NES Research & Evidence-Based Practice 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher studying bullying observes students during lunch without their knowledge. The primary ethical concern is:
- Lack of random sampling
- Failure to obtain informed consent (Correct answer)
- Using qualitative rather than quantitative methods
- Not having a control group
Correct answer: Failure to obtain informed consent
Informed consent is a foundational ethical requirement; covert observation of minors raises serious ethical concerns about participant rights.
Question 2: Which term describes a variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect?
- Dependent variable
- Confounding variable
- Independent variable (Correct answer)
- Control variable
Correct answer: Independent variable
The independent variable is deliberately manipulated to test its effect on the dependent (outcome) variable.
Question 3: A principal wants to know whether her school's students differ significantly from the national average on a standardized test. Which statistical test is MOST appropriate?
- Pearson correlation
- One-sample t-test (Correct answer)
- Chi-square test
- ANOVA
Correct answer: One-sample t-test
A one-sample t-test compares a sample mean to a known population mean to determine if there is a significant difference.
Question 4: Triangulation in qualitative research refers to:
- Using three separate statistical analyses on the same data
- Combining multiple data sources or methods to enhance credibility (Correct answer)
- Dividing the sample into three equal subgroups
- Applying a three-step coding process
Correct answer: Combining multiple data sources or methods to enhance credibility
Triangulation strengthens qualitative findings by cross-checking results from multiple sources, methods, or investigators.
Question 5: Which action would MOST directly increase the internal validity of an experimental study?
- Increasing the sample size
- Publishing results in a peer-reviewed journal
- Randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups (Correct answer)
- Selecting participants from diverse geographic regions
Correct answer: Randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups
Random assignment controls for pre-existing differences between groups, the most direct way to rule out confounding variables and strengthen internal validity.
Question 6: A teacher notices that students who sit in the front row score higher on tests and concludes that seat location improves learning. This reasoning reflects:
- Sound causal inference
- Confounding variable oversight (Correct answer)
- Confirmation bias
- Selection bias
Correct answer: Confounding variable oversight
The teacher overlooks confounding variables (e.g., motivated students choosing front seats), making the causal inference invalid.
Question 7: Which publication standard requires researchers to report sufficient detail so others can replicate the study?
- Anonymity standard
- Transparency and replication standard (Correct answer)
- Minimum sample size rule
- Peer review mandate
Correct answer: Transparency and replication standard
Transparency and replication standards require researchers to fully describe methods, materials, and procedures so independent replication is possible.
NES Research & Evidence-Based Practice 5
A researcher studying bullying observes students during lunch without their knowledge.
The primary ethical concern is: