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Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

7 cards from real ACI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text

  1. A researcher finds a strong positive correlation (r = 0.85) between AVID enrollment and GPA. A teacher concludes that AVID causes higher GPA. This reasoning is flawed because:

    Answer: Correlation does not establish a causal direction or rule out third variables

    Correlation shows a relationship but cannot prove causation; a third variable (e.g., student motivation) could explain both.

  2. When comparing AVID outcomes across schools with very different demographic compositions, a researcher should use which technique to account for pre-existing differences?

    Answer: Statistical control or matching

    Statistical control or propensity score matching helps isolate program effects from pre-existing group differences.

  3. What is the primary purpose of a pilot study before launching a full-scale AVID research project?

    Answer: To test and refine research instruments and procedures

    Pilot studies allow researchers to identify problems with instruments or procedures before committing resources to the full study.

  4. Which evidence tier is considered the strongest for supporting instructional decisions in US education policy frameworks like ESSA?

    Answer: Randomized controlled trials with significant positive findings

    ESSA's evidence tiers rank randomized controlled trials as Tier 1 (strong evidence), the highest level of support for educational interventions.

  5. An AVID instructor notices students in the control group also improve because they receive additional support unrelated to AVID. This threat to validity is called:

    Answer: Contamination or diffusion of treatment

    Contamination occurs when the control group receives elements of the treatment, blurring differences between groups.

  6. In AVID research reporting, 'disaggregated data' refers to:

    Answer: Outcomes broken down by subgroups such as ethnicity, gender, or income

    Disaggregated data separates outcomes by subgroup, allowing educators to identify equity gaps and differential program effects.

  7. A mixed-methods study on AVID combines GPA data with student interview responses. What is the primary advantage of this approach?

    Answer: It provides both breadth of quantitative trends and depth of qualitative understanding

    Mixed-methods research leverages the strengths of both quantitative breadth and qualitative depth for a more complete picture.