Deck 20: Guidelines for Writing Research Proposals

Question 1

The review of the literature should

A) cover all research in the area.
B) be organized by topic.
C) be presented by a series of brief abstracts.
D) include a detailed discussion of all references included.
E) All of these are true.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Where in the proposal does the researcher describe how subjects are selected?

A) Introduction
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Methods
E) Statement of the problem

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In the section on related literature, the author should

A) present a series of abstracts, one at a time.
B) discuss all related literature.
C) include only theories and research that agree with the hypothesis.
D) mention the most pertinent related studies.
E) conclude the review of literature with a lengthy summary

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The statement of the problem should be introduced

A) after the related research has drawn a picture of the problem.
B) after the theoretical foundation of the problem has been established.
C) in the section describing the design.
D) in the first section of the proposal.
E) in the section dealing with the significance of the problem.

Question 5

Planning in advance for the organization and presentation of data enables a researcher to determine whether the information being collected is

A) relevant to the research question.
B) statistically significant.
C) constitutively defined.
D) operationally defined.
E) supportive of the current paradigms.

Question 6

The section of the proposal which will include implications and applications of the study is called

A) significance.
B) results.
C) methodology.
D) budget and time schedule.

Question 7

Where does the writer make the greatest use of authority as a source of knowledge?

A) Design
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 8

Which part of the proposal contains references to the reliability and validity of any measure used in the study?

A) Design
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 9

Which of the following is most likely to be centered on a question rather than a hypothesis?

A) A test of theory
B) A survey
C) An ex post facto study
D) An experimental study

Question 10

The first part of the introduction of a research proposal should be a

A) convincing argument for the importance of the problem.
B) summary of the related literature in one's field.
C) general description of the state of the art in one's field.
D) clear statement of the research problem.

Question 11

Which is most related to the external validity of the study?

A) Procedures
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 12

In what part of the proposal should the writer represent current knowledge of the problem?

A) Design
B) Methods
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 13

The authors of the text maintain that using a null hypothesis instead of a research hypothesis as the basis of a research is

A) appropriate because it enables one to establish the existence of a zero relationship.
B) appropriate because the statistical hypothesis to be tested will be a null hypothesis.
C) inappropriate because it doesn't allow one to develop the deductive logic of the study.
D) inappropriate because null hypotheses are seldom true in populations.

Question 14

In writing the significance of a study section, the author should

A) convince readers of the potential application of the findings.
B) discuss what the results will mean to theory.
C) show how the results will provide grounds for further research.
D) b and c
E) All of these are true.

Question 15

In what part of the proposal does the writer describe the steps taken to test every hypothesis and/or investigate every question?

A) Methods
B) Data analysis
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 16

Which is most related to the internal validity of the study?

A) Methods
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 17

In what part of the proposal should the writer attempt to link previous research to the current problem?

A) Design
B) Methods
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 18

It should be assumed that the reader of one's research proposal is

A) as well informed on the topic as the author.
B) generally sophisticated, but not necessarily informed on the topic.
C) ignorant of all but the political nuances of the topic area.
D) more informed than the author on the topic.

Question 19

What is one of the first things that should be presented in a proposal?

A) Methods
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 20

Which part of the proposal usually contains the operational definitions of the variables?

A) Introduction
B) Instrumentation
C) Review of the literature
D) Sampling
E) Statement of the problem

Question 21

When dealing with human subjects, the researcher is obligated to

A) honor the right of informed consent.
B) honor the right of privacy.
C) protect the subjects from any potential harm.
D) protect the subjects from physical harm.
E) All of these are true.

Question 22

The best literature review

A) is a series of brief abstracts that allow the reader to quickly understand the background of the problem being studied.
B) is as comprehensive as possible so the reader can get a grasp of the whole field from which the problem came and the theories involved.
C) contains detailed descriptions of previous research so that the reader is clear about how the current study is different from previous research.
D) All of these are true.
E) None of these is true.

Question 23

Government-funded research is exempt from the regulations if

A) instructional strategies are being assessed.
B) diagnostic educational assessments are being researched.
C) data are collected from previous research and no identifiers to participants are reported.
D) All of these are true.
E) None of these are true.

Question 24

A statistical procedure should be chosen on the basis of

A) how widely it is used in one's field.
B) its appropriateness for the data and the hypothesis.
C) its simplicity and whether the readers will understand its use.
D) its sophistication and if it convinces the readers.

Question 25

Definitions of terms needed for comprehension of a study should be presented with the

A) problem statement.
B) hypothesis.
C) methodology.
D) review of literature.

Question 26

In the review of the literature, the author should

A) discuss past findings and their implications.
B) identify gaps in previous research.
C) include results contrary to his/her hypothesis.
D) a and b
E) All of these are true.

Question 27

Normally, subjects should be informed of the purpose of the study

A) after their participation in the study.
B) after the study is completed and written up.
C) before they take part in the study.
D) during their participation in the study.

Question 28

The statement of the problem

A) must follow the justification of why the subject area is important to study.
B) should follow a complete background of the subject so that the reader understands the importance of the problem.
C) must follow the list of previous research that led up to the problem.
D) All of these are true.
E) None of these is true.

Question 29

The main purpose of an institutional review board is to

A) protect any human subjects from harm.
B) protect human subjects' right to an informed consent.
C) protect the human subjects' privacy.
D) All of these are true.
E) None of these is true.

Question 30

Statistics in educational research should be

A) chosen before the research question is chosen.
B) considered only a research tool.
C) preferably complex.
D) the most important part of the research proposal.

Question 31

One would be least criticized if one

A) did not include a means of testing every hypothesis in the study.
B) used a chi-square test with interval data.
C) used an F-test when a t-test would have done.
D) used an F-test when both independent and dependent variables were nominal data.

Question 32

Researchers must report findings exactly and honestly because

A) journals will not accept false findings.
B) it is required by federal law.
C) it is their ethical responsibility to their profession,
D) someone is likely to find their inaccuracies.

Question 33

The research proposal serves to

A) crystallize the project into a plan for action.
B) indicate that the author knows what he/she is seeking.
C) indicate that the author has a plan for observing the relationship if it exists.
D) indicate why the project is worthwhile.
E) All of these are true.

Question 34

The institutional review board serves to

A) censure researchers who are unethical.
B) decide if subjects are at risk under federal guidelines.
C) disperse grant money for studies.
D) review the statistical procedures of a study.
E) All of these are true.

Question 35

Data analysis in a quantitative study should

A) include many types of statistical procedures so that it is clear why the hypothesis was found to be significant or not.
B) not be written up in great detail or length because this does not directly clarify the important conclusions and implications.
C) include the simplest, most powerful, and appropriate statistics for the problem at hand.
D) All of these are true.
E) None of these is true.

Question 36

To insure the right of informed consent and still make the study feasible, the subject does not need

A) answers to any questions about the study.
B) a description of any discomfort or risk associated with the study
C) descriptions of the procedures.
D) explanations of who is financing the study
E) All of these are true.

Question 37

When stating the problem in a research proposal

A) state the problem precisely and intelligently for someone who is sophisticated but uninformed about the problem.
B) elaborately present the background for the problem.
C) concentrate on the justification for the study.
D) assume the reader is completely knowledgeable about the problem.

Question 38

Which of the following should not be done in the review of literature?

A) Relate pertinent studies
B) Organize by topic
C) Present a series of abstracts
D) Discuss the theoretical background of the study

Question 39

Subjects may be coerced to serve in a study only if

A) the coercion involves one's students or employees.
B) the experimenter needs only a few more subjects to complete the study.
C) the study greatly furthers scientific knowledge.
D) None of these is true.

Question 40

The institutional review board exists to

A) approve the statistical procedures proposed by the research proposal.
B) approve the budget specified in the proposal to guard against misappropriation of research funds.
C) determine if research participants are at risk under federal regulations.
D) discipline researchers who violate any of the above procedures.
E) All of these are true.

Question 41

The major purpose of the National Research Act of 1974 is that it

A) gives individuals the right to refuse to participate in research projects.
B) protects the privacy of students' educational records.
C) requires that all research on human subjects be reviewed and approved by an authorized board.
D) protects subjects from questions that might invade their privacy.

Question 42

Which of the following is not a function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

A) To determine whether human subjects will be placed at risk in a research study.
B) Oversee the conduct of the research with human subjects.
C) Obtain assurances that the rights of the participants will be protected.
D) Obtain assurances that subjects' informed consent will be obtained.

Question 43

The review of the literature section in a dissertation should conclude with

A) a bibliography.
B) a discussion of research results in the literature that are contrary to the hypotheses of the study.
C) a summary of the research findings and their implications for the study.
D) a recommendation for the next research to follow the present study.

Question 44

If a researcher believes that explaining the purpose of a research project to the subjects before data collection will invalidate the research, the researcher should

A) go ahead and inform the subjects because their cooperation is more important to the success of the study.
B) not disclose any information about the purpose of the research.
C) make up a plausible story about the purpose of the study.
D) tell the subjects that they will be informed about the purpose of the study at the end, and follow through with an explanation.

Question 45

To maintain confidentiality of research data, the researcher should

A) remove names from any data and replace with a code.
B) make certain no unauthorized individuals have access to the data.
C) provide secure storage of all research data.
D) All of these are true.

Question 46

A researcher conducting a study in a middle school wants to collect information from the students, some of which may deal with sensitive issues.The researcher has an obligation to

A) obtain assent from the students before collecting the data.
B) obtain informed consent from the parents or guardians before collecting the data.
C) protect the students' anonymity and the confidentiality of the data.
D) b and c
E) a, b, and c

Question 47

If a subject agrees to participate in a research project but drops out before the study is complete

A) the subject should be required to provide another person as a substitute.
B) the subject should be informed that he or she has a legal obligation to complete the project.
C) the subject should be penalized in some way.
D) nothing should be done, because the subject has the right to withdraw.

Question 48

Which of the following would not be included as a methodological limitation in the procedures section of a quantitative research proposal?

A) sample size
B) selection of subjects
C) hypothesis statement
D) use of a pretest
E) data-gathering instrument

Question 49

In order to give informed consent, potential participants must be told all of the following except the

A) purpose of the study.
B) procedure to be followed.
C) risks that may be involved.
D) sponsor of the project.
E) obligations of the subject and the researcher.

Question 50

The introduction section of a quantitative research proposal does not include the

A) statement of the problem.
B) proposed methodology.
C) review of the literature.
D) statement of the hypotheses.

Question 51

A characteristic that the introductions in qualitative and quantitative proposals have in common is they both provide

A) a discussion of the research relevant to the stated hypotheses of the study.
B) a statement of the problem or the purpose of the study.
C) operational definitions of any variables involved in the study.
D) a statement of the implications of the research findings.

Question 52

If a quantitative researcher is aware of shortcomings in the methodology, he or she should

A) state the limitations in the procedures section of the proposal.
B) omit any reference to limitations because it will bias the reader against the proposed research.
C) offer to provide that information to readers who inquire.
D) discuss only one at the most since pointing out too many limitations is s sign of a poor proposal.

Question 53

In quantitative research proposals, the problem can be presented in the form of a

A) question.
B)statistically significant.
C)constitutively defined.
D)operationally defined.
E)supportive of the current paradigms.

Question 54

The section dealing with the significance of a quantitative study includes

A) purpose of the study.
B) statistical significance of the data.
C) implications and applications of the study.
D) literature connected to the study.
E) a discussion of subjects and instruments.

Question 55

Which of the following does not distinguish qualitative research proposals from quantitative research proposals? Qualitative proposals typically

A) are shorter.
B) are less specific and detailed.
C) follow a standard format for the writing.
D) may be written following some data collection.

Question 56

The protection of individual privacy in educational research involves

A) consent of the individual as to what shall be disclosed to the researcher.
B) confidential use of research data collected on the individual.
C) disclosure based only upon the significance of the findings.
D) a and b
E) a, b, and c

Question 57

If an IRB thinks that subjects might be at risk in a study, the researcher must be able to convince the Board that

A) the value of the knowledge to be gained in the study exceeds the potential harm to subjects.
B) appropriate medical or support services will be available to subjects who feel a need.
C) subjects will be informed of the risks and the researcher will obtain voluntary and written consent.
D) a and c
E) a, b, and c

Question 58

The methodology section of a quantitative research proposal does not include a description of the

A) subjects.
B) instruments.
C) statistical procedures.
D) study procedures.

Question 59

Limitations include any factors that may negatively impact

A) results of the study.
B) generalizability of the results.
C) ability to apply statistical procedures.
D) a and b
E) a and c

Question 60

Under the current code of federal regulations, which of the following types of research is not exempt from review by the IRB?

A) Research conducted in commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices.
B) Research involving the use of educational tests, if subjects cannot be identified.
C) Research on a new drug for treating hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder in elementary school children.
D) Research involving surveys of public school administrators.

Question 61

A research participant's right to confidentiality ensures that

A) the source of information will not be disclosed without the express permission of the informant.
B) the source of information will only be disclosed when clearly necessary for scientific purposes.
C) the source of information will not be disclosed unless participants have been informed about who will have access to the data.
D) the source of information will only be disclosed when there are no risks of negative consequences.

Question 62

To look at variability in a group, a researcher with ordinal level data would use

A) quartile deviation.
B) range.
C) standard deviation.
D) standard score.

Question 63

Exhibit 20-1: Choose the correlation statistic appropriate to use with the level of measurement specified in the following statements.
a.Spearman's rho
b.Phi coefficient
c.Pearson's r
d.Fisher's z
Refer to Exhibit 20-1.A correlation statistic used with interval level data.

A) Spearman's rho.
B) Phi coefficient.
C) Pearson's r.
D) Fisher's z.

Question 64

One component of the introduction in a qualitative proposal that is not commonly addressed in the introduction of a quantitative proposal is

A) the purpose of the study.
B) the potential for bias.
C) the research question or focus.
D) the connection to the larger research context.

Question 65

Institutional Review Boards review research proposals to ensure that subjects

A) are adequately protected from harm.
B) understand their right to give or withhold consent to participate.
C) understand how the researcher intends to analyze the data collected from them.
D) a and b
E) a, b and c

Question 66

To look at variability in a group, a researcher with nominal level data would use

A) quartile deviation.
B) range.
C) standard deviation.
D) standard score.

Question 67

Differences between quantitative and qualitative literature reviews include

A) assumptions about the iterative nature of the literature review.
B)inclusiveness criteria for different kinds of information from different sources.
C)Both a and b.
D)Neither a nor b.

Question 68

Exhibit 20-2: Identify the common weakness of research proposals that is illustrated in each of the following statements or questions.
Refer to Exhibit 20-2.The achievement of students will be compared.

A) The problem lacks practical or theoretical significance.
B) The hypothesis or question is too broadly stated.
C) The procedures are lacking in detail.
D) Relevant variables are not considered.
E) The design is not appropriate for answering the research question.

Question 69

Exhibit 20-2: Identify the common weakness of research proposals that is illustrated in each of the following statements or questions.
Refer to Exhibit 20-2.The study comparing the effectiveness of two methods of teaching reading did not look at the influence of students' gender or their verbal aptitude on achievement.

A) The problem lacks practical or theoretical significance.
B) The hypothesis or question is too broadly stated.
C) The procedures are lacking in detail.
D) Relevant variables are not considered.
E) The design is not appropriate for answering the research question.

Question 70

Indexes that describe the relationship of variables within a population are known as measures of

A) central location.
B) variability.
C) correlation.
D) interaction.
E) individual location.

Question 71

Exhibit 20-1: Choose the correlation statistic appropriate to use with the level of measurement specified in the following statements.
a.Spearman's rho
b.Phi coefficient
c.Pearson's r
d.Fisher's z
Refer to Exhibit 20-1.A correlation statistic used with nominal level data is

A) Spearman's rho.
B) Phi coefficient.
C) Pearson's r
D) Fisher's z.

Question 72

Exhibit 20-2: Identify the common weakness of research proposals that is illustrated in each of the following statements or questions.
Refer to Exhibit 20-2.For what political party did union leaders vote in the 1934 elections?

A) The problem lacks practical or theoretical significance.
B) The hypothesis or question is too broadly stated.
C) The procedures are lacking in detail.
D) Relevant variables are not considered.
E) The design is not appropriate for answering the research question.

Question 73

Exhibit 20-1: Choose the correlation statistic appropriate to use with the level of measurement specified in the following statements.
a.Spearman's rho
b.Phi coefficient
c.Pearson's r
d.Fisher's z
Refer to Exhibit 20-1.A correlation statistic used with ordinal level data is

A) Spearman's rho.
B) Phi coefficient.
C) Pearson's r.
D) Fisher's z.

Question 74

Exhibit 20-2: Identify the common weakness of research proposals that is illustrated in each of the following statements or questions.
Refer to Exhibit 20-2.A researcher who wanted to know about the effectiveness of phonics instruction on learning to read asked a group of teachers their opinions.

A) The problem lacks practical or theoretical significance.
B) The hypothesis or question is too broadly stated.
C) The procedures are lacking in detail.
D) Relevant variables are not considered.
E) The design is not appropriate for answering the research question.

Question 75

To look at variability in a group, a researcher with interval level data would use

A) quartile deviation .
B) range.
C) standard deviation.
D) standard score.

Question 76

A qualitative research proposal is designed to help the reader understand

A) why the study is needed and important.
B) how the study will be conducted.
C) how results will contribute to the body of knowledge.
D) a and c
E) a, b, and c

Question 77

Exhibit 20-2: Identify the common weakness of research proposals that is illustrated in each of the following statements or questions.
Refer to Exhibit 20-2.Kohlberg used only boys to test his theory of moral development.

A) The problem lacks practical or theoretical significance.
B) The hypothesis or question is too broadly stated.
C) The procedures are lacking in detail.
D) Relevant variables are not considered.
E) The design is not appropriate for answering the research question.

Question 78

Indexes that describe the dispersion of measures in a group are known as measures of

A) central location.
B) variability.
C) correlation.
D) interaction.
E) individual location.

Question 79

Exhibit 20-2: Identify the common weakness of research proposals that is illustrated in each of the following statements or questions.
Refer to Exhibit 20-2.Do students with the highest verbal aptitude scores learn to read more quickly?

A) The problem lacks practical or theoretical significance.
B) The hypothesis or question is too broadly stated.
C) The procedures are lacking in detail.
D) Relevant variables are not considered.
E) The design is not appropriate for answering the research question.

Question 80

When an individual consents to participate in a study, that consent should be

A) voluntary.
B) informed.
C) given by a competent individual.
D) All of these are true.