CPI CPI Research Methods & Academic Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the key difference between primary and secondary sources in research?
- Primary sources are original materials; secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources (Correct answer)
- Primary sources are more recent than secondary sources
- Primary sources are peer-reviewed; secondary sources are not
- Primary sources are quantitative; secondary sources are qualitative
Correct answer: Primary sources are original materials; secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources
Primary sources provide firsthand evidence (e.g., raw data, original documents), while secondary sources offer analysis or commentary on primary materials.
Question 2: What is a research hypothesis?
- A testable prediction about the expected relationship between variables (Correct answer)
- A summary of a study's conclusions
- A list of research questions to be explored
- A description of the data collection method used
Correct answer: A testable prediction about the expected relationship between variables
A hypothesis is a specific, testable statement predicting the relationship or outcome that the research will investigate.
Question 3: What does 'triangulation' mean in qualitative research?
- Using multiple data sources or methods to validate findings (Correct answer)
- Dividing participants into three equal groups
- Analyzing three separate research questions
- Collecting data at three different time points
Correct answer: Using multiple data sources or methods to validate findings
Triangulation strengthens the credibility of qualitative findings by cross-checking results from multiple sources, methods, or researchers.
Question 4: Which sampling method selects every nth person from a complete list of the population?
- Systematic sampling (Correct answer)
- Random sampling
- Convenience sampling
- Stratified sampling
Correct answer: Systematic sampling
Systematic sampling draws participants at regular intervals (e.g., every 10th person) from an ordered list of the full population.
Question 5: What is action research as applied in postsecondary education?
- Practitioners investigating their own teaching practice to improve student outcomes (Correct answer)
- Large-scale experimental studies conducted by university research centers
- Surveys distributed to students at the end of each semester
- Analysis of institutional enrollment and retention data
Correct answer: Practitioners investigating their own teaching practice to improve student outcomes
Action research is a cyclical, reflective inquiry process in which instructors study their own classroom to identify and implement improvements.
Question 6: What is the purpose of an abstract in a research paper?
- To provide a concise summary of the study's purpose, methods, and findings (Correct answer)
- To list all references cited in the study
- To present the detailed methodology used in the research
- To describe the theoretical framework in depth
Correct answer: To provide a concise summary of the study's purpose, methods, and findings
An abstract is a brief overview (typically 150–250 words) that allows readers to quickly determine the relevance of the full paper.
CPI CPI Research Methods & Academic Writing 2
What is the key difference between primary and secondary sources in research?