Chapter 5 Test Items

1. In a traditional research article, which of the following is the correct order for the major sections in a paper?

a. literature review, method, discussion, results, references, rationale

b. results, literature review, rationale, method, references, discussion

c. literature review, rationale, method, results, discussion, references

d. discussion, results, references, literature review, rationale, method

2. An abstract should be all of the following EXCEPT:

a. accurate

b. self-contained

c. concise

d. inclusive of direct quotations

3. Chris has conducted a study on the effect of cigarette smoking on children who live in the same household as a smoker. In the introduction to his paper, Chris states, “Cigarette smoking is the cause of a large number of deaths yearly.” Which attention-gaining device is Chris using?

a. use of a statistic

b. use of a rhetorical question

c. use of an acknowledged fact

d. use of a story

4. Which of the following is NOT a reason for/function of literature reviews?

a. to provide and explain necessary vocabulary for readers

b. to place the current research in a historical context

c. to provide a rationalization for why specific variables were chosen as an object of study

d. to demonstrate the author’s intelligence on the topic of study

5. Scott has arranged the main ideas in his review of literature using the following pattern: “a” leads to “b” and “b” leads to “c.” Which method of organization is Scott using in his review of literature?

a. chronological

b. cause and effect

c. compare and contrast

d. psychological

6. In her study examining religious communication, Aliya decides to include sections in her paper on religious communication apprehension, perceptions of religious evangelism, and religious fundamentalism. What literature review format has Aliya opted to use?

a. cause and effect

b. problem–cause–solution

c. general to specific

d. categorical/topical

7. Which of the following is not part of a method section?

a. description of procedural flaws

b. description of instrumentation

c. description of procedures used

d. description of participants

8. What is the short paragraph at the start of a scholarly paper that concisely and comprehensively explains the contents of the paper?

a. abstract

b. methods

c. literature review

d. introduction

9. ___________ are more general stories that can apply to a variety of different contexts.

a. adages

b. illustrations

c. rhetorical question

d. quotation

10. A ______________ is the selection of available documents (published and unpublished) on a given topic that contain information, opinions, data, and evidence written from a particular point of view that aid a reader’s understanding of important concepts and research findings prior to examining the results in a new study.

a. abstract

b. methods

c. literature review

d. introduction

11. At the beginning of her literature review, Donna provides a definition for the term “employee silence.” Which of the five reasons for writing a literature review does this represent?

a. explaining vocabulary

b. placing a study within a historical context

c. establishing your argument

d. explanation of previous research

12. In Benji’s literature review on anxiety and health, he has grouped the information into three different categories: why anxiety is problematic for health, what causes anxiety, and solutions to the problem. What literature review format is Benji using?

a. categorical/topical

b. chronological

c. problem–cause–solution

d. psychological

13. Janice is writing a literature review about hypergender ideology. She starts by exploring understandings of gender in the 1970s, then explores research from the 1980s and 90s, and ends by discussing modern conceptualizations of gender in the 21^st Century. What literature review format has Janice used?

a. categorical/topical

b. chronological

c. problem–cause–solution

d. psychological

14. Which section of a literature review is where you explain why and how you will perform your analysis of the variables you have described in your literature review?

a. introduction

b. problem statement

c. rationale

d. thesis

15. Roy is going to be using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 (PRCA-24). in his upcoming research. In which part of his methods section will Roy explain the use of the PRCA-24?

a. participants

b. procedure

c. instrumentation

d. data analysis

16. Which of the following is NOT an accurate statement regarding one’s references?

a. all of your references are alphabetized by first author

b. all of your references aligned to the left side of the page with a hanging indent

c. all of your references on the reference page have corresponding in-text citations

d. all of your references are single spaced

17. Which of the following is a common pitfall when writing literature reviews?

a. using academic definitions for key terms

b. utilizing numerous direct quotations to ensure you don’t plagiarize

c. including definitions for important key terms

d. including transition sentences between the major parts of your literature review

18. When writing a report for non-academic purposes, the executive summary serves a similar function to which part of an academic paper?

a. abstract

b. methods

c. rationale

d. results

19. In corporate America, which section of a report is the most likely to be read section?

a. executive summary

b. objectives and scope

c. project background

d. results and recommendations

20. Which of the following is something a researcher should NOT do when writing a literature review?

a. ensure all of the literature that is discussed is relevant to the topic

b. make sure all in-text citations are listed in the reference list

c. use primary sources

d. state one’s opinions on a topic (straying from the literature)

21. An abstract is a short paragraph at the end of a scholarly paper that concisely and comprehensively explains the content of the paper.

a. True

b. False

22. The first step in the introduction of a paper should be to demonstrate why the topic is significant.

a. True

b. False

23. In the results section of a research paper there should be one to two pages for each hypothesis or research question, fully explaining what the results for each means.

a. True

b. False

24. Demographic information that describes the participants in a research study is presented in the results section of a paper.

a. True

b. False

25. The first step in writing a literature review is to determine the type of study you are conducting.

a. True

b. False

26. The introduction of the literature review should include a clear thesis statement.

a. True

b. False

27. In the methods section, the apparatus section and the instrumentation section are the same thing.

a. True

b. False

Essays:

28. Explain the purpose of the discussion section of a research study.

29. Explain different methods for laying out a review of literature.

30. What is the difference between the results section and the discussion section of a research article?

31. What are the five reasons for literature reviews?

32. What are the two most common demographic questions that researchers ask participants?

33. What is the best way to report on the sex of participants?

Matching:

34. Match each of the following terms with the correct statement.

a. Rationale Section = Location of hypothesis in a research paper.

b. Espousal of Credibility = Supporting one’s assertions through the citation of empirical research.

c. Using a Story or Illustration = Using an example to explain one’s topic.

d. Methods Section = Helps readers understand who the participants were and how the study was conducted.

e. Literature Review = Where technical terms are defined in a research paper.