Deck 4: Criminology Research: Theory Testing and Publishing

Question 1

Battered Woman Syndrome and Rape Trauma Syndrome suffer from problems associated with reliability and validity.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The FBI Organized-Disorganized paradigm used in criminal profiling relies on observations that led to theories.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The scientific method is a way of ensuring the results one obtains when researching something are

A)Valid
B)Reliable
C)All of the above
D)None of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The behavioral and social sciences appear to be at a greater risk for bias.

Question 5

Adherence to ethical guidelines is important in conducting research and scholarly publishing because the end user relies on the integrity of such products in

A)Conducting further research
B)Forming professional opinions
C)Testifying under oath
D)All of the above

Question 6

Peer review refers to the process of subjecting an author's work,research,or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field.

Question 7

The scientific method is concerned with validity rather than reliability.

Question 8

A test is valid if it consistently yields the same result within whatever margin of error we are willing to accept.

Question 9

Falsification involves attempts to prove that one's theory is true.

Question 10

__________ is defined as "prejudice in favor of,or against,something."

A)Logical fallacy
B)Bias
C)Circular reasoning
D)Partiality

Question 11

Peer review can be a review by one's friends and known colleagues.

Question 12

A test is valid when the results are

A)Accurate
B)Reliable
C)All of the above
D)None of the above

Question 13

A research paper should contain sufficient detail and references to permit others to replicate the work.

Question 14

Logical fallacies are a result of which of the following?

A)Faulty premises
B)Ignorance
C)Intellectual laziness
D)All of the above

Question 15

Bias is often present during which stage of research?

A)Conceptual stage
B)Data collection stage
C)Interpretation stage
D)All of the above

Question 16

Falsification refers to making general statements to a broad population based on insufficient data.

Question 17

Which of the following is considered a responsibility of academic authors?

A)An author should not publish manuscripts describing the same research in more than one journal or primary publication.
B)Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception,design,execution,or interpretation of the reported study.
C)Authors should be prepared to provide public access to raw data in connection with a paper for review.
D)All of the above

Question 18

"There is no such thing as a false confession because innocent people do not confess to crimes they did not commit." This statement is an example of which logical fallacy?

A)Sweeping generalization
B)Overgeneralization
C)Circular reasoning
D)Card stacking

Question 19

__________ is the process of subjecting an author's work,research,or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field.

A)Validity
B)Scientific method
C)Peer review
D)Falsification

Question 20

__________ is the cornerstone of the scientific method.

A)Induction
B)Deduction
C)Falsification
D)Observation

Question 21

Explain the importance of peer review.
• Peer review is the process of subjecting an author's work,research,or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field.
• The concept of peer review is that research submitted for publication should be critiqued and that research not meeting acceptable standards should be kept from publication.
• Peer review begins prior to publication and continues when a broader audience of professionals has the ability to read,digest,and assess the information.

Question 22

Describe the difference between reliability and validity.Provide an example to illustrate the difference.
• The scientific method is a way of ensuring the results obtained when researching something are both valid and reliable.A test is reliable if it consistently yields the same result within whatever margin of error we are willing to accept.A test is valid when the results are reliable and accurate.
• The chapter describes the following example:
i.A scale could be labeled reliable if we have a rock and every time we weigh the rock the scale shows the same weight.
ii.To find out if the scale is valid,though,we would check the weight of the rock on a scale that we know to be accurate.

Question 23

Define the term logical fallacy.Provide two examples.
• Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that essentially deceive those whom they are intended to convince.Researchers and authors must avoid logical fallacies.
• The following examples of logical fallacies are outlined in the chapter:
i.Circular reasoning: Using data to prove something that was used to develop the hypothesis;a proof that essentially restates the question.
ii.Overgeneralization: Making generalizations to a broad population based on insufficient data.
• Other examples of logical fallacies include the following:
i.Suppressed Evidence or Card Stacking
ii.Appeal to Authority
iii.Appeal to Tradition
iv.Argument ad Hominem,or "Argument to the Man"
v.Emotional Appeal
vi.Post Hoc,Ergo Propter Hoc,or "After this,therefore because of this"
vii.Hasty Generalizations
viii.Sweeping Generalizations
ix.False Precision