Research Questions
What are two key characteristics of a well-formulated research question?
Clear and focused
What is the difference between a general and a specific research objective?
General objectives state the overall aim, while specific objectives break it down into measurable steps.
What is a synthesis matrix used for?
(To organize and compare information from different sources in a literature review.)
What is the main goal of a literature review?
(To provide background, identify gaps, justify the study’s relevance, compare authors' studies, synthesize and write a critical analysis)
What is the main function of the discussion section?
(To interpret findings and relate them to the research question and literature.)
True or False: Research questions should always predict the outcome of a study.
False, they guide the study without assuming the result
True or False: Research objectives should be stated as questions.
False, they should be declarative statements
True or False: A synthesis matrix only includes direct quotations from sources.
(False, it also includes paraphrases and key ideas.)
True or False: A literature review should only summarize sources.
(False, it should also analyze and synthesize them.)
What is the main difference between conclusions and recommendations?
(Conclusions summarize findings; recommendations suggest actions based on findings.)
What is the difference between an open-ended and a closed-ended research question?
Open-ended questions explore in-depth explanations; closed-ended questions limit responses to predefined options
What verb is commonly used to state an objective when synthesizing information from various sources?
Analyze, compare, examine, synthesize, evaluate, etc.
What are the typical columns in a synthesis matrix?
(Author, year, key ideas, themes, relevance to research, etc.)
What is one strategy to structure a literature review?
(Thematic, chronological, methodological, or theoretical framework approaches.)
How should a recommendation be phrased to be useful?
(It should be specific, realistic, and based on the research findings.)
Which element of research helps determine if a research question is too broad or too narrow?
Scope and feasibility analysis
If a study’s research question is “How has blended learning impacted student engagement in higher education?” what would be a possible general objective?
(To analyze the impact of blended learning on student engagement in higher education through a bibliographic documental study.)
How does a synthesis matrix help in writing the literature review?
(It helps identify patterns, gaps, and connections between sources.)
What is a common mistake when writing a literature review?
(Listing sources without analysis, lacking organization, not linking findings to the research problem.)
What should a researcher do if their findings contradict previous studies?
(Explain possible reasons, consider limitations, and propose alternative interpretations.)
Why should a research question in a bibliographic documental study avoid asking for personal opinions or experimental results?
Because it relies on analyzing existing literature rather than collecting new empirical data.
Identify one common mistake when formulating research objectives.
(Being too vague, not aligning with research questions, including unmeasurable actions, etc.)
If two studies provide contradictory findings in a synthesis matrix, what should a researcher do?
(Analyze the methodology and context of each study to explain the differences in the literature review.)
What should a literature review conclude with?
(A summary of key findings, identification of research gaps, and justification for the study’s direction.)
True or False: The discussion section should introduce new sources not mentioned in the literature review.
(False, it should rely on previously reviewed sources.)