Research Exam 1
The content of a published research report typically would include which of the following main sections? A. Introduction B. Methods C. Results D. Discussion E. All of the above
E. All of the above
Reviewing the literature is a tedious and time-consuming task. Which of the following sources of information would not be appropriate for a credible review of literature? A. Professional journals and periodicals B. Internet sites C. Computer retrieval systems using CD-ROM format D. Literature indexes E. All of the above are appropriate
E. All of the above are appropriate
Which of the following sources of literature are considered inappropriate for conducting a scientific review of literature on a topic? A. Textbooks B. Review articles C. Professional journals or magazines D. Internet pages E. All of the above are appropriate
E. All of the above are appropriate
In addition to providing background information that will help the researcher understand the problem area, a thorough literature review should also provide information regarding: A. Instruments for measuring the phenomenon of interest B. Possible research design C. Procedures for conducting the study D. Theoretical basis of the study E. All of the above are correct
E. All of the above are correct
The purpose of the discussion section of a published research report is to: A. Summarize the findings B. Interpret the study's findings C. To theorize D. To make recommendations E. All of the above are correct
E. All of the above are correct
What is the purpose of citing previously published literature in a research paper or in a research proposal? A. Provide a justification for the current study B. Present relevant facts, theories, and background information C. Discuss methodological issues pertaining to the current problem D. Demonstrate gaps in the existing literature E. All of the above are correct
E. All of the above are correct
Which of the following statements accurately characterizes the research process? A. The research process involves several definitive, yet related steps B. There is no standardized procedure applicable to all types of research C. The nature of the research problem will largely determine the procedures undertaken D. The research process can be conceptualized as cyclic in nature E. All of the above are correct
E. All of the above are correct
A researcher may attempt to control the influence of an extraneous variable in a particular study by using which of the following methods: A. Randomly selecting the research participants B. Removing the variable from the study C. Matching participants in comparison groups by some criterion D. Randomly assigning participants to either a control or experimental group E. All of the above are possible
E. All of the above are possible
Throughout history, men and women have relied on several means for discovering knowledge and truth. Which of the following does not represent a source of knowledge? A. Deductive reasoning B. Tradition C. Personal experience D. Scientific inquiry E. All of the above represent ways of knowing
E. All of the above represent ways of knowing
Which of the following should not be considered in evaluating the credibility of information located on the Internet? A. The URL address of the website B. Author of the information C. Currency of information D. List of references provided E. All of the above should be considered
E. All of the above should be considered
The type of literature providing broad-based theories and opinions related to a problem area that often serves as the theoretical underpinning for a research study: A. Related literature B. Inductive literature C. Consonant literature D. Formative literature E. Conceptual literature
E. Conceptual literature
Characteristics of a research study that serve to define the scope of the study and effectively "fence it in" are called what? A. Parameters B. Hypotheses C. Assumptions D. Limitations E. Delimitations
E. Delimitations
Which of the following elements would most likely not be included in the introductory section of a published research report? A. Rationale for the study B. Literature review C. Hypotheses D. Purpose statement E. Instrumentation
E. Instrumentation
All studies have some elements that are beyond the control of the researcher, things that could negatively influence the results and are considered as weaknesses of the study. In research terminology, what are these called? A. Parameters B. Assumptions C. Delimitations D. Postulates E. Limitations
E. Limitations
The primary means through which a profession advances its knowledge base is through which of the following? A. Well-established tradition B. Networking with other professionals C. Professional conferences Networking with other professionals D. Strong beliefs held by those in positions of authority E. Research Process
E. Research Process
Although there are various types of research classifications, the type of research approach one selects for a given study primarily depends upon: A. The skills of the researcher B. The availability of research participants C. The amount of money available for the study D. The magnitude of the literature base surrounding the topic E. The nature of the problem being investigated
E. The nature of the problem being investigated
Which of the following does not represent one of the criteria that should be considered in evaluating the appropriateness of a potential research problem? A. Personal interest of the researcher B. Potential value of the problem and its solution C. Availability of resources to conduct the study D. Expertise of the researcher E. Validity of the null hypothesis
E. Validity of the null hypothesis
A brief summary of a research study that typically precedes the beginning of a published article is called what? A. Abstract B. Thesis C. Appendix D. Overview E. Treatise
A. Abstract
A study to determine the association between dietary behaviors, self-esteem, and body weight best exemplifies what type of research? A. Correlational B. Causal-comparative C. Qualitative D. Historical E. Experimental
A. Correlational
The primary purpose of the background information presented in a published research report is to: A. Establish the rationale for the study B. Provide a comprehensive review of literature of the topic being studied C. Document the sources of funding for the study D. Present the methodology employed in the study E. Discuss the implications of the results of the study
A. Establish the rationale for the study
The "statement of the purpose" in a research proposal is intended to: A. Express the goals for the research study B. Provide a succinct justification for the research study C. Briefly summarize the background literature D. Indicate the hypothesis being proposed by the researcher E. Specify the type of research approach
A. Express the goals for the research study
It is generally agreed by most authorities that the research process begins with what important step? A. Identification of the research question B. Meta-analysis of existing data C. Development of the research plan D. Selection of appropriate research participants E. A review of the literature
A. Identification of the research question
A type of reasoning that is considered a fundamental principle of scientific inquiry in which thinking proceeds from the specific to the general is called what? A. Induction B. Deduction C. Hypothesizing D. Syllogism E. Rationalization
A. Induction
An independent variable is one in which the researcher: A. Manipulates B. Observes C. Eliminates D. Calculates E. Measures
A. Manipulates
A statement that "establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting phenomena" is called what? A. Theory B. Codicil C. Law D. Conclusion C. Hypothesis
A. Theory
Which of the following statements best describes the presentation of hypotheses in a published research report? A. Hypotheses are typically stated in the null form B. Authors generally state their research hypothesis C. Published research reports do not contain hypothesis statements D. Only statistical hypotheses are reported in published reports E. None of the above
B. Authors generally state their research hypothesis
Which of the following computerized databases would most likely be consulted to obtain information regarding biomedical research? A. SPORT Discus B. Medline C. ERIC D. PsycINFO E. WilsonWeb
B. Medline
An Internet search utility that utilizes multiple websites to perform automated searches of online databases? A. Subject directory B. Metasearch engine C. Search engine D. Google E. Ingenta
B. Metasearch engine
What type of literature source represents an original report of the results of a research study and is most relevant to the researcher? A. Encyclopedia B. Primary source C. Penultimate source D. Textbook E. Trade magazine
B. Primary source
Which of the following best illustrates a possible research scenario that is best suited for an experimental study? A. A study to ascertain the prevalence of hazing among interscholastic sport teams. B. A study to compare birth-weight of Hispanic, African-American, and white infants. C. A study to determine the effects of massage on reducing muscle soreness associated with bicycling. D. A study to investigate the relationship between aerobic capacity and visual acuity among secondary-school students. E. A study to determine the attitudes of parents regarding schools' use of body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of fatness of children.
C. A study to determine the effects of massage on reducing muscle soreness associated with bicycling.
Which of the following databases represents an example of a multidisciplinary database frequency used in kinesiology research? A. SPORT Discus B. Medline C. Academic One File D. PsycINFO E. ERIC
C. Academic One File
The reference section of a published article includes which of the following? A. A listing of publications by the author B. All sources consulted by the author in preparation of the article C. All sources cited in the text of the article D. Only those sources published within the last 25 years E. An annotated bibliography of sources cited by the author
C. All sources cited in the text of the article
Which of the following would generally not be included in the methodology section of a research report? A. Information about the research participants B. Description of the research design and experimental treatment C. Description of the outcomes of the statistical testing D. Description of the data collection procedures E. Information concerning the instruments used in the study
C. Description of the outcomes of the statistical testing
While the term "research" may have many definitions, the following characteristic is normally present in all such definitions? A. Experimental treatment is a fundamental aspect of all research B. Statistics and research are synonymous C. Research focuses on attempting to answer a question of interest D. Results from research ensures infallible conclusions E. Research represents the only credible means of acquiring knowledge
C. Research focuses on attempting to answer a question of interest
Research that is theoretical in nature and is generally intended for the fundamental purpose of discovering new knowledge, with no immediate practical application, is called what: A. Qualitative research B. Quantitative research C. Experimental research D. Basic research E. Action research
D. Basic research
Research questions are often broad and need to be transformed into specific problem statements that are amenable to investigation. Research questions may generally be categorized into three basic types of questions: A. Declarative, discriminative, and empirical B. Descriptive, experimental, and qualitative C. Past, present, and future D. Descriptive, relationship, and difference E. Comparative, causal, and correlational
D. Descriptive, relationship, and difference
Which of the following does not represent one of the stages inherent to the scientific method of inquiry? A. Formulating a hypothesis B. Developing a research plan C. Identifying the question D. Designing effective curricular materials E. Collecting and analyzing the data
D. Designing effective curricular materials
While the nature of the research problem will largely determine the content of the results section, which of the following elements should not be presented in the results section of a research report: A. Results of the statistical tests utilized B. Demographic information about the research participants C. Magnitude of the effect obtained D. Explanation of the results E. Restatement of research question or hypothesis
D. Explanation of the results
A paramount obligation of the researcher upon completion of a research study that is considered fundamental to the scientific method: A. Obtaining release from the institutional review board B. Seeking copyright protection for the research study C. Submitting journal article for publication D. Public disclosure of the findings E. All of the above are correct
D. Public disclosure of the findings
A characteristic, trait, or attribute of a person, place, or thing that can have more than one value is called what? A. Internal validity B. Statistic C. Parameter D. Variable E. Categorical syllogism
D. Variable