Practical Research Planning And Design 11th Edition By PEARSON – Test Bank

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Sample Questions Posted Below

Chapter 5

WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

To help students recognize the elements of a well-written research proposal, there is no substitute for the opportunity to study a variety of samples.  This is especially true if the samples include both well-written and poorly written research proposals.  Many graduate instructors will have drafts of dissertation and thesis proposals at their disposal, and these may very well reflect a range of quality.  These are a good source of examples, but it is important to get permission from the authors of the proposals prior to their use in class.  In addition, it is a good idea to use these samples anonymously.  This is especially critical if a work is being used as an example of a poorly written proposal or if the author may be known to students in the current class.  

If such examples are not available, the collections of theses or dissertations housed at many university libraries can be another good source of examples.  Of course, these are completed projects, not proposals.  However, a well-written research proposal is very much like a dissertation or thesis report, except that it ends with the proposed data analysis.  A little time spent browsing this collection should yield a set of examples that range in methodology, field of study, and quality.  

Form small groups of students who are heterogeneous in terms of experience and research interest.  Have each small group examine a number of writing samples and rank them according to quality.  Ask students to provide a narrative that explains their ranking.  If time allows, you may end the activity with whole-group presentations in which students summarize the strengths and weaknesses identified in the writing samples they studied.

Chapter 5

WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Multiple-Choice Questions

• According to the textbook, the most effective research proposals:

• are a brief outline of the study you intend to conduct without an excess of detail.
• justify the study to be conducted by explaining how it will contribute to the professional literature.
• are detailed and straightforward explanations of the research problem and methodology.
• include an autobiographical section that explains how the researcher became interested in the research topic.

• A proposal for a quantitative study typically begins with:

• a statement of the problem and its setting.
• a review of the literature on this topic.
• the hypotheses and operational definitions.
• an abstract summarizing the entire study.

• A proposal for a qualitative study typically includes these elements in this order:

• an explanation of how the findings will fit with the larger literature.
• the theoretical framework and underlying assumptions.  
• a statement of the purpose of the study and its guiding questions.  
• the hypotheses and operational definitions.

• Farhat is interested in the reading practices of Turkish families. He needs to prepare a research proposal for the Ministry of Education to be able to conduct the study.  Which of the following is NOT likely part of his shared plan?

• A description of his instrumentation for the study
• A time schedule for how the study will progress
• A discussion of his sampling procedure
• An analysis of data he has already collected 

• Sophie is preparing a qualitative research plan for her study that explores the stories of young cancer survivors. Of the following, which is Sophie likely to include in her plan?

• A description of her hypothesis
• A discussion of the representativeness of sample
• A section that demonstrates relevance of the study
• A presentation of her initial findings

• Amida recognizes that there are limitations to her proposed research study that explores students’ opinions about campus mental health resources.  As she writes her plan where will she share these limitations?

• The first section where she describes the problem and setting
• The review of related literature
• The section where she discusses treatment of the data
• The summary of her qualifications as a researcher

• In regard to the style you will use for headings and subheadings in the research proposal:

• there are no special formatting requirements unless the document is a thesis or dissertation.
• all disciplines recognize the major formal styles, so it is a matter of personal choice.
• the writer is free to show creativity as long as s/he is consistent throughout the document.
• disciplines often dictate the use of specific formal styles, so you must find out what the expectations are.

• Experienced writers of research proposals typically: 

• plan to make revisions to the first draft of the proposal.
• do not need to make revisions to the first draft of the proposal.
• make revisions to the first draft of the proposal only if they are requested by a reviewer.
• may need to edit the first draft of the proposal for typos, but not content.

• When writing the proposal, you should assume that the reader:

• will know which data analytic techniques are appropriate for your study without a detailed explanation.
• is an expert in the area you are addressing and will be familiar with common issues, variables, instruments, etc.
• can discern for him/herself what the importance of the study is.
• knows nothing about the proposed project, so all the details must be thoroughly explained.  

• When explaining how the data are to be analyzed and interpreted:

• it is best to provide only a general plan as things will probably change over the course of the study anyway.
• it is best to be as detailed as possible so all contingencies related to analysis and interpretation can be anticipated.
• it is impossible to be highly detailed until one has the actual data in hand.
• an overly specific plan may bias the analyses or interpretation, impairing the validity of the study.

• Three of the following are elements in the proposal revision process.  Which one is NOT?

• Reconsider the feasibility of what you are proposing to do.
• Carefully assess the logic and organization of the information in the document.
• Avoid breaks of 24 hours or more as the material will get too “cold” in your mind. 
• Seek feedback from knowledgeable others.

Essay Questions

• In regard to quantitative research proposals, novice researchers often find it very challenging and tedious to explain in detail how the data will be analyzed and interpreted in their study.  Explain why it is essential that the researcher not cut corners in this section of the proposal.