Essay Items

52.Identify an important limitation of correlational research, and provide an example that illustrates this limitation.

53.Describe two criteria that can be used to evaluate experimental research.

54.Describe the relationship between research and theory. Provide an example that illustrates the relationship between the two.

The Use of Case Studies in Educational Psychology

55.Of the following, which is the best definition of a case study in educational psychology?

a.A detailed description of a correlational, experimental, or qualitative research study in educational psychology

b.A detailed description of authentic stories of teaching and learning events in classrooms

c.A detailed description of a concept taken from educational psychology, such as the concepts learning, memory, or motivation

d.A detailed description of the factors that teachers can control, which influence the amount their students learn

56.Which of the following statements is the most accurate description of the relationship, with respect to learning, between concrete examples and the ages of students?

a.Elementary school students need concrete examples, but middle school, high school, and older students do not.

b.Elementary and middle school students need concrete examples, but older students do not.

c.Students at all levels of the pre-K through high school ages need concrete examples, but university students do not.

d.Students of all ages need concrete examples.

57.Of the following, which statement best describes the role of case studies in educational psychology?

a.Case studies provide suggestions for improving learning through effective teaching strategies.

b.Case studies identify the principles that support important theories of learning, motivation, and development.

c.Case studies provide concrete illustrations of learning and teaching in the real world of  the classroom.

d.Case studies outline important historical research findings in investigations of teaching and learning.

58.Of the following, which statement best describes the impact on learning and transfer of using case studies on students in educational psychology?

a.Case studies increase the depth of original learning but do not increase transfer.

b.Case studies do not impact original learning but lead to longer-term retention of ideas.

c.Case studies do not influence either original learning or transfer of information to new situations.

d.Case studies increase both original learning and transfer of information to new situations.

Essay Item

59.Explain what a case study is and why it is useful in educational psychology.