Question 1

How do scientific explanations differ from the other ways of knowing?

Accepted Answer

Scientific explanations differ from other ways of knowing because scientific knowledge is systematic, meaning it follows a logical and organized process to obtain and validate information. This distinguishes science from other ways of knowing that rely on personal experience, intuition, or authority. Normative approaches, subjective judgments, and irrefutable knowledge are not exclusive to science and can also be found in other disciplines or ways of knowing.

Question 2

What is a disadvantage of self-administered questionnaire research?

Accepted Answer

The disadvantage of self-administered questionnaire research is that response rates may be low. This is often due to difficulties in reaching participants or getting them to take the time to complete the questionnaire.

Question 3

Which researcher is likely to be working with 'big data'?

Accepted Answer

Big data refers to large and complex data sets that cannot be analyzed using traditional data processing applications. Census information is a classic example of big data, as it involves an enormous amount of data that needs to be processed and analyzed by researchers. The other options are not likely to involve big data as they involve smaller and/or more specific data sets.

Question 4

When Tenzin chooses the sample for his research,he wants to ensure that the sample is a miniature version of the Canadian population as a whole.What type of sample is Tenzin using?

Accepted Answer

Tenzin is using a representative sample, as he wants to ensure that the sample accurately represents the Canadian population as a whole. A representative sample is a type of sampling technique where the participants are carefully selected to ensure that they represent the characteristics of the population being studied. This type of sample is important because it allows for accurate conclusions to be drawn about the entire population based on the characteristics of the sample.

Question 5

In the text,what was Russel Ogden's master's thesis on euthanasia used to demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Russel Ogden's master's thesis on euthanasia was used to demonstrate how the ethical principle of confidentiality can come into conflict with the law, highlighting the challenges researchers face when their duty to maintain participant confidentiality clashes with legal demands for information.

Question 6

A researcher decides to research the culture of bodybuilders by joining this group.He begins a strict regimen of weightlifting,adheres to a strict diet,and even participates in some amateur competitions.What type of research is this?

Accepted Answer

The researcher in this scenario is actively participating in the culture of bodybuilding, which falls under participant observation as a research method.

Question 7

A recent experiment conducted by the dating site OKCupid investigated the effect of intentionally mismatching people.On what grounds would sociologists most likely oppose such research?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists would most likely oppose the research on the grounds that participants were unwitting subjects, meaning they were not aware that they were part of an experiment, which raises ethical concerns about consent and autonomy in research.

Question 8

What are scientists trying to achieve when they try to ensure that their biases and values do NOT affect their research?

Accepted Answer

When scientists strive to ensure that their biases and values do not affect their research, they are aiming for objectivity. Objectivity is essential in scientific research as it allows for unbiased and impartial findings. The results need to be based solely on evidence and not influenced by the researchers' personal beliefs.

Question 9

Suppose a researcher meets with the subjects of her study and asks each a series of questions.Which data collection method is she using?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using an interview method by meeting with the subjects and asking them a series of questions. Option A, researcher-administered questionnaire, implies that the subjects fill out a form or questionnaire on their own. Option C, structured survey, typically involves distributing questionnaires to a larger population and collecting responses. Option D, structured experiment, involves manipulating variables under controlled conditions to observe the effect on the subjects.

Question 10

In what approach does the researcher collect information or data and then generate theories from the analysis of those data?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using the inductive approach, where they collect information or data and then generate theories from the analysis of those data. This approach starts with specific observations and builds towards generalizations or theories based on those observations.

Question 11

A team of researchers recently decided to conduct an experiment originally made famous by Stanley Milgram in the 1950s in order to test whether Milgram's results still hold today.Which term best describes their activities?

Accepted Answer

Replication refers to repeating a study or experiment in order to test its validity and whether its results can be generalized to different populations and situations. In this scenario, the researchers are replicating Milgram's experiment to see if his results can still be applicable today.

Question 12

In a simple random sample,what condition must be present?

Accepted Answer

In a simple random sample, every member of the entire population has an equal chance of being selected. This ensures that the sample is representative of the population and reduces the possibility of bias in the sample selection process.

Question 13

Why are variables important?

Accepted Answer

Variables outline how concepts can be measured, which is crucial in research as it allows for accurate and objective analysis. Without variables, researchers would not have clear guidelines on how to measure and analyze data, which could result in unreliable or inaccurate conclusions.

Question 14

Suppose a study researched government transcripts to establish what types of themes occur most frequently.Which term refers to this kind of research?

Accepted Answer

Content analysis is a research method used to analyze and identify patterns within written, verbal, or visual communication. In this scenario, analyzing government transcripts to identify recurring themes falls under content analysis.

Question 15

In the hypothesis "Among university students taking an Introduction to Sociology course,older students tend to score higher on multiple choice tests than younger students," what term would we use to refer to "score higher on multiple choice tests"?

Accepted Answer

"Score higher on multiple choice tests" is the outcome or response variable that is dependent on the age of the student, which is the independent variable.

Question 16

Which term refers to the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure?

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the degree to which a research instrument measures what it is intended to measure. It is a measure of the accuracy of the instrument. Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of the results obtained from a research instrument. Predictability and variability are not directly related to the accuracy of a research instrument.

Question 17

Suppose you and your classmates were asked an identical set of questions concerning your attitudes toward a discounted bus transit pass in an interview.In what type of research would you be participating?

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a situation where a group of individuals are being asked a set of questions. This aligns with the characteristics of a survey research design.

Question 18

Why is sociological research necessary?

Accepted Answer

Sociological research is necessary because it provides a more informed understanding of human social interaction, based on empirical evidence and rigorous methodology. It helps us to understand the complexity of social issues and develop effective solutions. While sociological research may sometimes confirm commonsense beliefs or personal experiences, its main purpose is to provide reliable and accurate information about the causes and consequences of social behavior.

Question 19

In the hypothesis "Among university students taking an Introduction to Sociology course,older students tend to score higher on multiple choice tests than younger students," what term would we use to refer to age?

Accepted Answer

Age is the independent variable in this hypothesis because it is being used as the predictor variable to see how it affects the dependent variable (test scores).

Question 20

What is the primary role of research ethics?

Accepted Answer

The primary role of research ethics is to protect the participants. Research should be conducted in a way that avoids harm to the participants and ensures their rights are not infringed upon. The other options are important in research, but ensuring the safety and well-being of participants is the primary ethical concern.

Quiz 2: Sociological Research