Question 1

Which of the following factors should not influence the decision when one is selecting a topic or problem for research?
A) Will solution of the problem advance knowledge in my field?
B) Will I be able to prove that my previously held beliefs are true?
C) Will the study lead to the development of other investigations?
D) Is the topic or problem amenable to research?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of research is to explore, discover, and increase understanding rather than to prove pre-existing beliefs. Selecting a research topic based on the desire to validate one's own beliefs introduces bias and undermines the objectivity of the research process.

Question 2

In conducting research, which of the following steps should generally be taken first?
A) Deciding on kinds of data to collect
B) Preparation of a summary of related research
C) Formulation of a working hypothesis
D) Formulation of the problem to be solved

Accepted Answer

The formulation of the problem to be solved is generally the first step in conducting research. It involves identifying and defining the issue or question that the research aims to address. This step precedes the formulation of hypotheses, decisions on data collection methods, and reviews of related research.

Question 3

Operational definitions are encouraged in research in order to:
A) conform to the requirement of statistical analysis
B) increase the probability that experiments will succeed
C) make terms used in a study as explicit as possible
D) make educational research more easily understood by laypersons

Accepted Answer

Operational definitions are encouraged in research to make the terms used in a study as explicit as possible. This ensures that variables are defined in measurable terms, which helps in the clear understanding and replication of the research.

Question 4

"In this study interest in science is represented by the sciences area score on the Occupational Interest Inventory, Grades 7 to Adult, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1956. The preceding statement illustrates a(n):
A) operational definition
B) hypothesis
C) constitutive definition
D) research problem

Accepted Answer

An operational definition specifies the measurement procedures used to define a variable. In the statement, interest in science is defined in terms of the sciences area score on a specific inventory, which is a clear example of an operational definition.

Question 5

Which of the following would be the least legitimate reason for conducting research on methods of teaching French?
A) You want to test certain deductions derived from a theory of language instruction.
B) Your school needs to evaluate its present French teaching methods.
C) You know in your own mind which method of teaching French is best, but lack empirical evidence of its superiority.
D) There are contradictions and inconsistencies in the results of previous research.

Accepted Answer

Option C is the least legitimate reason because it suggests a bias or preconceived notion about the outcome of the research, which undermines the objectivity that is crucial in conducting scientific research.

Question 6

Which of the following is the most frequent error made by graduate students in education in formulating statements of the research problem?
A) Selecting a problem that is too broad or too narrow
B) Selecting a problem that is trivial
C) Basing the problem statement on faulty assumptions
D) Stating a problem that has already been solved

Accepted Answer

Selecting a problem that is too broad or too narrow is a common error because it can lead to a lack of focus in the research, making it difficult to conduct a thorough investigation or to draw meaningful conclusions.

Question 7

Which of the following statements can be checked by means of scientific inquiry?
A) All high schools should teach driver education.
B) Driver education is more important than drug abuse education.
C) Driver education is an ideal subject for all students to take.
D) The accident rate of driver education graduates is lower than the accident rate of those who have not had driver education.

Accepted Answer

Statement D can be checked by means of scientific inquiry because it involves a factual claim that can be tested and verified through the collection and analysis of data, such as comparing accident rates between those who have taken driver education and those who have not.

Question 8

Which of the following definitions of the term "aggressive behavior is operational?
A) Any act of hitting, shoving, or grabbing
B) Any behavior intended to cause injury to others
C) An "aggression" score on the XYZ behavior scale
D) Misbehavior resulting in removal from the classroom

Accepted Answer

Operational definitions specify how a concept is measured or manipulated within a particular study. Choice C, "An 'aggression' score on the XYZ behavior scale," provides a specific, measurable way to assess aggressive behavior, making it an operational definition.

Question 9

A constitutive definition is one that:
A) uses other terms to explain meaning as concisely as possible
B) explains meaning by the use of examples
C) is obtained from a published dictionary
D) has previously been defined by another researcher or scholar

Accepted Answer

A constitutive definition explains the meaning of a term by using other terms to describe its essence as concisely and precisely as possible, rather than through examples, dictionary definitions, or previous scholarly definitions.

Question 10

The authors argue that studies investigating relations are generally of more value because they:
A) make a greater contribution to knowledge
B) make it easier to clarify the study
C) are the starting place for all research
D) simplify data analysis

Accepted Answer

Studies investigating relations are generally considered of more value because they contribute more significantly to knowledge by identifying and explaining the connections between different variables or phenomena. This helps in understanding the complexities of the subject matter more deeply.

Question 11

Justification for a study is generally based on the study's contribution:
A) to general knowledge
B) to professional practice
C) to theory
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The justification for a study is often based on its potential contribution to general knowledge, professional practice, and theory, making all of these aspects valid reasons for conducting research.

Question 12

Which of the following is the most compelling justification for a study describing drug use in high school?
A) This study will determine the percentage of high school students who have tried drugs.
B) The researcher believes that drug use is the most important problem facing the schools today.
C) This study will examine high school drug use and prevalence to determine which drugs should be given . priority in informational programs.
D) Student dropout rates and poor achievement are major concerns in society today.

Accepted Answer

The most compelling justification for a study on drug use in high school is to examine the prevalence and types of drug use to inform educational and prevention programs, making choice C the most focused and actionable rationale.

Question 13

Which of the following fictitious diagrams shows a relationship between handedness and gender? ? 
A) Option A
B) Option B
C) Option C
D) Option D

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following fictitious diagrams shows...

Question 14

Which of the following is the most suitable as a statement of a research problem?
A) What are the causes of the problems of high school dropouts in city schools?
B) How do eight- to ten-year-old Puerto Rican children in New York City respond to crises involving . serious illness of other members of their families?
C) How do young children express themselves?
D) How can the problem of delayed language acquisition be solved?

Accepted Answer

B is the most suitable as it is specific in terms of the demographic (eight- to ten-year-old Puerto Rican children in New York City) and the situation (responding to crises involving serious illness of family members), making it a focused and researchable problem.

Question 15

This research problem, "What is the vocabulary level of the history books, both text and reference sources, used in the secondary schools of the United States? is:
A) a good research problem for a beginner to use to get started in research
B) far too broad
C) much too narrow
D) an area of concern for which no available research method is appropriate

Accepted Answer

The research problem is considered far too broad because it encompasses all history books (both text and reference sources) used in secondary schools across the entire United States, making it a massive undertaking for data collection and analysis.

Question 16

Why is personal interest generally considered insufficient justification for a research study in education?
A) Because the time and energy of other people is required
B) Because the researcher's bias would make the study worthless
C) Because such a study is likely to be trivial
D) Because researchers must be disinterested in the topics they study

Accepted Answer

Personal interest is considered insufficient because research requires the time and energy of other people, and it should have broader significance beyond the researcher's personal curiosity.

Question 17

Matching
-Empirical research
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification

Accepted Answer

The answer of Matching
-Empirical research
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification...

Question 18

Matching
-Constitutive definition
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification

Accepted Answer

A constitutive definition is essentially a dictionary definition, providing the specific meaning of a term as it is used in a particular context.

Question 19

Matching
-Operational definition
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification

Accepted Answer

The answer of Matching
-Operational definition
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification...

Question 20

Matching
-Rationale
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification

Accepted Answer

The answer of Matching
-Rationale
A) Dictionary approach
B) Measurable
C) Observable
D) Justification...

Quiz 2: The Research Problem

Which of the following factors should not influence the decision when one is selecting a topic or problem for research?

In conducting research, which of the following steps should generally be taken first?

Operational definitions are encouraged in research in order to:

"In this study interest in science is represented by the sciences area score on the Occupational Interest Inventory, Grades 7 to Adult, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1956. The preceding statement illustrates a(n) :

Which of the following would be the least legitimate reason for conducting research on methods of teaching French?

Which of the following is the most frequent error made by graduate students in education in formulating statements of the research problem?

Which of the following statements can be checked by means of scientific inquiry?

Which of the following definitions of the term "aggressive behavior is operational?

A constitutive definition is one that:

The authors argue that studies investigating relations are generally of more value because they:

Justification for a study is generally based on the study's contribution:

Which of the following is the most compelling justification for a study describing drug use in high school?

Which of the following fictitious diagrams shows a relationship between handedness and gender? ?

Which of the following is the most suitable as a statement of a research problem?

This research problem, "What is the vocabulary level of the history books, both text and reference sources, used in the secondary schools of the United States? is:

Why is personal interest generally considered insufficient justification for a research study in education?

Matching -Empirical research

Matching -Constitutive definition

Matching -Operational definition

Matching -Rationale