Question 1

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-4.How do graduating seniors from Central State University assess the quality of their undergraduate education?
A) Ex post facto
B) Correlational
C) Experimental
D) Historical
E) Survey

Accepted Answer

A survey is the most appropriate research methodology for investigating this research question as it involves gathering data from a sample of individuals to examine their opinions and assessments of their undergraduate education experience. A survey allows for gathering data from a large number of respondents in a relatively short period of time, making it an efficient and effective approach to investigate this question.

Question 2

A teacher designed a study to investigate the effect of using computer exercises to teach second grade math concepts.This research could be described as
A) basic, experimental, and qualitative.
B) applied, experimental, and quantitative.
C) basic, nonexperimental, and quantitative.
D) applied, nonexperimental, and qualitative.

Accepted Answer

The study is:
- Applied because it focuses on a practical problem (teaching math concepts) and aims to provide real-world solutions (using computer exercises)
- Experimental because the teacher is manipulating the teaching method (using computer exercises) to see its effect on learning
- Quantitative because the study is measuring the effect of the intervention using numerical data (test scores, for example)

Question 3

Study A investigated the effect of level of anxiety on students' speed of learning nonsense syllables.Study B investigated the effect of students' intelligence on their level of anxiety.The variable anxiety is the
A) dependent variable in Study A, and the independent variable in Study B.
B) independent variable in Study A, and the dependent variable in Study B.
C) independent variable in both Study A and Study B.
D) dependent variable in both Study A and Study B.

Accepted Answer

In Study A, the researchers manipulated the level of anxiety and measured the speed of learning nonsense syllables, making anxiety the independent variable and the speed of learning nonsense syllables the dependent variable. In Study B, the researchers measured the level of intelligence and its effect on anxiety, making intelligence the independent variable and anxiety the dependent variable.

Question 4

Experimental research, in contrast with nonexperimental research, focuses on
A) cause-and-effect relationships.
B) descriptions of phenomena.
C) prediction of phenomena.
D) naturalistic inquiry into relationships.

Accepted Answer

Experimental research aims to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables by manipulating an independent variable and measuring its effect on a dependent variable. Nonexperimental research, on the other hand, focuses on describing or predicting phenomena without manipulating any variables. Naturalistic inquiry is a type of nonexperimental research that involves observing and documenting naturally occurring phenomena without any intervention or manipulation.

Question 5

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Requires subjective observation.
A) qualitative
B) quantitative

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research often involves subjective observations as it focuses on understanding the experiences, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals through their own perspectives rather than reducing them to numerical data.

Question 6

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Emphasizes the context of the inquiry.
A) qualitative
B) quantitative

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research emphasizes the context of the inquiry, while quantitative research typically focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.

Question 7

Exhibit 2-6: A researcher carried out an experiment with her freshman psychology students to answer the question: "Does college students' rate of learning a series of cognitive tasks differ in regard to gender and type of motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic)?"
-Refer to Exhibit 2-6.What is the manipulated independent variable?
A) gender
B) type of motivation
C) college students
D) rate of learning task
E) freshman psychology students

Accepted Answer

The manipulated independent variable, also known as the experimental variable, is the variable that the researcher intentionally changes or manipulates in order to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In this experiment, the type of motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic) is the independent variable that the researcher manipulated. Gender is a non-manipulated independent variable and the other options (college students, rate of learning task, and freshman psychology students) are not independent variables at all.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the meaning of a construct?
A) Provable assumption
B) Verifiable proposition
C) Testable theorem
D) Unobservable trait
E) Abstract hypothesis

Accepted Answer

A construct is an unobservable trait or concept that is assumed to exist and is used to explain certain behaviors or phenomena. It cannot be directly observed or measured, but it can be inferred through observable indicators or manifestations.

Question 9

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-4.How were young women educated in the South in the mid-nineteenth century?
A) Ex post facto
B) Correlational
C) Experimental
D) Historical
E) Survey

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate research methodology for investigating how young women were educated in the South in the mid-nineteenth century would be historical research. This involves the use of primary and secondary sources, such as diaries, letters, newspapers, and historical documents, to reconstruct events, people, and social practices of the past. Such research would be necessary because the question pertains to a time period that is not directly observable and requires knowledge of the context, values, and institutions of that era. Thus, a survey, which relies on contemporary data collection methods, would not be appropriate for this research question. Similarly, an ex post facto study and a correlational study involve the observation and analysis of variables in a current or recent situation, and do not suit the needs of historical research. While an experimental method is used to test cause and effect relationships, it is not relevant to this question, which is more descriptive and exploratory in nature.

Question 10

A researcher who wants to investigate the claim that drinking moderate amounts of red wine will promote a healthy heart would most likely use the ____ method.
A) survey
B) ex post facto
C) experimental
D) quasi-experimental
E) correlational

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher who wants to investigate the...

Question 11

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-4.Does extending wait-time between teacher questions and calling students' names influence students' achievement of high-level cognitive objectives?
A) Ex post facto
B) Correlational
C) Experimental
D) Historical
E) Survey

Accepted Answer

An experimental methodology would be the most appropriate choice to investigate this research question because it involves manipulating the independent variable (extending wait-time between teacher questions and calling students' names) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (students' achievement of high-level cognitive objectives).

Question 12

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Emphasizes hypothesis-testing.
A) qualitative
B) quantitative

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research emphasizes hypothesis-testing through statistical analysis of data. Qualitative research, on the other hand, focuses on understanding phenomena through subjective interpretations and analysis of non-numerical data.

Question 13

Exhibit 2-6: A researcher carried out an experiment with her freshman psychology students to answer the question: "Does college students' rate of learning a series of cognitive tasks differ in regard to gender and type of motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic)?"
-Refer to Exhibit 2-6.What is the dependent variable?
A) gender
B) type of motivation
C) college students
D) rate of learning task
E) freshman psychology students

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable in this experiment is the rate of learning a series of cognitive tasks, as this is what is being measured and compared between different groups (gender and type of motivation).

Question 14

Exhibit 2-6: A researcher carried out an experiment with her freshman psychology students to answer the question: "Does college students' rate of learning a series of cognitive tasks differ in regard to gender and type of motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic)?"
-Refer to Exhibit 2-6.What is the population?
A) gender
B) type of motivation
C) college students
D) rate of learning task
E) freshman psychology students

Accepted Answer

The population in this experiment is college students, as the researcher is studying their rate of learning a series of cognitive tasks. The other options (gender, type of motivation, rate of learning task, and freshman psychology students) are variables within the population that the researcher is studying.

Question 15

Which of the following represents the usual sequence of steps in the quantitative research process?
A) Reviewing the literature; formulating a problem; defining the variables operationally; developing measuring instruments; gathering data.
B) Stating the hypothesis; reviewing the literature; stating operational definitions of the variables; developing measuring instruments; gathering data.
C) Stating a problem; reviewing the literature; stating a hypothesis; constructing operational definitions of variables; developing measuring instruments; gathering data.
D) Reviewing the literature; identifying the variables; stating a problem; gathering data.

Accepted Answer

The usual sequence of steps in the quantitative research process includes stating a problem, reviewing the literature, stating a hypothesis, constructing operational definitions of variables, developing measuring instruments, and gathering data. This sequence describes the process of identifying a research question, reviewing existing literature on the topic, formulating a hypothesis, identifying the variables involved, articulating an operational definition for each variable, choosing appropriate measuring instruments, and collecting data to test the hypothesis. Option A has the correct steps but in the wrong order, while option B places too much emphasis on the hypothesis without considering the problem statement. Option D omits the step of operationalizing the variables.

Question 16

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Uses statistics to analyze the data.
A) qualitative
B) quantitative

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research uses statistical methods to analyze the data.

Question 17

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-4.What is the effect of residing in a one-parent home versus a two-parent home on a child's academic achievement?
A) Ex post facto
B) Correlational
C) Experimental
D) Historical
E) Survey

Accepted Answer

Ex post facto research is most appropriate for investigating the effect of residing in a one-parent home versus a two-parent home on a child's academic achievement because it allows researchers to examine the impact of an independent variable (family structure) on a dependent variable (academic achievement) after the fact, without manipulating the independent variable.

Question 18

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions.
-For which of the following questions would qualitative methodology be most appropriate?
A) How do taxpayers in the community feel about the Released-Time Religious Education Program for the elementary schools' fourth graders?
B) What is the effect of increased parental involvement on achievement in the elementary school?
C) How is the policy of inclusion working in the elementary schools of the community?
D) Is there a relationship between scores on a non-cognitive questionnaire and students' academic achievement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that...

Question 19

Which of the following illustrates an operational definition?
A) Creativity defined as ratings of drawing by three professors of art education
B) Achievement defined as scores obtained on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills
C) Creativity defined as divergent thinking
D) Math anxiety defined as scores on a math anxiety scale
E) a, b, and d

Accepted Answer

Option A provides an example of subjective definition since it relies on individual perception of art professors. Option B provides a concrete, measurable definition of achievement. Option C provides a more specific definition of creativity, but it isn't operational since it's not clear how divergent thinking will be measured. Option D provides an operational definition by using a scale to measure math anxiety. Therefore, options A, B, and D belong to the correct category, and the correct answer is E.

Question 20

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions.
-Refer to Exhibit 2-4.Do students who score well on a foreign language placement test also perform well in the language class?
A) Ex post facto
B) Correlational
C) Experimental
D) Historical
E) Survey

Accepted Answer

A correlational study would be the most appropriate methodology as it examines the relationship between two variables (foreign language placement test scores and performance in a language class). An experimental study would be difficult to conduct in this scenario, as randomly assigning students to different language classes based on their placement test scores could be impractical or unethical. An ex post facto study would not work either, as the researcher cannot manipulate the independent variable (placement test scores) since it has already occurred. A historical study would not be appropriate either, as it focuses on understanding past events or phenomena rather than current relationships. A survey could be used, but it may not provide as direct a measure of the relationship between the variables as a correlational study.

Quiz 2: The Scientific Approach in Education

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions. -Refer to Exhibit 2-4.How do graduating seniors from Central State University assess the quality of their undergraduate education?

A teacher designed a study to investigate the effect of using computer exercises to teach second grade math concepts.This research could be described as

Study A investigated the effect of level of anxiety on students' speed of learning nonsense syllables.Study B investigated the effect of students' intelligence on their level of anxiety.The variable anxiety is the

Experimental research, in contrast with nonexperimental research, focuses on

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research. -Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Requires subjective observation.

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research. -Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Emphasizes the context of the inquiry.

Which of the following best describes the meaning of a construct?

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions. -Refer to Exhibit 2-4.How were young women educated in the South in the mid-nineteenth century?

A researcher who wants to investigate the claim that drinking moderate amounts of red wine will promote a healthy heart would most likely use the ____ method.

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research. -Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Emphasizes hypothesis-testing.

Which of the following represents the usual sequence of steps in the quantitative research process?

Exhibit 2-5: Indicate whether the following characteristics are most typical of qualitative research or quantitative research. -Refer to Exhibit 2-5.Uses statistics to analyze the data.

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions. -Refer to Exhibit 2-4.What is the effect of residing in a one-parent home versus a two-parent home on a child's academic achievement?

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions. -For which of the following questions would qualitative methodology be most appropriate?

Which of the following illustrates an operational definition?

Exhibit 2-4: Choose the research methodology that would be most appropriate for investigating each of the following research questions. -Refer to Exhibit 2-4.Do students who score well on a foreign language placement test also perform well in the language class?