Research Methods Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes research from simply learning from books or papers?

Research is primarily theoretical.

Research aims to solve problems with no known solution. (correct)

Research focuses on known solutions.

Research involves gathering existing information.

Which inquiry method emphasizes numerical analysis and the accuracy of evidence?

Interpretative

Descriptive

Positivist (correct)

Critical

What is the ultimate goal of applied research?

To develop and test theories.

To solve immediate problems. (correct)

To discover new knowledge.

To enhance theoretical understanding.

Which step comes immediately after formulating a hypothesis in the scientific method?

Collecting and analyzing the data. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research?

Qualitative research incorporates verbal descriptive data. Signup and view all the answers

What type of research is primarily theoretical in nature and takes a long time to show practical utility?

Basic research Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the critical inquiry method in research?

To improve social conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method of conducting research?

Collecting anecdotal evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of excellent teachers in managing classroom disciplinary problems?

Investigating sources and strategies Signup and view all the answers

What type of reasoning is a hypothesis based on?

Deductive reasoning Signup and view all the answers

Which hypothesis suggests that there is no significant difference in burnout levels?

Null Hypothesis (Ho) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research, what does a theory establish?

A cause and effect relationship Signup and view all the answers

Which statement represents the purpose of a research question (RQ)?

To examine relationships between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the hypothesis regarding male and female teachers?

Differences in burnout levels due to disruptive behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of strategies to manage students' behavior in the classroom?

Peer-reviewed studies on classroom management Signup and view all the answers

Which answer best describes what excellent teachers seek concerning strategies for managing student behavior?

Examining the effectiveness of various sources Signup and view all the answers

What does validity in research instruments primarily refer to?

The instrument measuring what it is supposed to measure Signup and view all the answers

Why is reliability an important consideration in research instrumentation?

It allows for the replication of results across different studies. Signup and view all the answers

What does objectivity aim to minimize in research?

Subjective judgments about the subjects Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a usability consideration when choosing a research instrument?

The validity of the instrument Signup and view all the answers

Which type of item allows respondents to provide their own opinions without selecting from given options?

Open-ended item Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a single-choice item in a survey?

Respondents pick only one answer from a list. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a Likert-type item?

How satisfied are you with the facilities? (1-5 scale) Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical factor in assessing the usability of a research instrument?

The length of the survey Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary cause of non-response items in surveys?

Unclear or questionable wording Signup and view all the answers

How does true experimental design differ from quasi-experimental design?

True experimental design uses random assignment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes correlational research?

It studies relationships without influencing the variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of causal-comparative research?

To determine the cause of existing differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial aspect of constructing a research problem?

Narrowing down to a specific educational issue Signup and view all the answers

Qualitative research primarily focuses on which of the following aspects?

Holistic descriptions of experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to justify the importance of a research problem?

To offer evidence supporting the problem's significance Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a deficiency in educational research?

A lack of available solutions to identified problems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of qualitative research?

Correlational analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a practical research problem?

Exploring ethical violations among students Signup and view all the answers

In correlational research, what do researchers do with the variables?

They describe relationships without manipulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the independent and dependent variables?

The independent variable is manipulated to observe changes in the dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

Who are considered the audiences for research studies?

Individuals and groups who can benefit from the findings Signup and view all the answers

What does extending or replicating research indicate?

There is a lack of adequate evidence on the problem Signup and view all the answers

What role does summarizing the present state of knowledge play in research?

It helps identify deficiencies in current knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What type of question serves as an effective narrative hook in research?

A provocative question to engage interest Signup and view all the answers

What factor, apart from private areas, was found to limit residents' autonomy in nursing homes?

Standardized furniture and heating control Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of the institutional environment was indicated as important for residents' independence?

Extent of resources and location Signup and view all the answers

Which research approach did Haroon utilize in their study on nursing home residents?

Interviews with a larger sample of residents Signup and view all the answers

What does the Conceptual Framework (CF) consist of?

Interrelated constructs and definitions created by researchers Signup and view all the answers

What was the sample size of residents interviewed by Hope in their study?

225 residents Signup and view all the answers

What aspect did the literature review structure emphasize in the first theme?

Areas of agreement and inadequacies in design Signup and view all the answers

What was a major gap identified in the literature reviewed?

Insufficient studies on physical environment impacts Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Theoretical Framework (TF)?

To present a systematic view of interrelated constructs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research is defined as solving problems with no known solutions in the current context. Learning from existing knowledge is not research.
Online searches are not considered research.
Research is used to understand the world, solve existing problems, and improve existing solutions.

What is Research?

Research is a scientific method to answer questions.
Research is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) to increase understanding of phenomena.
Educational Research is focused on addressing issues and answering questions related to education.

3 Inquiry Methods in Research

Positivist: Numerical analysis emphasizing research evidence accuracy. Uses data like observation and interviews.
Interpretive: Uses verbal descriptive data, observation, and interviews to examine characteristics in depth, often from the subject's point of view.
Critical: Aims to improve social conditions of humankind. The study's validity is determined by how well the researchers improve social situations.

Steps of Conducting Scientific Method

Identify a problem or area of interest.
Develop research objectives or questions.
Formulate a hypothesis.
Develop a research plan.
Collect and analyze data.
Accept/reject the hypothesis.
Interpret results and form conclusions.

Research Classification

System 1: Basic research (developing and testing theories). Applied research (solving immediate problems and improving products or processes).
System 2: Quantitative research (structured approach to numerical, measurable data to test hypotheses). Qualitative research (non-numerical data analysis of natural settings and in-depth descriptions).
System 3: Experimental research (independent and dependent variables focusing on cause and effect). Non-experimental research (includes causal-comparative, descriptive, and correlational designs).

Criteria for a Good Research Title

The title must be feasible (doable).
It needs to be interesting, ethical, and relevant.
Consider the elements of what, why, when, who, and how in the title.

Research Problem, Objective, & Title Examples

Example 1 (Disruptive Behavior): Teachers and schools face disruptive behavior among secondary school students.
**RO (Example 1):**To examine the contexts of disruptive behavior among secondary school students.
**RQ (Example 1):**What are the contexts of disruptive behavior among secondary school students?
Title (Example 1): The Contexts of Disruptive Behavior Among Secondary School Students
Example 2 (Online Learning): The issue of isolation in the online learning environment. - **RO (Example 2):**To examine the students' perceptions on the social presence in the online learning environment.
RQ (Example 2): What are the student’s perceptions on the social presence in the online learning environment?
Title (Example 2): The Issues and Challenges in an Online Learning Environment

How to write a statement of the problem

Start with the topic/subject matter.
Clearly state the research problem.
Justify the importance of the research problem referring to past research and existing practices.
Explain the deficiencies in current knowledge regarding the problem.
Identify the target audience for the research.

Opening sentences of a research introduction

Important to grab readers' attention.
Should clearly state the research topic and importance immediately in an engaging manner.
Consider using compelling statistics, provocative questions, or a clear statement of the study's intent to hook the reader.

How to develop Research Objectives and Research Questions

Research objectives and questions should align and complement each other in a research plan.

List of questions for yourself about research approach, design, etc.

Define your research approach.
Identify the types of participants will be in your research.
State the methods to select the participants and why.
Explain how you gain access and the procedures.
Specify the instrument (if applicable).
Specify the data collecting technique employed and the reasoning behind the method.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Objectives

Quantitative: To examine the factors affecting teacher motivation levels. To compare, investigate, and measure differences in motivation levels between teachers in private and public schools. To compare male and female teachers' motivation levels.
Qualitative: To determine factors contributing to disciplinary problems encountered by excellent teachers in their classrooms and to learn about teachers’ perspectives and strategies used. To discover the sources of excellent teachers’ strategies for managing student behavior.

Hypothesis and Theory

A hypothesis is a statement predicting the research's outcome.
A hypothesis is about the relationship between phenomena.
A theory is based on a belief/assumption about how things are related to each other and how a cause and effect relationship works. A theory is made from deductive/inductive reasoning.

Null and Alternate hypotheses (Quantitative)

Example (showing relationship between variables): Null (H0): There is NO significant difference in the level of burnout between the male and female teachers due to destructive behavior. Alternative (H1): There is a significant difference in the level of burnout between the male and female teachers due to destructive behavior.

Chapter 1: Introduction, Background, and Problem

Subsections (Sections) of Chapter 1: introduction (includes topic, importance and general purpose), background of the study, research problems, research objectives, research questions, research hypotheses, and significant of study, Scope/Delimitations, operational definitions, conclusion.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

A synthesis of relevant research articles, books, and documents is included for the research topic.
Subsections: Introduction, Theoretical background, General Issues, specific RQ(s), Conceptual Framework, and conclusion are necessary sections to improve the writing of a literature review.

Theoretical & Conceptual Frameworks

Theoretical Framework (TF): A set of interconnected constructs, definitions, and propositions which provides a systematic view of the phenomenon. TF is based on previously developed theories.
Conceptual Framework (CF): Created by the researcher after studying various theories to explain the relationship between variables. It serves as a specific paradigm for the research analysis. CF may incorporate quantitative and qualitative research.

Writing a Comprehensive Literature Review

Steps: 1. Gather and analyze sources (select sources, identify key findings, consider gaps in research ) 2. Evaluate and synthesize understandings (summarize information, draft a potential outline, consider different viewpoints regarding the topic, identify strong points/limitations) 3. Draft and polish your review. (use a clear structure and logical flow for the writing)
Create a Literature Review Matrix to organize research and synthesize information from different authors and perspectives.

Research Questions and Objectives

Clearly state all the research hypotheses and questions in a summary or table format.
Ensure that research objectives, questions, and hypotheses are clearly defined and understandable to ensure the analysis will be consistent.

Research Designs (Chapter 3)

Quantitative: Survey, experimental, correlational, causal-comparative
Qualitative: Basic Qualitative Research, case study, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography
Mixed-methods: Sequential (exploratory sequential design), Concurrent (concurrent mixed design).

Sampling, Sample Size, and Sample Types

Random Sampling: Simple Random Sampling, Stratified Random Sampling, Cluster Random Sampling, Two-Stage Random Sampling
Non-Random Sampling: Convenience Sampling, Systematic Sampling, Purposive Sampling , Maximal Variation Sampling, Extreme Sampling, Typical Sampling, Theory, Concept Sampling, Homogeneous Sampling, Critical Sampling, Opportunistic Sampling, Snowball Sampling, Confirming/Disconfirming Sampling
Sample Size: Consider the type of research, participants required for each type and consider the time required to gather the data. Quantitative designs require larger sample sizes to generalize while qualitative requires smaller.

Survey

Suitable for data gathering from a large population efficiently, collect data quickly, and has generalized results.
Questionnaires can be face-to-face or online (for surveys).

Interview Questions and Focus Groups

Interviews: These are used frequently in qualitative research and help provide insights into participants' thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, or ideas. Interview questions must complement the research objectives and research questions.
Focus Groups: These discussions involve gathering people with similar backgrounds to discuss a specific area of interest allowing participants to respond collectively and provide insights regarding a specific topic of interest or provide feedback/analysis on materials.

Observation Techniques (Qualitative)

Structured Observations: Using a checklist to record predefined behaviors or criteria.
Unstructured Observations: General observation in the natural setting recording behaviors and noting any important issues.
Performance Checklist: Used to record specific actions and behavior using checkmarks.
Time-and-Motion Log: Detailed records of events, people, and activities recorded over time.

Research Instruments: Guidelines

The language must match the respondents' comprehension level.
Words and sentences must be unambiguous in the different instruments.
Each item in the instrument must focus on one specific area of measurement and should avoid confusing or overly complex concepts in order to prevent misinterpretation.
Avoid using very broad or specific questions which may introduce error in the results or bias in the interpretations.
Precise wording is essential.

Research Ethics

Ethical considerations regarding research should be taken into consideration throughout the research process and detailed in the methodology chapter. Ethical Issues: plagiarism, misuse of privileged data, manipulating data, authorship issues. Informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality, anonymity are important elements in every study.

Data analysis

Data analysis in qualitative and quantitative research must be performed methodically and followed consistently with the initial objectives in order for the analysis to be valid.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various research methods, including the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, the scientific method, and applied research. This quiz will challenge your understanding of key concepts in the field of research. Perfect for students and educators alike!