• Fall Semester 2025 UNISA Assignment: RSE4801 Research in
Education – Complete Solved Questions & Step-by-Step
Answers for Exam Preparation (Updated 2025 Edition)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of educational research?
A) To develop new teaching methods
B) To evaluate educational programs
C) To inform policy decisions
D) To recruit teachers
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The primary purpose of educational research is to inform policy decisions by
providing evidence-based data and insights.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a qualitative research method?
A) Surveys
B) Standardized tests
C) Case studies
D) Interviews
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Interviews are a qualitative research method that gathers in-depth insights
from participants.
Question 3:
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants are assigned to groups:
A) Based on their preferences
B) In a non-random manner
C) By the researchers
D) Randomly
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: RCTs assign participants randomly to control and experimental groups to
minimize bias.
Question 4:
What does "data triangulation" refer to in educational research?
A) Using three different statistical analyses
B) Combining data from different methods or sources
,C) Verifying data with three different participants
D) Cross-validating findings through multiple perspectives
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Data triangulation enhances the credibility of research findings by
incorporating multiple data sources or methods.
Question 5:
What is the main advantage of using surveys in educational research?
A) They provide detailed qualitative data
B) They are time-consuming to analyze
C) They can reach a large number of participants
D) They require participant interviews
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Surveys can efficiently gather quantitative data from a large number of
participants, making them a popular choice in educational research.
Question 6:
What is a mixed-methods approach in research?
A) Using only qualitative methods
B) Combining qualitative and quantitative methods
C) Relying solely on quantitative data
D) Using only observational techniques
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A mixed-methods approach combines both qualitative and quantitative
research methods to provide a fuller understanding of research questions.
Question 7:
Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the means of two groups?
A) Chi-square
B) ANOVA
C) t-test
D) Correlation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: A t-test is used to compare the means between two groups to determine if
they are significantly different.
Question 8:
What is the primary focus of action research?
, A) To generalize findings across populations
B) To test a hypothesis
C) To evaluate educational policies
D) To improve practice within a specific context
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Action research aims to improve practice through a cycle of planning,
acting, observing, and reflecting within specific contexts.
Question 9:
What does the term "literature review" refer to in research?
A) A review of educational policies
B) A comprehensive summary of existing research on a topic
C) A review of statistical methods
D) A report on data collection
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A literature review summarizes existing research and identifies gaps in
knowledge.
Question 10:
Which ethical principle emphasizes the need to minimize harm to participants?
A) Informed consent
B) Justice
C) Beneficence
D) Autonomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Beneficence focuses on minimizing harm and maximizing benefits in the
research process.
Question 11:
What is an independent variable in research?
A) The outcome being measured
B) The variable manipulated by the researcher
C) Variables that are controlled
D) Variables that remain constant
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated to observe its
effect on the dependent variable.
Education – Complete Solved Questions & Step-by-Step
Answers for Exam Preparation (Updated 2025 Edition)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of educational research?
A) To develop new teaching methods
B) To evaluate educational programs
C) To inform policy decisions
D) To recruit teachers
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The primary purpose of educational research is to inform policy decisions by
providing evidence-based data and insights.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a qualitative research method?
A) Surveys
B) Standardized tests
C) Case studies
D) Interviews
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Interviews are a qualitative research method that gathers in-depth insights
from participants.
Question 3:
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants are assigned to groups:
A) Based on their preferences
B) In a non-random manner
C) By the researchers
D) Randomly
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: RCTs assign participants randomly to control and experimental groups to
minimize bias.
Question 4:
What does "data triangulation" refer to in educational research?
A) Using three different statistical analyses
B) Combining data from different methods or sources
,C) Verifying data with three different participants
D) Cross-validating findings through multiple perspectives
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Data triangulation enhances the credibility of research findings by
incorporating multiple data sources or methods.
Question 5:
What is the main advantage of using surveys in educational research?
A) They provide detailed qualitative data
B) They are time-consuming to analyze
C) They can reach a large number of participants
D) They require participant interviews
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Surveys can efficiently gather quantitative data from a large number of
participants, making them a popular choice in educational research.
Question 6:
What is a mixed-methods approach in research?
A) Using only qualitative methods
B) Combining qualitative and quantitative methods
C) Relying solely on quantitative data
D) Using only observational techniques
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A mixed-methods approach combines both qualitative and quantitative
research methods to provide a fuller understanding of research questions.
Question 7:
Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the means of two groups?
A) Chi-square
B) ANOVA
C) t-test
D) Correlation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: A t-test is used to compare the means between two groups to determine if
they are significantly different.
Question 8:
What is the primary focus of action research?
, A) To generalize findings across populations
B) To test a hypothesis
C) To evaluate educational policies
D) To improve practice within a specific context
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale: Action research aims to improve practice through a cycle of planning,
acting, observing, and reflecting within specific contexts.
Question 9:
What does the term "literature review" refer to in research?
A) A review of educational policies
B) A comprehensive summary of existing research on a topic
C) A review of statistical methods
D) A report on data collection
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A literature review summarizes existing research and identifies gaps in
knowledge.
Question 10:
Which ethical principle emphasizes the need to minimize harm to participants?
A) Informed consent
B) Justice
C) Beneficence
D) Autonomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Beneficence focuses on minimizing harm and maximizing benefits in the
research process.
Question 11:
What is an independent variable in research?
A) The outcome being measured
B) The variable manipulated by the researcher
C) Variables that are controlled
D) Variables that remain constant
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated to observe its
effect on the dependent variable.
