Research Design and Key Variables

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Questions and Answers

What is a variable?

A variable is a characteristic or attribute of an individual, group, educational system, or the environment that is of interest in a research study.

What are the key variables for the researcher who is interested in low levels of literacy?

The key variables that define literacy include: reading fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, interest in reading, etc.

Which of the following reasons are important for identifying key variables?

The Instrument will measure the key variables. (correct)

The key variables provide focus to the Methods section. (correct)

The key variables are the terms to be operationally defined If an Operational Definition of Terms section is necessary. (correct)

The key variables provide focus when writing the Introduction section. (correct)

The key variables must be directly measured or manipulated for the research study to be valid. (correct)

The key variables are the major terms to use when searching for research articles for the Literature Review. (correct)

What is research design?

The research design is how the researcher will study the key variables. There are four primary research designs: descriptive, causal comparative, correlational, experimental and quasi-experimental. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design examines teachers' knowledge of literacy development?

Descriptive Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design examines the effect of one variable that cannot be manipulated on other variables?

Causal Comparative Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design examines the relationship between variables?

Correlational Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research design examines the effect of a variable that the researcher manipulates on other variables?

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Signup and view all the answers

What is a null hypothesis?

A research hypothesis stated as a null hypothesis which is based on probability theory. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three basic formats for writing research hypotheses, and what do they depend on?

The three basic formats for writing research hypotheses are causal comparative, experimental or quasi-experimental, and correlational. Each format depends on the type of research design that was selected. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key identifying factor of a causal comparative study?

A causal comparative study compares two or more groups on a dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key identifying factor of experimental and quasi-experimental designs?

Experimental and quasi-experimental designs examine the effect of a treatment on a dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key identifying factor of correlational designs?

Correlational designs examine the relationship between two variables within the same group of individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Every purpose must have a matching research question or research hypothesis.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the research study about the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills?

The overall purpose of this study is to examine the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main research question for the purpose of examining the effect of telling stories on nursery children's literacy skills?

How often do nursery teachers tell stories in the classroom? Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of determining the frequency that university students engage in examination malpractice?

To determine the frequency that university students engage in examination malpractice. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of determining if there is a relationship between intrinsic motivation and social studies achievement test scores?

To determine if there is a relationship between intrinsic motivation and social studies achievement test scores. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of identifying differences between trained and untrained teachers in their dedication to teaching?

To identify differences between trained and untrained teachers in their dedication to teaching. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examining teachers' knowledge of classroom management strategies?

To examine teachers' knowledge of classroom management strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examining the effect of signing an academic honesty pledge on university students' cheating behaviors?

To examine the effect of signing an academic honesty pledge on university students' cheating behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of determining if there is a relationship between age and motivation to study?

To determine if there is a relationship between age and motivation to study. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examining the effect of computerized instruction on students' math skills?

To examine the effect of computerized instruction on students' math skills. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Variables and Research Design

Research projects center around variables, which are characteristics of individuals, groups, systems, or environments relevant to the study.
Variables can be simple (e.g., gender, age) or complex (e.g., socioeconomic status, academic achievement).
Variables may relate to educational systems (teaching methods, funding) or environments (computer availability).
Identifying key variables is crucial for a focused study.

Importance of Identifying Key Variables

Key variables focus the introduction section.
They guide research article searches in literature reviews.
They provide terms for operational definitions (if needed).
They guide the methods section.
Instruments must directly measure or manipulate key variables for valid research.

Research Design

Research design determines how key variables are studied.
Four primary types exist:
- Descriptive: Describes the current state of variables (e.g., teachers' literacy knowledge).
- Causal-Comparative (Ex Post Facto): Examines the effect of non-manipulable variables (e.g., gender) on other variables (e.g., examination malpractice).
- Correlational: Examines the relationship between continuous variables (e.g., academic achievement, motivation). Both variables must be measured in the same group.
- Experimental/Quasi-Experimental: Examines the effect of a manipulated variable on another (e.g., effect of story-telling on children's literacy); usually involves a treatment group and a control group.

Descriptive Studies

Simplest design, and provide the least information.
Best suited for diploma or first degree projects.

Purpose, Research Questions, and Hypotheses

Purposes, research questions, and hypotheses are closely related.
Research questions should focus on descriptive topics.
Research hypotheses should address all comparisons.
For example, comparing males and females on science scores uses a hypothesis, not a question.
Statistical methods determine significance of differences to reject random chance as a cause.

Research Hypotheses

Often stated as null hypotheses.
Based on probability, account for chance events.
Examples include:
- "There is no significant difference between males and females on interest in reading."
- "There is no significant effect of telling stories on children's reading comprehension."

Correlational Designs

Examine relationships between two variables within the same group.
Example hypothesis: "There is no significant relationship between children's reading fluency and interest in reading."

Practical Application

Examples of research questions and hypotheses are presented for various topics.

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Description

Explore the essential components of key variables and research design in this quiz. Understand how identifying key variables shapes research projects and guides the overall research process. Test your knowledge on the types of research design and their relevance to effective studies.