Question 1

Reliability refers to the extent to which:&#10;A) on repeated measures, an indicator will yield similar readings&#10;B) a particular measure reflects the concept being studied&#10;C) a study being conducted is able to produce the same results as previous studies of a similar character&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency or stability of a measure over time, and A reflects this definition by indicating that an indicator gives similar readings on repeated measures. B is more closely related to validity, and C describes replicability, which is important but not the same as reliability. D is an incorrect option.

Question 2

Deductively speaking, if A causes B, and if B causes C, then which of the following must be true:&#10;A) A causes C&#10;B) A does not cause C&#10;C) only B causes C&#10;D) none of the above&#10;E) all of the above

Accepted Answer

If A causes B and B causes C, then it logically follows that A causes C. This is a deductive reasoning concept known as the transitive property. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a component of formal theory:&#10;A) conceptual scheme&#10;B) set of propositions&#10;C) set of statistical figures&#10;D) contingency of stated propositions

Accepted Answer

Formal theory typically includes a conceptual scheme (A) that outlines the key concepts and relationships between them, a set of propositions (B) that state causal relationships between variables, and a contingency of stated propositions (D) that explains the conditions under which the propositions hold true. However, formal theory does not typically involve a set of statistical figures (C). That is the realm of empirical research.

Question 4

The function of theory is to:&#10;A) explain behaviour of humans and institutions&#10;B) explain patterns in the social world&#10;C) offer testable explanations for observed relationships&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Theory serves multiple functions, including explaining behavior of humans and institutions, explaining patterns in the social world, and offering testable explanations for observed relationships. All of these functions are important and interrelated.

Question 5

Replacement of terms refers to:&#10;A) replacing specific components of a theory with general ones&#10;B) replacing general components of a theory with specific ones&#10;C) replacing theories with hypotheses&#10;D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Replacement of terms typically involves substituting general components or aspects of a theory with more specific ones to refine the theory or make it more applicable to particular cases.

Question 6

Validity refers to the extent which:&#10;A) on repeated measures, an indicator will yield similar readings&#10;B) a particular measure reflects the concept being studied&#10;C) a study being conducted is valuable to society&#10;D) a study being conducted is valuable to the scientific community

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the degree to which a measure accurately reflects the concept that it is intended to measure. Option A refers to reliability, Option C and D refer to value judgments, but validity is about accuracy, not value.

Question 7

The power of a theory refers to:&#10;A) the number of scientists who subscribe to it&#10;B) the number of propositions that can be derived from it&#10;C) the number of times it is referenced in articles&#10;D) the value of it to that of society

Accepted Answer

The power of a theory refers to the ability of the theory to generate a multitude of testable hypotheses and predictions. The more propositions that can be derived from a theory, the more powerful it is considered to be. The number of scientists who subscribe to it, the number of times it is referenced in articles, and its value to society are not necessarily indicative of its power as a theory.

Question 8

An axiomatic derivation is a:&#10;A) set of logically derived statements of relationships&#10;B) set of truisms derived from the social world&#10;C) set of partially true statements about the social world&#10;D) synonym for a hypothesis

Accepted Answer

An axiomatic derivation is a set of logically derived statements of relationships. It is a set of assumptions (axioms) that are used as a basis for reasoning to derive other statements or propositions. It is often used in mathematics, philosophy, and logic.

Question 9

Partial theory attempts to explain:&#10;A) an assumed or known relationship by proposing a testable causal model&#10;B) a new model within social science by means of a causal model&#10;C) a model borrowed from the physical sciences&#10;D) patterned behaviour

Accepted Answer

Partial theory attempts to explain an assumed or known relationship by proposing a testable causal model.

Question 10

Deductive reasoning begins at the:&#10;A) conceptual stage&#10;B) theoretical stage&#10;C) operational stage&#10;D) b and c but not a

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning starts at the theoretical stage, where a general theory or hypothesis is formulated and then tested through specific observations or experiments.

Deck 2: Explaining