Research & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

Which term describes the degree to which research findings can be applied to other settings, populations, or times?

Answer: Generalizability

Generalizability (also called external validity) refers to how well research results apply beyond the original study's specific context.

A teacher systematically collects and analyzes data from her own classroom to improve instruction. This is an example of:

Answer: Action research

Action research is practitioner-led inquiry conducted within one's own educational setting to solve immediate problems.

What is the primary purpose of using a control group in an experiment?

Answer: To provide a baseline for comparison

A control group provides a baseline so researchers can determine whether observed changes result from the intervention rather than other factors.

Which data collection method would BEST capture the depth of a student's reasoning about a math problem?

Answer: Think-aloud protocol

A think-aloud protocol has students verbalize their thought processes, providing rich qualitative insight into reasoning strategies.

Interrater reliability is important in research because it ensures that:

Answer: Different observers produce consistent results when rating the same behavior

Interrater reliability measures the consistency of scores across different observers, reducing subjectivity in qualitative or observational data.

A researcher reviews and statistically combines data from 30 separate studies on vocabulary instruction. This is called a:

Answer: Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis quantitatively synthesizes findings from multiple studies, producing an overall effect size estimate.

Which level of evidence is generally considered the STRONGEST for supporting instructional decisions?

Answer: Systematic review or meta-analysis

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses sit at the top of the evidence hierarchy because they synthesize findings from multiple rigorous studies.