Research Design Quiz: Leavy (2014)

What are some personal and professional factors that commonly influence a researcher's selection of a topic, according to Leavy?

• Personal interests, experiences, values, previous research experience, and opportunities like funding or collaborations

• Random selection of topics based on current trends

• Suggestions from peers without personal reflection

• Topics that are only politically relevant

How might a researcher narrow down the broad topic of 'Race' into a more specific research question, based on Table 3.1?

• By avoiding specific populations or settings

• By selecting unrelated topics

• By discussing race in general terms

• By focusing on race in the criminal justice system

Why does Leavy emphasize the importance of feasibility when selecting a research topic?

• To avoid ethical considerations

• To prioritize topics that are emotionally challenging

• To ensure the researcher has access to participants or data

• To focus only on topics with abundant literature

What role does a researcher's personal ethical compass play in topic selection?

• It ensures the topic is politically neutral

• It eliminates the need for feasibility considerations

• It discourages personal interest in the topic

• It helps determine the significance and value of the project

What psychological and emotional factors should a researcher consider when selecting a topic?

• The popularity of the topic among peers

• The availability of funding

• Their emotional readiness and personal connection to the topic

• The ease of finding literature

What are the essential components of a literature review as both a process and a product, according to Leavy?

• Avoiding recent research

• Searching, reading, summarizing, and synthesizing existing work

• Focusing solely on landmark studies

• Only summarizing existing work

Why is it important to determine whether a research topic has been sufficiently covered in previous studies?

• To identify gaps in the literature or offer alternative views

• To avoid conducting exploratory research

• To ensure the topic is already well-researched

• To focus only on popular topics

How does Leavy recommend using keywords for an effective literature search?

• By entering keywords into relevant databases and trying synonyms if needed

• By using only one keyword at a time

• By avoiding synonyms or related terms

• By relying solely on Google searches

What is the distinction between summarizing and synthesizing literature in a review?

• Synthesizing involves listing sources without analysis

• Summarizing documents individual sources, while synthesizing integrates them into a cohesive narrative

• Summarizing is more detailed than synthesizing

• There is no distinction between the two

How does early ethical reflection impact the overall research design?

• It ensures the research aligns with the researcher's values and social justice imperatives

• It eliminates the need for feasibility considerations

• It discourages personal interest in the topic

• It focuses solely on funding opportunities