Question 1

How many steps are there in the educational research process?

Accepted Answer

A)   six
B)   seven
C)   eight
D)   nine C

Question 2

What key questions should be asked about the research plan?

Accepted Answer

Answers should ideally include the following questions: What data will be collected? Will those data be qualitative, quantitative, or both? Do the data already exist, or will original data be required? Will it be necessary to develop instrumentation (e.g., a survey or rating scale) or interview protocols? How and when will the data be collected? How will the quality of the data be ensured? If the data need to be collected from human participants, from whom will they be collected? How many participants will be necessary? What techniques will be used to analyze those data? Do all of the above align well with the research question(s)?

Question 3

Describe how and why it is important to formally state and refine the research question(s).

Accepted Answer

Answers should ideally include: Once the research topic or problem has been clearly identified, the next step is to formally state one or more research questions. Carefully wording a research question is a critical aspect of conducting educational research, because the research question is what guides the remainder of the study. In addition, care must be taken to ensure that the question is actually answerable by data the researcher is able to collect. Failure to do so may result in the collection of inaccurate data, or perhaps data that do not parallel or align with the research question. In cases such as these, unfortunately, you do not find out about the misalignment until the end of the study--when it is too late to restate your research question.

Question 4

Explain why "carefully wording a research question" is a critical aspect of conducting educational research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why "carefully wording a research question"...

Question 5

Researchers collect data through various formats; field notes and policy manuals are ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   interviews and existing documents
B)   existing documents and observations
C)   observations and existing documents
D)   existing documents and interviews

Question 6

The literature review should have little influence on the identification, specification, and articulation of the research problem.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Often, collection of ______ requires the least amount of time.

Accepted Answer

A)   surveys
B)   observation
C)   interviews
D)   existing data

Question 8

The text states, "Care must be taken to evaluate the existing literature against several criteria." Provide at least two of these criteria.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The text states, "Care must be taken...

Question 9

Quantitative data analysis is ______, whereas qualitative data analysis is highly ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   objective; subjective
B)   controlled; free
C)   subjective; objective
D)   free; controlled

Question 10

______ data analysis is an inductive process that must be facilitated in the mind of the researcher.

Accepted Answer

A)   Quantitative
B)   Qualitative
C)   Mixed-methods
D)   Experimental

Question 11

Existing documents consist of student portfolios and minutes of faculty meetings.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Why does it matter that the problem at hand is, in fact, a genuine problem?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does it matter that the problem...

Question 13

______ analysis of data is a very objective process, and ______ analysis of data is a highly subjective process.

Accepted Answer

A)   Qualitative; quantitative
B)   Ethnographic; phenomenological
C)   Phenomenological; ethnographic
D)   Quantitative; qualitative

Question 14

How the research study will actually be conducted is known as the ______.

Accepted Answer

A)   executive plan
B)   research plan
C)   research method
D)   executive method

Question 15

Which section of an educational research reports do readers sometimes "skip ahead" and read?

Accepted Answer

A)   data analysis
B)   final conclusions
C)   research questions
D)   literature review

Question 16

Why is it important for a research study to have existing need?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it important for a research...

Question 17

Analysis of data in ______ studies involves both kinds of data analysis and essentially merges the results.

Accepted Answer

A)   immersion
B)   mixed-methods
C)   dual
D)   engagement

Question 18

"______" can be loosely defined as any existing source of information that sheds light on the topic under investigation.

Accepted Answer

A)   Reproducible literature
B)   Related literature
C)   Reiterated literature
D)   Recycled literature

Question 19

Why isn't there a "magical formula" for writing a literature review?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why isn't there a "magical formula" for...

Question 20

Prior research on a topic may illustrate which of the following for a new study?

Accepted Answer

A)   a feasible timeline
B)   a reasonable budget
C)   researcher training
D)   an existing need

Exam 2: Overview of the Educational Research Process