, Chapter 1: Introduction to Research in Education
Chapter 1 Learning Outcome Quizzes
Learning Outcome 1.1: Know how the purpose of research, finding the signal, is
influenced by noise that distorts what is reported.
[Q1]
Considering the signal and noise metaphor from Chapter 1, which of the following
represents “signal?”
1. Error
2. Deviation
3. True information [correct]
4. Randomness
[Feedback for Answer Choice 1]
Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
Error serves to distract and is therefore considered noise.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 2]
Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
Deviations cause difficulty for researchers and are considered noise.
[Feedback for Correct Answer 4]
The signal is what is correct, actual, and true. True information certainly falls into this
category.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
There is always the possibility that the results of a study are simply due to randomness,
which is why study replication is important.
[Q2]
Considering the signal and noise metaphor from Chapter 1, which of the following
represents “noise?”
1. Reality
2. Randomness [correct]
3. Actual relationship
,4. Accurate understanding
[Feedback for Answer Choice 1]
Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is
considered, reality would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.”
[Feedback for Correct Answer 2]
Recall that “noise” is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
Randomness is always a possible reason for the occurrence of a set of data, and
therefore should be considered noise.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 3]
Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is
considered, actual relationships would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.”
[Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is
considered, accurate understanding would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.”
[Q3]
Which of the following represents the components of an observed finding?
1. Signal plus Noise [correct]
2. Signal
3. Noise
4. Either signal or noise
[Feedback for Correct Answer 1]
Observed findings in educational research are always the result of signal and noise.
There are always variables that will be accurate and there will always be distractors. A
good researcher understands how to amplify the signal and drown out the noise.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 2]
Signal refers to what is correct, actual, and true, but this is not all that is included when
collecting data in educational research.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 3]
Noise refers to factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. Therefore, observed
findings certainly do not consist of pure noise.
2
Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
, [Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Observed findings are more complex than simply including either signal or noise.
Learning Outcome 1.2: Explain why empirical research is important as an approach to
generating and applying knowledge.
[Q1]
People use the term research to describe many processes that would not be considered
research using the definition given in the text, such as writing a “research paper” from
the library. A more complete definition of empirical research includes which of the
following?
1. A systematic process of gathering and interpreting data [correct]
2. A disciplined process of reporting information
3. An experimental method for collecting and analyzing data
4. An organized, step-wise process for evaluating knowledge
[Feedback for Correct Answer 1]
This definition involves a systematic, disciplined inquiry process, which can include
gathering information and facts, referencing material, collecting and analyzing data, and
making inferences.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 2]
Research is certainly a disciplined process, but this is not the best answer choice.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 3]
Experimental research is important, but it is not the only approach to research.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Research must be organized, but research is not only about knowledge evaluation.
[Q2]
As sources of knowledge, experience, intuition, and tradition serve which of the
following roles in educational research?
1. They have a significant role in helping to choose a research question but should play
no part in analysis or conclusions. [correct]
2. They tend to be biased and do not have a major role when conducting educational
research.
3
Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1 Learning Outcome Quizzes
Learning Outcome 1.1: Know how the purpose of research, finding the signal, is
influenced by noise that distorts what is reported.
[Q1]
Considering the signal and noise metaphor from Chapter 1, which of the following
represents “signal?”
1. Error
2. Deviation
3. True information [correct]
4. Randomness
[Feedback for Answer Choice 1]
Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
Error serves to distract and is therefore considered noise.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 2]
Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
Deviations cause difficulty for researchers and are considered noise.
[Feedback for Correct Answer 4]
The signal is what is correct, actual, and true. True information certainly falls into this
category.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Recall that the noise is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
There is always the possibility that the results of a study are simply due to randomness,
which is why study replication is important.
[Q2]
Considering the signal and noise metaphor from Chapter 1, which of the following
represents “noise?”
1. Reality
2. Randomness [correct]
3. Actual relationship
,4. Accurate understanding
[Feedback for Answer Choice 1]
Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is
considered, reality would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.”
[Feedback for Correct Answer 2]
Recall that “noise” is composed of factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal.
Randomness is always a possible reason for the occurrence of a set of data, and
therefore should be considered noise.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 3]
Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is
considered, actual relationships would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.”
[Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Recall that the signal is what is correct, actual, and true. When this definition is
considered, accurate understanding would be classified as “signal” and not “noise.”
[Q3]
Which of the following represents the components of an observed finding?
1. Signal plus Noise [correct]
2. Signal
3. Noise
4. Either signal or noise
[Feedback for Correct Answer 1]
Observed findings in educational research are always the result of signal and noise.
There are always variables that will be accurate and there will always be distractors. A
good researcher understands how to amplify the signal and drown out the noise.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 2]
Signal refers to what is correct, actual, and true, but this is not all that is included when
collecting data in educational research.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 3]
Noise refers to factors that drown out, distort, or dilute the signal. Therefore, observed
findings certainly do not consist of pure noise.
2
Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
, [Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Observed findings are more complex than simply including either signal or noise.
Learning Outcome 1.2: Explain why empirical research is important as an approach to
generating and applying knowledge.
[Q1]
People use the term research to describe many processes that would not be considered
research using the definition given in the text, such as writing a “research paper” from
the library. A more complete definition of empirical research includes which of the
following?
1. A systematic process of gathering and interpreting data [correct]
2. A disciplined process of reporting information
3. An experimental method for collecting and analyzing data
4. An organized, step-wise process for evaluating knowledge
[Feedback for Correct Answer 1]
This definition involves a systematic, disciplined inquiry process, which can include
gathering information and facts, referencing material, collecting and analyzing data, and
making inferences.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 2]
Research is certainly a disciplined process, but this is not the best answer choice.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 3]
Experimental research is important, but it is not the only approach to research.
[Feedback for Answer Choice 4]
Research must be organized, but research is not only about knowledge evaluation.
[Q2]
As sources of knowledge, experience, intuition, and tradition serve which of the
following roles in educational research?
1. They have a significant role in helping to choose a research question but should play
no part in analysis or conclusions. [correct]
2. They tend to be biased and do not have a major role when conducting educational
research.
3
Copyright © 2022 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
