(Test Bank) Educational Research, Fundamental Principles and Methods

McMillan, 8

Psychology

Test Bank

8th Edition

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Author(s): McMillan

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Chapter 1: Introduction to Research in Education Chapter 1 Learning Outcome Quizzes Learning Outcome 1.1: Know how the purpose of research, finding the signal, is influenced by noise that distorts what is reported. [Q1] Considering the signal and noise metaphor from Chapter 1, which of the following represents “signal?” 1.Error 2.Deviation 3.True information [correct] 4.Randomness [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. Error serves to distract and is therefore considered noise. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. Deviations cause difficulty for researc hers and are considered noise. [Feedback for Correct Answer 4] The signal is what is correct, actual, and true. True information certainly falls into this category. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. There is always the possibility that the results of a study are simply due to randomness, which is why study replication is important. [Q2] Considering the signal and noise metaphor from Chapter 1, which of the following represents “noise?” 1.Reality 2.Randomness [correct] 3.Actual relationship 2 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4. Accurate understanding [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is considered, reality would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.” [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] Recall that “noise” is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. Randomness is always a possible reason for the occurrence of a set of data, and therefore should be considered noise. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is considered, actual relationships would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.” [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is considered, accurate understanding would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.” [Q3] Which of the following represents the components of an observed finding? 1. Signal plus Noise [correct] 2. Signal 3. Noise 4. Either signal or noise [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] Observed findings in educational research are always the result of signal and noise. There are always variables that will be accurate and there will always be distractors. A good researcher understands how to amplify the signal and drown out the noise. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Signal refers to what is correct, actual, and true, but this is not all that is included when collecting data in educational research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Noise refers to factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. Therefore, observed findings certainly do not consist of pure noise. 3 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Observed findings are more complex than simply including either signal or noise. Learning Outcome 1.2: Explain why empirical research is important as an approach to generating and applying knowledge. [Q1] People use the term research to describe many processes that would not be considered research using the definition given in the text, such as writing a “research paper” from the library. A more complete definition of empirical research includes which of the following? 1. A systematic process of gathering and interpreting data [correct] 2. A disciplined process of reporting information 3. An experimental method for collecting and analyzing data 4. An organized, step-wise process for evaluating knowledge [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] This definition involves a systematic, disciplined inquiry process, which can include gathering information and facts, referencing material, collecting and analyzing data, and making inferences. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Research is certainly a disciplined process, but this is not the best answer choice. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Experimental research is important, but it is not the only approach to research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Research must be organized, but research is not only about knowledge evaluation. [Q2] As sources of knowledge, experience, intuition, and tradition serve which of the following roles in educational research? 1. They have a significant role in helping to choose a research question but should play no part in analysis or conclusions. [correct] 2. They tend to be biased and do not have a major role when conducting educational research. 4 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3. They have a limited role in aspects of educational research but are not as useful as logic and reason. 4. They have a role in educational research that must be balanced with attention to their limits and potential biases. [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] Intuition, experience, and tradition all help researchers identify important questions, develop useful research methods, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions. Logic and reason are useful sources of knowledge as well, but it’s not appropriate to say they are more or less useful than intuition and tradition. People use all of these sources when conducting and reporting research; it’s simply important to understand and respect the limits of each. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Of course, there is bias involved at some level; however, this does not mean they do not have value to educational research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] While their role may be limited, they are certainly important to educational research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] In empirical research, knowledge, intuition, and tradition are important, but they do not have a role that is balanced with more empirical processes. [Q3] Which of the following terms best refers to a systematic process of gathering, interpreting, and reporting information? 1. Empirical research [correct] 2. Educational research 3. Quantitative research 4. Qualitative research [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] Empirical research involves a systematic process of gathering, interpreting, and reporting information. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Educational researcher refers to a systematic, disciplined inquiry applied to gathering, analyzing, and reporting information that addresses educational problems and question. 5 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Quantitative research refers to a type of research that uses statistical processes and numeric approaches to understanding research solutions. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Qualitative research refers to a type of research that uses interviewing and other nonstatistical approaches to understanding research solutions. [Q4] Which of the following terms best describes a systematic, disciplined inquiry applied to gathering, analyzing, and reporting information that addresses educational problems and questions? 1. Empirical research 2. Educational research [correct] 3. Quantitative research 4. Qualitative research [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Empirical research involves a systematic process of gathering, interpreting, and reporting information. However, the definition in this question is more nuanced than this. [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] Educational research refers to a systematic, disciplined inquiry applied to gathering, analyzing, and reporting information that addresses educational problems and question. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Quantitative research refers to a type of research that uses statistical processes and numeric approaches to understanding research solutions. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Qualitative research refers to a type of research that uses interviewing and other nonstatistical approaches to understanding research solutions. Learning Outcome 1.3: Know the characteristics of major research paradigms. [Q1] Which of the following terms includes philosophical assumptions, shared beliefs, and a theoretical framework about the world and knowledge that guide thinking and methods employed in empirical research? 6 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1. Research outlook 2. Research method 3. Research paradigm [correct] 4. Research reporting [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Research outlook is not the correct answer. This term may refer to how one views the trajectory of their overall body of work, but this is not correct. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] A research method may refer to a particular way of conducting research, but this is not the correct answer. [Feedback for Correct Answer 3] A research paradigm includes philosophical assumptions, shared beliefs, and a theoretical framework about the world and knowledge that guide thinking and methods employed in empirical research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Research reporting refers to the way in which one communicates the findings of their research. [Q2] To which of the following research paradigms would a researcher subscribe if she valued objectivity, measurement, and quantification while ascribing more to probability than to certainty? 1. Transformative 2. Pragmatism 3. Constructivism 4. Postpositivism [correct] [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] This paradigm ascribes to the belief that the purpose of research is to improve the lives of marginalized, disenfranchised people. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] The pragmatic researcher focuses on adapting methods to provide the best information based on real-world situations and conditions. 7 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Constructivists ascribe to the idea that knowledge is socially constructed, contextualized, and personalized. [Feedback for Correct Answer 4] Postpositivists believe more in probability than certainty, using objective methods in concert with other, more intuitive judgments about the nature of causation. It basically takes a more holistic, less reductionist view of research, but it is still very much wedded to the value of objectivity, measurement, quantification, law generation, and other characteristics of the scientific method. [Q3] To which of the following research paradigms would a researcher subscribe if she felt that the function of research was to improve the lives of marginalized people? 1. Pragmatism 2. Transformative [correct] 3. Positivism 4. Constructivism [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] The pragmatic researcher focuses on adapting methods to provide the best information based on real-world situations and conditions. [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] Researchers ascribing to this paradigm ascribe to the belief that the purpose of research is to improve the lives of marginalized, disenfranchised people. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Positivists ascribe strictly to the scientific method, believing that a phenomenon can be studied like the natural sciences. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Constructivists ascribe to the idea that knowledge is socially constructed, contextualized, and personalized. [Q4] To which of the following research paradigms would a researcher subscribe if she believed that research should be approached in such a way that methods are adapted to provide the best information based on real-world situations and conditions? 8 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1. Postpositivism 2. Pragmatism [correct] 3. Constructivism 4. Transformative [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Postpositivists tend to lend toward quantitative methods, relying on probability modeling to reach research conclusions. [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] The pragmatic researcher focuses on adapting methods to provide the best information based on real-world situations and conditions. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Constructivists adhere to a belief that knowledge is socially constructed and tend to rely on qualitative methods. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Transformative researchers believe the function of research is to improve the lives of marginalized people. Learning Outcome 1.4: Understand how the principles of disciplined inquiry (“fox-like” thinking) are important for conducting educational research. [Q1] A researcher who proceeded to design a study without conducting a review of the relevant literature on the topic would violate which of the six disciplined inquiry principles? 1. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 2 [correct] 2. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 3 3. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 4 4. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 5 [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] Discipline Inquiry Principle 2 includes linking research to relevant theory. A researcher who skipped the literature review process would not be able to complete this vital component of the research design process. 9 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Discipline Inquiry Principle 3 includes using methods that permit direct investigation of the question. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Discipline Inquiry Principle 4 includes providing a coherent, explicit, and evidence-based chain of reasoning. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Discipline Inquiry Principle 5 includes replicating and generalizing across studies. [Q2] If a researcher failed to pose questions that could be explored empirically, which of the six principled of disciplined inquiry would he violate? 1. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 1 [correct] 2. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 2 3. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 3 4. Disciplined Inquiry Principle 4 [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] The very first principle of direct inquiry is to pose significant questions that can be investigated empirically. If this step is skipped, the study is flawed from the start. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Disciplined Inquiry Principle 2 is focused on linking research to relevant theory. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Discipline Inquiry Principle 3 includes using methods that permit direct investigation of the question. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Discipline Inquiry Principle 4 includes providing a coherent, explicit, and evidence-based chain of reasoning. [Q3] Which of the following is a characteristic of how “foxes,” or principled researchers, think? 1. Specialized 10 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2. Multidisciplinary [correct] 3. Stubborn 4. Overconfident [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Thinking in specialized way is a characteristic of “hedgehog-like” researchers, or researchers who fail to realize flaws in their thinking. [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] Researchers who consider multidisciplinary approaches are “fox-like” researchers who are nimble and open-minded. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Being stubborn is a characteristic of “hedgehog-like” researchers, or researchers who fail to realize flaws in their thinking. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Being overconfident is a characteristic of “hedgehog-like” researchers, or researchers who fail to realize flaws in their thinking. [Q4] Which of the following is characteristic of a “hedgehog” researcher, or a researcher who is not aware of the flaws in his thinking? 1. Adaptable 2. Stalwart [correct] 3. Self-critical 4. Cautious [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] The fox-like researcher is adaptable to change. [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] Hedgehog-like researchers are stalwart, sticking to the same “all-in” approach. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] Fox-like researchers are self-critical and often analyze their approach and consider new pathways. 11 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Fox-like researchers are cautious researchers who consider that their findings have limitations. Learning Outcome 1.5: Distinguish among key characteristics of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods types of research. [Q1] Which of the following procedures is most aligned with a researcher using quantitative methods? 1. Conducting a large number of participant interviews 2. Focusing on the participants’ views and perceptions 3. Studying an interesting phenomenon in the context in which it naturally occurs 4. Studying a large number of participants as a detached, objective observer [correct] [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] This approach is most likely taken by a qualitative researcher. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] This approach is most likely taken by a qualitative researcher. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] This approach is most likely taken by a qualitative researcher. [Feedback for Correct Answer 4] The degree of interaction with participants is usually low for quantitative research, and the researcher seeks a larger number of participants. Many quantitative studies are experiments, but not all. If a study involves measurement and numerical data, it can be considered quantitative in nature. [Q2] Which of the following best describes qualitative research? 1. Research that includes generalizable conclusions 2. Research that focuses on participants and settings as they exist naturally [correct] 3. Studies using whatever procedures that provide the best answers to the research questions 4. Studies strictly focused on improving the lives of marginalized people 12 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] This is a characteristic common to quantitative studies. [Feedback for Correct Answer 2] Qualitative researchers do not typically control or manipulate the environment they are studying. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] This is a characteristic of researchers following a pragmatic paradigm. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] This is a characteristic of researchers following a transformative paradigm. [Q3] Of the following research methods, which is most likely an approach taken in a mixed methods study? 1. Conducting interviews with participants after completing an instrument to assess instructional approaches to explain the results [correct] 2. Comparing numeric test results across groups to understand the effects of a particular instructional approach 3. Exploring teachers use of formative quizzes within three second-language classrooms 4. Describing the relation between students' math attitudes and their math achievement [Feedback for Correct Answer 1] This study involves a quantitative instrument of instructional approaches followed by qualitative interviews to explain the results of the instrument. The integration of qualitative and quantitative data is a key characteristic of mixed methods research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] This would be typical of a quantitative study. [Feedback for Answer Choice 3] This is likely a qualitative study. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] This approach would be common in a quantitative design. 13 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Q4] Which of the following describes the main difference between experimental and nonexperimental research? 1. Investigators collect quantitative data in experimental research and qualitative data in nonexperimental research. 2. Investigators can make inferences about causal relationships in experimental research but not in nonexperimental research. 3. Investigators have control over one or more interventions in experimental research but do not have control in nonexperimental research. [correct] 4. Investigators study large groups of people in experimental research but small groups or single subjects in nonexperimental research. [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] This may be true sometimes, but this is certainly not universally true. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] This is not an accurate statement regarding either research method. [Feedback for Correct Answer 3] Experimental research is defined by the manipulation of an intervention or control of a factor to investigate its causal relationship with some other factor. Some types of nonexperimental studies allow causal inferences, and many involve collection of quantitative data. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] While this may sometimes be true, this is not universally true. [Q5] A study designed to improve educational practice in a specific classroom is best characterized as which of the following types of studies? 1. Applied research 2. Qualitative research 3. Action research [correct] 4. Quantitative research 14 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Feedback for Answer Choice 1] Applied research is aimed at solving specific problems, but this may not be in a classroom setting. [Feedback for Answer Choice 2] Qualitative research is a broad classification of any research using qualitative methods such as interviewing and participant observation. [Feedback for Correct Answer 3] In the context of education, the goal of action research is to learn something that helps an educator, policy maker, or other stakeholder improve practice immediately within one or a few specific classrooms or schools. Action research is often applied, often qualitative, and often nonexperimental, but the key feature highlighted here—improving practice in a specific classroom—points toward action research as the best answer. [Feedback for Answer Choice 4] Quantitative research is a broad classification that applies to any research using statistical processes to determine study findings. 15 Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Chapter 1 Application Exercises Chapter 1: Introduction to Research in Education Application Exercise 1.1: Qualitative or Quantitative? Learning Outcome 1.5: Distinguish among key characteristics of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods types of research. [Q1] Can you distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data? Rachelle J. is a middle- and high-school language arts and Spanish student teacher. She conducted a research project addressing the effects of formative assessment on participants’ summative assessment scores, morale, and attitude. Read through Rachelle’s report of her research, focusing specifically on the methodology sections of the paper and answer the following questions: What is Rachelle’s first research question? Did Rachelle collect qualitative data, quantitative data, or both? [Q1 Model Response] Her first question is, Do formative assessments motivate students to study harder? To answer this question, she conducted observations and kept field notes (qualitative data). She also collected survey data, which can be qualitative or quantitative, depending on the survey—she does not say directly. Because she is focused on student perspectives, qualitative data would be appropriate here. Moreover, she says she asked students “whether or not they studied more because of the weekly quizzes” and does NOT say something like, “I asked them to agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5.” As you will see in a later chapter, scales of that sort are used in quantitative studies. As you become more experienced at reading research articles, you will be able to tell from her description of methodology and especially her data analysis that she used qualitative measures, even though she has “numbers” in her results. [Q2] Can you distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data? Rachelle J. is a middle- and high-school language arts and Spanish student teacher. She conducted a research project addressing the effects of formative assessment on participants’ summative assessment scores, morale, and attitude. Read through Rachelle’s report of her research, focusing specifically on the methodology sections of the paper and answer the following questions: What is Rachelle’s second research question? Did Rachelle collect qualitative data, quantitative data, or both?