BCA Research Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher wants to measure the same concept with two different instruments on the same day to assess consistency. This approach tests which type of reliability?
- Test-retest reliability
- Parallel forms reliability (Correct answer)
- Internal consistency
- Inter-rater reliability
Correct answer: Parallel forms reliability
Parallel forms reliability is assessed by administering two equivalent versions of a measure to the same group at the same time.
Question 2: In an experiment, the group that does NOT receive the treatment is called the:
- Experimental group
- Control group (Correct answer)
- Independent group
- Dependent group
Correct answer: Control group
The control group serves as the baseline by not receiving the experimental treatment, allowing comparison with the experimental group.
Question 3: Which sampling method divides the population into subgroups and randomly samples from each subgroup proportionally?
- Cluster sampling
- Systematic sampling
- Stratified random sampling (Correct answer)
- Convenience sampling
Correct answer: Stratified random sampling
Stratified random sampling ensures representation from every key subgroup by drawing random samples from each stratum.
Question 4: A p-value of 0.03 in a study with a significance threshold of α = 0.05 means the researcher should:
- Fail to reject the null hypothesis
- Reject the null hypothesis (Correct answer)
- Accept the alternative hypothesis as proven
- Repeat the study before drawing conclusions
Correct answer: Reject the null hypothesis
Because p = 0.03 < α = 0.05, the result is statistically significant and the null hypothesis is rejected.
Question 5: Which of the following is a primary source of data?
- A literature review article
- A meta-analysis
- Raw survey responses collected by the researcher (Correct answer)
- A textbook summarizing previous findings
Correct answer: Raw survey responses collected by the researcher
Primary sources are original, first-hand data collected directly by the researcher, such as raw survey responses.
Question 6: Operational definitions in research serve to:
- Identify the population to be studied
- Specify exactly how a variable will be measured (Correct answer)
- List all ethical considerations
- Determine the appropriate sample size
Correct answer: Specify exactly how a variable will be measured
An operational definition translates an abstract concept into a measurable procedure, ensuring consistency and replicability.
Question 7: A researcher observes that students who own more books score higher on reading tests. This finding is best described as:
- A causal relationship
- A correlation (Correct answer)
- An experimental result
- A confounding variable
Correct answer: A correlation
A correlation describes the relationship between two variables without implying that one causes the other.
BCA Research Methods 2
A researcher wants to measure the same concept with two different instruments on the same day to assess consistency.
This approach tests which type of reliability?