Qualitative

The general sequence of steps in the educational research process is best described . a.Executing the data collection, planning the study, then reporting the findings. b.Reporting the findings, planning the study, then executing the data collection. c.Planning the study, reporting the findings, then executing the data collection. d.Planning the study, executing the data collection, then reporting the findings.

What is the primary purpose of conducting a "literature review" before beginning a new research study?. a.To copy the methodology of previous studies exactly. b.To demonstrate that the new research idea has never been thought of before. c.To identify what is already known and to find a gap that the new study can address. d.To prove that all prior research on the topic is flawed.

3. In which type of qualitative research strategy does the researcher aim to generate a new theory that is directly "grounded" in the data they collect?. a.Case Study. b.Phenomenology. c.Grounded Theory. d.Ethnography.

4. A researcher first conducts a quantitative survey with a large group and then follows up with qualitative interviews with a few participants to help explain the survey results. This is an example of what kind of mixed methods design?. a.Transformative Design. b.Explanatory Sequential Design. c.Exploratory Sequential Design. d.Convergent Design.

5. After identifying a general research problem, what is typically the next logical step in structuring a qualitative research study?. a.Select a specific qualitative methodology (e.g., case study, ethnography). b.Conduct a thorough review of existing literature on the topic. c.Immediately begin collecting data from participants. d.Determine the sample size needed for statistical validity.

6. A study aims to develop a new theory about how high school teachers adapt to using new technology in their classrooms. The theory will be generated solely from data collected through interviews and observations. Which strategy is best suited for this goal?. a.Grounded Theory. b.Ethnography. c.Phenomenology. d.Case Study.

7. A research team spends six months embedded in a remote village to understand the cultural rituals, social structures, and daily practices of its community. Which qualitative strategy are they using?. a.Phenomenology. b.Grounded Theory. c.Ethnography. d.Case Study.

8. A research study progresses through several key stages. Which of the following sequences represents the most logical and standard order of these stages?. a.Hypothesis Formulation -> Report Writing -> Data Collection -> Problem Identification. b.Data Collection -> Data Analysis -> Report Writing -> Problem Identification. c.Research Design -> Problem Identification -> Data Analysis -> Data Collection. d.Problem Identification -> Research Design -> Data Collection -> Data Analysis -> Reporting.

9. Why is educational research considered crucial for improving classroom practice?. a.It provides teachers with a guaranteed method for student success. b.It relies on developing new technologies for every classroom. c.It focuses primarily on proving that one teaching style is the best. d.It offers evidence-based insights and strategies to address educational challenges.

10. In narrative inquiry, the unit of analysis is primarily: a.The stories and personal accounts told by individuals about their lived experiences. b.The observed behavior of participants in a controlled laboratory setting. c.Thematically coded variables that are measured for frequency. d.Statistical averages derived from a large sample size.

11. The primary objectives of research, as a scientific and systematic search, can be best summarized as which of the following?. a.To generate as much data as possible on a given topic. b.To support the arguments of a specific organization or policy. c.To discover new facts, verify existing theories, and analyze relationships to expand knowledge. d.To prove a predetermined belief or opinion.

12. The research process is often described as a cyclical rather than a linear process. This is primarily because: a.The conclusions of one study often generate new questions and hypotheses for future research. b.Researchers often have to abandon their initial hypotheses entirely. c.Data collection must always be repeated multiple times for validity. d.The literature review is only conducted after data has been analyzed.

13. A key methodological feature that distinguishes ethnography from other qualitative approaches is its reliance on: a.Standardized psychological inventories administered to participants. b.Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews conducted in a laboratory. c.Extensive, long-term participant observation in the field. d.Historical archives and public documents as primary data sources.

14. What is a primary reason a researcher might choose to use a mixed methods approach?. a.To prove that one type of data is better than the other. b.To get a more complete understanding by using the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods. c.To avoid having to analyze numerical data. d.Because it is the cheapest and fastest research method.

15. When formulating a research problem for a narrative inquiry study, which of the following considerations is most critical to ensure the problem is well-suited to the methodology?. a.The problem must be designed to isolate and test the effect of a single independent variable in a controlled setting. b.The problem must be framed to predict a relationship between two quantitatively defined constructs. c.The problem must be focused on capturing the detailed, lived experiences and personal stories of an individual or a small group. d.The problem must be defined in a way that allows for the measurement of variables across a large, representative sample.

16. A research team has identified a gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of a new teaching method. They have a well-defined problem and a thorough understanding of existing studies. According to the standard systematic process of conducting quality research, what is the most logical next step they should take?. a.Start analyzing the potential implications of their expected results. b.Select a research design and develop detailed plans for measurement and data collection. c.Write the final report, leaving spaces to insert the results later. d.Immediately begin collecting data from classrooms to test the new method.

17. In the research process, which of the following steps is crucial for ensuring that the study investigates a problem that has not been sufficiently addressed by previous research?. a.Defining the research problem. b.Formulating the hypothesis. c.Data analysis. d.Reviewing the literature.

18. What is the main defining feature of mixed methods research?. a.It uses only quantitative data collection techniques like surveys. b.It collects, analyzes, and integrates both quantitative and qualitative data. c.It is easier to conduct than other types of research. d.It uses only qualitative data collection techniques like interviews.

19. Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a qualitative research design, setting it apart from a typical quantitative design?. a. The primary goal is to establish statistical correlation between variables. b.It requires the use of a control group to ensure validity. c.It relies on standardized instruments to ensure reliability across studies. d.The design is emergent and flexible, often evolving as the study progresses.

20. Qualitative research is primarily characterized by its focus on: a.The statistical analysis of numerical data to test hypotheses. b.The collection and analysis of non-numerical data to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. c.Utilizing large-scale surveys to generate results that can be generalized to a whole population. d.Conducting research in a controlled laboratory environment to ensure objectivity.

21. How does existing literature most directly help a researcher in the planning stage of a new qualitative study?. a. It provides a set of predetermined conclusions that the new study must support. b.It helps to refine the research question and inform the choice of methodology. c.It guarantees that the study will be published in a academic journal. d.It provides proven questionnaires and instruments that must be used for data collection.

22. In a mixed methods study, what does the term "integration" refer to?. a.The process of connecting or combining the two types of data to draw a bigger conclusion. b.Using only one method to analyze all the data. c.Keeping the quantitative and qualitative results completely separate in the report. d.Throwing out the qualitative data if it doesn't match the numbers.

23. The ethical principle of "confidentiality" in qualitative research primarily means that: a.The researcher must protect the identity of the participants and not disclose private information. b.The researcher cannot publish the findings without government approval. c.The researcher must hide the true purpose of the study from the participants. d.The data collected must be destroyed immediately after the study is complete.

24. In a research proposal, what is the main function of a "Theoretical Framework"?. a.To list all the books and articles the researcher has read. b.To present the researcher's personal opinions and beliefs about the topic. c.To provide the foundational theory or concepts that guide the research, serving as a lens for understanding the topic. d.To describe the specific steps for data collection and analysis.

25. The process of "coding" qualitative data from interviews typically involves: a.Using statistical software to calculate averages and correlations from the responses. b.Selecting which participants' data will be used and which will be discarded. c.Translating the interview transcripts from one language to another. d.Assigning labels or "codes" to segments of text to identify key themes and patterns.

26. What is the primary focus of Discourse Analysis?. a.To understand how language is used in social contexts to construct meaning, identities, and power relations. b.To translate spoken conversation into written text for archival purposes. c.To count how often specific words or phrases appear in a text. d.To correct grammatical errors and improve the clarity of written language.

27. When analyzing data in a case study, what does "pattern matching" involve?. a.Creating decorative patterns to visualize the data. b.Selecting only the data that fits a pre-conceived theory. c.Comparing an empirically based pattern with a predicted one to strengthen internal validity. d.Matching participants into control and experimental groups.

28. According to John Creswell, a defining characteristic of qualitative research is that it involves an emergent and flexible design. What is the primary implication of this characteristic for a researcher?. a.It prioritizes the researcher's predetermined hypotheses over the participants' emerging views. b.It requires the use of a large, randomized sample to compensate for a shifting focus. c.The researcher must be prepared to adapt the study's questions and methods based on findings that arise in the field. d.The initial research plan must be strictly followed to maintain methodological consistency.

29. In the context of justifying a research problem, what does the "gap in the literature" typically refer to?. a.A missing, underexplored, or unresolved aspect within the existing body of knowledge on a topic. b.A misspelled word in a key research article. c.The time gap between when a study is proposed and when it is published. d.An area of research that has been overly studied and has too many publications.

30. Why is saving research data to a cloud storage service (like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox) considered a best practice for long-term preservation?. a.It guarantees that the data will be lost or corrupted under any circumstances. b.It provides automatic backup, access from any device, and protection against local hardware failure. c.It ensures the data remains completely anonymous and unsecure without any additional steps. d.It allows the researcher to permanently delete files from their personal computer to free up space.

31. When building a justification for a qualitative study, why is it important to discuss the potential practical implications of the research?. a.To demonstrate how the study's insights could be applied to real-world contexts, policies, or practices. b.To guarantee that the research findings will be implemented exactly as proposed. c.To prove that qualitative research is more practical than quantitative research. d.To fulfill a mandatory section requirement set by all universities, regardless of content.

32. What is the primary purpose of the "Statement of the Problem" section in a research proposal?. a.To list all the sources and references the researcher plans to use. b.To clearly identify and explain the specific issue, contradiction, or gap that the research will address. c.To present the expected results and conclusions of the study. d.To describe the methods and procedures for collecting data.

33. When discussing the findings of a new study, a researcher compares his results with those found in the existing literature. What is the main reason for doing this?. a.To show that their research is more important than all previous studies. b.To avoid having to explain their own findings in detail. c.To fill up space in the research report's discussion section. d.To demonstrate how their findings confirm, contradict, or extend what was already known.

34. When writing the methodology section, what should a novice researcher explicitly explain?. a.Their personal life story and connection to the topic. b.That qualitative research is better than quantitative research. c.Only the final results of their data analysis. d.Why they chose qualitative methods over quantitative methods for their research question.

35. What is the primary relationship between research objectives and research questions?. a.Research objectives are the broad goals of the study, while research questions are the specific, focused inquiries that help achieve those goals. b.Research objectives are only needed for quantitative studies, while research questions are for qualitative studies. c.Research questions are decided first, and then the objectives are formed based on the expected answers. d.Research objectives and research questions are the same thing, just written in different formats.

36. Which term in qualitative research refers to the consistency and stability of the findings, and is often addressed through detailed documentation of the research process?. a.Generalizability. b.Confirmability. c.Transferability. d.Dependability.

37. When a discourse analyst examines a political speech, they are most interested in: a.The speaker's accent and pronunciation. b.The statistical data and figures cited by the speaker. c.How the speaker uses language to persuade the audience, build a particular version of events, and establish authority. d.The length of the speech and the speed at which it was delivered.

38. A school district wants to understand the lived experiences of high school students who are learning English as a second language. What is the primary importance of research in this scenario?. a.To generate numerical data on test scores to rank the students. b.To prove a pre-existing theory about language acquisition with statistical certainty. c.To determine the single most effective language-learning software to buy. d.To develop a deep, contextual understanding of the students' challenges and successes.

39. The primary goal of ethnographic research is to: a.Generate statistical data that can be generalized to a large population. b.Understand and describe a culture-sharing group’s shared patterns of behavior, beliefs, and language. c.Elicit and analyze detailed life stories from a single individual. d.Test a specific hypothesis about cause-and-effect relationships within a controlled environment.

40. In qualitative research, how is a theoretical framework primarily used?. a.To statistically validate the results of the study. b.To prove that the researcher's personal beliefs are correct. c.To replace the need for collecting any original data. d.To provide a structure of concepts and ideas that guides the entire study.

41. What is a recommended practice for novice researchers when discussing their analysis?. a.Avoid mentioning any limitations of their study. b.State that the findings are simply their opinion. c.Claim their findings are 100% objective and unquestionable. d.Describe their process (e.g., how they coded data, identified themes) in a transparent and logical way.

42. How does the theoretical framework influence the research questions?. a.It has no direct influence; they are separate sections of a proposal. b.The theories and concepts in the framework directly shape what questions are asked and how they are phrased. c.The research questions are used to select a suitable theoretical framework after data is collected. d.The framework provides the exact wording for the research questions.

43. What is a defining characteristic of a case study in qualitative research?. a.It focuses on an in-depth, contextual analysis of a single instance or a small number of instances (the "case"). b.Its primary goal is to establish cause-and-effect relationships through controlled experiments. c. It requires a large, randomly selected sample of participants. d.It exclusively uses statistical methods for data analysis.

. A researcher conducting a qualitative study on community resilience after a natural disaster has just spent three months living in the community, conducting interviews, and taking field notes. Which of the following five key steps of qualitative research does this activity represent, and what is the most logical immediate next step?. a.Step 4: Data Collection; The next step is to analyze the collected data. b.Step 3: Data Analysis; The next step is to develop a research instrument. c.Step 5: Communicating Findings; The next step is to collect more data to validate the conclusions. d.Step 2: Data Collection; The next step is to define the research problem.

45. In qualitative research, what is a key advantage of using participant observation as a data collection method?. a. It allows the researcher to control all variables in the environment. b.It is the fastest and least expensive method of data collection. c.It provides firsthand, contextual understanding of people's behaviors and interactions in their natural setting. d.It ensures the data is statistically representative of the entire population.

46. What is one of the most important first steps a novice qualitative researcher should take?. a.Clearly define and narrow their research problem and question. b.Focus on proving their initial assumptions are correct. c.Immediately start conducting interviews to gather as much data as possible. d.Choose a research topic that is broad and general to cover more ground.

47. Why is it crucial for a novice researcher to engage with existing literature on their topic?. a.To fill up the introduction section to meet a page count requirement. b.To copy the structure and findings of a previous study. c.To identify a research gap and show how their study contributes to the existing conversation. d.To demonstrate that their topic has never been studied before, even if it has.

48. In qualitative research, which of the following is a key strategy to enhance the "trustworthiness" or credibility of the findings?. a.Conducting the research in a controlled laboratory setting. b.Keeping the researcher's personal beliefs and opinions separate from the data analysis. c.Using a very large, random sample size. d.Having participants review and confirm the researcher's interpretations of their interviews.

49. Which of the following is a key characteristic of all high-quality educational research?. a.It must be conducted by a university professor. b. It is systematic, rigorous, and follows a specific process. c. It doesn't produce results that support the researcher's initial hypothesis. d.Its findings must apply perfectly to every single student.

50. The primary purpose of a case study is most often to: a.Test a hypothesis with numerical data. b. Prove that the case being studied is representative of all others. c.Explore, describe, or explain a complex phenomenon within its real-life context. d.Summarize existing literature on a topic.

51. What is typically the first step a researcher should take when beginning a literature review for a qualitative study?. a.Decide on the final conclusions of the review. b.Formulate a clear research question or problem to guide the search. c.Immediately begin reading the first few articles they find. d.Start writing the introduction to the review.

52. How does theory often function in a qualitative case study?. a.It is used to form a statistical hypothesis that is tested with the case. b.It is the final outcome and goal of the research. c.It is ignored completely to ensure the findings are purely descriptive. d.It provides a broad lens or framework that helps guide the study and interpret the findings.

53. Which of the following is a key strength of the case study method?. a. It completely eliminates researcher bias. b.It allows for broad generalizations to a larger population. b.It allows for broad generalizations to a larger population. d.It is the quickest and least expensive research method to execute.

54. What is the best electronic tool for saving, organizing, and automatically generating citations for your research sources?. a.A dedicated reference management software like Zotero or Mendeley. b.A folder on your computer named "Research Stuff". c.A notes app on your phone. d.A social media bookmarking page.

55. A reader wants to check the exact wording of a theory you discussed in your case study. Which section of your report should they consult?. a.The Abstract. b.The Introduction. c.The References. d.The Appendix.

56. A key challenge in analyzing data from open-response questions is: a.They limit the amount of detail a participant can provide. b.The process of reading, interpreting, and categorizing the textual responses can be time-consuming. c.Respondents are forced into answer choices that may not represent their true views. d.The data is often numerical and requires complex statistical tests.

57. What is the primary purpose of the "References" section in a case study report?. a.To provide a personal list of the researcher's favorite books and articles. b.To formally acknowledge and allow readers to locate all the scholarly sources cited within the report. c.To include raw data, transcripts, and detailed calculations. d.To make the report appear more scholarly and lengthy.

58. After identifying relevant sources for a literature review, what is the most important next step for a researcher?. a.Alphabetize the reference list by the first author's last name. b.Count how many sources support versus oppose their personal opinion. c.Critically analyze and synthesize the key findings and themes across the sources. d.Copy the abstracts of each source into a document.

59. What is the primary purpose of obtaining "informed consent" from participants in a qualitative study?. a.To legally bind the participant to complete the entire study. b.To guarantee that the participants will tell the truth. c.To allow the researcher to use the participant's real name in the final report. d.To ensure participants are fully aware of the research's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits before agreeing to take part.

60. A school teacher implements a new classroom strategy to improve student engagement, collects data on its effectiveness throughout the semester, and uses her findings to adjust her teaching practice for the next term. This teacher is best exemplifying which type of research?. a.Ethnography. b.Grounded Theory. c.Narrative Research. d.Action Research.

61. When formulating research objectives, what is a key characteristic they should possess?. a.They should be clear, specific, and achievable within the scope of the study. b.They should focus on the methodological process rather than the intended outcomes. c.They should be broad and vague to allow for flexibility during the research process. d.They should be written in technical jargon to sound more impressive.

62. If a researcher accurately represents the participants' viewpoints and experiences in their analysis, rather than imposing their own perspective, they are demonstrating: a.Confirmability. b.Informed Consent. c.Beneficence. d.Confidentiality.

63. In case study design, what is the purpose of using multiple sources of evidence (e.g., interviews, observations, documents)?. a.To allow for triangulation, which strengthens the validity and depth of the findings. b.To guarantee that all participants provide the same exact information. c.To make the research report longer and more impressive. d.To ensure that the study is considered quantitative.

64. A researcher wants to understand the essence of the lived experience of "being a first-generation college student." They conduct in-depth interviews with 10 students to describe the common meaning of this experience. Which strategy is this?. a.Grounded Theory. b.Phenomenology. c.Case Study. d.Narrative Research.

65. A strong research justification should convincingly argue which of the following?. a.The research will be quick and easy to conduct. b.The study will contribute something valuable, such as new knowledge, practical solutions, or theoretical insight. c.The research topic has never been mentioned in any book or article before. d.The researcher has a personal, emotional connection to the topic.

66. In case study research, what is typically considered a "case"?. a.A broad, generalizable theory. b.A specific, bounded system, such as an individual, a group, an organization, or an event. c. A single variable being measured. d.The survey questionnaire used to collect data.

67. When a researcher takes detailed, written notes about what they see, hear, and experience in the field, this process is best known as: a.Data coding. b.Theoretical sampling. c.Formulating hypotheses. d.Writing field notes.

68. A key characteristic of qualitative research is that it takes place in a natural setting. What is the primary rationale for conducting research in the context where participants naturally experience the phenomenon?. a.To understand the context and situation as integral parts of the phenomenon being studied. b.To ensure the findings can be statistically generalized to a much broader population. c.Because it is a more cost-effective and convenient method than laboratory research. d.To maximize control over extraneous variables and isolate cause-and-effect relationships.

69. What is a crucial step in preparing to conduct a case study?. a.Developing a detailed case study protocol. b.Selecting a case with as many variables as possible. c.Ensuring the case is representative of the entire population. d.Avoiding any prior literature review to prevent bias.

70. What is the defining characteristic that most clearly differentiates action research from other traditional forms of academic research?. a.Its commitment to rigorous statistical analysis. b.Its requirement for a large and randomly selected sample size. c. Its primary aim to contribute to abstract theoretical knowledge. d.Its immediate and practical focus on solving a problem within a specific local context.

71. Which of the following items is MOST appropriately placed in an appendix of a case study?. a.The abstract that summarizes the entire study. b.A copy of the interview questions used to collect data. c.The main analysis and findings of the research. d.The conclusion and recommendations section.

72. During which step in the qualitative research process does the researcher primarily engage in the interpretation of meaning?. a.Research Planning. b.Data Analysis. c.Reporting Findings. d.Data Collection.

73. A key suggestion for novice writers when presenting findings is to: a.Let the participants' voices and the data be central, supported by direct quotes and thick description. b.Only report the data that perfectly matches their initial expectations. c.Save all their data and quotes for the appendix. d.Use extensive complex jargon to sound more academic.

74. What is the primary advantage of using an open-response item in a questionnaire?. a.It is the best way to gather simple demographic information like age or gender. b. It ensures that all responses can be easily compared and categorized. c. It allows respondents to answer in their own words, providing rich, detailed, and unexpected insights. d.It makes the data very quick and easy to analyze statistically.

75. When analyzing a research problem, a researcher might identify a "contradiction" in the existing literature. What does this mean?. a.The researcher disagrees with all previously published work. b.The problem is too complex to ever be solved. c.Two or more studies have findings or theories that conflict with each other. d.The data collection methods used in past studies were incorrect.

76. What is the core focus of the introspective technique in qualitative research?. a.Having individuals report on their own internal thoughts, feelings, and experiences. b.Analyzing brain scans to understand neural pathways related to thought. c.Comparing cultural differences in social norms and practices. d.Observing and measuring a person's external behavior in a laboratory setting.

77. A qualitative researcher has collected all their interview transcripts and field notes. He notices a fascinating, unexpected pattern emerging that challenges his initial assumptions. According to the iterative nature of qualitative research, what is an appropriate action to take?. a.Immediately write the final report based on the original assumptions. b.Consider refining the research questions or collecting more data to explore this new pattern. c.Stop the study immediately as the unexpected pattern invalidates all previous work. d.Ignore the pattern because it does not align with the original research question.

78. What is the primary goal of a semi-structured interview in qualitative research?. a.To convince the participant of the researcher's perspective on the topic. b.To use a pre-written guide of key questions while allowing flexibility to probe interesting responses. c.To ask every participant the exact same set of questions in the same strict order. d.To have a casual, unplanned conversation with no pre-determined topics.

79. A good qualitative research question should be: a.Focused on proving a predetermined hypothesis. b.Answerable with a simple "yes" or "no.". c.Open-ended, exploring a process or experience, and focused on the central phenomenon of the study. d.Statistically testable using numerical data.

80. A researcher asks participants to "think aloud" while solving a complex puzzle. This is a classic example of which data collection method?. a.The introspective technique. b.A structured observation. c.A retrospective interview. d.A projective test.

81. When building a justification for a qualitative study, why is it important to discuss the potential practical implications of the research?. a.To prove that qualitative research is more practical than quantitative research. b.To fulfill a mandatory section requirement set by all universities, regardless of content. c.To demonstrate how the study's insights could be applied to real-world contexts, policies, or practices. d.To guarantee that the research findings will be implemented exactly as proposed.

82. What is the primary purpose of the "Statement of the Problem" section in a research proposal?. a.To clearly identify and explain the specific issue, contradiction, or gap that the research will address. b.To describe the methods and procedures for collecting data. c.To list all the sources and references the researcher plans to use. d.To present the expected results and conclusions of the study.

83. What is one of the most important first steps a novice qualitative researcher should take?. a.Choose a research topic that is broad and general to cover more ground. b.Immediately start conducting interviews to gather as much data as possible. c.Focus on proving their initial assumptions are correct. d.Clearly define and narrow their research problem and question.

84. A researcher wants to understand the essence of the lived experience of "being a first-generation college student." They conduct in-depth interviews with 10 students to describe the common meaning of this experience. Which strategy is this?. a.Grounded Theory. b.Case Study. c.Narrative Research. d.Phenomenology.

85. Which of the following items is MOST appropriately placed in an appendix of a case study?. a.A copy of the interview questions used to collect data. b.The conclusion and recommendations section. c.The abstract that summarizes the entire study. d.The main analysis and findings of the research.