Question

The overarching frameworks of research allow us to situate ourselves and our research into a philosophy of research. Each of the four frameworks below can be used to investigate the topic of students in rural schools. Match the framework with the version of the research question that best represents the framework's approach to research.

1. Postpositivist

2. Constructivist

3. Transformative

4. Pragmatic

Answer choices:

a) What disadvantages are faced by rural and urban students as a product of their environment?

b) What effect does technology-based testing have on rural school student's achievement scores and teachers perceptions of the students?

c) What is the effect of technology-based testing on rural school students' achievement scores?

d) What are students perspectives of education in a rural school?

Answer 1

1. Post positivist: b) What effect does technology-based testing have on rural school student's achievement scores and teachers perceptions of the students? (this is because this is a more deterministic, reductionist approach).

2. Constructivist: d) What are students’ perspectives of education in a rural school? (because the attempt is to understand who multiple participants construe an event)

3. Transformative: What disadvantages are faced by rural and urban students as a product of their environment? (this is because it is aimed at understanding a political/social issue)

4. Pragmatic: What is the effect of technology-based testing on rural school students' achievement scores? (because it is problem centred and real world-oriented).