Action Research Questions and AnswersFull
Action Research Questions and AnswersFull
3. A student who goes to the library to obtain information to answer a question posed
by his/her teacher in class. The student can be described as doing research in a
scholarly sense.
A. True B. False
7. Which way of knowing is likely to provide you with the most valid knowledge?
A. Authority B. Personal experience C. The scientific method
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A. True B. False
10. The method of knowing which involves observing specific instances and then
generalizing from the instances is known as
A. deduction B. induction C. syllogism
11. The following are characteristics of the scientific method except …………….
A. subjectivity B. precision C. verification
12. In using the scientific method to generate new knowledge a researcher must complete
one stage before moving on another.
A. True B. False
15. Repeating a previously conducted research using new participants does not usually
add to knowledge.
A. True B. False
16. Research, on the whole, tends to push back our horizon of ignorance.
A. True B. False
17. As a teacher now can research help you to improve your practice?
A. By establishing questions to be answered.
B. By helping students know what they are taught
C. By indicating what works
18. How will you make use of research to determine the effectiveness of certain methods
of doing things in the classroom?
A. Asking people about the methods
B. Effective teaching
C. Review of research on the methods
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19. Educational policies formulated based on research are likely to be better than those
formulated without considering relevant research results.
A. True B. False
20. Once an educational policy is formulated, there will be no need to change it.
A. True B. False
21. Research will help you to acquire the following skills except …………………….
A. conceptualizing. B. organizing. C. reading. D. writing.
22. The type of educational research that helps in understanding and explaining
phenomenon is …………………….
A. an evaluation research B. applied research C. basic research
23. A research to test the effectiveness of a theory within a specific context can be
described as ……………..
A. applied research B. basic research C. research and development
24. A study in which a researcher manipulates a factor to determine its effect on another
factor can be described as ……………………….
A. action research B. experimental research C. non-experimental research
25. Which type of research emphasizes measurement of variables and their relationship?
A. Applied research B. Quantitative research C. Qualitative research
26. A piece of research that is aimed at obtaining the perspectives of participants through
verbal narratives is qualitative research.
A. True B. False
27. Which of the following types of research can be under taken by a classroom teacher
to solve his/her problems?
A. Action research B. Applied research C. Quantitative research
28. Suppose you want to investigate the effect of using a new technique to teach
mathematics on mathematics achievement. Your research can be described as …..
A. basic, experimental and qualitative
B. applied, experimental and quantitative
C. action, non-experimental and quantitative
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A. Height B. Method of instruction C. Nationality
31. A variable that can be described in terms of kind only can be said to be ……….
A. continuous B. dichotomous variable C. extraneous variable
32. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of systematic cooperative
learning and test-taking strategies on one component of academic performance the
recall of text materials. Which type of research was done?
A. Applied research B. Basic research C. Research and development
33. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of systematic cooperative
learning and test-taking strategies on one component of academic performance the
recall of text materials. What is the dependent variable is the study?
A. Cooperative learning B. Recall of text material C. test taking strategies
34. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of systematic cooperative
learning and test-taking strategies on one component of academic performance the
recall of text materials. What is the independent variable is the study?
A. Cooperative learning
B. Cooperative learning and test taking strategies
C. Performance
38. The introduction section of a proposal should clearly indicate the following
except …………………….
A. design to be used. B. problem to be investigated. C. Research question
39. Which type of research will warrant the formulation of research hypotheses?
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A. Qualitative research
B. Quantitative research
C. Both quantitative and qualitative research
40. In writing a research proposal, the researcher must indicate the research
instrument he/she will use as well as how valid the instruments is.
A. True B. False
41. A research problem statement should indicate the following, except the …….
A. expected results B. target group C. variables of interest
42. The data analysis section of a proposal must indicate how each hypothesis is to
be tested.
A. True B. False
43. The problem which motivates the researcher to undertake his/her study is
known as the research problem.
A. True B. False
44. A problem is anything that a person finds unsatisfactory or a state of affairs that
needs to be changed.
A. True B. False
45. There are established rules that govern a final selection of research problem that
every research must known.
A. True B. False
46. The research problem must be ambiguous and complex so that readers would
spend time to understand, as a way of making it researchable.
A. True B. False
48. Each of the following is a criterion for a good research problem except ………
A. is clear and concise
B. indicates the type of research
C. indicates the expected results
D. indicates the variables
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49. A common source for research problem is …………………
A. the researcher’s own experience
B. the available literature
C. opinions from experts
D. theory
51. Research problems that are obtained as a result of reading journals, especially
those that report the results of studies in their area of interest, is from what
source?
A. Literature B. Replication C. Textbooks D. Development agencies
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A. True B. False
58. The review of related literature provides a basis for the formulation of
hypothesis and/or research questions.
A. True B. False
60. A high quality of literature will summarize, critique and relate the problem.
A. True B. False
61. A review of literature should cover both theoretical and empirical issues related
to the research problem under consideration.
A. True B. False
63. The original articles and reports in which researchers communicate directly to
the researcher the methods and results of their study are …………………
A. secondary sources B. primary sources C. authority
65. The most common approach to organizing the review literature is to group
together studies that investigate similar topics or subtopics.
A. True B. False
67. The review should omit studies that conflict with personal values.
A. True B. False
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68. Which part of the review of literature offers a brief description of the nature of
the research problem and the statement of the research questions?
A. Conclusion B. Methodology C. The body D. Introduction
69. The summary of the review presents a composite picture of what is known or
thought to date.
A. True B. False
70. Which part of the literature report must include ‘what the literature suggests are
appropriate course of action to take to try to solve the problem’?
A. Summary B. Conclusion C. Introduction D. Reference
71. The section that acknowledge the source of opinions, points of view and
generalization is known as …………………..
A. Summary B. Conclusion C. Introduction D. Reference
73. A plan or blueprint which specifies how data relating to a given problem should
be collected and analyzed is known as ………………………
A. research design B. hypothesis C. descriptive design D. proposal
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A. generalize to the population B. study to the sample
C. study convenience sample D. identify the subjects used in the study
81. A Researcher decides to select a sample by taking simple random samples from
three subgroups that have been identified from the population. What type of
sampling was used?
A. Proportional B. Cluster C. Convenience D. Stratified
82. Each of the following about the subjects of study should be indicated in the
research except …………………………..
A. return rate of surveys
B. method of sampling
C. clear description of samples
D. names of subjects
83. The stage in the research process whereby a researcher gathers any relevant
information for the solution of the research problem under study is known as
A. data collection B. questionnaire
C instrument development D. descriptive research
85. Which of the following describes an observer who is a member of the group being
observed but maintains some distance as a researcher?
A. complete participant B. complete observer
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C. observer participant D. participant observer
87. In a case study evidence should be built up from a single source that conclusions
drawn could be reliable.
A. true B. false
88. Which of the following is NOT a skill needed by a case study investigator?
A. the investigator should not be flexible.
B. he /she must have a grasp of the issues he/she is studying
C. lack of bias
D. needs to be good listener and observer.
89. A means of reducing the chance of having the individual tell what the investigator
wishes to hear is to minimize direct questions and use non-direct probes.
A. true B. false
90. Case studies provide very strong evidence for scientific investigation.
A. true B. false
91. In this type of study the researcher manipulates at least one independent variable,
controls other relevant variables and observes what happens to the response of subjects. The
study is ……………………….
A. casual comparative study B. es post facto study
C. experimental study D. internal validity.
92. In direct manipulation of independent variables, the investigator has a direct control
of when subjects receive the independent variable but has no control of how much
of it each subject receives.
A. true B. false
93. In an experiment, the researcher seeks to keep constant for all subjects, all variables,
conditions, events and procedures except the
A. independent variable B. dependent variable
C. extraneous variable D. environmental variables
94. Selection of subjects in an experimental design is usually undertaken by means of
………….
A. convenient sampling B. non-probability sampling
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C. quota sampling D. probability sampling.
95. When a researcher employs a specific design to control for extraneous variables, the
……….. of the design is strengthened.
A. external validity B. internal validity
C. experimental validity D. generalisability
97. In the single-group pretest design, the most significant threat to internal validity is
usually………….
A. selection B. statistical regression C. history D. experiment bias.
99. Establishing the reliability or consistency of test scores over items and over time, thus
showing that the test biases introduce by consistently is a means of controlling the
biases introduce by …………….
A. statistical regression B. selection C. mortality D. instrumentation
100. The processes of change that take place within the subjects of an experiment refers to
……………….
A. mortality B. maturation C. instrumentation D. history
101. Examining research data with the view to correcting mistakes in it is termed
A. coding B. editing C. scoring
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103. Scoring of data refers to assigning numbers to variables consistently.
A. true B. false
108. The role of descriptive statistic in research is to provide the researcher with
A. the computations of data
B. the meaning of his/her observations
C. a summary of the pieces of information collected
110. It is appropriate to use the mean to describe the numbers on the jerseys of football
players.
A. true B. false
111. Which of the following measures of central tendency is appropriate for describing
observations that are measured on the interval scale but not skewed?
A. mean B. median C. mode.
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114. Which of the following measures of speed is dependent on the two extreme scores in
the distribution?
A. inter quartile range B. range C. standard deviation.
SECTION B
Q 1.
CONTENT;
(a)
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“People do not open up /responds to questions seeking information on such issues
due to suspicion.
iii. Lack of Statistics/Scanty Statistics:
The basic statistics that form the bedrock of research are often not available and
where they are available they may be outmoded and unreliable.
iv. Lack of Financial Support
There is lack of financial support and the capital equipped, lack of basic equipment
either from the government or the private sector. Research centres and laboratories
are poorly equipped, lack of basic equipments like computers due to lack of funds.
As a result enterprises in Ghana are research-oriented.
v. Neglect of Previous Researches.
People would not want to take up research if previous researches are not being
used.
vi. Lack of Research Skills
Research is not done anyhow. It requires certain skills which is not available to
students in institution of high learning. The result is that many who may be carrying
out research may lack the much needed skills.
Q 2.
a) Explain the meaning of the term “review of related literature”
b) Explain five importance of review of related literature.
CONTENT;
a). In the classical format, this is usually the chapter two of the report. It has to do with
locating, reading, sifting and analyzing documents /books containing information related
to the topic under consideration. In other words, it is the summary of the writings of
recognized authorities and previous researches done on the problem under investigation.
The review is in two parts, with each performing a unique function;
i) Theoretical review which sets the theoretical framework or base for the research study;
and
ii) Empirical review which puts the current research into perspective to show the state of
the art.
b) Importance
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i) It helps to determine what has been done or others have said or written that
relates to the problem under the study.
ii) It helps the researcher to know how feasible the study is in relation to resources
available to him or her.
iii) It helps the researcher to interpret the significance of the studies. It shares with
the researcher result of other study that is closely related to the study being
undertaken.
iv). It points out research strategies and procedures as well as measurable
instruments that other authorities have used. This may give an idea to the
researcher about how to organize his/her into a logical pattern.
v) It helps in the identification of a research problem. By critically examining the
process of a study a researcher is likely to exploit a loop-hole upon which he can
develop a research problem.
vi). It helps to delimit the research problem; the researcher gets to know the scope
of other studies and this guides him/her to delimit his/her problem.
vii) It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study as well as
serving as a benchmark for comparing the results of the study with other findings.
QN 3.
a) Explain clearly when each of the following techniques in data collection is most
appropriate for data collection
i. Observation
ii. Questionnaire
iii. Interview
b) State and explain THREE advantages and TWO disadvantages of the use of
questionnaire in data collection.
CONTENT;
a).
i. Observation
It is appropriate when the phenomena being studied lend itself to watching and
recording events or incidents.
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When a researcher wants to understand the natural environment as lived by
participants without altering or manipulation.
When you are dealing with young children
ii. Questionnaire
a) When a question is descriptive survey
b) When participants in a study can meaningfully read and write
c) When sample is large and cannot be easily interviewed and are literate
d) The study lends itself to specific issue that does not need any further explanation by
respondents.
iii. Interview
a) When the participants are relatively small in number
b) When participants in a study are not able to read and write
c) When there is the need to probe further into issues with for their clearer
understanding
d) When interviewees can easily be reached for face to face or telephone interview
b)
Advantages
i. Less expensive
ii. Can be used when respondents are scattered.
iii. Provide uniform questions to participants.
iv. Completed at respondents convenience
v. Ensure anonymity.
Disadvantages
i. Not appropriate for illiterate population
ii. Less motivated due to lack of contact
iii. Do not allow for the collection of any additional information
iv. Low return rate
v. Can produce results which are not credible
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CONTENT:
A)
The Questionnaire is a carefully designed instrument for collecting data in accordance with
the specifications of the research questions and hypotheses.
It consists of a set of questions to which the subject respond in writing
It may also be described as a self – report instrument used for gathering information about
variables of interest in an investigation.
It is often a onetime data – gathering device on the variables of interest to the researcher.
It is a form consisting of interrelated questions prepared by the researcher about the
research problem under investigation, based on the objectives of the study.
It is a set of questions distributed to a large number of people to respond to in writing.
These are collected and analyzed.
Note; anyone of them is correct definition of questionnaire
B) Advantages
1. As a tool for data collections, it is less expensive compared to other methods. This
is because the questionnaire can be mailed to the respondent to fill in, and also
mailed back to the researcher for analysis.
2. Questionnaire can be filled at the respondent’s convenience. This increases the
chances of getting valid information.
3. Questionnaire can involve personal on- the spot administration and collection and
thus produces quick results. This enables the researcher to complete the work
within the stipulated time.
4. Questionnaires offer greater assurance of anonymity. In the case where the
researcher is handling a sensitive topic like corruption in an organization, the
target sample can give sensitive information without fear, as their identification is
not needed on the questionnaire.
5. Questionnaires may cover a wide geographical area since researchers approach
respondents more easily through questionnaires than any other method.
6. It yields objective results compared to other data collection techniques.
7. It is easier to administer in collecting data as compare to other techniques
8. Problem of not contact does not exist.
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Q 5.
a. Describe the steps involved in the research process?
b. Argue which is the most difficult step.
CONTENT;
a.
The research process includes the ff. steps
Step 1: Identification of the problem to be investigated.
Step 2: Review of related literature.
Step 3: Identifying research questions and hypothesis (to clarify the research
problem)
Step 4: Development of research designs for data collection, including sampling
methodology and data gathering instruments.
Step 5: Data analyses, interpretations, drawing conclusion form findings and
recommendation based on conclusion.
Step 6: Writing the research report.
b. The chosen step should come from the first three. Reasons may include difficulty in.
Delimiting the many factors in a problem to specific one.
Defining characteristics and issues to e included and those to be assessed
NB: When these steps are accomplished (or well executed) the others are methodological
and may logically (naturally) follow.
QN. 6
a. Explain the difference between “a population” and “a sample” in research.
b. Describe the following sampling procedures;
- Simple random sampling
- Cluster sampling
- Snowball sampling
- Purposive sampling
CONTENT;
a. A population is:
A complete collection of all the elements that are of interest in a particular study or
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investigation.
A totality of objects or people having one or more characteristics in common that are of
interest to the researcher and where inferences or generalization are to be made. Not
necessarily demographic (i.e., consisting of human), but could be objects.
A sample is:
A collection of some (a subset) elements of population.
Portions of the population whose results can be generalize to the entire population.
An extraction of some subjects of the population for the purpose of studying certain
characteristics of the population.
b.
i. Simple random sampling: This is a sample obtained by the population in such a
way that samples of the same sample size have equal chances of being selected. In
other words, every element of the population is given and has an equal chance of
being selected. Two commonly used methods are lottery and random numbers.
ii. Cluster Sampling: Here elements of the population are grouped into clusters
(i.e. partitioning the population into sub-groups) Sampling, random sampling or
any type o sampling is then used on the clusters to obtain the sample required.
QN. 7
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2. Discuss FIVE characteristics of research.
CONTENT;
(a)
Research entails identification of a problem, data collection, organization,
analysis and interpretation of the results obtained with the view to solving the
identified problem.
More formally, research can be defined as a systematic investigation to increase
knowledge and / or understanding of a phenomenon. It is the search for an answer
to an unsolved and perplexing question(s) using the scientific approach.
Gay (1992), for example, defines research as the formal, systematic application
of the scientific method to the study of problems. In short, we can say that
research is the systematic application of the scientific method to answer
perplexing questions in order to increase knowledge and understanding of
phenomena. Research is a form of scientific inquiry.
Research is the manner in which we solve perplexing problems in our attempt to
push back the frontiers of our ignorance regarding phenomena (things or issues).
Note; anyone is accepted
(b)
Research begins with the questions, an issue or problem in the mind of the
researcher. Those characteristic points out that when you set out to do research you
must have set in mind a question to answer an issue to explain or a problem to solve.
Research requires a plan. Research entails a clearly stated plan, including direction
and procedures. Research is a purposeful activity and for it to be successful, it
requires a plan. In research language, the plan is known as a research proposal.
Research demands a clear statement of the problem: A good research commences
with a clear statement of the problem or issue of concern. The first characteristic says
research begins with a problem, issue or question you set out to deal with in your
research must be stated clearly indicating the relevant variables and the expected
relationship, if any.
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Research deals with the main problem through sub – problems. Usually, the
main issue or problem of concern may be too big to solve at ago. What, therefore, is
done is to break down the main problem into smaller problems to which the
researcher will find solutions to by solving smaller problems within the bigger
problem, the main problem is solved.
Research seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses or questions. Having
stated the problem or issue of study and the attendant sub – problems, the sub –
problems are then each stated in the form of hypothesis or a specific research
question.
Research deals with facts and their meanings. Earlier, we explained that research
does not mean data collection per se. research goes beyond the collection of data. It
is a fact that in research data are collected.
QN. 8
(a) Explain interview as a tool for data collection.
(b) Discuss FIVE skills or qualities an interviewer should possess to collect a
credible data for study
CONTENT;
(a) An interview is a form of questioning characterized by the fact that it employs verbal
questioning as its principal technique of data collection. It involves posing questions to
respondents for answers in a face-to-face situation or by phone. It also represents direct
attempt by the researcher to obtain reliable and valid measures of characteristics,
behaviours, attitudes, etc in the form of verbal responses from one or more respondents.
(b) Amedahe (2002) has identified the following skills and qualities to be followed for
a successful interview session.
1. Knowledgeable; the researcher must be knowledgeable on the topic/theme
he/she is working on. This will enable interviewer to pursue relevant issues.
2. Structuring; an interviewer should be able to structure the interview-
introduction process and closing. He/she should be able to give an
introduction that will capture the attention of the interviewees. In the process
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of the interview he/she should be lively and not boring in order to sustain the
interview throughout the session.
3. Clear; The interviewer should pose clear, simple, short and straight forward
questions. He/she should be able to speak distinctly and understandably and
avoid academic and professional jargons.
4. Gentle; Allows subjects to complete what they are saying and tolerate pause
and accept unconventional and provocative opinions.
5. Sensitive; Listen attentively to the content of what is said. be empathetic, if
need be.
6. Steering; The interviewer should control the course of the interview and
should not be afraid of interrupting digressions from the interviewee.
7. Open; approach the interview with an open mind. Must be open to others’
opinions. Accept whatever opinions and interviewee expresses on an issue
once he/she has not digressed.
8. Critical; does not take everything that is said at the face value but questions
critically to test the reliability and validity of what the interviewee tell.
9. Remembering; the interviewer should be able to retain and recall what
interviewees tell and must be able to relate them.
10. Interpreting; an interviewer must throughout the interview session try to
clarity and extend the meanings of the statements made by the interviewee for
confirmation or disconfirmation.
QN. 9.
State and explain FIVE steps involved in the use of the scientific method in carrying
out inquiry. Indicate the relevance of each step in the process.
CONTENT;
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If there is no problem of some sort to be solved, or a question to be answered,
one cannot commence a scientific inquiry.
(b) Clarification of the Problem: Once a problem is identified, the researcher takes
steps to define it more precisely. The purpose here is to make the problem clearer
and exact as to what the purpose of the study is. This second step directly relates
to the characteristic of precision.
(c) Determination of the information needed to solve the problem and how to
obtain it: Having clarified the problem either through operational definitions,
review of previous research and formulation of hypotheses or specific questions,
there is the need to determine the information relevant to be collected and how
to collect the information. The information may be quantitative (i.e., dealing with
number) or participants of a study determine how to obtain the data. For example,
you may decide to give a questionnaire to teachers to complete but interview their
pupils on relevant issues.
It is important for you to note that, the data collected and how it is collected are
very important in determining the credibility of the results of a study.
(d) Organization of the Information (Data): In this fourth step, the researcher must
decide how he / she will organize the information that will be obtained. This is
to make sense out of the data collected. This can take the form of summarizing
the data (e.g., computing descriptive statistics) and analyzing it (i.e. testing
formulated hypotheses or guesses).
(e) Interpretation of the Results: After the data is organized, summarized and
analyzed, the next step is to interpret the emerging results. Interpretation of the
results is one of the most important parts of researcher. Research is not data
collection per se so we need to interpret the data and the results. This process
ends with a conclusion which we said, is tentative.
ANSWERS
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3. B 15. B 27. A 39. B 51. A 63. B 75. D 87. B 99. D 111. A
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