Fall Semester 2025 UNISA Assignment: RSE4801 Research in Education –
Complete Solved Assignment with Step-by-Step Answers, Exam-Focused
Questions & Updated Study Guide (2025 Edition)
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of educational research?
A) To assess student performance
B) To contribute to theoretical knowledge
C) To improve teaching practices
D) To gather data for policymakers
CORRECT ANSWER: C) To improve teaching practices
Rationale: The primary purpose of educational research is to enhance teaching and
learning processes by investigating effective methods and strategies.
Question 2: Which of the following is a qualitative research method commonly
used in education?
A) Surveys
B) Interviews
C) Experiments
D) Standardized tests
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Interviews
Rationale: Interviews are a qualitative method that allows researchers to gather in-
depth insights into participants’ thoughts and experiences.
Question 3: In a research study, what is the significance of a literature review?
A) To summarize findings
B) To justify the research question
C) To identify gaps in existing research
D) To collect primary data
CORRECT ANSWER: C) To identify gaps in existing research
Rationale: A literature review helps to situate the current study within the existing body
of knowledge and highlights areas that need further exploration.
Question 4: What does "informed consent" refer to in educational research?
A) Participants' agreement to participate without compensation
B) Participants' understanding of the research and their voluntary agreement
C) The requirement for a witness during the research process
D) The administrative approval for the research
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Participants' understanding of the research and their
voluntary agreement
Rationale: Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the research
context and their rights, fostering ethical standards in research.
Question 5: Which of the following sampling methods involves selecting
participants based on specific characteristics?
A) Random sampling
B) Purposive sampling
C) Stratified sampling
D) Convenience sampling
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Purposive sampling
Rationale: Purposive sampling is used when researchers seek participants who meet
certain criteria relevant to the research topic.
Question 6: What is the main characteristic of quantitative research?
A) Focus on numerical data
B) Use of open-ended questions
C) In-depth case studies
D) Observational techniques
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Focus on numerical data
Rationale: Quantitative research emphasizes the collection and analysis of numerical
data to identify patterns or test hypotheses.
Question 7: Which sampling method involves dividing a population into subgroups
and randomly selecting participants from each subgroup?
A) Convenience sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Purposive sampling
D) Systematic sampling
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Stratified sampling
Rationale: Stratified sampling ensures that specific groups within a population are
adequately represented in the sample.
Question 8: What does the term "triangulation" refer to in research?
, A) Using three different data collection methods
B) Using multiple data sources or methods to confirm findings
C) Analyzing data from three perspectives
D) Combining qualitative and quantitative research
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Using multiple data sources or methods to confirm findings
Rationale: Triangulation enhances the credibility of research by validating results
through different approaches.
Question 9: Which of the following is a common ethical principle in research?
A) Confidentiality
B) Voluntary participation
C) Risk of harm minimization
D) All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D) All of the above
Rationale: All listed options represent essential ethical principles that researchers
must adhere to in order to protect participants.
Question 10: In the context of educational research, what is a "research design"?
A) The process of collecting data
B) The overall strategy used to integrate the different components of a study
C) The statistical methods used in analysis
D) The theoretical framework of the study
CORRECT ANSWER: B) The overall strategy used to integrate the different
components of a study
Rationale: Research design outlines how a study will be conducted, including the
methodology and analytical procedures.
Question 11: What is the primary role of the hypothesis in research?
A) To describe the methodology
B) To state the expected relationship between variables
C) To provide a theoretical framework
D) To summarize findings
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To state the expected relationship between variables
Rationale: A hypothesis proposes a testable prediction that directs the research
process.
Complete Solved Assignment with Step-by-Step Answers, Exam-Focused
Questions & Updated Study Guide (2025 Edition)
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of educational research?
A) To assess student performance
B) To contribute to theoretical knowledge
C) To improve teaching practices
D) To gather data for policymakers
CORRECT ANSWER: C) To improve teaching practices
Rationale: The primary purpose of educational research is to enhance teaching and
learning processes by investigating effective methods and strategies.
Question 2: Which of the following is a qualitative research method commonly
used in education?
A) Surveys
B) Interviews
C) Experiments
D) Standardized tests
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Interviews
Rationale: Interviews are a qualitative method that allows researchers to gather in-
depth insights into participants’ thoughts and experiences.
Question 3: In a research study, what is the significance of a literature review?
A) To summarize findings
B) To justify the research question
C) To identify gaps in existing research
D) To collect primary data
CORRECT ANSWER: C) To identify gaps in existing research
Rationale: A literature review helps to situate the current study within the existing body
of knowledge and highlights areas that need further exploration.
Question 4: What does "informed consent" refer to in educational research?
A) Participants' agreement to participate without compensation
B) Participants' understanding of the research and their voluntary agreement
C) The requirement for a witness during the research process
D) The administrative approval for the research
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Participants' understanding of the research and their
voluntary agreement
Rationale: Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the research
context and their rights, fostering ethical standards in research.
Question 5: Which of the following sampling methods involves selecting
participants based on specific characteristics?
A) Random sampling
B) Purposive sampling
C) Stratified sampling
D) Convenience sampling
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Purposive sampling
Rationale: Purposive sampling is used when researchers seek participants who meet
certain criteria relevant to the research topic.
Question 6: What is the main characteristic of quantitative research?
A) Focus on numerical data
B) Use of open-ended questions
C) In-depth case studies
D) Observational techniques
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Focus on numerical data
Rationale: Quantitative research emphasizes the collection and analysis of numerical
data to identify patterns or test hypotheses.
Question 7: Which sampling method involves dividing a population into subgroups
and randomly selecting participants from each subgroup?
A) Convenience sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Purposive sampling
D) Systematic sampling
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Stratified sampling
Rationale: Stratified sampling ensures that specific groups within a population are
adequately represented in the sample.
Question 8: What does the term "triangulation" refer to in research?
, A) Using three different data collection methods
B) Using multiple data sources or methods to confirm findings
C) Analyzing data from three perspectives
D) Combining qualitative and quantitative research
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Using multiple data sources or methods to confirm findings
Rationale: Triangulation enhances the credibility of research by validating results
through different approaches.
Question 9: Which of the following is a common ethical principle in research?
A) Confidentiality
B) Voluntary participation
C) Risk of harm minimization
D) All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D) All of the above
Rationale: All listed options represent essential ethical principles that researchers
must adhere to in order to protect participants.
Question 10: In the context of educational research, what is a "research design"?
A) The process of collecting data
B) The overall strategy used to integrate the different components of a study
C) The statistical methods used in analysis
D) The theoretical framework of the study
CORRECT ANSWER: B) The overall strategy used to integrate the different
components of a study
Rationale: Research design outlines how a study will be conducted, including the
methodology and analytical procedures.
Question 11: What is the primary role of the hypothesis in research?
A) To describe the methodology
B) To state the expected relationship between variables
C) To provide a theoretical framework
D) To summarize findings
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To state the expected relationship between variables
Rationale: A hypothesis proposes a testable prediction that directs the research
process.
