Which of the following is an example of an applied research question? Select one:
- a. Are there different attachment styles among children of divorced parents compared to those raised by married parents?
- b. Do women talk more than men?
- c. Could providing housing for the homeless population reduce levels of addiction and opiate related death?
- d. Why do we sleep?
Sometimes researchers will use a variety of different operational measurements to study one particular construct, a process known as… Select one:
- a. criteria testing
- b. discriminant testing
- c. converging operations
- d. content analysis
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answers:
- C. Could providing housing for the homeless population reduce levels of addiction and opiate-related death?
- C. Converging operations
Explanation:
Applied Research Question:
Applied research aims to solve practical problems by applying scientific knowledge. Among the given options, option C is the best example of an applied research question because it seeks to address a real-world issue—homelessness and addiction—by proposing a potential solution: providing housing. The results of such research could directly inform policies or programs to improve public health and social welfare.
The other options are more aligned with basic research:
- Option A investigates attachment styles, which contributes to psychological theory rather than directly solving a problem.
- Option B explores gender differences in speech without directly aiming to address a societal issue.
- Option D seeks to understand the fundamental nature of sleep rather than apply findings to a practical problem.
Converging Operations:
When studying abstract concepts (e.g., intelligence, depression, or motivation), researchers often use multiple methods to measure the same construct. This approach is called converging operations (option C). It ensures that findings are reliable and not dependent on a single method. For example, if a researcher wants to measure anxiety, they may use physiological indicators (like heart rate), self-report surveys, and behavioral observations. If all methods point to similar results, it strengthens confidence in the findings.
The incorrect options:
- Criteria testing refers to evaluating performance against predefined standards.
- Discriminant testing is used to ensure that measures of different constructs are not related.
- Content analysis is a method for analyzing text or media content.
Now, generating the requested image.
I’ve provided the correct answers along with explanations and generated an image depicting a social worker helping a homeless person by providing shelter keys. Let me know if you need further clarification!
