WGU C224 Objective Assessment Research Foundations
Exam Expected Study Guide Questions and Answers
(2024/2025) (Verified Answers)
Characteristics of Quantitative Research - ANSWER numerical data
(quantity); hypothesis & research procedure are stated BEFORE data collection;
large sample size; rely on statistical procedure; low interaction with subjects; rely on
controlling, measuring, and generalizing; objective by nature
Quantitative Methods/Designs - ANSWER survey research; correlational research;
causal comparative; experimental; single subject experimental
Sampling techniques for quantitative research - ANSWER simple random;
stratified; cluster; systematic;
Simple random - ANSWER (quant) selection using table of random numbers
Stratified - ANSWER (quant) selection based on dividing up into subgroups which
have roughly equal representation
Cluster - ANSWER (quant) intact groups are selected as by classroom, efficient
but less representative
Systematic - ANSWER (quant) take a population and select every Kth invidual i.e.
sample population = 100 and you select every 5th person on list.
Qualitative Research - ANSWER *emphasis on words and feelings; *research
problems/methods evolve as understanding of topic increases; *smaller sample
sizes; *relies on categorizing & organizing data into themes or patterns to describe &
synthesize the data; *high level interaction with subjects; *many possible contexts &
meanings for different people; *subjective by nature
Qualitative Research Methods - ANSWER observation/field notes; interviews: face-
to-face, phone, focus group; questionnaires; archival documents; journals;
audio/video
Qualitative Sampling Techniques - ANSWER intensity; homogenous; criterion;
snowball; random purposive
Characteristics of Action Research (comes out of qualitative research) - ANSWER
*persuasive & authoritative b/c it's done by teachers for teachers; *relevant b/c
solves real world problems; *accessible b/c teachers already have built-in audience
as test subjects; *encourages school reform by providing an action plan; *practical by
nature (see ch20).
, Selecting topics - Characteristics of good research topics - ANSWER
*researchable (can be solved by collecting and analyzing data); *interesting enough
to hold your attention (love it); *significant (contributes to field of knowledge); *ethical
(no harm done); *manageable (keep it in scope)
How to write a good research question - ANSWER *solvable by collecting data;
*cannot be answered with simple yes/no; *what is the effect of x on y (x is indep.
Variable, y is dependent variable); *i.e. What is the effect of an after school reading
program (x) on students' reading comprehension scores (y)?
Purpose & function of literature review - ANSWER *see what's already been done;
*reveals what needs to be done; *addresses the research questions; *provides
rationale for your hypothesis; *avoids mistakes of others; *may suggest ideas not
previously considered; *provide new direction to your research
Resource Identification Evaluation & Selection - ANSWER *primary & secondary
sources; WGU library: books, articles, e-reserves, ERIC; *What was problem
statement?; *Who was studied?; *Where was source published?; When was source
published?; *How was study conducted?; *see ch 3 for more detail
5 types Hypotheses - ANSWER 1. Deductive, 2. Inductive, 3. Directional, 4. Non-
directional, 5. Null
Hypothesis - ANSWER based on sound reasoning consistent with theory or
observation; provides reasonable explanation for a predicted outcome; states the
expected relationship between variables; is testable within a reasonable time frame
Evaluating a research report - ANSWER *does it include all appropriate heading
according to the research design? (i.e. intro, prob. Stmt., lit review, hypothesis, etc.);
*enough detail to allow the reader to completely understand the what, why, when,
and how.; *look out for researcher bias; *review comprehensive list in ch. 22
Measurement instruments - ANSWER *reliability - degree to which a test
consistently measures whatever it is measuring; *validity - degree to which a test
measures what it is intended to measure; *validity assumes reliability
Factors that threaten validity of measurement instruments - ANSWER *unclear test
directions; *ambiguous test items; *complex vocabulary & sentence structure;
*subjective scoring; *items on test not covered in instruction; *inconsistent testing
procedures; *cheating (see pg 158)
How to determine reliability? - ANSWER *stability (test - re-test); *equivalence (2
similar tests); *Internal Consistency (requires only 1 test administration) split half,
Kuder Richardson, Chronibachs Alpha) ; see chapter 6
Types of Measurement Instruments (see Ch. 6) - ANSWER Achievement tests;
aptitude tests; Affective tests; Projective tests
Dependent variable - ANSWER the effect or outcome
Exam Expected Study Guide Questions and Answers
(2024/2025) (Verified Answers)
Characteristics of Quantitative Research - ANSWER numerical data
(quantity); hypothesis & research procedure are stated BEFORE data collection;
large sample size; rely on statistical procedure; low interaction with subjects; rely on
controlling, measuring, and generalizing; objective by nature
Quantitative Methods/Designs - ANSWER survey research; correlational research;
causal comparative; experimental; single subject experimental
Sampling techniques for quantitative research - ANSWER simple random;
stratified; cluster; systematic;
Simple random - ANSWER (quant) selection using table of random numbers
Stratified - ANSWER (quant) selection based on dividing up into subgroups which
have roughly equal representation
Cluster - ANSWER (quant) intact groups are selected as by classroom, efficient
but less representative
Systematic - ANSWER (quant) take a population and select every Kth invidual i.e.
sample population = 100 and you select every 5th person on list.
Qualitative Research - ANSWER *emphasis on words and feelings; *research
problems/methods evolve as understanding of topic increases; *smaller sample
sizes; *relies on categorizing & organizing data into themes or patterns to describe &
synthesize the data; *high level interaction with subjects; *many possible contexts &
meanings for different people; *subjective by nature
Qualitative Research Methods - ANSWER observation/field notes; interviews: face-
to-face, phone, focus group; questionnaires; archival documents; journals;
audio/video
Qualitative Sampling Techniques - ANSWER intensity; homogenous; criterion;
snowball; random purposive
Characteristics of Action Research (comes out of qualitative research) - ANSWER
*persuasive & authoritative b/c it's done by teachers for teachers; *relevant b/c
solves real world problems; *accessible b/c teachers already have built-in audience
as test subjects; *encourages school reform by providing an action plan; *practical by
nature (see ch20).
, Selecting topics - Characteristics of good research topics - ANSWER
*researchable (can be solved by collecting and analyzing data); *interesting enough
to hold your attention (love it); *significant (contributes to field of knowledge); *ethical
(no harm done); *manageable (keep it in scope)
How to write a good research question - ANSWER *solvable by collecting data;
*cannot be answered with simple yes/no; *what is the effect of x on y (x is indep.
Variable, y is dependent variable); *i.e. What is the effect of an after school reading
program (x) on students' reading comprehension scores (y)?
Purpose & function of literature review - ANSWER *see what's already been done;
*reveals what needs to be done; *addresses the research questions; *provides
rationale for your hypothesis; *avoids mistakes of others; *may suggest ideas not
previously considered; *provide new direction to your research
Resource Identification Evaluation & Selection - ANSWER *primary & secondary
sources; WGU library: books, articles, e-reserves, ERIC; *What was problem
statement?; *Who was studied?; *Where was source published?; When was source
published?; *How was study conducted?; *see ch 3 for more detail
5 types Hypotheses - ANSWER 1. Deductive, 2. Inductive, 3. Directional, 4. Non-
directional, 5. Null
Hypothesis - ANSWER based on sound reasoning consistent with theory or
observation; provides reasonable explanation for a predicted outcome; states the
expected relationship between variables; is testable within a reasonable time frame
Evaluating a research report - ANSWER *does it include all appropriate heading
according to the research design? (i.e. intro, prob. Stmt., lit review, hypothesis, etc.);
*enough detail to allow the reader to completely understand the what, why, when,
and how.; *look out for researcher bias; *review comprehensive list in ch. 22
Measurement instruments - ANSWER *reliability - degree to which a test
consistently measures whatever it is measuring; *validity - degree to which a test
measures what it is intended to measure; *validity assumes reliability
Factors that threaten validity of measurement instruments - ANSWER *unclear test
directions; *ambiguous test items; *complex vocabulary & sentence structure;
*subjective scoring; *items on test not covered in instruction; *inconsistent testing
procedures; *cheating (see pg 158)
How to determine reliability? - ANSWER *stability (test - re-test); *equivalence (2
similar tests); *Internal Consistency (requires only 1 test administration) split half,
Kuder Richardson, Chronibachs Alpha) ; see chapter 6
Types of Measurement Instruments (see Ch. 6) - ANSWER Achievement tests;
aptitude tests; Affective tests; Projective tests
Dependent variable - ANSWER the effect or outcome
