Question 1

When researchers collect data by becoming involved in the social environment in which the data are being collected, it is known as:&#10;A) Interviewing&#10;B) Unethical&#10;C) Participant observation&#10;D) Spying

Accepted Answer

Participant observation is a qualitative research method where researchers immerse themselves in the social environment of their subjects to observe and collect data.

Question 2

Researchers share their research findings in:&#10;A) Web blogs&#10;B) Journals&#10;C) Magazines&#10;D) Newspapers

Accepted Answer

Researchers primarily share their research findings in academic journals, which are formal publications that allow for the dissemination and scrutiny of new research within the scientific and academic communities.

Question 3

The most in-depth analysis of a group can be made by means of:&#10;A) A survey&#10;B) A case study&#10;C) Random sampling&#10;D) Saturation sampling

Accepted Answer

A case study provides an in-depth analysis of a group by focusing on detailed and comprehensive examination of a single case or a few selected entities. This approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the group in its real-life context.

Question 4

Quantitative research makes extensive use of:&#10;A) Archival analysis of secondary sources&#10;B) Statistical techniques and procedures&#10;C) Observations and recorded conversations between persons observed&#10;D) Case study materials

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research primarily relies on statistical techniques and procedures to analyze numerical data and test hypotheses or theories.

Question 5

Asking one research participant to identify other possible participants is known as:&#10;A) Snowball sampling&#10;B) Random sampling&#10;C) Purposive sampling&#10;D) Accidental sampling

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling involves existing study subjects recruiting future subjects from among their acquaintances, making it useful for reaching populations that are difficult to sample when using other sampling methods.

Question 6

Who argued that research should be at once 'value neutral' and 'value relevant'?&#10;A) Laud Humphreys&#10;B) Stanley Milgram&#10;C) Max Weber&#10;D) The National Health and Medical Research Council

Accepted Answer

Max Weber argued that research should be both 'value neutral' and 'value relevant,' emphasizing the importance of objectivity in social science research while also acknowledging that researchers' values can guide the selection of research topics.

Question 7

In Australia, many quantitative researchers refer to the 'levels of evidence' that are published by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to determine the strength of research studies and their findings. Which of the following is the highest level of evidence according to the NHMRC?

A) Systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
B) Case-control studies
C) Retrospective cohort studies
D) Expert opinion

Accepted Answer

Systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the highest level of evidence by the NHMRC because they synthesize the results of multiple RCTs, reducing bias and providing a comprehensive overview of the available evidence on a topic.

Question 8

In order for a sample to be representative, it must be based on:&#10;A) Snowballing&#10;B) Purposive&#10;C) Convenience&#10;D) Probability

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling methods ensure that every member of the population has a known and equal chance of being selected, making the sample representative of the population.

Question 9

If a researcher wanted to test for differences in the means of four different groups of people, they would use a:&#10;A) t-test&#10;B) ANOVA&#10;C) Chi-square&#10;D) Correlation

Accepted Answer

ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) is the appropriate statistical test for comparing the means of more than two groups, which is the scenario described.

Deck 4: Sociological Investigations: Doing Social Research