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C224 WGU Exam Prep Questions (1)

Terms in this set (55)

Pragmatism
On which principle do mixed methods researchers base their design and research?
What is the purpose of evidence in research?

A. Determine truths

B. Support theories

C. Improve thinking

D. Prove practices
B. Support theories
A team of educational researchers plan to conduct a local study in the community in order to resolve a critical problem at hand. What variety of research does this represent?
A. Action

B. Experimental

C. Predictive

D. Basic
A. Action
what is the name of the process where one determines the truth of a conclusion by determining the truth of the underlying premises?

A. Inductive reasoning

B. Empiricism

C. Rationalism

D. Deductive reasoning
D. Deductive Reasoning
Theories A and B provide explanations for variance in students' academic performance. Both theories explain performance well; however theory A is more concise and succinct.
Which approach for evaluating quality is applied to determine that theory A is preferred for explaining the phenomenon?

A. The rule of parsimony

B. The theoretical explanations

C. the principle of evidence

D. The criterion of falsifiability
A. The rule of parsimony
What is the primary objective of education research that studies a phenomenon about which little is known?

A. To understand

B. To predict

C. To integrate

D. To describe
A. To understand
What does quantitative research attempt to test through the collection of numerical data?

A. Assumptions

B. Values

C. Theories

D. Hypothesis
D. Hypothesis
Which two views are consistent with the assumptions of quantitative research?Choose 2 answers
A. predictive behavior allows for hypothesis development.

B. Personal viewpoints are meaningful

C. Contextual factors outweigh individual experiences

D. Situational variables affect perceptions and experiences

E. Human behavior
A. Predictive behavior allows for hypothesis development

E. Human behavior
What type of statistics allows quantitative researchers to draw conclusions about populations?

A. Predictive

B. Inferential

C. Quantitative

D. Descriptive
B. Inferential
What is a variable in educational research?

A. A characteristic that does not vary across participants

B. A measurable characteristic

C. A quantitative value

D. A person or thing on whom we collect data
B. A Measurable characteristic
Assuming the effects of extraneous variables have been accounted for, a cause-and-effect relationship between variables is present when what occurs?A. changes in the dependent variable causes no change in the independent variable

B. Changes in the independent variable cause changes in the dependent variable

C. Changes in the independent variable cause no change in the dependent variable

D. Changes in the dependent variable cause change in the independent variable
B. Changes in the independent variable cause changes in the dependent variable
What is the main strength of quantitative research?
A. produces integrated knowledge that informs theory and practice

B. Approximate casual relationships through experimental research studies

C. contributes to a complex understanding about events or phenomenon

D. describes the complexities of local situations
B. Approximate casual relationships through experimental research studies
A researcher wants to test a specific hypothesis and applies random assignment for the study.
Which quantitative research method should be used for this study?

A. Correctional

B. Causal- Comparative

C. Experimental

D. Grounded theory
C. Experimental
Which major research approach seeks to understand people's subjective and shared experiences through systematic observations?

A. Qualitative

B. Action

C. Mixed method

D. Quantitative
A. Qualitative
The results of a study showed that as a daily cholesterol consumptions increases, life expectancy tends to decrease.
What type of correlation can be seen in this result?

A. Positive

B. Negative

C. Zero

D. perfect
B. Negative
which are theoretical frameworks of qualitative research? Choose 3 answers

A. Case study

B. Experimental

C. Grounded theory

D. Non experimental

E. Ethnography
A. Case study

C. Grounded theory

E. Ethnography
Which three views of human thought and behavior are characteristic of qualitative research? Choose 3 answers

A. it is highly situational

B. it occurs in regular patterns

C. it is fluid D. it is predictable

E. it is personal
A. it is highly situational

C. it is fluid

E. it is personal
Which type of qualitative data analysis places a high priority on being true to, respecting, and capturing the details of individual situations?
A. inductive analysis

B. Holistic perspective

C. Voice, perspective, and reflexivity

D. Unique case orientation

E. Context sensitivity
D. Unique Case Orientation
Which two characteristics of data collection and analysis are common to the theoretical framework of qualitative research? Choose 2 answers

A. Context sensitive

B. Statistical

C. Triangulated

D. Time limited

E. Rigid
A. Context sensitive

C. Triangulated
What is the main strength of qualitative research?

A. produces integrated knowledge that informs theory and practice

B. generates results that are relatively independent of the researcher

C. empowers practitioners to contribute to knowledge base

D. leads to a complex understanding about events or phenomenon
D. Leads to a complex understanding about events or phenomenon
What is the purpose of a mixed method study that is conducted to extend the breadth and range of inquiry by using different methods for different inquiry components?

A. Expansion

B. Initiation

C. Triangulation

D. Complementarity
A. Expansion
On which principle do mixed methods researchers base their design and research?

A. Relativism

B. Pragmatism

C. Realism

D. Pluralism
B. Pragmatism
What are the three strengths of mixed method research? Choose 3 answers

A. it uses it strength of one method to overcome the limitations in another method
B. it empowers local practitioners to contribute to knowledge

C. it provides stronger evidence for a conclusion through convergence.

D. it is useful for testing hypotheses constructed before the date are collected

E. it is effective for testing and validating theories that have already been constructed

F. it provides stronger evidence for corroboration of findings through triangulation
A. it uses it strength of one method to overcome the limitations in another method

C. it provides stronger evidence for a conclusion through convergence.

F. it provides stronger evidence for corroboration of findings through triangulation
What must the researcher determine before conducting a mixed analysis?Choose 2 answers

A. The type of variables

B. The type of validity

C. The type of analysis

D. The type of data
C. the type of analysis

D. the type of data
What are two purposes of action research?Choose 2 answers

A. to address the need for generalizable findings

B. to engage local practitioners in inquiry

C. to focus on solving specific problems

D. to employ experimental designs in a controlled setting
B. To engage local practitioners in inquiry

C. To focus on solving specific problems
Which research approach views research with the attitude of being both a practitioner and a researcher?

A. Qualitative

B. Action

C. Quantitative

D. Mixed methods
B. Action
To obtain results that are defensible and trustworthy, what should action researchers do?

A. Gather and keep track of evidence of successful and effective interventions

B. Keep repeating the action cycle until noticeable change occurs and then document it

C. Informally describe an observations made during the investigations

D. Verbally communicate observations to others in regular meetings.
B. keep repeating the action cycle until noticeable change occurs and then document it
What are two limitations of action research ?Choose 2 answers

A. it produces small-scale results that are difficult to generalize to different and larger contexts.

B. it does not lead itself to making statements of cause and effect

C. it is difficult for a single researcher to carry out

D. it is more expensive than other types of research
A. it produces small-scale results that are difficult to generalize to different and larger contexts.

B. it does not lead itself to making statements of cause and effect
What belief did John Dewey hold that influenced action researchers?

A. there is a definite beginning and end to inquiry

B. experimentation is best carried out be researchers

C. what works in one school will automatically work in another school.

D. it is impossible to find a universal truths through research
D. it is impossible to find a universal truths through research
What is the emphasis of action science(AS), a form of action research?

A. political systems

B. Organizations

C. Individuals

D. Families
B. organizations
Which of these questions is most likely asked during the "reflect" phase of action research?


A. which aspects of the intervention worked and which didn't work?

B. Are we collecting data?

C. Will this intervention address the target issue?

D. Who is doing what part of the intervention?
A. which aspects of the intervention worked and which didn't work?
Classify each research method as belonging to either the quantitative or qualitative research.

Grounded theory

Experimental

Ethnography

Case study

Non experimental
Grounded theory- Qualitative

Research experimental- Quantitative research

Ethnography- Qualitative research

Case study- Qualitative research

non experimental- Quantitative research
Which research activity is occurring when a researcher assigns numerical scores to achievement tests by adding up the total number of correct answers?

A. Questionnaire construction

B. Triangulation of qualitative research data

C. Statistical analysis

D. Measurement
D. Measurement
Which scale of measurement has a true zero point?

A. Ordinal

B. Interval

C. Ratio

D. Nominal
C. Ratio
Which example address evidence of validity?

A. a researcher examines how consistently two raters score a behavioral observation

B. a researcher examines how well a measure of self-control predicts how long children will wait for a prize.

C, a researcher examines how closely scores correlate on two forms of the same test

D. researcher compares scores on two administrations of a test administered a week apart
D.Researcher compares scores on two administrations of a test administered a week apart
What is theoretical validity?
A. the degree to which the researchers' explanations fit the data

B. The accuracy of the portrayal of the perspective and meanings of the participants

C. The factual accuracy of an account as reported be the researchers

D. The generalizability of the results to other cases and contexts
A. The degree to which the researchers' explanations fit the data
What term refers to the extent to which a study's results can be generalized across populations of a persons, settings, times, outcomes, and treatment variations

A. Internal validity

B. Causal validity

C. Statistical conclusion validity

D. External validity
D. External validity
What does weakness minimization validity in mixed research refer to?
A. the degree to which a research makes appropriate conclusions, generalizations, and meta-inferences from mixed samples

B. The degree to which a researcher addresses the interests, values, and viewpoints of multiple stakeholders

C. The degree to which the mixed researcher clearly explains his or her philosophical beliefs about research

D. The degree to which mixed researchers combine quantitative approaches that have non-overlapping limitations
D. The degree to which mixed researchers combine quantitative approaches that have
non-overlapping limitations
An action researcher designs a study that has a weak internal validity. What might the researcher do to help strengthen the research?

A. Address issues in the research that might directly limit generalization

B. Use mixed methods to align both the strengths and limitations of each approach

C. Use qualitative methods and focus on descriptive validity

D. Adjust for these limitations by enhancing statistical conclusion validity
B. Use mixed methods to align both the strengths and limitations of each approach
An investigator decided that a quantitative research study would be appropriate. Which of these factors would have led to this decision?

A. Wanting to determine the benefits of a new strategy

B. Wanted to determine cause-and-effect relationships under controlled conditions

C. Wanting to provide a complex explanation incorporating multiple perspectives

D. Wanting to observe behaviors as they occur in natural settings.
B. Wanted to determine cause-and-effect relationships under controlled conditions
Match each type of research report with the corresponding type of qualitative research. Case study, ethnography, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, phenomenology

A. Account that includes patterns, connections, and insight

B. Holistic narrative the triangulates data and places study into meaningful context

C. Rich narrative that lets readers experience phenomenon through eyes of participants

D. extensive description of physical and social settings aimed at holistic understanding

E. Methodological description followed by proposed idea built during the study
A. Narrative inquiry

B. Case study

C. Phenomenology

D. Ethnography

E. Grounded theory
Once a mixed approach has been selected, what must researchers consider in constructing their research design?

A. whether or not data analysis will be conducted.

B. whether they can introduce sufficient controls into their experiment

C. whether one paradigm will be given priority over the other

D. whether mixed research is appropriate for the research questions
D. Whether mixed research is appropriate for the research questions
Which two types of calculations are descriptive statistics designed to interpret?Choose 2 answers

A. measure of spread

B. Interval estimations

C. Average

D. Point estimates

E. Effect size
A. Measure of spread

C. Average
Given the following set of test scores: 60 83 74 64 52 83 81 94 79 90 What is the mode?

A. 74

B.80

C. 83

D. 94
C. 83
What type of statistic do researchers use to draw conclusion about characteristics of a population based upon a sample?

A. Inferential statistics

B. Point estimates

C. Descriptive statistics

D. Interval estimations
A. Inferential Statistics
What are two steps of hypothesis testing? Choose 2 answers

A. Identify the independent variable

B. Estimate the characteristics of populations based on data

C. Obtain the probability value

D. State the null and alternative hypotheses
C. Obtain the probability value

D. State the null and alternative hypotheses
What are two primary purposes of a literature review? Choose 2 answers

A. Determine whether a problem has already been researched

B. Discuss the result of the data analysis

C. Address the effects of research bias in a study

D. Pint out methodological problems associated with a research question

E. Develop a plan for sampling from a population
A. Determine whether a problem has already been researched

D. Point out methodological problems associated with a research question
Which three documents would include an APA-style literature review?

Choose 3 answers

A. Research report

B. Lesson plans

C. Newspaper article

D. Research proposal

E. Peer-reviews journal article F. "How-to" newsletter article
C. Newspaper article

E. Peer-reviews journal article

F. "How-to" newsletter article
ow does a statement of purpose differ from a research question in a quantitative study?

A. The purpose statement describes the type of relationship between variables while the research questions asks if a specific relationship exists between variables

B. The purpose statement names variables to be studied while the research question asks what type of relationship exists between variables

C. The purpose statement describe a specific relationship between variables while the research questions asks what type of relationship exist between variables

D. The purpose statement predicts the relationship between variables to be studied while the research question asks what type of relationship exist between variables
B. The purpose statement names variables to be studied while the research question asks what type of relationship exists between variables
Why are research questions essential to a study?

A. They provide a vague idea of the research problem under investigation

B. They state the method by which data will be collected and analyzed

C. They help to pinpoint exactly what is being investigated

D. They provide the "best guess" about the relationship between variables studied
A. They provide a vague idea of the research problem under investigation
What is meant be a method of data collection?

A. The procedures that are followed to obtain data

B. The steps that are involved in selecting participants for a study

C. The overall design and strategy for a research study

D. The computer program that runs statistical calculations on data
A. The procedures that are followed to obtain data
Match each description with the method of data collection it describes. Focus group, interview, questionnaire, test

A. Data obtained by having participants fill out an instrument or perform a behavior designed to measure their ability or degree of skill

B. Data gathered by discussing issues with multiple research participants at the same time in a small-group

C. Data obtained by having research participates fill out self-report instruments

D. Data gathered by researcher talking to individual participants
A. test

B. Focus group

C. Questionnaire

D. Interview
Which two statements about samples and populations are correct?Choose 2 answers

A. A population is a set of elements taken from a sample

B. A sample contains one half the number of elements in a population

C. A sample is a set of elements taken from a population

D. Sample results are generalized to a population

E. Population results are generalized to a sample
C. A sample is a set of elements taken from a population

D. sample results are generalized to a population
Which of the following are examples of random assignment for a research experiment? Choose 2 answers

A. Randomly placing 20 administrators into one of four groups to be studied

B. Randomly selecting 4 vocational programs for evaluation in a study

C. Randomly putting 150 college athletes into three different exercise groups for a study

D. Randomly selecting 15 professors from the psychology department for a study
C. Randomly putting 150 college athletes into three different exercise groups for a study

D. Randomly selecting 15 professors from the psychology department for a study
Why is necessary to obtain informed consent from research participants?

A. In order to describe aspects of the study that may influence willingness to participate

B. In order to share information about other participants in the study

C. In order to provide them with information about the investigator's past research studies

D. In order to forewarn them about any deception that will be used in the study
A. In order to describe aspects of the study that may influence willingness to participate
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