Deck 1: Science, Society, and Social Research

Question 1

Social scientists investigate individuals, societies, and ______.

A) philosophies
B) conceptualizations
C) social processes
D) triangulation

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is a common error in reasoning?

A) resistance to change
B) systematic investigation
C) deductive reasoning
D) constructivism

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which paradigm emphasizes the importance of exploring and representing the ways in which different stakeholders in a social setting construct their beliefs?

A) constructivism
B) evaluation
C) positivism
D) triangulation

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Social research can be descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, or ______.

A) evaluative
B) qualitative
C) quantitative
D) selective

Question 5

A study that includes asking questions that require a written response is known as a(n) ______.

A) interview
B) survey
C) observation
D) exploration

Question 6

Constructivists believe reality is ______.

A) symbolic
B) qualitatively interactive
C) understood through observation
D) socially constructed

Question 7

Research that seeks to determine the effects of programs, policies, or other efforts to affect social patterns is called ______.

A) evaluation research
B) differing perspectives
C) exploration research
D) interactive phenomena

Question 8

______ research seeks to find out how people get along in a specific setting and what meanings they give to their actions.

A) Exploratory
B) Explanatory
C) Observation
D) Deductive

Question 9

Social phenomena are defined in ______ research.

A) deductive
B) inductive
C) descriptive
D) alternative

Question 10

Illogical reasoning occurs when we prematurely jump to conclusions or argue on the basis of ______.

A) major alternatives
B) constructivism
C) invalid assumptions
D) selective observations

Question 11

______ occurs when we conclude, without justification, that what is true for some cases is true for all cases.

A) Deductive reasoning
B) Overgeneralization
C) Triangulation
D) Positivism

Question 12

Using ______ allows one to make connections between different things that they have observed.

A) reasoning
B) reevaluating
C) overgeneralization
D) faulty observation

Question 13

______ may help us draw understanding from what we have observed in other times or places.

A) Generalizing
B) Observation
C) Reasoning
D) Reevaluating

Question 14

Positivism refers to which of the following beliefs?

A) There is a reality, which follows general laws, and it can be understood through observation.
B) Quantitative data, collected using approved methodology, is the best way to learn about the social world.
C) A researcher can get a better picture of social reality if they utilize multiple methods to study one research question.
D) Embracing social change and empowering social scientists to study the social world is beneficial to society.

Question 15

The reluctance to reevaluate our ideas in light of new information is referred to as ______.

A) participant observation
B) invalid reasoning
C) resistance to change
D) quantitative reasoning

Question 16

Excessive devotion to tradition is an example of ______.

A) uncritical agreement
B) resistance to change
C) ego-based commitment
D) illogical reasoning

Question 17

______ is a methodology based on questioning belief in an external reality.

A) Triangulation
B) Determinism
C) Constructivism
D) Positivism

Question 18

______ relies on logical and systematic methods to answer questions.

A) Research methods
B) The social world
C) Paradigms
D) Science

Question 19

If a study relies upon numerical data, it likely utilizes ______ methods.

A) quantitative
B) inductive
C) qualitative
D) deductive

Question 20

After entering her classroom, Dr. Phillips glances around to assess class attendance. It is likely she has made a(n) ______.

A) inaccurate observation
B) selective observation
C) overgeneralization
D) illogical observation

Question 21

We may reduce the likelihood of overgeneralization by using ______ procedures.

A) systematic
B) resistance
C) inaccurate
D) selective

Question 22

Social scientific research may be qualitative or ______.

A) exploratory
B) quantitative
C) personal
D) selective

Question 23

Defining and describing social ______ is part of descriptive research.

A) norms
B) values
C) sciences
D) phenomena

Question 24

Methods of investigation should utilize _____ procedures.

A) systematic
B) observational
C) personal
D) selective

Question 25

Positivism asserts that reality can be understood through ______.

A) human interaction
B) social structure
C) observation
D) personal interpretation

Question 26

Margaret noticed that her classmates were sleeping during the lecture. She concluded that most students at her university are poorly motivated to learn. Margaret's assessment is an example of ______.

A) an oversimplification
B) an observation
C) positivism
D) an overgeneralization

Question 27

Ricardo is studying the relationship between school success and nutrition. He is incorporating a variety of research methodologies in his investigation. Ricardo's work exemplifies ______.

A) positivism
B) constructivism
C) triangulation
D) overgeneralization

Question 28

Lucia administers a not for profit organization which focuses on feeding the hungry. She is interested in determining and describing benefits of her program to the local community. Which type of research would be most beneficial towards her aim?

A) explanatory
B) exploratory
C) descriptive
D) evaluation

Question 29

When an issue is first being explored the research is typically ______.

A) descriptive
B) evaluative
C) exploratory
D) quantitative

Question 30

Research which focuses on explaining cause and effect related to social phenomenon is typically ______ research.

A) exploratory
B) explanatory
C) descriptive
D) solitary

Question 31

What is/are the hallmark of sociological research?

A) adherence to scientific methods
B) personal assumptions and observations
C) experiments
D) deference to authority

Question 32

Jumping to conclusions could also be referred to as ______ reasoning.

A) selective
B) illogical
C) persuasive
D) exploratory

Question 33

______ methods lessen the tendency to develop answers about the social world from ego-based or institutional commitments.

A) Qualitative
B) Generalizable
C) Scientific
D) Reevaluative

Question 34

Researchers interested in determining "what is going on here" typically engage in which type of research?

A) exploratory
B) explanatory
C) revisionist
D) Internet-based

Question 35

Qualitative and quantitative methods may be combined in research projects.

Question 36

The distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is always clear.

Question 37

Qualitative data can be converted to quantitative data.

Question 38

Constructivism rejects positivism.

Question 39

Evaluation research is an example of explanatory research.

Question 40

Exploratory research frequently revolves around quantitative methods.

Question 41

Social scientists do not study the Internet as part of the conversation.

Question 42

Understanding social science research methods has little value for students outside of class.

Question 43

What is social science? What are its limitations?

Question 44

Define positivism and constructivism. Describe the role each plays in social science research.

Question 45

Describe quantitative and qualitative research and provide an example of each.
Explain which types of social research are best accomplished by each methodology.

Question 46

What is selective observation? What, if anything, motivates social scientists to avoid selective observation in their research?