Module 1: Knowledge Generation

A body of knowledge consists of...
1. ....concepts, rules and processes.
2. .....facts, and relationships among concepts.
3. ....skills, and processes.
4. ....abstract concepts, facts, and skills.
An electron microscope is and example of a __________ knowledge system.
1. Man-made
2. Natural
Basic research is always explicitly carried out to solve real-world problems.
1. False
2. True
Which type of research is focused on building theories about how the world operates (i.e., natural knowledge systems)?
1. Applied
2. Basic
3. Action
A researcher is interested in determining the effects of varying the amount (i.e., # of hours) of sunshine a plant receives every 24 hrs on the number of leaves the plant grows within 30 days. This is an example of __________ research.
1. Action
2. Applied
3. Basic
A researcher is interested in knowing the effect of the height of a life guard's chair on the ability of lifegaurds to clearly see the bottom of the pool. What type of research is this best considered?
1. Action
2. Basic
3. Applied
A primary difference between "natural" and "man-made" knowledge systems includes ______.
1. Man-made systems are invented systems with a purpose or goal. Natural systems represent our "best guess" regarding how the world works.
2. Man-made systems are conceptual frameworks which are discovered and describe how the world works.
3. Natural systems are static systems with intended revisions.
4. None of the above.
Our most most valid and reliable means to understand natural knowledge systems is the scientific method.
1. True
2. False
A farmer is interested in reducing the amount of Nitrogen he appies to his fields and begins a process of experimenting with various amounts of Nitrogen and noting the differences in the number of bushels per acre depending on how much Nitrogen was applied. This is best considered a form of ______ research.
1. Basic
2. Applied
3. Action
Distinguishing betweent he three types of research (i.e., action, applied, basic) is important because ________.
1. Understanding "research" means understanding the connection between goals, methods, and results.
2. Actually, the distinction is not meaningful when we are reading and critiquing research projects.
3. In the "real world," the distinction is meaningless. It does not change how we design nor critique research projects.

Module 1: Knowledge Generation

Quiz