- What best defines action research?
A. A purely theoretical investigation of teaching methods
B. A cyclical, practitioner-led inquiry aimed at improving practice
C. Research conducted only by external researchers in schools
D. A one-time experimental study with no reflection - Which of the following is a characteristic of action research?
A. Long-term, non-iterative design
B. Researcher detachment from practice
C. Collaborative problem-solving with reflection
D. Exclusive use of quantitative data - Action research primarily bridges the gap between:
A. Teachers and parents
B. Research and classroom practice
C. Curriculum and examinations
D. Administration and policy - Which is NOT a common type of action research?
A. Participatory action research
B. Classroom-based action research
C. Collaborative action research
D. Longitudinal randomized controlled trial - Which principle is central to action research?
A. Researcher neutrality above all else
B. Fast publication of results
C. Cyclicity — plan, act, observe, reflect
D. Ignoring stakeholder involvement - The first practical step in conducting action research is:
A. Writing the conclusions
B. Identifying and stating the problem
C. Choosing statistical software
D. Developing recommendations - Which component belongs in the background of the study?
A. Data analysis tables only
B. Context and rationale for the study
C. Raw interview transcripts
D. Grading rubric for students - The statement of the problem should be:
A. Vague and broad
B. A restatement of existing literature
C. Clear, specific, and researchable
D. A list of unrelated issues - Significance of the study addresses:
A. The study’s budget
B. Who benefits and how the study contributes
C. The researcher’s biography
D. The exact dates of data collection only - A delimitation in a study refers to:
A. Ethical approval issues
B. Boundaries set by the researcher (what the study will cover)
C. Mistakes in data collection
D. Tasks the researcher forgot to do - Operational definition of terms helps to:
A. Make terms more ambiguous
B. Remove variables from the study
C. Clarify how terms are used in the study
D. Replace literature review - Which is an example of a primary source of literature?
A. A blog summarizing research
B. A textbook chapter overview
C. A peer-reviewed action research article
D. A university prospectus - Empirical review refers to:
A. Theoretical frameworks only
B. Studies reporting observed data and findings
C. Researcher opinions without data
D. Policy documents exclusively - Theoretical review in literature does what?
A. Describes the sample only
B. Presents theories that explain the phenomena
C. Collects raw data
D. Lists software tools - Appraising literature involves:
A. Plagiarizing central ideas
B. Critically evaluating strengths and weaknesses of studies
C. Ignoring methodology details
D. Only summarizing conclusions - Which sampling technique is probability-based?
A. Purposive sampling
B. Snowball sampling
C. Simple random sampling
D. Convenience sampling - Purposive sampling is best when:
A. You need a statistically representative sample
B. You randomly select participants from a list
C. You need participants with specific characteristics
D. You have an exhaustive population register - A small action research project in a classroom often uses which design?
A. Large cross-national survey
B. Single-case or small-group cyclic design
C. Double-blind RCT
D. Meta-analysis - Which instrument is qualitative?
A. Multiple-choice test only
B. Interview guide
C. Standardized math test
D. Census form - Which instrument is quantitative?
A. Focus group protocol
B. Classroom observation notes (narrative)
C. Structured questionnaire with scales
D. Reflective journal - A mixed-methods approach:
A. Uses only qualitative data
B. Combines qualitative and quantitative data
C. Uses no data at all
D. Is forbidden in action research - NVivo and ATLAS.ti are used primarily for:
A. Quantitative statistical tests
B. Qualitative data coding and thematic analysis
C. Word processing only
D. Creating surveys - SPSS is mainly used for:
A. Qualitative theme extraction
B. Statistical analysis of quantitative data
C. Video editing
D. Mind mapping - Which software is best for thematic coding of interview transcripts?
A. Excel only
B. SPSS syntax files
C. ATLAS.ti or NVivo
D. Calculator - What is triangulation in research?
A. Using three references only
B. Using multiple data sources or methods to corroborate findings
C. Plotting coordinates on a triangle
D. Ignoring contradictory data - An action researcher’s role includes:
A. Being completely detached from participants
B. Facilitator, observer, and reflective practitioner
C. Solely reporting to external funders
D. Only collecting data without intervening - Ethical consideration in action research includes:
A. Hiding the purpose of the study to all stakeholders
B. Informed consent and confidentiality
C. Publishing identifiable student data without permission
D. Coercing participants to join - One strength of action research is:
A. Generalisability to all contexts without caution
B. Emphasis on researcher impartiality only
C. Immediate relevance and applicability to practice
D. Complete avoidance of reflection - A limitation of action research is:
A. It always uses large samples
B. Limited external generalisability due to local focus
C. It never involves participants
D. It excludes ethical safeguards - Which referencing style is specified in the course?
A. MLA
B. Chicago notes only
C. APA
D. Vancouver - The purpose of a research objective is to:
A. Provide background history only
B. State specific aims the study intends to achieve
C. Replace the literature review
D. Summarize the conclusion - A good research question should be:
A. Extremely broad and unfocused
B. Clear, specific, and answerable through data
C. Irrelevant to the problem statement
D. Unrelated to the objectives - Which of the following is a reflective practice in action research?
A. Ignoring outcomes and moving on
B. Teachers recording and analysing their own lessons
C. External auditors only judging teachers
D. Only standardised testing - Which approach is suitable for analysing numeric test score changes after an intervention?
A. Thematic analysis
B. Content analysis of texts
C. Paired-samples t-test or descriptive statistics
D. Discourse analysis - When writing findings, the researcher should:
A. Introduce new literature not previously reviewed
B. Present data clearly and link to research questions
C. Only state personal opinions
D. Ignore contradictory evidence - Limitations section should:
A. Hide methodological weaknesses
B. Acknowledge constraints and their possible impact
C. Provide financial details only
D. Replace recommendations - Recommendations in an action research report should be:
A. Unrealistic and vague
B. Practical, evidence-based, and targeted to stakeholders
C. Only theoretical suggestions with no link to findings
D. Copies of the problem statement - Which is an appropriate way to present qualitative findings?
A. Only numbers and percentages
B. Themes illustrated with participant quotes
C. Raw data without explanation
D. Tables of p-values only - Which is an appropriate way to present quantitative findings?
A. Participant narratives only
B. Interview excerpts only
C. Tables, graphs, and summary statistics
D. Abstract metaphors - During supported teaching, a mini action research proposal should include:
A. Only the bibliography
B. Problem statement, objectives, method, and proposed interventions
C. Financial audit of the school
D. Teacher’s full personal history - A good sampling frame must:
A. Exclude relevant participants deliberately
B. List all elements from which the sample is drawn
C. Be identical to purposive sampling
D. Be ignored in small projects - Systematic sampling means:
A. Choosing whoever is available first
B. Selecting every nth element from a list
C. Purposefully selecting elite participants
D. Snowballing referrals only - Convenience sampling is best described as:
A. Statistically representative sampling
B. Selecting subjects who are easiest to access
C. The most rigorous probability method
D. Random selection from a national database - In action research, data collection during intervention should be:
A. Infrequent and unplanned
B. Systematic and aligned with objectives
C. Collected only after publishing results
D. Done without recording instruments - The data analysis plan should be:
A. Decided after data collection randomly
B. Outlined before data collection to guide analysis
C. Omitted to save time
D. A list of unrelated software - Which of the following is a qualitative data analysis step?
A. Computing mean and standard deviation
B. Coding and theme development
C. Running regression models only
D. Creating frequency tables only - Which of the following is an ethical issue unique to classroom action research?
A. Plagiarism in journals only
B. Dual role of teacher as investigator and caregiver
C. Lack of software licenses
D. National policy constraints only - Reflective notes in literature appraisal should:
A. Repeat the abstract verbatim
B. Capture insights, critiques, and relevance to your study
C. Only list citations without commentary
D. Contain raw data - A pilot study in action research is used to:
A. Finalise a dissertation defense only
B. Test instruments and procedures before full implementation
C. Replace the main data collection
D. Collect final sample only - Which is a valid research design for action research in JHS?
A. Large-scale cohort study across countries exclusively
B. Cycle-based classroom intervention with pre/post measures
C. Blind laboratory experiment with animals
D. Historical archival-only study unrelated to practice - When interpreting results, researchers should:
A. Ignore the context of the study
B. Consider context, limitations, and alternative explanations
C. Claim universal applicability regardless of sample
D. Rely solely on p-values without narrative - A well-written conclusion should:
A. Introduce totally new data
B. Summarise key findings and link to objectives
C. Copy the introduction word for word
D. List unrelated references - For an action research report, which appendix is most useful?
A. Raw exam scripts without consent
B. Data collection instruments (consent forms, interview guides)
C. Personal emails unrelated to the study
D. Random school timetables without context - Data anonymisation is important because it:
A. Makes the data unusable
B. Protects participant confidentiality
C. Is unnecessary in classroom research
D. Prevents analysis of patterns - Which is an example of a reflective practice tool?
A. A standardized multiple-choice test only
B. Teacher reflective journal
C. A software license key
D. Student attendance register only - Which action research stage follows ‘plan’?
A. Publish
B. Act (implement intervention)
C. Conceptualise only
D. Archive - Which method best assesses teacher practice changes qualitatively?
A. ANOVA only
B. Lesson observation with rating and notes
C. Calculating means alone
D. Large-scale census - Which of the following indicates rigour in qualitative action research?
A. No audit trail
B. Thick description, triangulation, reflexivity
C. Only short opaque summaries
D. Ignoring participant verification - Member checking refers to:
A. Counting participants in a sample
B. Validating findings with participants for accuracy
C. Assigning membership cards to teachers
D. Statistical validity test - The action research cycle is best described as:
A. Linear and non-repetitive
B. Iterative and responsive to findings
C. Strictly theoretical, not practical
D. Only concerned with literature review - Which is an appropriate way to report limitations?
A. Deny all limitations exist
B. State limitations and their impact on interpretation
C. Hide them in footnotes only
D. Use them to invalidate the study intentionally - Which data type would you use to measure change in student scores?
A. Reflective journal text only
B. Quantitative assessment scores
C. Interview transcripts only
D. A literature review summary - Which sampling method is most useful when studying a rare subgroup?
A. Simple random sampling
B. Purposive or snowball sampling
C. Systematic sampling of classroom lists
D. Stratified random sampling only - A literature gap is:
A. An area over-researched
B. An unexplored or under-explored issue that justifies research
C. Irrelevant background detail
D. The limit of the library catalog - When writing a proposal, the research questions should:
A. Be unrelated to objectives
B. Directly align with objectives and methods
C. Be left blank for later
D. Only be rhetorical - What is the best measure of internal validity in classroom action research?
A. Sample representativeness across countries
B. Clear alignment of intervention and observed changes, with controls for competing explanations
C. Number of software licenses used
D. Amount of funding received - Action research contributes to professional development by:
A. Replacing teacher training entirely
B. Encouraging reflective improvement and evidence-informed practice
C. Only producing long academic reports without application
D. Focusing on policy only - Which assessment is formative in the course?
A. End of semester exam only
B. Quiz on definition and characteristics (Component 1)
C. Summative final project only
D. None of the above - Component 2 (projects) primarily assesses:
A. Only CLO 6
B. CLO 2, CLO 3, CLO 4, CLO 5
C. Only software proficiency
D. Only attendance - The final group mini action research project weight is:
A. 10%
B. 40%
C. 70%
D. 100% - Which activity develops skills in literature appraisal?
A. Memorising definitions only
B. Critique and reflective notes on articles
C. Ignoring literature entirely
D. Only listing URLs - Which of these tools supports data visualisation for quantitative data?
A. NVivo alone
B. SPSS or Excel charts
C. Tape recorder only
D. ATLAS.ti exclusively - Which teaching method listed in the course promotes student interaction and prioritises ideas from many learners?
A. Lecture only
B. Pyramid discussion
C. Silent reading only
D. Exam proctoring - Diamond nine is used to:
A. Randomly assign marks
B. Prioritise ideas or values in a ranked way
C. Conduct statistical tests
D. Replace literature review - Shower thoughts (as used in the course) imply:
A. Deep reading of books only
B. Short, rapid idea generation and reflection
C. Quantitative modelling exclusively
D. Plagiarism detection - In forming individual proposals during supported teaching, students should:
A. Copy other proposals entirely
B. Identify a contextual problem and propose feasible interventions
C. Ignore mentors’ feedback
D. Include irrelevant topics - Which is an ethical consideration when quoting students in reports?
A. Use full names without consent
B. Obtain consent and anonymise identifying details
C. Publish recordings without permission
D. Mention their addresses - The organization of the study chapter usually follows:
A. Random order decided after writing
B. Background, problem, purpose, objectives, questions, significance, delimitation, definitions
C. Conclusion first, then methods
D. Only appendices - A case study in action research is useful because it:
A. Ensures broad generalisability to all schools
B. Provides in-depth contextual understanding of a specific setting
C. Avoids reflecting on practice
D. Uses no data - Which of the following is a practical matter of action research?
A. Theoretical debates only
B. Time constraints, access to participants, resources
C. Ignoring logistics entirely
D. Only referencing style - Theoretical matters of action research often concern:
A. Sampling lists only
B. Underlying assumptions, epistemology, and link to theory
C. Counting attendance only
D. School cleaning schedules - Which of the following fosters inclusion in classroom interventions?
A. One-size-fits-all instruction
B. Differentiated instruction and targeted support
C. Excluding learners with special needs from studies
D. Reducing resources to small groups only - The role of ICT in action research includes:
A. Replacing all human interaction
B. Collecting, storing, analysing, and presenting data
C. Making research unnecessary
D. Only for entertainment - A good research timeline should:
A. Be ignored after starting the study
B. Outline key activities, milestones, and deadlines
C. Only list holidays
D. Include unrelated tasks - Which best describes reflective practice?
A. Performing tasks mechanically without thought
B. Critical self-evaluation to improve future practice
C. Only copying colleague methods
D. Publishing results immediately - Which of these is a data analysis approach for qualitative data?
A. T-test
B. Thematic coding
C. Correlation matrix only
D. ANOVA - Which of the following best indicates transferability in qualitative research?
A. Statistical generalisability to a nation
B. Providing rich context to allow readers to judge applicability to other settings
C. Ignoring context completely
D. Using only numerical scores - In action research, stakeholder involvement is important because:
A. It delays the study unnecessarily
B. It ensures relevance, buy-in, and sustainability of interventions
C. It reduces ethical standards
D. It eliminates the need for data - What should be included in the data collection instruments appendix?
A. Financial records only
B. Copies of questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists
C. Personal diaries unrelated to the study
D. Only the title page - Which of the following best ensures reliability in quantitative measures?
A. Using untested instruments only
B. Pilot testing instruments and checking internal consistency
C. Ignoring variability
D. Randomly changing items during collection - Which statement about action research reporting is accurate?
A. Reports must be secret and never shared with stakeholders
B. Reports should be accessible and useful to participants and stakeholders
C. Reports only for academic journals and not for schools
D. Reports should be purely fictional - The “organization of the study” section refers to:
A. How the research report is structured into chapters and sections
B. Researcher’s organizational membership only
C. School administrative hierarchy only
D. A - Which of the following is a common data collection challenge in schools?
A. Unlimited access to all students always
B. Scheduling conflicts and incomplete responses
C. Having too much time for the study
D. Too many software licenses - Which is an outcome expected from students doing mini action research?
A. Only a certificate of participation
B. Improved teaching strategies and evidence for portfolios
C. No change in practice
D. Reduced reflection - Which core value is directly supported by conducting action research?
A. Avoiding collaboration
B. Critical thinking and lifelong learning
C. Secrecy in practice
D. Passive acceptance - What is an audit trail in qualitative research?
A. Financial audit of project funds
B. Documented records of data, coding decisions, and analysis steps
C. A list of participants’ names only
D. Random notes unrelated to the study - Which of the following best describes a recommendation for further research?
A. A description of the study’s methods only
B. Suggestions for future studies building on limitations or new questions
C. Repeating the same conclusion verbatim
D. Listing unrelated topics - Which of these assessment methods measures multiple CLOs including critical issues?
A. Only attendance record
B. End of semester mixed group mini action research report (Component 3)
C. Single quiz unrelated to the course
D. None of the course components - The TESSA and T-TEL modules listed in resources are primarily for:
A. Statistical analysis tools
B. Teacher education and classroom resources for practice
C. Entertainment only
D. Financial planning - Which statement best reflects the aim of this course?
A. To teach only statistical software without context
B. To equip JHS student teachers with knowledge and practical skills to conduct action research that improves teaching and learning
C. To replace curriculum with action research exclusively
D. To discourage reflective practice
ESSAY
- Define action research and explain how it differs from other forms of educational research.
- Explain 5 principles of action research.
- Explain 5 advantages of referencing in action research
- Describe the steps involved in developing the background of a study in action research.
- Discuss the relationship between the background of the study, the statement of the problem, and the significance of the study.
- Explain the role of research questions and objectives in guiding an action research project.
- Critically 5 discuss the purpose of reviewing related literature in action research.
- Differentiate between empirical and theoretical literature, giving examples relevant to JHS education.
- Explain 4 ways to identify credible sources of literature for an action research project.
- Explain the types of data collection instruments used in action research.
SEE ALSO: Literacy across the curriculum questions and answers
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