Ed.D. Doctor of Education Doctor of Education Research Methodology 5 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher administering the same survey twice within two weeks to the same group, with no intervention in between, is assessing:
- Parallel-forms reliability
- Internal consistency reliability
- Test-retest reliability (Correct answer)
- Inter-rater reliability
Correct answer: Test-retest reliability
Test-retest reliability measures the stability of scores over time by correlating results from two administrations of the same instrument.
Question 2: In a causal-comparative (ex post facto) research design, the primary limitation compared to a true experiment is:
- Inability to use inferential statistics
- Lack of control over the independent variable and random assignment (Correct answer)
- Requirement for very large sample sizes
- Restriction to quantitative data only
Correct answer: Lack of control over the independent variable and random assignment
Because the independent variable has already occurred and participants were not randomly assigned, causal-comparative designs cannot definitively establish causation.
Question 3: Which qualitative approach would be most appropriate for a researcher studying how a single urban high school implements a new trauma-informed policy over one semester?
- Narrative inquiry
- Phenomenology
- Case study (Correct answer)
- Ethnography
Correct answer: Case study
Case study is ideal for an in-depth investigation of a single bounded system (the school) within its real-world context over a defined period.
Question 4: A researcher conducting a focus group on student mental health services must be especially attentive to which ethical concern unique to group settings?
- Voluntary participation
- Confidentiality among participants (Correct answer)
- Obtaining IRB approval
- Using informed consent forms
Correct answer: Confidentiality among participants
In focus groups, the researcher cannot guarantee that other participants will keep shared information confidential, making it a unique ethical challenge compared to individual interviews.
Question 5: An Ed.D. researcher wants to examine whether teacher professional development predicts student achievement while controlling for socioeconomic status. The most appropriate analysis is:
- Simple linear regression
- Chi-square test of independence
- Multiple regression analysis (Correct answer)
- One-way ANOVA
Correct answer: Multiple regression analysis
Multiple regression allows the researcher to examine the predictive relationship between professional development and achievement while statistically controlling for socioeconomic status.
Question 6: The concept of 'thick description' in qualitative research, introduced by Geertz, serves to enhance which criterion of trustworthiness?
- Credibility
- Dependability
- Transferability (Correct answer)
- Confirmability
Correct answer: Transferability
Thick description provides sufficient contextual detail so that readers can judge whether findings are transferable to their own settings, enhancing transferability.
Question 7: A researcher uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a theoretical model of school leadership. Which fit index value generally indicates acceptable model fit?
- RMSEA > .10
- CFI < .80
- RMSEA < .08 and CFI > .90 (Correct answer)
- Chi-square p > .05 alone
Correct answer: RMSEA < .08 and CFI > .90
Acceptable SEM model fit is typically indicated by RMSEA below .08 and CFI above .90, with chi-square alone being insufficient due to its sensitivity to sample size.
Ed.D. Doctor of Education Doctor of Education Research Methodology 5
A researcher administering the same survey twice within two weeks to the same group, with no intervention in between, is assessing: