In which of the following quantitative research plan sections, is the description of the research participants generally presented?

A) Introduction
B) Method
C) Data analysis
D) Appendix

Question 20

George is preparing for a study that examines the role of community service in students' character development. As part of his study he will be using a survey regarding community service activities students' may engage in. In which section of his research plan will he describe the survey?

A) Introduction
B) Method
C) Data Analysis
D) Appendix

Question 21

Which of the following is a suggestion for qualitative researchers regarding conducting fieldwork prior to their proposal?

A) Fieldwork is conducted only after the research plan is approved.
B) Fieldwork conducted prior to the proposal is unethical.
C) Fieldwork prior to proposal is unadvisable as it may decrease potential participants.
D) Fieldwork conducted prior to the formal proposal is advisable.

Question 22

Andrew has planned a study for his dissertation that examines the correspondence between science curriculum used in schools in his State and content found on international tests.
The description of how he will sample curricular materials should be found in which of the following sections of his plan?

A) Introduction
B) Method
C) Hypothesis
D) Procedure

Question 23

Olivia has planned a study for her thesis that examines whether there are significant benefits from taking an extended driving course during drivers' education classes above and beyond the benefits of taking the extra classroom sessions. However, she is a little concerned that she has not designed the study in a manner that will allow her to answer her research question.
In which section of her research plan will Olivia share her research question?

A) Introduction
B) Appendix
C) Method
D) Data Analysis

Question 24

Amida recognizes that there are limitations to her proposed research study that explores students' opinions about campus mental health resources. As she writes her plan where will she share these limitations?

A) Introduction
B) Hypothesis
C) Procedure
D) Data analysis

Question 25

Olivia has planned a study for her thesis that examines whether there are significant benefits from taking an extended driving course during drivers' education classes above and beyond the benefits of taking the extra classroom sessions. However, she is a little concerned that she has not designed the study in a manner that will allow her to answer her research question.
In which of the following sections of her research plan will Olivia share her design?

A) Introduction
B) Appendix
C) Method
D) Data Analysis

Question 26

Given Gabriel is sharing his dissertation proposal and Franklin is reporting on his final dissertation, which of the following is an accurate statement of the content of their work?

A) Franklin's report, but not Gabriel's proposal references existing research.
B) Gabriel's proposal but not Franklin's report includes a time line.
C) Franklin's report but not Gabriel's proposal includes a method section.
D) Gabriel's proposal but not Franklin's report includes conclusions.

Question 27

In her research plan, Cheyanne discusses how she will engage students in an inquiry based science activity. The statement of her topic should be found in which section of the proposal?

A) Introduction
B) Method
C) Hypothesis
D) Procedure

Question 28

Andrew has planned a study for his dissertation that examines the correspondence between science curriculum used in schools in his State and content found on international tests.
In which section of his research plan will Andrew share his research topic?

A) Introduction
B) Appendix
C) Method
D) Data Analysis

Question 29

In which of the following sections are data management strategies included in a quantitative research proposal?

A) Method
B) Appendix
C) Data Analysis
D) Introduction

Question 30

The statement of the research topic is found in which of the following research proposal sections?

A) Appendix
B) Method
C) Data Analysis
D) Introduction