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Early Childhood Development: A Multicultural Perspective, 7e (Trawick-Smith)
Chapter 2 Research and Assessment in Early Childhood Development
2.1 Multiple Choice: Recall Questions
1) Ethnographic research is used to study child development:
A) using quantitative methods.
B) within the children’s cultural context.
C) in a laboratory setting.
D) from a physiological standpoint.
Answer: B
2) Which one of the following statements about assessment and accountability in the classroom
is accurate?
A) Many see federal laws regarding assessment as a barrier to accountability in the classroom.
B) Emphasis on assessment in schools has decreased in the last 10 years.
C) The assessment and accountability movement has helped teachers to identify students with
disabilities.
D) The assessment and accountability movement is universally positive for students and
teachers.
Answer: C
3) Which of the following best describes the response to intervention (RTI) approach?
A) Teachers assess all children in the classroom individually and create an environment that
supports their needs.
B) Children with disabilities are placed in special education classes where their needs can be met
most effectively.
C) Children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds are placed in classrooms together to
encourage diversity.
D) Teachers preemptively design interventions for students so that there are no opportunities for
learning difficulties to arise.
Answer: A
4) As a consequence of the assessment and accountability movement, toddler and preschool
professionals:
A) receive higher salaries.
B) have more time for art and music activities.
C) are under increased pressure to teach academic skills.
D) have smaller classrooms.
Answer: C
5) A summative assessment is performed:
A) when a child completes a program.
B) when a child begins a program.
C) at the mid-way point in the school year.
D) several times throughout the program or school year.
Answer: A
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6) Compared to a summative assessment, a formative assessment is usually:
A) performed less frequently.
B) more helpful for classroom teachers.
C) more quantitative.
D) less likely to lead to an intervention.
Answer: B
7) A developmental checklist is an example of:
A) formative assessment.
B) summative assessment.
C) both formative and summative assessment.
D) neither formative nor summative assessment.
Answer: A
8) A teacher who is keeping an anecdotal record customarily does which of the following while
he or she is observing a student?
A) watches one student carefully without taking notes so as not to miss anything
B) takes notes about a student’s behavior and dialogue, which he or she will write up and
interpret later
C) observes the student and records what that child is doing at predetermined time intervals
D) writes comprehensive, detailed descriptions of a student’s behavior, interprets those behaviors
in light of the student’s ongoing progress, and comes up with solutions for any problems
Answer: B
9) Which one of the following statements about work sampling is accurate?
A) Work sampling involves using both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess a child’s
progress.
B) Work sampling has been shown to be less effective than most other methods at predicting a
child’s success in the long run.
C) Work sampling allows the teacher to select some of the child’s projects and tests to assemble
in a portfolio.
D) Work sampling is a method by which teachers determine which type of work (i.e., which
career) would suit a student best.
Answer: C
10) The Battelle Developmental Inventory is best described as an assessment that measures:
A) language and cognitive development.
B) cognitive, social, and emotional development.
C) cognitive, social, language, and motor development.
D) physical, social, and motor development.
Answer: C
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11) Which of the following forms of assessment is most likely to take a child’s family and
cultural background into account?
A) a normative chart
B) a case study
C) The Woodcock Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability
D) event sampling
Answer: B
12) Which one of the following research methods is most likely to be quantitative?
A) a developmental checklist
B) an ethnographic study
C) a longitudinal study
D) a case study
Answer: A
13) Which one of the following research methods is most likely to be qualitative?
A) event sampling
B) a developmental checklist
C) work sampling
D) time sampling
Answer: C
14) Which one of the following statements is TRUE regarding research about children?
A) Research provides definitive information about children that can guide parenting and
teaching.
B) Research provides good guesses about what children are like, but does not reveal truths.
C) Research almost always provides reliable findings upon which teachers can base most
judgments in the classroom.
D) Research provides far less helpful information to teachers than the “wisdom of practice.”
Answer: B
15) The main focus of the very earliest research on children was:
A) identifying children whose behavior and learning were atypical.
B) comparing European children with those of Third World countries.
C) collecting observations that would support the current social and religious beliefs of the time.
D) describing and explaining the course of normal development.
Answer: D
16) Early researchers often constructed normative charts, which are:
A) charts showing which childhood behaviors or skills emerge at which ages.
B) graphic representations of key developmental processes, such as assimilation and
accommodation.
C) guides for parents that present specific strategies for enhancing growth and development.
D) charts that list descriptors of normal and abnormal behavioral characteristics.
Answer: A
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17) A correlational study investigates:
A) whether certain environmental factors cause positive or negative child development.
B) one group of children over an extended period of time.
C) whether two or more variables in child development are related to each other.
D) whether two groups of children are different from one another.
Answer: C
18) A cross-sectional correlational study:
A) involves a large sample, including a cultural and socioeconomic cross-section of the
population.
B) involves examining the relationships between variables over a long period of time.
C) involves examining relationships among variables across a range of age groups or
developmental levels.
D) involves manipulation of an environmental feature and the comparing cultural groups and
people of different socioeconomic status.
Answer: C
19) Which of the following best describes an experimental study in child development?
A) An experimenter intervenes in children’s lives in some way and observes what occurs.
B) A small sample of children is observed within a controlled laboratory setting.
C) Two or more variables are observed and relationships among them examined.
D) A researcher observes changes in the behavior of children of different ages.
Answer: B
20) Which type of study involves the most direct intervention in children’s lives?
A) correlational study
B) descriptive study
C) experimental study
D) ethnographic study
Answer: C
21) Which of the following is the best definition of quantitative research?
A) a field observation that utilizes previously tested measurement instruments
B) a study in which a measurement system is standardized across sub-groups in a population
C) a set of systematic observations that are recorded in narrative form
D) an investigation in which behaviors or traits are counted or tallied and data are analyzed
statistically
Answer: D
22) Which of the following is the best definition of qualitative research?
A) research that involves rich, narrative descriptions of development
B) research that involves measurement of specific behaviors over a long period of time
C) research in which predetermined behaviors are counted and summarized
D) research investigating children of at least two different cultural backgrounds
Answer: A
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23) Which research methodology has been considered by multicultural scholars to be most
sensitive to cultural diversity?
A) experimental research
B) ethnographic research
C) longitudinal research
D) correlational research
Answer: B
24) A researcher who is interested in child development and culture is likely to conduct:
A) ethnographic research because rich descriptions of all aspects of culture can be presented.
B) experimental research because the effects of culture can be carefully controlled and studied.
C) longitudinal research because it is not possible to study culture without following children
over long periods of time.
D) correlational research because naturalistic observations are more authentic than quantitative
studies.
Answer: A
25) Time sampling is an example of:
A) a qualitative research method.
B) a cross-sectional research method.
C) an ethnographic research method.
D) a quantitative research method.
Answer: D
26) Which one of the following is the best description of anecdotal records?
A) informal progress records that can be shared with parents and other family members
B) qualitative records of children that include rich descriptions of behavior and human
interaction
C) recordings of the frequency of performance of specific measurable behaviors
D) summaries of specific target behaviors and when they occur
Answer: B
27) A case study is most likely to include:
A) data collected through time sampling and event sampling.
B) only qualitative data.
C) data providing rich description of individual subjects and their lives.
D) data from only a single source.
Answer: C
28) Which of the following would be LEAST LIKELY to be included as part of a case study?
A) health information
B) anecdotal records
C) suggested intervention for other similar cases
D) descriptions of the child’s family life and culture
Answer: C
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29) What is a thick description in child development research?
A) a comprehensive sociocultural profile
B) a rich, detailed discussion of children’s behavior and development
C) a highly focused developmental check sheet across all domains
D) an ecological-systems map, drawn across family networks
Answer: B
30) An important similarity between John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau is that they both:
A) wrote about the origins of “goodness” in childhood.
B) published biographies charting the developmental course of their own children.
C) used the scientific method in their studies of children.
D) conducted correlational research on infants and young children.
Answer: A
2.2 Multiple Choice: Analysis/Application
1) An ethnographic study would most likely take place:
A) in a novel setting, so that the research can examine how a child adapts to different
environments.
B) in a laboratory setting, where the researcher can carefully manipulate the child’s environment.
C) in the researcher’s home, so that the child and family can feel comfortable knowing the
researcher as a person.
D) in the child’s home or classroom, so that the researcher can observe the child in her own
cultural context.
Answer: D
2) Which teacher is using a response to intervention approach?
A) Jenna tutors a student using the textbook assigned by the student’s classroom teacher.
B) Anne monitors the individual students in her class continually and uses interventions that
have been supported by recent research.
C) A student in Donald’s classroom has cystic fibrosis, so Donald carefully educates the class
about the disease.
D) Frederick read a peer-reviewed article that suggested that mixed-gender groups foster more
effective discussion, so he assigns his students to mixed-gender groups for a project.
Answer: B
3) Which one of the following is the most likely to occur during a summative assessment?
A) A child takes a test to assess his achievement at the end of the school year.
B) A teacher prescribes an intervention for a child.
C) A clinician evaluates whether the child has a developmental delay.
D) A teacher makes anecdotal notes throughout the day.
Answer: A
4) Throughout the year, Sadie observes her students and makes notes on their progress. She takes
videos of her students solving problems and analyzes them in order to develop strategies to
maximize their success. Sadie is engaging in:
A) a correlational study.
B) anecdotal research.
C) formative assessment.
D) summative assessment.
Answer: C
5) DeSean is a first-grade teacher. He keeps track of his students’ progress during the year and
records when they reach certain milestones. He is using a:
A) summative assessment.
B) normative chart.
C) developmental checklist.
D) anecdotal record.
Answer: C
6) Which one of the following would most likely be included in a work sampling portfolio?
A) a student’s score on a standardized test
B) an essay that the student wrote
C) a student’s height and weight charted throughout the year
D) a collection of notes that describe a student’s work habits
Answer: B
7) When might a teacher administer the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test?
A) to assess a child’s creativity
B) to assess a child’s language production
C) to assess a child’s language comprehension
D) to assess a child’s reading ability
Answer: C
8) A teacher is working with a 7-year-old who is very aggressive. She reads a research article
that reports that a special intervention can reduce classroom aggression. The best way for her to
use this information is to:
A) implement the intervention for at least 8 weeks, since all classroom strategies require time toshow effects.
B) implement the intervention with all children in the classroom to avoid peer isolation effects.
C) try out the intervention by adapting it to meet the needs of this individual child.
D) implement the intervention precisely as it has been field tested, since even minor
modifications may weaken its effect.
Answer: C
9) Correlational research shows that parental warmth during infancy is related to less crying in
the second year of life. Which of the following would be an appropriate conclusion to reach,
based on this finding?
A) Children who cry a lot as newborns will cry less in the second year of life if their parents are
warm and responsive.
B) Children’s crying and parental warmth are related, but the direction of causality is not clear.
C) Nothing can be concluded about parental warmth and crying, based on a single study.
D) To be most effective, parents should be responsive and warm when their children cry.
Answer: B
10) A correlational study suggests a relationship between the number of books in the home and
children’s reading competence in the primary grades. Which one of the following is an
appropriate conclusion, based on these findings?
A) Having books in the home will lead to reading competence in school.
B) The number of books in the home and later reading performance appear to be related.
C) Children who don’t like to read typically have few books at home.
D) Children who are competent readers will ask for more books.
Answer: B
11) A researcher tests out a classroom intervention to enhance children’s social interaction. Some
children receive the intervention, whereas others do not. The researcher counts the positive
interactions between children across a period of two years. Children who received the
intervention are found to be more positive in these interactions. Which one of the following
conclusions is most justified?
A) Because the intervention caused children to interact positively with peers, this method should
be adopted by the entire school district.
B) The intervention may have caused children to interact positively. However, other factors –
such as parent involvement in the study – may also explain the difference in behavior.
C) Two variables – the intervention and social interaction – are related. There is no basis for
speculating that one has caused the other.
D) Because only some children received the intervention, we can’t draw any conclusions about
its effectiveness for children in general.
Answer: B
12) A researcher spends long periods of time with a group of children in a classroom, taking field
notes and interviewing parents and teachers. This is an example of:
A) a longitudinal, quantitative study.
B) an ethnographic study.
C) a case study.
D) a correlational study.
Answer: B
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13) A researcher studies the children’s humor in a classroom by observing each child every five
minutes and writing down whether the child is laughing or not. This is an example of:
A) taking anecdotal records.
B) time sampling.
C) event sampling.
D) ethnographic research.
Answer: B
14) A teacher is concerned about a child’s temper tantrums in the classroom. He observes the
child carefully, waiting for these to occur. When the child has a tantrum, the teacher makes a
tally mark indicating the intensity of the tantrum (i.e., severe, moderate, mild) and the time of
day. This is an example of:
A) event sampling.
B) time sampling.
C) a developmental check sheet.
D) an anecdotal record.
Answer: C
15) A child exhibits serious conduct problems – without apparent cause – in a child care center.
Which classroom research method would provide the most in-depth explanation of this behavior?
A) event sampling
B) case study
C) anecdotal records of classroom interactions
D) ethnographic study
Answer: B
16) Which one of the following types of research study would be MOST useful in examining
how family cultural beliefs influence children’s learning?
A) correlational study
B) experimental study
C) longitudinal experiment
D) case study
Answer: A
17) A teacher wants to know how individual children approach solving a 10-piece puzzle. Of the
following, he best way to answer this question would most likely be:
A) conducting an experimental study.
B) collecting data using time sampling.
C) assembling a portfolio.
D) collecting anecdotal records.
Answer: D
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18) A teacher is concerned that a student in his class may have autism. Which of the following
steps should he take first?
A) Administer the Child Autism Rating Scale.
B) Construct anecdotal records for the child.
C) Phone the family and ask if they have a history of autism.
D) Schedule a meeting with the school psychologist and special education teacher.
Answer: B
2.3 Essay Questions
1) Give an example of a research study that is correlational, one that is cross-sectional, and one
that is longitudinal.
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should describe differences in the historical beliefs
and practices of early Native American, African or African American, Japanese or Chinese
cultures with those of European or Euro-American cultures. They should note that in non-
Western societies children have been treated in a more nurturing way throughout history than in
Western societies.
2) Compare correlational studies with experimental studies. How are the two methodologies
different? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should provide examples that clearly delineate the
differences among the different types of research.
3) Why are traditional, quantitative research methods inadequate in studying culture and development? In your answer, discuss alternative research methods that would better assess the diversity among groups of children.
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should note that in correlational studies researchers identify relationships among variables of interest. Researchers merely observe or measure behaviors and look for connections among them; no attempt is made to manipulate variables or intervene in children’s lives. Thus, correlational research is often simpler, more naturalistic, and less obtrusive. Students should note that experimental studies involve intervention in the lives of children or families. Outcomes of these interventions are then observed. Interventions are designed by the researchers and carefully controlled. So, it is more likely that investigators will conclude cause and effect – that is, that an intervention caused changes in behavior or development.
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4) List and describe the ways in which the assessment and accountability movement has affected
children – both positively and negatively.
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should select one of the quantitative or qualitative
classroom research methodologies described in the chapter – a developmental checklist, a coding
system (using either time-sampling or event-sampling procedures), anecdotal records, or case
studies. Students should describe accurately the procedures for the type of research they have
selected and give a thoughtful justification for why they chose the methods they did. They might
indicate they selected quantitative methods because these are quick to perform, provide concrete
data, and are easy to conduct. They might state that they have selected anecdotal records because these lead to rich descriptions of the entire classroom environment and all that happens within it. They might choose to write a case study because this methodology is most in-depth and includes consideration of family and cultural factors.
5) Describe the Response to Intervention model. How is it used in the classroom? How are students classified using this approach, and who is the approach designed to help? How is recent research incorporated into the RTI approach?
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should include in their response both positive and
negative effects. Positive effects should include higher educational standards, greater
appreciation for what children can learn, and the belief that children learn more when we hold
high expectations for them. Negative effects should include academic pressure that can cause
school failure, school phobia, increased grade retention and expulsion in lower grades, and
decreased learning opportunities in non-academic areas.
6) What is the difference between summative and formative assessment? When and why do teachers use each of these forms of assessment?
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should cover the key features of the RTI model: teachers assess students’ needs individually and do so throughout the year in order to be sure that
these needs are being met. Students should also note that, according to RTI, children are placed in one of three tiers based on their level of need. Students should specify that the needs of all students, regardless of level, are addressed in this model. Finally, students should note that teachers must use interventions that have been demonstrated by research to be effective and that teachers therefore must keep up with recent research in order to follow the RTI approach.
7) You are developing a work sampling portfolio for a student in your class. The student is bright and creative, but he is also frequently aggressive toward other students. Describe some of the items that you would include in the portfolio and explain why you have included them.
Answer: Suggested Responses: Students should state that summative assessment occurs at the end of a school year or program and is used to evaluate a child’s overall growth in that year or program; formative assessments, on the other hand, occur throughout the program or school year and allow a teacher to monitor a student’s growth. Therefore, while summative assessments can demonstrate the success of a program generally, formative assessments are more useful to the
classroom teacher in that they allow the teacher to improve the learning environment for the student. Students should note that summative assessments are generally quantitative while
formative assessments can be both quantitative and qualitative and allow for a richer description
of a child’s progress.
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8) Case studies can be more effective than other assessment methods in capturing important
information about children from historically underrepresented groups. Why might this be? What
items in a case study might allow a clinician to have a more nuanced understanding of a child’s particular circumstances?
Answer: Suggested Responses: For this response, students should list a number of items, ideally both quantitative and qualitative. Furthermore, they should describe items that highlight the child’s strength and weaknesses. An adequate answer might include quantitative assessments showing the students’ cognitive ability, copies of the child’s artwork or stories, and anecdotal
reports and videos that document the difficulty that the child has playing with others. Students could also suggest quantitative methods such as time sampling or event sampling that would allow a teacher to record the frequency of aggressive behaviors.
