An Introduction to Research.

Question 1

Is imagination more important than knowledge?

Answer 1

It depends on whom you ask, and what you ask about, and when.

Question 2

Name 5 Characteristics of research.

Answer 2

Systematic, 
Logical, 
Empirical, 
Reductive, 
Replicable.

Question 3

Problems, methods, data, analysis, interpretations, conclusions is?

Answer 3

Systematic.

Question 4

Others can evaluate conclusions drawn is?

Answer 4

Logical.

Question 5

Conclusions based on date is?

Answer 5

Empirical.

Question 6

Data used to establish general relationships is?

Answer 6

Reductive.

Question 7

The research process is recorded and others can repeat or build on that research is?

Answer 7

Replicable.

Question 8

What are the steps to the scientific method?

Answer 8

Step 1: Developing the Problem
- Identification of the independent and dependent variables.
- Independent variable: What the researcher is manipulating.
-Dependent variable: The effect of the independent variable
Step 2: Formulating the Hypothesis
- Hypothesis: The anticipated outcome of a study or experiment
Step 3: Gathering the Data
- Internal validity: Extent to which the results can be attributed to the treatments used in the study
- External validity: The generalizability of the results

Question 9

For exploring and understanding meanings ascribed by individuals or groups is what kind of research?

Answer 9

Qualitative research.

Question 9

For exploring and understanding meanings ascribed by individuals or groups is what kind of research?

Answer 9

Qualitative research.

Question 10

For theory testing, describing status on variables, and looking at relations among variables is what of research?

Answer 10

Quantitative research.

Question 10

For theory testing, describing status on variables, and looking at relations among variables is what of research?

Answer 10

Quantitative research.

Question 11

Combines quantitative and qualitative forms is what kind of research?

Answer 11

Mixed methods research.

Question 11

Combines quantitative and qualitative forms is what kind of research?

Answer 11

Mixed methods research.

Question 12

What are Creswell (2009) four world views?

Answer 12

• Postpositivism
• Constructtivism
• Transformative
• Pragmatism.

Question 12

What are Creswell (2009) four world views?

Answer 12

• Postpositivism
• Constructtivism
• Transformative
• Pragmatism.

Question 13

What is Postpositivism?

Answer 13

Based on the notion of a single reality and “objective truth”

• Associated with the scientific method and quantitative research (e.g., experiments, surveys)
• Research should be unbiased and objective

Question 13

What is Postpositivism?

Answer 13

Based on the notion of a single reality and “objective truth”

• Associated with the scientific method and quantitative research (e.g., experiments, surveys)
• Research should be unbiased and objective

Question 14

What is Constructivism?

Answer 14

Based on the notion of multiple realities and meanings as varied and multiple

• There is a focus on complexity of views, rather than a narrowing to few categories or ideas
• Researchers recognize that their own backgrounds shape interpretations
• Qualitative dominant (e.g., phenomenology, ethnography)

Question 14

What is Constructivism?

Answer 14

Based on the notion of multiple realities and meanings as varied and multiple

• There is a focus on complexity of views, rather than a narrowing to few categories or ideas
• Researchers recognize that their own backgrounds shape interpretations
• Qualitative dominant (e.g., phenomenology, ethnography)

Question 15

What is Transformative?

Answer 15

Based on the notion that research needs to be intertwined with politics and political agenda

• There is a focus on action and reform that might change the lives of the participants in the study
• Researchers work collaboratively with participants
• Qualitative dominant (e.g., participatory action research)

Question 15

What is Transformative?

Answer 15

Based on the notion that research needs to be intertwined with politics and political agenda

• There is a focus on action and reform that might change the lives of the participants in the study
• Researchers work collaboratively with participants
• Qualitative dominant (e.g., participatory action research)

Question 16

What is Pragmastism?

Answer 16

Based on the notion that research needs to be concerned with “what works” and solutions to problems

• There is a no commitment to a single notion of reality
• Researchers use whatever methods work best
• Mixed methods dominant

Question 16

What is Pragmastism?

Answer 16

Based on the notion that research needs to be concerned with “what works” and solutions to problems

• There is a no commitment to a single notion of reality
• Researchers use whatever methods work best
• Mixed methods dominant

Question 17

What is a statistic?

Answer 17

• An objective means of interpreting data

Question 18

What do statistics inform you about?

Answer 18

• Reliability

- Meaningfulness

Question 19

measures of _________________ and _____________ are the most fundamental components of most statistical techniques

Answer 19

Central Tendency

Variability

Question 20

What is the mean?

Answer 20

Most common measure of central tendency.

Question 21

What is a median?

Answer 21

number occurring at the midpoint of the series

Note: If there is an even number of scores, take the mean of the two mid-point scores

Question 22

What is the mode?

Answer 22

Most frequently occurring number.

Question 23

What is the variability?

Answer 23

The best estimate of the spread of scores.

Question 24

What is standard deviation?

Answer 24

Simply the square root of variance.