Question 1

Which of the following best characterizes action research?

Accepted Answer

A)   The research attempts to test a theory
B)   The results are generalized to a population
C)   Descriptive statistics are used for analysis
D)   A simple random sampling method is used D

Question 2

Selecting every 10th subject from an accurate and finite list of a population is an example of which sampling method?

Accepted Answer

A)   Simple random sampling
B)   Stratified random sampling
C)   Cluster sampling
D)   Systematic sampling B

Question 3

Internal validity refers to whether the manipulation or control of the independent variable has a genuine effect on the dependent variable in

Accepted Answer

A)   a controlled setting
B)   an uncontrolled setting
C)   other settings
D)   none of the above A

Question 4

A stratified random sample is conducted to ensure that

Accepted Answer

A)   each subject in the population has an equal chance of being selected
B)   each sub-population is adequately represented in the study
C)   choosing a subject will increase the probability of similar subjects being chosen
D)   the research hypothesis being tested will be confirmed.

Question 5

It is generally inappropriate to generalize the results of a study to a population when the subjects are NOT randomly selected from the population because

Accepted Answer

A)   the number of subjects in the study is too small
B)   there is likely experimenter bias
C)   there is little assurance that the subjects are an adequate representation of the population
D)   there is little assurance that the data collected from the subjects is reliable

Question 6

In a carefully controlled action study, any differences found between the treatment group and the control group are attributed to the differing manipulation of the

Accepted Answer

A)   dependent variable
B)   intervening variable
C)   extraneous variable
D)   independent variable

Question 7

Which of the following is a feature of a simple random sample?

Accepted Answer

A)   Subjects are chosen from the population in such a way that each has an equal chance of being selected.
B)   Choosing one subject increases the probability of another subject being chosen
C)   Subjects within a sub-population are randomly chosen to ensure that each sub-population is adequately represented
D)   Subjects consist of those who are available to participate in the study.

Question 8

A sample made up of volunteers may be biased because

Accepted Answer

A)   the control group and the experimental group can never be equated
B)   it is not economical
C)   they may not be representative of the total population
D)   none of the above

Question 9

In a study comparing scores on an achievement test between boys and girls, the dependent variable would be the

Accepted Answer

A)   scores on the achievement test
B)   gender
C)   both a & b
D)   neither a nor b

Question 10

Whether the results of the study can be generalized to other subjects in other settings is a question relating to

Accepted Answer

A)   internal validity
B)   external validity
C)   content validity
D)   construct validity

Question 11

The time series design

Accepted Answer

A)   requires periodic observations of an individual or group
B)   minimizes the effect of history
C)   minimizes experimental mortality
D)   requires only one observation of an individual or group

Question 12

A study in which the researcher interviews high school administrators to gather their opinions regarding recently implemented school reform policies would best be classified as

Accepted Answer

A)   historical research
B)   quantitative research
C)   qualitative descriptive research
D)   experimental research

Question 13

Pre-experimental designs produce the greatest threat to internal and external validity because it provides

Accepted Answer

A)   either no control group or no way to equate the groups used
B)   a control group through randomization
C)   an equivalent-groups design
D)   none of the above

Question 14

In a true experiment

Accepted Answer

A)   the control group receives the treatment
B)   the subjects are randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups
C)   both the control and experimental groups receive the treatment
D)   it is not necessary to control for the Hawthorne effect

Question 15

Which of the following is representative of applied research?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is concerned with solving a problem
B)   It is often conducted by teachers
C)   It is usually carried out in a laboratory
D)   It is concerned with testing theory

Question 16

The influence of extraneous variables can be minimized by the use of

Accepted Answer

A)   random assignment
B)   removing the variable from the study
C)   analysis of covariance
D)   all of the above

Question 17

The variable that the researcher measures to identify conditions or characteristics that appear, disappear, or change as the independent variable is manipulated or controlled is called the

Accepted Answer

A)   treatment independent variable
B)   dependent variable
C)   modifying variable
D)   mediating variable

Question 18

One major disadvantage of a non-probability sample is that

Accepted Answer

A)   subjects may not represent the greater population
B)   participating in the study may be inconvenient for the subject
C)   it consumes a considerable amount of the researcher's time to randomly select the subjects from the population
D)   there are no disadvantages

Question 19

A study conducted to advance knowledge but has no immediate practical application is considered

Accepted Answer

A)   applied research
B)   qualitative research
C)   basic research
D)   action research

Question 20

The variable which defines the condition or characteristics that the action researcher manipulates or controls is referred to as the

Accepted Answer

A)   dependent variable
B)   extraneous variable
C)   mediating variable
D)   independent variable

Exam 13: Using Assessment in Action Research