Question 1

In the United States, ________ dictates that a groom should not see the bride before the wedding.

Accepted Answer

The statement refers to a cultural tradition in the United States, where it is customary for the groom not to see the bride before the wedding. This tradition is based on the belief that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony.

Question 2

In 1942, a team of scientists embarked on a mission to create the first atomic bomb. Working on complex theories in physics, math, and chemistry they eventually succeeded by testing their theory by setting off the first nuclear explosion on July 16, 1945. Such a process used by these scientists that begins with theory and is later tested through observation is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning starts with a hypothesis or general theory and then tests it through observation or experiments, which aligns with the process described.

Question 3

In the proposition "poverty causes crime," what role does "poverty" play?

Accepted Answer

In the proposition "poverty causes crime," poverty is the independent variable, as it is assumed to be the cause of crime.

Question 4

Akasha is living among the members of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon River Basin. She talks and interacts with them regularly to learn as much as possible about them and their behavior. In view of this, what type of research design has Akasha chosen?

Accepted Answer

Akasha has chosen the ethnographic interview research design as she is living among the members of the indigenous tribe in the Amazon River Basin and interacting with them regularly to learn about their behavior. Ethnographic research involves immersion in a particular sociocultural setting and observation of and interaction with the people within that setting.

Question 5

convert(s) data to numerical form so they can be subjected to a variety of statistical techniques and measurements.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative analysis involves converting data into numerical form, making it suitable for statistical techniques and measurements. Longitudinal studies and cross-sectional studies refer to types of research designs, while qualitative studies focus on non-numerical data analysis.

Question 6

What is the term for the research design used by the U.S. Census Bureau when it uses the data it has collected for comparative and historical studies?

Accepted Answer

The term for the research design used by the U.S. Census Bureau when it uses the data it has collected for comparative and historical studies is secondary analysis, which involves analyzing data that was collected by someone else.

Question 7

What is the major difference between the Iowa School and the Chicago School as it pertains to research methods?

Accepted Answer

The Chicago School is known for its qualitative, ethnographic approaches, emphasizing direct observation and subjective interpretation of social phenomena. In contrast, the Iowa School is more inclined towards quantitative methodologies, advocating for the use of statistical and formal methods to study social behaviors and structures.

Question 8

A set of interrelated propositions, or statements, that attempt to explain some phenomenon is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A set of interrelated propositions or statements that attempt to explain some phenomenon is a theory. A paradigm is a framework or perspective through which observations and facts are interpreted. Pentameter is a type of verse in poetry, and hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Question 9

Kenny is writing his master's thesis on motorcycle gangs. In order to gather data about gangs he has decided to take six months off from his routine responsibilities and ride with the Pagans. For this six month period Kenny will do everything the Pagans do, including illegal activity, partying, and all other activities in which Pagans engage. In view of this, what type of research design is Kenny using?

Accepted Answer

Kenny is using full participation as his research design by immersing himself in the culture of the motorcycle gang and participating in all their activities for six months. This type of research design allows for a first-hand understanding of the group's behavior and practices.

Question 10

Cathy is conducting a research project that measures the level of student satisfaction as it pertains to academic services at her university. The university has 10,000 undergraduate students. Cathy will be surveying 1,000 of these students by choosing them in a random manner. In view of this, which statement is most accurate in describing Cathy's research?

Accepted Answer

The population in Cathy's study is the 10,000 undergraduate students, as she is interested in generalizing her findings to all of the students at the university. The sample in Cathy's study is the 1,000 students she will be surveying, as this is the group she will be collecting data from. Therefore, option D is the best choice, as it correctly identifies both the population and sample in Cathy's research project. Options A, B, and C are inaccurate in some way or another.

Question 11

Marvin Wolfgang conducted a classic study of all male babies born in Philadelphia from the year they were born (1945) until their 18th birthdays to track the number of times they were taken into custody for delinquent acts. Such a study that collects data over a long period of time is called a[n] ________ study.

Accepted Answer

The study conducted by Marvin Wolfgang is an example of a longitudinal study, which collects data over a long period of time, in this case from birth until 18 years of age. The other options, cross sectional, experimental, and hypothetical, do not accurately describe the design or nature of the study.

Question 12

The professor of economics who made a comparison of the natural sciences to the social sciences and concluded that the social sciences are different but not inferior to the natural sciences was ________.

Accepted Answer

Fritz Machlup made a comparison of the natural sciences to the social sciences and concluded that the social sciences are different but not inferior to the natural sciences.

Question 13

What is the basis for the type of knowledge called science?

Accepted Answer

Science is based on empirical evidence gained through direct, systematic observation. This means that scientific knowledge comes from observing and testing phenomena in the natural world and using that data to develop theories and models. Science relies on evidence that can be observed and replicated, rather than on belief, tradition, or personal experience.

Question 14

Sammy is examining a set of data he collected on the number of times a person is arrested and the severity of the sentence imposed if the person is found guilty. It appears that every increase in the number of arrests results in an increase in the severity of the sentence. In view of this, which statement best describes Sammy's efforts?

Accepted Answer

Sammy is examining the relationship between two variables, the number of arrests and the severity of the sentence imposed. This is a correlation exercise, and he is likely trying to determine if there is a positive correlation (as he suspects) between the two variables. He is not developing a null hypothesis, conducting an experiment, or calculating the standard deviation of criminal behavior.

Question 15

What phrase best describes polling data, especially as it is used by politicians, advertisers, and the mass media?

Accepted Answer

Polling data can be manipulated or presented in a biased way, leading to the phrase "tainted truth" as it may not always accurately represent reality.

Question 16

Penelope has just administered an IQ test to a group of juveniles at the shelter where she works. Based on other evaluations, such as exam scores, reasoning ability, and problem-solving success, it appears the test Penelope used accurately measured the intellectual capability of those who completed it. In view of this, which statement best describes the IQ test Penelope used?

Accepted Answer

Since the IQ test accurately measured the intellectual capability of those who completed it based on other evaluations such as exam scores, reasoning ability, and problem-solving success, it shows that the test has high validity. However, the question does not provide enough information to determine the test's reliability.

Question 17

Anthony is conducting research on the homeless and the efforts homeless people make to find full-time work. He has established "homelessness" as meaning "the absence of a permanent or temporary residence that can be verified by an approving authority, such as the post office or municipal authority" and defines "full-time work" as being "employment with the same firm or agency in excess of 30 hours a week that is assumed to be for an indefinite period of time." What has Anthony done by specifying how homelessness and full-time work are to be measured?

Accepted Answer

Anthony has established operational definitions by specifying how he will measure homelessness and full-time work. This is important in research as it ensures that everyone involved in the study is using the same definitions and criteria for measurement, making the results more reliable and valid.

Question 18

What type of research answers the questions "what" and "how" and is often used to profile religious cults, motorcycle gangs, or teenage Satanic cults?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive research is focused on describing a particular phenomenon or situation. It is often used to answer questions about "what" and "how" in order to provide a detailed profile of a group or situation. Examples of this type of research include profiling religious cults, motorcycle gangs, or teenage Satanic cults.

Question 19

Which sociological perspective suggests the researcher must take the "role of the other" and view the world from the subject's point of view, but must maintain the distinction between everyday and scientific conceptions of reality?

Accepted Answer

The interactionist perspective emphasizes the importance of taking the "role of the other" and viewing the world from the subject's point of view. However, it also stresses the need to maintain the distinction between everyday and scientific conceptions of reality in order to develop more rigorous theoretical explanations. The structural functionalist and conflict perspectives focus more on larger social structures and systems, while the feminist perspective specifically examines gender inequalities and their impact on society.

Question 20

Relying on doctors to diagnose our illnesses, attorneys for legal advice, meteorologists to predict the weather, and professors to teach subjects in their chosen fields all serve as examples of a type of knowledge called ________.

Accepted Answer

The type of knowledge being referred to is authority, where we trust and rely on experts in their respective fields to provide us with accurate information and guidance.

Quiz 2: Doing Sociology