Question 1

What is the principle of evidence?

Accepted Answer

Research provides evidence that supports or refutes a hypothesis, but it does not provide absolute proof. Scientific knowledge is always open to revision with new evidence.

Question 2

Why is the word "proof" not used in empirical research in the social and behavioral sciences?

Accepted Answer

In empirical research, especially in the social and behavioral sciences, the term "proof" is avoided because new theories or evidence can always emerge that provide better explanations for observed phenomena. The scientific process is open-ended and subject to revision.

Question 3

A central part of the scientific method is generating a hypothesis. A hypothesis is:

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is an educated guess or a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Question 4

According to the book, when you engage in inductive reasoning, you are also using:

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on specific observations, which often involves assessing probabilities and likelihoods, hence it is closely related to probabilistic reasoning.

Question 5

Another name for critical theory research is:

Accepted Answer

Critical theory research is often referred to as orientational research because it is guided by a specific theoretical orientation or perspective, often focusing on issues of power, inequality, and social change.

Question 6

If a researcher tests a hypothesis with new data to see if it is supported or rejected, she will be using which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

The confirmatory method is used to test hypotheses with new data to determine if they are supported or rejected.

Question 7

Research literature refers to __________.

Accepted Answer

Research literature refers to the collection of published research studies and scholarly articles on a specific topic, providing a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge and findings in that area.

Question 8

A researcher has conducted several studies to verify her theory of school motivational factors. These studies have validated her theory so now she wants to conduct research to see if changing aspects of the school classroom based on her theory leads to improvements in the classroom. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of applied research because the researcher is using her theory to make practical changes in the classroom to see if it leads to improvements.

Question 9

A researcher is interested in the viewpoints of transgender students in schools so he designs a research study to investigate this topic. This study will meet which objective of educational research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher is interested in the viewpoints...

Question 10

The key difference between deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning is:

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning guarantees the truth of the conclusion if the premises are true, whereas inductive reasoning involves making generalizations that are probable but not certain.

Question 11

Dr. James has been hired by the local schools to complete an evaluation of a math and science program implemented in elementary schools throughout the state to improve performance in these areas. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. James has been hired by the...

Question 12

In evaluation research, which type of assessment is concerned with whether a program is conceptualized in such a way that it should be effective?

Accepted Answer

Theory assessment evaluates whether a program is designed based on a sound theoretical framework that suggests it should be effective.

Question 13

Which statement best represents the Karl Popper's criterion of falsifiability?

Accepted Answer

Karl Popper's criterion of falsifiability states that for a theory to be considered scientific, it must be able to be tested and potentially refuted by empirical data if it is false.

Question 14

Test scores are typically considered what type of data:

Accepted Answer

Test scores are numerical and can be measured, making them quantitative data.

Question 15

A group of teachers decided to review the research literature to find a possible solution for a problem they were having at their school. Different cohorts worked together and finally presented their findings. Which of the following represents the scenario they should consider the best and most reasonable presentation of research literature?

Accepted Answer

Large-scale studies generally provide more reliable and generalizable results, and when multiple studies suggest a good probability of success, it indicates a well-supported solution.

Question 16

A researcher has developed a theory about student's motivation in school. She conducts several studies to test the theory. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher has developed a theory about...

Question 17

Epistemology is the:

Accepted Answer

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge, including its nature, origin, and limits, as well as the justification of belief.

Question 18

Dr. Ellis read a study about improving reading skills in elementary school students. Using the teaching techniques and assessments used in the article, she conducted another study at five local elementary schools to see if she too could improve students' reading skills. Dr. Ellis' study is:

Accepted Answer

Dr. Ellis' study is a replication because she is using the same techniques and assessments from the original study to see if she can achieve similar results in a different setting.

Question 19

An example of qualitative data would be:

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data is descriptive and involves characteristics that cannot be counted, such as responses from open-ended interviews.

Question 20

Researcher A completed a study of home-schooled children and found that 67% of the home-schooled students reported that they currently had difficulty relating to other children their age. Researcher B conducted a study to determine whether children who are home-schooled during their elementary school years will have problems relating to their peers during their college years. What type of studies were these researchers conducting?

Accepted Answer

Researcher A's study is descriptive as it reports the current state of home-schooled children's social difficulties. Researcher B's study is predictive as it aims to determine future social outcomes based on past schooling experiences.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Educational Research