Question 1

What is a theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a theory?...

Question 2

Madison is interested in how many of the children in her school come from single-parent, intact, and blended families. What method of research would she use?
A) correlational
B) quasi-experimental
C) experimental
D) descriptive

Accepted Answer

Madison would use descriptive research, which involves observing and describing a behavior or phenomenon, in this case the family structures of the children in her school. This method does not manipulate variables or establish cause-and-effect relationships, but rather provides a snapshot of the current state of the phenomenon being studied.

Question 3

What are the steps of scientific inquiry?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the steps of scientific inquiry?...

Question 4

Which of the following methods provides information about past trends?
A) historical
B) correlational
C) experimental
D) descriptive

Accepted Answer

The historical method involves researching and analyzing past events and trends, and provides information about how things have changed over time.

Question 5

Ann divides her classes into two groups - a treatment group and a non-treatment group - to test whether her new method of teaching subtraction is better than her old method. This is an example of what type of research?
A) historical
B) quasi-experimental
C) correlational
D) experimental research

Accepted Answer

This is an example of experimental research, as Ann has divided her participants into two groups and is manipulating a variable (teaching method) to see if it has an effect on the outcome (subtraction skills). Quasi-experimental research may not involve random assignment to groups and historical research looks at past events rather than testing a hypothesis. Correlational research examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them.

Question 6

How do researchers who do historical research collect information?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do researchers who do historical research...

Question 7

Matthew thinks that there is a relationship between parenting style and self-esteem in children. Which research method should he use?
A) correlational
B) quasi-experimental
C) descriptive
D) historical

Accepted Answer

Matthew wants to investigate the relationship between parenting style and self-esteem, which requires examining the extent to which changes in the level of one variable correspond to changes in the level of another. Therefore, he should use a correlational research method.

Question 8

What is a characteristic of quasi-experimental research?
A) does not establish cause and effect relationships
B) assignment to groups based on some pre-determined characteristic
C) has the highest degree of control over the factors being examined
D) assignment to groups is random in nature

Accepted Answer

Quasi-experimental research involves the allocation of participants to groups based on a pre-existing characteristic, such as age or gender. It does not involve random assignment, which is a defining characteristic of experimental research. While quasi-experimental research can provide some evidence of a causal relationship between variables, it is generally not as strong as the evidence provided by true experimental designs, which have the highest degree of control over the factors being examined.

Question 9

What is the major difference between applied and basic research?
A) basic research takes longer to complete
B) applied research is less important
C) basic research is more traditional
D) basic research has no immediate application

Accepted Answer

The major difference between applied and basic research is that basic research has no immediate application, while applied research is aimed at solving specific practical problems. Basic research is focused on gaining a deeper understanding of a particular phenomenon or concept, while applied research is focused on finding solutions to real-world issues.

Question 10

Why would data reflect a relationship between number of crimes committed and ice cream consumption?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why would data reflect a relationship between...

Question 11

The scientific method is described in the textbook as:
A) restricted to use in correlational research
B) having no immediate application at the time research is completed
C) a standard sequence of steps in formulating and answering a question
D) the study of phenomena within the social and cultural context in which they occur

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is a standard sequence of steps in formulating and answering a research question. It involves observation, hypothesis formation, data collection, analysis, and conclusion. It is applicable to all kinds of research, including correlational research. The scientific method is not restricted to any particular field of study and has immediate applications in research. It is concerned with understanding phenomena within their social and cultural contexts but does not exclusively focus on them.

Question 12

What is the difference between nonexperimental and experimental research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between nonexperimental and...

Question 13

What is the difference between applied and basic research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between applied and...

Question 14

Why do scientists use inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do scientists use inferential statistics?...

Question 15

Samantha is interested in studying the relationship between gender differences and verbal ability. This is an example of what type of research?
A) descriptive
B) quasi-experimental
C) correlational
D) gender research

Accepted Answer

Samantha is looking for a relationship between two variables, gender and verbal ability. So, this research is correlational, which is a type of research that evaluates the relationship between two or more variables. Other options, such as descriptive or experimental, do not necessarily involve the evaluation of the relationship between variables like correlational research. "Gender research" is not a recognized category of research method.

Question 16

Why is it important that research be replicable?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it important that research be...

Question 17

What is one characteristic of poor research?
A) based on the work of other researchers
B) incremental
C) a political activity
D) leads to additional questions

Accepted Answer

Poor research often has a bias or agenda, which can be reflected in it being a political activity, rather than being objective and based on empirical evidence.

Question 18

What is another term for basic research?
A) real research
B) pure research
C) applied research
D) baseline research

Accepted Answer

Basic research is also known as pure research because its purpose is to gain knowledge and understanding about a particular topic or phenomenon, without any immediate practical application or use.

Question 19

What is the most important step in the research process?
A) testing the hypothesis
B) data collection
C) formulating the hypothesis
D) asking the question

Accepted Answer

Asking the question is the most important step as it sets the foundation for the entire research process. Without a clear and focused question, the research can lack direction and purpose.

Question 20

How many steps are included in the research process?
A) 4
B) 6
C) 8
D) 9

Accepted Answer

The research process typically includes 8 steps: identifying a problem, reviewing literature, specifying a purpose, collecting data, analyzing data, interpreting and reporting data, and evaluating research.

Quiz 1: The Role and Importance of Research

What is a theory?

Madison is interested in how many of the children in her school come from single-parent, intact, and blended families. What method of research would she use?

What are the steps of scientific inquiry?

Which of the following methods provides information about past trends?

Ann divides her classes into two groups - a treatment group and a non-treatment group - to test whether her new method of teaching subtraction is better than her old method. This is an example of what type of research?

How do researchers who do historical research collect information?

Matthew thinks that there is a relationship between parenting style and self-esteem in children. Which research method should he use?

What is a characteristic of quasi-experimental research?

What is the major difference between applied and basic research?

Why would data reflect a relationship between number of crimes committed and ice cream consumption?

The scientific method is described in the textbook as:

What is the difference between nonexperimental and experimental research?

What is the difference between applied and basic research?

Why do scientists use inferential statistics?

Samantha is interested in studying the relationship between gender differences and verbal ability. This is an example of what type of research?

Why is it important that research be replicable?

What is one characteristic of poor research?

What is another term for basic research?

What is the most important step in the research process?

How many steps are included in the research process?