Research Methods Exam

Question 1

The Four Types of Knowledge

Answer 1

description, prediction, improvement, and explanation

Question 2

Quantitative Research Question

Answer 2

a question about the relationship that exists between two or more variables

Question 3

Qualitative Research Question

Answer 3

a question that asks a question about some process, issue, or phenomenon to be explored

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 5

Quantitative Research

Answer 5

research that collects and reports data primarily in numerical form

Question 6

Independent Variable

Answer 6

a variable that is presumed to cause a change in another variable

Question 7

Dependent Variable

Answer 7

a variable that is presumed to be influenced by one or more independent variables

Question 8

Extraneous Variable

Answer 8

something unwanted or unexpected that might affect the dependent variable

Question 9

Control Variable

Answer 9

a variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment

Question 10

True Experimental

Answer 10

quantitative research in which the researcher manipulates the independent variable

Question 11

Pretest-Posttest

Answer 11

a research design that includes an observation both before and after the intervention

Question 12

Posttest Only Control Group

Answer 12

giving a posttest to two randomly assigned groups of participants after one group has been given the experimental treatment condition

Question 13

Posttest Only with Nonequivalent Groups

Answer 13

Comparing posttest performance of a group of participants given the experiment treatment with one that has not

Question 14

Quasi-Experimental

Answer 14

has two goals: identifying relationships or phenomenon by its occurrences and creating predictions based on the patterns

Question 15

ABAB Design

Answer 15

an experimental design, often involving a single subject, wherein a baseline period (A) is followed by a treatment (B). To confirm that the treatment resulted in a change in behavior, the treatment is then withdrawn (A) and reinstated (B).

Question 16

Pre-Experimental

Answer 16

follows the basic experimental research steps but doesn’t include a control group; single group studied but no comparisons between a non-experimental group is made

Question 17

One-Shot Case Study

Answer 17

a single group of subjects is measured on a dependent variable following an experimental stimulus

Question 18

The One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design

Answer 18

an experiment in which a researcher recruits one group of participants; measures them on a pretest; exposes them to a treatment, intervention, or change; and then measures them on a posttest

Question 19

The Static Group Comparison

Answer 19

includes experimental and control groups, but no pre-test; doesn’t reflect if a change has occurred

Question 20

Descriptive Design

Answer 20

study designs in which the researcher defines a problem and variable of interest but makes no prediction and does not control or manipulate anything

Question 21

Observational Design

Answer 21

observations made under precisely defined conditions, in a systematic and objective manner

Question 22

Survey Design

Answer 22

research strategy in which participants are asked to complete a questionnaire or survey; nonexperimental research

Question 23

Correlational Design

Answer 23

an attempt to determine the extent to which two variables are related

Question 24

Causal-Comparative Design

Answer 24

an attempt to determine the cause of differences that already exist between or among groups of individuals

Question 25

Qualitative Research

Answer 25

research that relies on what is seen in field or naturalist settings more than on statistical data

Question 26

Postmodernism

Answer 26

a reaction to scientific or objective effort to explain reality; many, if not all, apparent realities are only social constructs and are subject to change

Question 27

The Case Study Approach

Answer 27

a descriptive research approach that involves intensive examination of one or a few individuals

Question 28

Ethnographic Research Methods

Answer 28

systematic observation of a completely social environment; in the field and/or in the culture which is being studied

Question 29

Grounded Theory

Answer 29

an inductive method of generating theory from data by creating categories in which to place data and then looking for relationships among categories

Question 30

The Phenomenological Approach

Answer 30

the assumption that one must appreciate individuals’ personal, subjective experiences to truly understand their behavior

Question 31

The Historical Approach

Answer 31

the process of learning and understanding the background and growth of a chosen field of study or profession can offer insight into organizational culture, current trends, and about the future

Question 32

Content Analysis

Answer 32

research tool used to find certain words in texts or sets of texts; analysis of presence, meaning, and relationships of those words/concepts then make inferences about them

Question 33

Narrative Inquiry

Answer 33

research that views stories - whether gathered through field notes, interview, oral tales, blogs, letters, or autobiographies - as fundamental to human experience

Question 34

Q Methodology

Answer 34

studies people’s “subjectivity” or viewpoints

Question 35

Evidence-Based Practice

Answer 35

applying the best available research evidence in certain fields to enhance outcomes

Question 36

Triangulation

Answer 36

the area under investigation is looked at from different (two or more) perspectives; can include two or more methods, sample groups or investigators

Question 37

Sequential Explanatory Model

Answer 37

the collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by qualitative data, with priority given to quantitative data; two methods are integrated into interpretation phase of study

Question 38

Sequential Exploratory Model

Answer 38

an initial phase of qualitative data collection and analysis, followed by a phase of quantitative data collection/analysis; priority given to qualitative aspects

Question 39

Sequential Transformative Model

Answer 39

has two distinct data collection phases, but this model as a distinct theoretical perspective guiding the study; employs the methods that will best serve the theoretical perspective of the researcher

Question 40

Concurrent Triangulation Model

Answer 40

model of choice when a researcher uses two different methods in an attempt to confirm, cross-validate, or corroborate findings within a single study; concurrent data collection for quantitative/qualitative phases

Question 41

Concurrent Nested Model

Answer 41

one data collection phase; given less priority, one method (quantitative or qualitative) is embedded within another

Question 42

Concurrent Transformative Model

Answer 42

guided by the researchers use of a specfiic theoretical perspective; can take design features from triangulation or nested approaches; assumes a transformative framework, which makes this more appealing to researchers operating from that orientation