Ed.D. Doctor of Education Doctor of Education Research Methodology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher uses grounded theory to study how school principals navigate budget cuts. Which characteristic is most essential to this approach?
- Theoretical sampling until saturation is reached (Correct answer)
- Random selection of principals from a national database
- Testing a pre-specified theoretical framework
- Using structured surveys to quantify principal responses
Correct answer: Theoretical sampling until saturation is reached
Grounded theory relies on theoretical sampling, continuing data collection until no new themes emerge (saturation).
Question 2: Which threat to internal validity occurs when participants in a control group adopt behaviors similar to the treatment group because they learn of the study's goals?
- Selection bias
- Compensatory rivalry (John Henry effect) (Correct answer)
- Instrumentation drift
- Regression to the mean
Correct answer: Compensatory rivalry (John Henry effect)
Compensatory rivalry (the John Henry effect) occurs when control group members work harder because they know they are being compared to a treatment group.
Question 3: In a mixed-methods study, a researcher collects quantitative survey data first, then uses qualitative interviews to explain unexpected results. This sequence is called:
- Convergent parallel design
- Exploratory sequential design
- Explanatory sequential design (Correct answer)
- Embedded design
Correct answer: Explanatory sequential design
Explanatory sequential design starts with quantitative data and follows up with qualitative data to explain the quantitative findings.
Question 4: A dissertation committee requires a researcher to report Cohen's d alongside a statistically significant t-test. The committee is asking for:
- A measure of practical significance (Correct answer)
- Confirmation of Type I error rate
- A post-hoc power analysis
- A replication of the null hypothesis
Correct answer: A measure of practical significance
Cohen's d is an effect size statistic that conveys practical significance, showing the magnitude of the difference independent of sample size.
Question 5: An Ed.D. researcher studying teacher resilience conducts in-depth interviews and intentionally selects participants with extreme or unusual experiences. This is called:
- Convenience sampling
- Stratified random sampling
- Purposeful extreme case sampling (Correct answer)
- Snowball sampling
Correct answer: Purposeful extreme case sampling
Purposeful extreme case sampling deliberately selects outliers or unusual cases to illuminate phenomena more clearly.
Question 6: Which aspect of trustworthiness in qualitative research involves checking interpretations with study participants to confirm accuracy?
- Transferability
- Dependability
- Member checking (member validation) (Correct answer)
- Reflexivity
Correct answer: Member checking (member validation)
Member checking involves sharing findings or interpretations with participants to verify that the researcher's account reflects their perspectives.
Question 7: A researcher wants to determine whether a new coaching program reduces teacher burnout over one academic year. Which design provides the strongest causal evidence?
- Cross-sectional survey with matched controls
- Randomized controlled experiment with pre- and post-tests (Correct answer)
- Retrospective case study of teachers who completed the program
- Focus groups with self-selected participants
Correct answer: Randomized controlled experiment with pre- and post-tests
A randomized controlled experiment with pre- and post-tests provides the strongest causal evidence by controlling for confounding variables through random assignment.
Ed.D. Doctor of Education Doctor of Education Research Methodology 2
A researcher uses grounded theory to study how school principals navigate budget cuts.
Which characteristic is most essential to this approach?