Research Methods

Which of the following is an example of knowledge based on authority?

• Noticing your mail arrives at 10 a.m. every day.

• A teacher told you Pluto isn’t a planet anymore, and you believe it

• Analyzing survey results from a research study

• Testing how long it takes to commute every day

What is a key characteristic of the empirical approach?

• It involves direct or indirect observation

• It relies solely on books and expert opinion

• It avoids collecting numerical data

• It does not require interpretation

Which of the following is NOT a feature of an actual experiment?

• Random assignment

• Pretest and post-test design

• Use of a control group

• Use of both qualitative and quantitative data

Confirmation bias refers to:

• Preferring new information over old

• Using statistical tools to analyze data

• Favoring information that supports your existing beliefs

• Asking participants to confirm their answers

What is the purpose of a pretest in an experiment?

• To ensure participants understand the questions

• To reduce sample size

• To measure baseline before the treatment

• To compare control and treatment groups

Which research method is best suited for studying how students feel about campus life?

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Mixed Methods

• Experimental

What is the main goal of using random assignment in experiments?

• To eliminate bias and increase internal validity

• To save time during data collection

• To increase the number of participants

• To create more complex data

What makes quasi-experimental designs different from true experiments?

• They use only qualitative data

• They do not include a treatment

• They avoid all forms of observation

• They do not randomly assign participants to groups

Which of the following best illustrates a nonexperimental study?

• Giving one group a new teaching method and comparing results

• Observing student behavior in class without introducing a treatment

• Randomly assigning participants to two groups

• Giving participants a placebo

What is one of the benefits of critical thinking in research?

• Accepting authority without question

• Relying only on personal experience

• Preferring viral content over verified facts

• Evaluating information and sources more effectively