RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice
Assignment 2 2026 Edition 100 Advanced
Questions with Answers and Detailed
Rationales
PART 1: Questions 1–25
Theme: Foundations of Educational Research, Research Concepts, and Critical
Understanding
Question 1
Explain the main purpose of educational research and why it is important for improving
teaching and learning.
Answer:
The main purpose of educational research is to systematically investigate educational problems,
generate knowledge, evaluate practices, and develop evidence-based solutions that improve
teaching, learning, and educational policies.
Detailed Rationale:
Educational research allows teachers, policymakers, and institutions to move beyond
assumptions and make decisions based on reliable evidence. It helps identify effective teaching
strategies, understand learner needs, address inequalities, and improve educational outcomes.
Question 2
Differentiate between basic research and applied research in education.
Answer:
Basic research: Aims to develop theoretical knowledge and understanding without
necessarily focusing on immediate practical applications.
Applied research: Focuses on solving specific educational problems or improving
current practices.
, RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
Detailed Rationale:
Basic research may explore how students learn, while applied research may test whether a
particular teaching intervention improves reading ability. Both contribute to educational
advancement.
Question 3
A teacher investigates whether cooperative learning improves Grade 8 learners’
mathematics achievement. Identify the type of research involved.
Answer:
Applied research.
Detailed Rationale:
The teacher is addressing a practical classroom problem by testing a teaching strategy. The
purpose is to improve educational practice rather than only develop theory.
Question 4
Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
Answer:
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Uses numerical data Uses descriptive data
Tests hypotheses Explores meanings and experiences
Often uses surveys and experiments Often uses interviews and observations
Seeks patterns and relationships Seeks deep understanding
Detailed Rationale:
Quantitative research answers questions such as “How many?” or “To what extent?” Qualitative
research answers questions such as “Why?” and “How do participants experience something?”
, RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
Question 5
What is a research paradigm?
Answer:
A research paradigm is a set of beliefs, assumptions, and principles that guide how researchers
understand reality, knowledge, and the process of conducting research.
Detailed Rationale:
Paradigms influence research questions, methods, interpretation of findings, and views about
what counts as valid knowledge.
Question 6
Discuss the role of a literature review in educational research.
Answer:
A literature review examines existing research related to a topic in order to identify what is
already known, locate gaps, establish theoretical foundations, and justify the need for new
research.
Detailed Rationale:
Without a literature review, researchers may duplicate existing studies or fail to understand
important debates in the field.
Question 7
A researcher believes that reality exists independently and can be measured objectively.
Which paradigm does this represent?
Answer:
Positivism.
Detailed Rationale:
, RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
Positivism assumes that reality is objective and can be studied through scientific methods,
measurement, and empirical evidence.
Question 8
Explain interpretivism as a research paradigm.
Answer:
Interpretivism views reality as socially constructed and focuses on understanding individuals’
experiences, meanings, and perspectives.
Detailed Rationale:
Educational experiences differ among learners and teachers. Interpretivist researchers seek to
understand these experiences rather than measure them only numerically.
Question 9
What is a research problem?
Answer:
A research problem is a clearly identified issue, gap, difficulty, or unanswered question that
requires systematic investigation.
Detailed Rationale:
A strong research problem provides direction for the entire study and determines the research
questions, objectives, and methods.
Question 10
List four characteristics of a good research problem.
Answer:
A good research problem should be:
RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice
Assignment 2 2026 Edition 100 Advanced
Questions with Answers and Detailed
Rationales
PART 1: Questions 1–25
Theme: Foundations of Educational Research, Research Concepts, and Critical
Understanding
Question 1
Explain the main purpose of educational research and why it is important for improving
teaching and learning.
Answer:
The main purpose of educational research is to systematically investigate educational problems,
generate knowledge, evaluate practices, and develop evidence-based solutions that improve
teaching, learning, and educational policies.
Detailed Rationale:
Educational research allows teachers, policymakers, and institutions to move beyond
assumptions and make decisions based on reliable evidence. It helps identify effective teaching
strategies, understand learner needs, address inequalities, and improve educational outcomes.
Question 2
Differentiate between basic research and applied research in education.
Answer:
Basic research: Aims to develop theoretical knowledge and understanding without
necessarily focusing on immediate practical applications.
Applied research: Focuses on solving specific educational problems or improving
current practices.
, RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
Detailed Rationale:
Basic research may explore how students learn, while applied research may test whether a
particular teaching intervention improves reading ability. Both contribute to educational
advancement.
Question 3
A teacher investigates whether cooperative learning improves Grade 8 learners’
mathematics achievement. Identify the type of research involved.
Answer:
Applied research.
Detailed Rationale:
The teacher is addressing a practical classroom problem by testing a teaching strategy. The
purpose is to improve educational practice rather than only develop theory.
Question 4
Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
Answer:
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Uses numerical data Uses descriptive data
Tests hypotheses Explores meanings and experiences
Often uses surveys and experiments Often uses interviews and observations
Seeks patterns and relationships Seeks deep understanding
Detailed Rationale:
Quantitative research answers questions such as “How many?” or “To what extent?” Qualitative
research answers questions such as “Why?” and “How do participants experience something?”
, RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
Question 5
What is a research paradigm?
Answer:
A research paradigm is a set of beliefs, assumptions, and principles that guide how researchers
understand reality, knowledge, and the process of conducting research.
Detailed Rationale:
Paradigms influence research questions, methods, interpretation of findings, and views about
what counts as valid knowledge.
Question 6
Discuss the role of a literature review in educational research.
Answer:
A literature review examines existing research related to a topic in order to identify what is
already known, locate gaps, establish theoretical foundations, and justify the need for new
research.
Detailed Rationale:
Without a literature review, researchers may duplicate existing studies or fail to understand
important debates in the field.
Question 7
A researcher believes that reality exists independently and can be measured objectively.
Which paradigm does this represent?
Answer:
Positivism.
Detailed Rationale:
, RSE48O1 (Research in Education) Practice Assignment 2
Positivism assumes that reality is objective and can be studied through scientific methods,
measurement, and empirical evidence.
Question 8
Explain interpretivism as a research paradigm.
Answer:
Interpretivism views reality as socially constructed and focuses on understanding individuals’
experiences, meanings, and perspectives.
Detailed Rationale:
Educational experiences differ among learners and teachers. Interpretivist researchers seek to
understand these experiences rather than measure them only numerically.
Question 9
What is a research problem?
Answer:
A research problem is a clearly identified issue, gap, difficulty, or unanswered question that
requires systematic investigation.
Detailed Rationale:
A strong research problem provides direction for the entire study and determines the research
questions, objectives, and methods.
Question 10
List four characteristics of a good research problem.
Answer:
A good research problem should be:
