HREDU82 Assignment 2 Semester 1 – University of South Africa (UNISA) – 2026
Academic Year | Research Project in Education – Complete Questions and
Answers, Assignment Guide, Research Topics, Solutions, and Study Notes
SECTION A: MODULE OVERVIEW AND FUNDAMENTALS
Q1. What is HREDU82?
A) A postgraduate diploma in curriculum studies
B) A Research Project in Education module at UNISA, offered at Honours level
(NQF Level 8, 36 credits)
C) A master's degree in educational psychology
D) A doctoral research methodology course
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HREDU82 is a Research Project in Education module at UNISA, offered
at Honours level (NQF Level 8, 36 credits). It builds on Research Theories and
Methods in Education (RSE4801) and enables students to conceptualise and
conduct their own research project in education .
Q2. What is the primary purpose of HREDU82?
A) To memorize existing educational theories
B) To provide students with the opportunity to formulate a research problem
from their educational practice, engage with relevant theories and concepts,
develop a research design, and reflect on research ethics
C) To complete a teaching practicum
D) To prepare for a licensing examination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of HREDU82 is to provide students with the opportunity
to formulate a research problem from their educational practice, engage with
relevant theories and concepts, develop a research design, and reflect on
research ethics, ultimately contributing to quality and relevant education .
,Q3. Which key themes are emphasized in HREDU82 research?
A) Only quantitative research methods
B) Only Western educational theories
C) Decolonisation, Afrikanisation, and indigenisation of education and educational
research
D) Standardised testing and assessment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The module emphasizes issues of decolonisation, Afrikanisation, and
indigenisation of education and educational research, reflecting UNISA's
commitment to contextualising educational research within African perspectives .
Q4. What is educational research?
A) A review of educational policies
B) A systematic inquiry into educational phenomena, practices, policies, and
theories aimed at generating knowledge that can improve teaching, learning, and
educational outcomes
C) A statistical analysis of school data
D) A theoretical discussion of teaching methods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Educational research is defined as a systematic inquiry into educational
phenomena, practices, policies, and theories aimed at generating knowledge that
can improve teaching, learning, and educational outcomes .
Q5. What are the main types of educational research?
A) Descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory
B) Quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed-methods research
C) Experimental and non-experimental
D) Basic and applied
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main types of educational research are quantitative research,
qualitative research, and mixed-methods research. Each approach has distinct
philosophical underpinnings and methodological applications .
,Q6. What is quantitative research?
A) Research that uses interviews and observations
B) Research that involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to identify
patterns, test theories, and make predictions
C) Research that only uses historical documents
D) Research that does not require data analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical
data to identify patterns, test theories, and make predictions. It is often
associated with positivism and uses statistical methods .
Q7. What is qualitative research?
A) Research that uses only numbers and statistics
B) Research that explores social phenomena through non-numerical data such as
interviews, observations, and textual analysis to understand meanings,
experiences, and perspectives
C) Research conducted only in laboratories
D) Research that does not require ethical approval
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research explores social phenomena through non-
numerical data such as interviews, observations, and textual analysis to
understand meanings, experiences, and perspectives in their natural contexts .
Q8. What is mixed-methods research?
A) Research that uses only one type of data
B) Research that combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches in a
single study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research
problem
C) Research conducted by multiple researchers
D) Research that uses multiple statistical tests
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mixed-methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative
approaches in a single study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of
the research problem .
Q9. What is the difference between basic and applied research?
A) Basic research uses statistics; applied research uses interviews
B) Basic research is done in laboratories; applied research is done in schools
C) Basic research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate practical
application; applied research aims to solve specific practical problems in
education
D) Basic research is shorter than applied research
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Basic research seeks to expand knowledge and theory without
immediate practical application, while applied research aims to solve specific
practical problems in education .
Q10. What is action research?
A) Experimental research conducted in a laboratory
B) A participatory form of research where practitioners investigate their own
practice to identify problems, implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes in a
cyclical process
C) Research about physical education
D) A literature review methodology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Action research is a participatory form of research where practitioners
investigate their own practice to identify problems, implement solutions, and
evaluate outcomes in a cyclical process. Teachers often engage in action research
to improve their classrooms .
Academic Year | Research Project in Education – Complete Questions and
Answers, Assignment Guide, Research Topics, Solutions, and Study Notes
SECTION A: MODULE OVERVIEW AND FUNDAMENTALS
Q1. What is HREDU82?
A) A postgraduate diploma in curriculum studies
B) A Research Project in Education module at UNISA, offered at Honours level
(NQF Level 8, 36 credits)
C) A master's degree in educational psychology
D) A doctoral research methodology course
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HREDU82 is a Research Project in Education module at UNISA, offered
at Honours level (NQF Level 8, 36 credits). It builds on Research Theories and
Methods in Education (RSE4801) and enables students to conceptualise and
conduct their own research project in education .
Q2. What is the primary purpose of HREDU82?
A) To memorize existing educational theories
B) To provide students with the opportunity to formulate a research problem
from their educational practice, engage with relevant theories and concepts,
develop a research design, and reflect on research ethics
C) To complete a teaching practicum
D) To prepare for a licensing examination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of HREDU82 is to provide students with the opportunity
to formulate a research problem from their educational practice, engage with
relevant theories and concepts, develop a research design, and reflect on
research ethics, ultimately contributing to quality and relevant education .
,Q3. Which key themes are emphasized in HREDU82 research?
A) Only quantitative research methods
B) Only Western educational theories
C) Decolonisation, Afrikanisation, and indigenisation of education and educational
research
D) Standardised testing and assessment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The module emphasizes issues of decolonisation, Afrikanisation, and
indigenisation of education and educational research, reflecting UNISA's
commitment to contextualising educational research within African perspectives .
Q4. What is educational research?
A) A review of educational policies
B) A systematic inquiry into educational phenomena, practices, policies, and
theories aimed at generating knowledge that can improve teaching, learning, and
educational outcomes
C) A statistical analysis of school data
D) A theoretical discussion of teaching methods
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Educational research is defined as a systematic inquiry into educational
phenomena, practices, policies, and theories aimed at generating knowledge that
can improve teaching, learning, and educational outcomes .
Q5. What are the main types of educational research?
A) Descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory
B) Quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed-methods research
C) Experimental and non-experimental
D) Basic and applied
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main types of educational research are quantitative research,
qualitative research, and mixed-methods research. Each approach has distinct
philosophical underpinnings and methodological applications .
,Q6. What is quantitative research?
A) Research that uses interviews and observations
B) Research that involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to identify
patterns, test theories, and make predictions
C) Research that only uses historical documents
D) Research that does not require data analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical
data to identify patterns, test theories, and make predictions. It is often
associated with positivism and uses statistical methods .
Q7. What is qualitative research?
A) Research that uses only numbers and statistics
B) Research that explores social phenomena through non-numerical data such as
interviews, observations, and textual analysis to understand meanings,
experiences, and perspectives
C) Research conducted only in laboratories
D) Research that does not require ethical approval
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research explores social phenomena through non-
numerical data such as interviews, observations, and textual analysis to
understand meanings, experiences, and perspectives in their natural contexts .
Q8. What is mixed-methods research?
A) Research that uses only one type of data
B) Research that combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches in a
single study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research
problem
C) Research conducted by multiple researchers
D) Research that uses multiple statistical tests
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mixed-methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative
approaches in a single study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of
the research problem .
Q9. What is the difference between basic and applied research?
A) Basic research uses statistics; applied research uses interviews
B) Basic research is done in laboratories; applied research is done in schools
C) Basic research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate practical
application; applied research aims to solve specific practical problems in
education
D) Basic research is shorter than applied research
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Basic research seeks to expand knowledge and theory without
immediate practical application, while applied research aims to solve specific
practical problems in education .
Q10. What is action research?
A) Experimental research conducted in a laboratory
B) A participatory form of research where practitioners investigate their own
practice to identify problems, implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes in a
cyclical process
C) Research about physical education
D) A literature review methodology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Action research is a participatory form of research where practitioners
investigate their own practice to identify problems, implement solutions, and
evaluate outcomes in a cyclical process. Teachers often engage in action research
to improve their classrooms .
