Master Qualitative Research Methods in History of Education (MEd)

Question 1

Identify the key characteristic that distinguishes qualitative research from other research approaches:

Accepted Answer

Derivation of concepts and theories from observed data

Answer

Reliance on statistical analysis of numerical data

Answer

Generalizability of findings to a broader population

Answer

Objectivity and detachment of the researcher from the research subjects

Question 2

Which defining characteristic distinguishes qualitative research methods in education?

Accepted Answer

Focus on subjective experiences and interpretations in data collection

Answer

Emphasis on numerical measurement in data collection

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Guarantee of generalizability of findings to larger populations

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Researcher's neutrality and objectivity as a guiding principle

Question 3

Ethnography, a qualitative research method, involves:

Accepted Answer

Observing and documenting the daily life of a group over an extended period

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Conducting in-depth interviews with a small number of participants

Answer

Analyzing historical documents and artifacts

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Surveying a large population to gather quantitative data

Question 4

A particular challenge when conducting case study research is:

Accepted Answer

Generalizing findings to a wider population

Answer

Establishing the trustworthiness and credibility of the research

Answer

Collecting an adequate amount of data

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Avoiding researcher bias

Question 5

Narrative inquiry in education research:

Accepted Answer

Prioritizes the stories and lived experiences of participants

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Seeks to identify patterns and generalizations across narratives

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Relies solely on quantitative data to construct a coherent narrative

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Excludes the researcher's own experiences and reflections

Question 6

When conducting an ethnography, the researcher should:

Accepted Answer

Immerse themselves in the community or group being studied

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Maintain a distant and objective stance

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Prioritize their own theoretical preconceptions

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Focus exclusively on collecting quantitative data

Question 7

Ethnography, as a qualitative research method, primarily aims to:

Accepted Answer

Study a specific culture or group over an extended period

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Investigate a particular case in depth

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Collect and analyze personal narratives

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Compare and contrast different research methods

Question 8

Narrative inquiry, as a qualitative method, emphasizes the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Storytelling and personal experiences

Answer

Quantitative data analysis

Answer

Objective observation

Answer

Generalizability of findings

Question 9

When conducting an ethnography, researchers typically employ which of the following data collection techniques?

Accepted Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Focus groups

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Experimental manipulation

Question 10

In the context of qualitative research, what is the purpose of theoretical sampling?

Accepted Answer

To intentionally choose participants who can provide unique perspectives

Answer

To select participants who represent the target population

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To ensure that the sample is statistically representative

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To collect data from a random sample of the population

Question 11

Which of the following data analysis techniques is primarily used in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Content analysis

Answer

Statistical hypothesis testing

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Factor analysis

Question 12

When reporting qualitative research findings, researchers should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Accuracy and transparency

Answer

Objectivity and generalization

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Personal interpretation and bias

Answer

Formal language and technical jargon

Question 13

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of ethnographic research?

Accepted Answer

Observing participants in their natural settings over an extended period

Answer

Analyzing historical documents and artifacts

Answer

Conducting structured interviews with a large sample size

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Using statistical methods to test hypotheses

Question 14

A researcher utilizing case study research would typically:

Accepted Answer

Focus on a specific individual, group, or event to gain an in-depth understanding

Answer

Collect data from a large population to make generalizations

Answer

Conduct controlled experiments to isolate variables

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Use quantitative methods to measure and analyze data

Question 15

Narrative inquiry aims to:

Accepted Answer

Explore and interpret the unique experiences and perspectives of individuals

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Draw general conclusions applicable to a broader population

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Test specific hypotheses through rigorous experimental designs

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Predict future outcomes based on statistical analysis

Question 16

A researcher using case study research is likely to:

Accepted Answer

Collect data from multiple sources to gain a comprehensive view of a particular case

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Conduct a large-scale study to generalize findings to a wider population

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Use experimental methods to test hypotheses

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Focus primarily on quantitative data analysis

Question 17

Narrative inquiry offers the advantage of:

Accepted Answer

Providing in-depth insights into individual experiences and perspectives

Answer

Enabling researchers to make broad generalizations about a population

Answer

Being a rapid and efficient method of data collection

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Eliminating researcher bias entirely

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a key feature of qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Capacity for generalization

Answer

Emphasis on subjectivity

Answer

Interpretive approach

Answer

Seeking contextual understanding

Question 19

Which qualitative research method involves an in-depth study of a specific group or setting over an extended period?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Case study research

Answer

Narrative inquiry

Answer

Historical research

Question 20

In narrative inquiry, the primary aim of the researcher is to:

Accepted Answer

Capture the subjective experiences of individuals

Answer

Provide a detailed description of a specific context

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Analyze the historical roots of a phenomenon

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Test hypotheses about educational outcomes

Question 21

What is the significance of reflexivity in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging the researcher's biases and influences

Answer

Guaranteeing the validity and reliability of the research

Answer

Facilitating the triangulation of data

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Evaluating the ethical implications of the research

Question 22

In case study research, the primary focus of the researcher is on:

Accepted Answer

A single individual or a small group

Answer

A specific phenomenon or issue

Answer

A historical event

Answer

A comparative analysis of multiple cases