Deck 4: B: Research,methodology,and Ethics

Question 1

Discuss the definition of a variable in quantitative social research,and distinguish between independent and dependent variables.Give an example of how these variables are related.

Answer 1

Variables are used to measure relationships between objects,people,or groups of people.Independent variables can be varied or manipulated by researchers.The dependent variable is the reaction (if one occurs)of the participants to this manipulation.In other words,independent variables bring about the change in the dependent variables that the researcher is looking to measure.
Examples will vary by student.

Question 2

Why would a researcher choose a mixed methods approach?

Answer 2

A mixed methods research project is when researchers choose to design a single research project that uses elements of both qualitative and quantitative procedures.People who advocate for the use of a mixed method approach argue that no one research method is the best and that all methods have limitations.By straddling both quantitative and qualitative approaches,the hope is that the biases inherent in particular methods are neutralized by the use of multiple approaches.

Question 3

Name two advantages and one disadvantage of secondary analysis.

Answer 3

The advantage of secondary analysis is that the information already exists;the researcher simply has to access it.It is often a less expensive form of research than having to collect primary data.The disadvantage is that the researcher is restricted to whatever information has already been collected and recorded.Silences in the data are then important to note.

Question 4

In a recent replication of Stanley Milgram's famous study,what rationale did the subjects provide for their actions that prove that Milgram's initial study is still relevant today?

Question 5

Would a qualitative or quantitative research approach best suit the research problem of how text messaging has changed the nature of communication? Explain your answer.

Question 6

Define triangulation and discuss the differences between a mixed methods approach and triangulation.

Question 7

Explain participatory action research (PAR),including a discussion of the two approaches that this form of research brings together.

Question 8

Explain why it is difficult to establish causality in social research,and what social researchers do to address this problem.

Question 9

Name and describe three types of interviews.Which type of interview is most likely to be used by quantitative researchers,and why?

Question 10

Briefly differentiate between validity and reliability as they pertain to measurement in research.

Question 11

According to the principle of informed consent,name three things that a person needs to be informed of prior to participating in research.

Question 12

Discuss the Zimbardo study in terms of some of the ethical issues that led to its termination.

Question 13

A common criticism of Stanley Milgram's study is that he used only men as subjects,and women would not be as willing to harm because they are more empathetic than men.Is this a valid criticism? Why or why not?

Question 14

Briefly explain the difference between covert and semi-covert research.In what circumstances might one want to conduct covert or semi-covert research?

Question 15

What does it mean to say that a research study is androcentric?