Midterm EdResearch

A hypothesis is ...

• a specific statement about the relationship between variables

• an operational counterpart to a scientific theory

• a question which is deduced from the problem statement

• a construct of a theory

A research investigated college GPA for residential and nonresidential students in three levels of family income. The likely control variable is …

• College GPA

• Residential or non-residential status

• College completion rate

• Family income

A researcher studies three groups of students who vary in level of self-confidence. He finds that students with higher self-confidence are more popular among their peers. The most plausible conclusion is that …

• self-confidence causes popularity.

• we do not know what causes self-confidence or popularity.

• popularity causes self-confidence.

• self-confidence and popularity are related.

Why is it advantageous to randomly select subjects from those available in each of the preexisting groups?

• Representation of the subjects in each group is assured.

• Equal numbers of subjects can participate

• Specific subjects can be targeted for participation

• Sample sizes can be controlled.

The unique characteristic of causal-comparative designs is the lack of …

• differences between groups on the independent variable

• measures of the dependent variable

• reliable results.

• pretests of both groups

The basic difference between causal-comparative and experimental research is that in causal comparative studies ...

• there is no independent variable.

• the independent variable has already been manipulated by factors outside the researcher's control.

• the selection of dependent variables has been predetermined for the researcher.

• they use different statistical tests.

Mr. Gallagher is conducting a study of college freshmen in Louisiana. He has been able to compile a list of every freshman enrolled in the state supported universities, but the information on students attending private universities is not available to him. The students on his list are referred to as the …

• target population.

• accessible population.

• sample.

• stratified sample.

The purpose of random sampling is to ensure …

• a sufficient sample size.

• a clearly defined target population.

• representation of specific subgroups in the population

• representativeness of the sample.

Ms. Washington is investigating teachers' attitudes toward year-round schooling. She is particularly interested in describing the attitudes of teachers from small, medium, and large schools. Which sampling procedure should be used by Ms. Washington to ensure her sample is representative of these types of schools?

• Simple random sampling

• Stratified random sampling

• Systematic random sampling

• Convenience sampling

Causal-comparative research and experimental research are similar in that …

• neither demonstrate causation.

• both involve group comparisons.

• both demonstrate causation.

• both study relationships between two or more variables in one group.