Deck 2: Sociological Research

Question 1

The statement "Women who receive welfare are less likely than other women to have babies" is an example of

A)an operational definition.
B)a hypothesis.
C)a research design.
D)an independent variable.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which one of the following statements is true regarding the subjects of Adler and Adler's study of self-injurers?

A)Most begin injuring in secret.
B)They are a homogeneous group.
C)Their behavior is carefully planned.
D)Most were driven to it by major stresses in their lives.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Sociological studies have indicated that people who are married are less likely to commit suicide than people who are divorced.In this example,suicide is a(n)

A)hypothesis.
B)independent variable.
C)dependent variable.
D)index.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A variable is

A)a measurable trait or characteristic that is subject to change under different conditions.
B)the extent to which a measure provides consistent results.
C)the unintended influence that observers or experiments can have on their subjects.
D)a speculative statement about the relationship between two traits.

Question 5

Which of the following is the second step of the scientific method?

A)Defining the problem
B)Selecting the research design
C)Reviewing the literature
D)Collecting and analyzing data

Question 6

The use of the discipline of sociology to yield practical applications for human behavior and organizations is known as

A)applied sociology.
B)ethnography.
C)clinical sociology.
D)qualitative research.

Question 7

Income,religion,race,gender,and marital status can all be examples of

A)indexes.
B)scales.
C)variables.
D)operational definitions.

Question 8

Adler and Adler's work on self-injury reflects which of the three major sociological approaches?

A)Global,functionalist,and interactionist perspectives
B)Conflict,interactionist,and global perspectives
C)Interactionist,global,and feminist perspectives
D)Functionalist,conflict,and interactionist perspectives

Question 9

An operational definition is

A)a speculative statement about the relationship between two variables.
B)the extent to which a measure provides consistent results.
C)an explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to measure the concept.
D)a relationship between two variables whereby a change in one coincides with a change in the other.

Question 10

The variable that is hypothesized to cause or influence another variable is referred to by social scientists as a(n)

A)independent variable.
B)dependent variable.
C)spurious variable.
D)operational variable.

Question 11

The use of photographic and video documentation in sociological study is known as

A)iconography.
B)visual sociology.
C)secondary sociology.
D)image analysis.

Question 12

If you were interested in studying the relationship between date and acquaintance rape victims and the characteristics of the rapist,your first step would be to

A)review the literature on date and acquaintance rape.
B)define the problem.
C)create a hypothesis.
D)choose a research design.

Question 13

The race of a criminal offender is found to determine the frequency with which capital punishment is administered.In this example,the frequency with which capital punishment is administered would be considered the

A)hypothesis.
B)independent variable.
C)dependent variable.
D)index.

Question 14

Sociologists conduct reviews of literature to do which of the following?

A)Refine the problem under study.
B)Identify potential sources of funding.
C)Determine whether a research study is in fact feasible.
D)Analyze the data and formulate conclusions.

Question 15

A speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables is known as a

A)correlation.
B)hypothesis.
C)sample.
D)research design.

Question 16

Which of the following terms is used to describe a systematic,organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem?

A)Scientific method
B)Social science
C)Experiment
D)Value neutrality

Question 17

Researchers find that pet owners live longer,healthier lives.Within this study,pet ownership is the

A)independent variable.
B)dependent variable.
C)spurious variable.
D)operational variable.

Question 18

After a sociologist reviews the literature,what is the next step in the process?

A)Define the problem.
B)Generate ideas for future research.
C)Formulate a hypothesis.
D)Choose a research design.

Question 19

A sociologist who is interested in examining racism in sports might determine what percentage of team owners,general managers,coaches,and managers are members of each racial group.This would be an example of developing a(n)

A)research design.
B)operational definition.
C)hypothesis.
D)theory.

Question 20

Sociological studies have indicated that people who are married are less likely to commit suicide than people who are divorced.In this example,marital status is a(n)

A)hypothesis.
B)independent variable.
C)dependent variable.
D)index.

Question 21

Ethnography is the most common form of ________ research,which relies on what is seen in the field and in naturalistic settings more than it does on statistical data.

A)quantitative
B)qualitative
C)observational
D)experimental

Question 22

The relationship between a condition or a variable and a particular consequence,with one event leading to the other,is known as

A)observation.
B)causal logic.
C)a correlation.
D)an index.

Question 23

What type of sample is specifically used for gathering information about clandestine or difficult-to-identify groups?

A)Snowball sample
B)Random sample
C)Valid sample
D)Blind survey

Question 24

The statement "Eating fewer fats and carbohydrates will lead to weight loss" is an example of

A)causal logic.
B)a dependent variable.
C)an independent variable.
D)a cross-tabulation.

Question 25

To conduct a cross-cultural study of job discrimination against women,a sociologist interviews 75 women between the ages of 20 and 40 in an American city,and 75 women in the same age group in a Canadian city.This study would be classified as

A)a secondary analysis.
B)participant observation.
C)a survey.
D)a content analysis.

Question 26

The relationship between two variables whereby a change in one coincides with a change in the other is known as a(n)

A)index.
B)correlation.
C)operational definition.
D)scale.

Question 27

A researcher finds that those who have children at a young age are significantly more likely to have lower levels of education as a result of early childbearing.This would be an example of

A)a hypothesis.
B)a correlation.
C)causal logic.
D)an effect.

Question 28

A research design is a(n)

A)explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to measure the concept.
B)speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
C)indicator of attitudes,behaviors,or characteristics of people or organizations.
D)detailed plan or method for scientifically obtaining data.

Question 29

A factor held constant to test the relative impact of the independent variable is known as a

A)control variable.
B)dependent variable.
C)correlation.
D)cross-tabulation.

Question 30

A study is being done on the effects of a new antibiotic on cognitive ability.In this scenario,the antibiotic is considered to be the

A)experimental group.
B)control group.
C)independent variable.
D)dependent variable.

Question 31

If researchers wanted to examine the opinions of people listed in a city directory,they might call every tenth or fiftieth or hundredth name listed.This would constitute a

A)scale.
B)control variable.
C)quota sample.
D)random sample.

Question 32

A study,generally in the form of an interview or a questionnaire,that provides sociologists with information concerning how people think or act is known as

A)observation research.
B)a survey.
C)secondary analysis.
D)an experiment.

Question 33

In an experiment,the group that is not exposed to the independent variable is called the

A)experimental group.
B)representative group.
C)study group.
D)control group.

Question 34

A sociologist sets up an experiment on the effects of energy drinks on sleep.The individuals who are given a placebo drink are considered to be the

A)independent variable.
B)control group.
C)experimental group.
D)dependent variable.

Question 35

Validity refers to

A)the provision of consistent results.
B)independent,rather than dependent,variables.
C)the accurate measurement of the phenomenon under study.
D)the ethical standards that are followed by sociologists.

Question 36

Which of the following relationships best shows causal logic?

A)The time spent reviewing for a test may be directly related to,or produce a greater likelihood of,getting a high score.
B)Being less integrated into society may be directly related to,or produce a lower likelihood of,suicide.
C)The time spent tending to one's vegetable garden may be directly related to,or produce a greater likelihood of,overgrowth.
D)Being more involved in extracurricular activities may be directly related to,or produce a lower likelihood of,college admission.

Question 37

A sociologist sets up an experiment on the effects of television violence on children.The set of children that are shown the violent cartoons are considered to be the

A)experimental group.
B)control group.
C)independent variable.
D)dependent variable.

Question 38

In which type of sample does each member of the entire population being studied have the same chance of being selected?

A)Random sample
B)Quota sample
C)Index sample
D)Roper sample

Question 39

A research measure that provides consistent results is considered

A)valid.
B)reliable.
C)an index.
D)a scale.

Question 40

"Data indicate that people who prefer to watch televised news programs are less knowledgeable than those who read newspapers and newsmagazines." This statement is an example of a(n)

A)causality.
B)correlation.
C)independent variable.
D)law.

Question 41

Secondary analysis includes a variety of research techniques that use

A)questionnaires and interviews.
B)participant observation.
C)publicly accessible information and data,or data collected by another.
D)control groups.

Question 42

Which of the following was identified as one of the initial challenges that a participant observer may face when conducting an ethnography?

A)Receiving adequate resources,such as funding
B)Gaining acceptance into the unfamiliar group
C)Identifying a group to observe
D)Acquiring the necessary approvals to conduct the research

Question 43

When conducting ethnographic research as a participant observer,the investigator must

A)develop friendships with key members of the study group.
B)not be concerned about gaining acceptance by the study group.
C)maintain some degree of detachment.
D)use the same persona in the control group as he or she did with the study group.

Question 44

When a sociologist actually joins a group for a period to get an accurate sense of how it operates,the approach is called

A)an experiment.
B)ethnography.
C)face-to-face interview.
D)participant observation.

Question 45

An artificially created situation that allows the researcher to manipulate variables and to introduce control variables is known as a(n)

A)survey.
B)experiment.
C)replication.
D)research design.

Question 46

Which of the following statements pertaining to secondary data analysis is true?

A)It influences people's behavior.
B)The data is generally difficult to acquire.
C)It can provide researchers with everything they need.
D)It does not require the collection of new data.

Question 47

People may behave differently in artificial situations than they would in the "real world." This poses a particular problem for researchers using

A)questionnaires.
B)content analysis.
C)replication.
D)laboratory experiments.

Question 48

Which of the following existing data sources is used most frequently for sociological research?

A)Census data
B)Scientific records
C)Personal journals
D)Newspapers

Question 49

Regina wants to study the homeless in her hometown.In order to do so,she lives at a homeless shelter for a month.During this time,she does everything that the women she is studying do and tells no one of her true identity.This method is

A)an experiment.
B)ethnography.
C)face-to-face interview.
D)participant observation.

Question 50

A sociologist decides to study the interaction among students in the college's computer center.When the students realize they are under observation,they become shy and reserved in their interactions.This is an example of

A)replication.
B)secondary analysis.
C)the Hawthorne effect.
D)value neutrality.

Question 51

What term do sociologists use to describe the phenomenon whereby subjects deviate from their typical behavior because they realize they are under observation?

A)The control group effect
B)A spurious response
C)The Hawthorne effect
D)Skewing

Question 52

A researcher studies adolescent attitudes about senior citizens by analyzing depictions of the elderly in the lyrics of popular music and the content of teen magazines.This is an example of

A)content analysis.
B)replication.
C)survey research.
D)an experiment.

Question 53

________ study of Italian street-corner men used participant observation.

A)Terry Mizrahi's
B)William F.Whyte's
C)Max Weber's
D)Vilfredo Pareto's

Question 54

When a researcher collects information about a group through direct involvement and inspection,this is known as

A)a survey.
B)observation.
C)secondary analysis.
D)an experiment.

Question 55

Cost-efficiency is an advantage associated with which of the following research designs?

A)Survey
B)Ethnography
C)Experiment
D)Existing sources

Question 56

Which of following principles is included in the American Sociological Association's (ASA)code of ethics?

A)Maintaining popularity
B)Ability to disregard transparency
C)Protection of research subjects from personal harm
D)Subjectivity in research

Question 57

A sociologist attends meetings at all the schools and churches in his community over several years,and meets as many residents as he can for the purpose of exploring all facets of the community's social life.He then compiles a detailed description of the community.He is conducting

A)a content analysis.
B)a secondary analysis.
C)a quantitative study.
D)ethnographic research.

Question 58

Which of the following statements is true of cell phone users?

A)Cell phone users are more likely to answer all incoming calls.
B)Cell phone users are more likely to complete surveys.
C)There is a higher proportion of non-adults on cell phones.
D)There is a higher proportion of females on cell phones.

Question 59

An inherent problem in using secondary sources of data is that

A)the researcher may not find the exact data needed for his or her own research.
B)the data are plagued with statistical errors.
C)the researcher may be more careless when using someone else's data.
D)all of the analysis has been completed by an initial research team.

Question 60

Sociologists consider secondary analysis to be

A)more valid than other forms of research.
B)more reliable than other forms of research.
C)a nonreactive form of research.
D)an outdated mode of research.

Question 61

The third step in the scientific method is reviewing the literature.

Question 62

A magazine asks its readers to complete a survey that questions them about their sexual practices.Based on the responses that it receives,the magazine publishes an article entitled "The Sexual Practices of Men and Women in the U.S." This magazine has conducted a valid random sample to support its article.

Question 63

Which of the following institutions has continuously perpetuated a highly sexualized society?

A)Mass media
B)Government
C)Health organizations
D)Public

Question 64

When generalizing about both heterosexuals and homosexuals,researchers must be extremely careful with which of the following?

A)Operational definitions
B)Internal validity
C)Privacy of the respondent
D)Wording questions

Question 65

Which of the following statements regarding Ogas and Gaddam's 2011 study on human sexual behaviour is true?

A)Ogas and Gaddam could not distinguish between online fantasies and rational desires.
B)Ogas and Gaddam were unable to differentiate the data pertaining to the web searches and the websites.
C)Ogas and Gaddam found that women and men do not differ in their preferences.
D)Ogas and Gaddam were able to distinguish between a single and repeated search by the same person.

Question 66

Which of the following is a common characteristic among feminist researchers?

A)They tend to involve and consult subjects more.
B)They are more oriented toward stability,rather than change.
C)They are more inclined to conduct research that appeases the masses.
D)They tend to focus more on quantitative versus qualitative data.

Question 67

We have little reliable data on human sexuality because

A)it is difficult for researchers to even broach the subject.
B)until the AIDS crisis,there was little scientific demand for data on sexual behavior.
C)government funding for studies of sexual behavior is easily accessible,but not many want to ask for it.
D)there has been an increase in the use of inaccurate data over the last decade.

Question 68

Most sociological research uses ________ as sources of information.

A)people
B)newspapers
C)scientific data
D)census data

Question 69

Why was Rik Scarce,a doctoral student at Washington State University,placed in jail in 1993?

A)For preserving the confidentiality of his research
B)For raiding a university laboratory
C)For "snitching" on university administrators
D)For forging transcripts

Question 70

Value neutrality focuses on which of the following challenges associated with sociological research and ethics?

A)The influence of a person's personal values and biases on the interpretation of data
B)The relationship between the interviewer and the participant
C)Conflicts of interest associated with the funding of the research
D)Protecting subjects from personal harm

Question 71

Asking a respondent if they spent a lot of time playing video games as a child in order to determine heterosexuality is referred to as

A)value neutrality.
B)operationalization.
C)causal logic.
D)veiled reporting.

Question 72

Not disclosing all sources of financial support is an example of an ethical violation,per the code of ethics.

Question 73

Validity refers to the degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study.

Question 74

Objectivity in the interpretation of data is referred to as

A)external validity.
B)reliability.
C)value neutrality.
D)internal validity.

Question 75

Which of the following was a common criticism of Exxon's actions after the 1989 Valdez disaster?

A)Exxon did not pay sociologists well enough for the research they did on jury deliberations.
B)Exxon agreed to fund only those sociologists who were known to be in favor of Exxon's policies and actions.
C)No legal scholars were approached to do research on jury deliberations.
D)Exxon did not volunteer to fund research on clean-up technologies or long-term environmental costs.

Question 76

Which of the following is true regarding actions by the Exxon Corporation after the 1989 Valdez disaster?

A)Exxon solicited anthropologists to do research on jury deliberations.
B)Exxon offered research money for sociologists doing research on jury deliberations.
C)Due to the controversy,none of the research funded by Exxon was published in peer-reviewed journals.
D)Ultimately,Exxon settled the case and awarded each plaintiff close to $100,000.

Question 77

What conclusion did the National Bureau of Economic Research reach about gays and lesbians as subjects of sociological research?

A)Most research treats its gay and lesbian subjects with contempt.
B)Most research ignores the possibility that its subjects might be gay or lesbian.
C)Most research underreports the number of gays and lesbians in a population.
D)Most research begins from a position that sexuality is fluid and that gays and lesbians are in a state of transition.

Question 78

In the statement,"The more a person exercises,the longer he or she will live," longevity is the independent variable.

Question 79

The anonymity and confidentially of a subject is of the utmost importance when conducting sociological research.

Question 80

Which sociologist argued that sociological research should be open to bringing about social change and to drawing on relevant research by nonsociologists?

A)Jane Poulson
B)Joyce Ladner
C)Shulamit Reinharz
D)Karen Barkey