Question 1

Discuss similarities and differences among the following ideas: academic freedom, objectivity, relational position, and value neutrality.

Accepted Answer

Academic freedom, objectivity, relational position, and value neutrality are all important concepts in the academic and intellectual world, but they each have distinct similarities and differences.

Academic freedom refers to the freedom of scholars, researchers, and educators to pursue knowledge, research, and teaching without interference or censorship. It allows for the open exchange of ideas and the pursuit of truth without fear of reprisal. Objectivity, on the other hand, is the idea that scholars and researchers should strive to be impartial and unbiased in their work, free from personal or ideological influences. It is about presenting information and analysis in a fair and balanced manner.

Relational position is the recognition that individuals' perspectives and experiences shape their understanding of the world. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and understanding the diverse perspectives and positionalities of different individuals and groups. Value neutrality, on the other hand, is the idea that researchers and scholars should strive to separate their personal values and beliefs from their work, particularly in the social sciences. It is about maintaining a neutral stance and not allowing personal biases to influence research and analysis.

Similarities among these ideas include the emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge and truth, the importance of critical thinking and open dialogue, and the recognition of the complexities of human experience. They all contribute to the development of a robust and rigorous academic and intellectual environment.

Differences among these ideas include the focus of academic freedom on freedom of inquiry and expression, the emphasis of objectivity on impartiality and fairness, the recognition of relational position on the importance of diverse perspectives, and the emphasis of value neutrality on separating personal values from research and analysis.

In conclusion, while academic freedom, objectivity, relational position, and value neutrality share some common goals and values, they also have distinct emphases and implications in the academic and intellectual world. Understanding and navigating these concepts is essential for fostering a vibrant and inclusive academic community.

Question 2

One model of James Rule's models of relevance urged, by such famous people as Herbert Spencer, that scientific knowledge can be used by anyone for any purpose and the knowledge or process producing it are neutral. Which model is it?

Accepted Answer

The "no net effects" model posits that scientific knowledge and the processes producing it are neutral, meaning they can be used by anyone for any purpose without inherently influencing or being influenced by social, political, or ethical considerations. This reflects the idea mentioned in the question, attributed to figures like Herbert Spencer, regarding the neutrality of scientific knowledge.

Question 3

What are the major differences between a report on qualitative versus quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative and quantitative research are two fundamental approaches to gathering and analyzing data, and they differ in several key aspects. Reports on these types of research will reflect these differences in their structure, content, and the nature of the findings they present. Here are the major differences between a report on qualitative versus quantitative research:

1. **Objective**:
   - **Qualitative Research Report**: Focuses on exploring ideas, understanding phenomena, and gaining insights into underlying reasons and motivations. It is more subjective and aims to provide a deeper understanding of context, culture, or complexity.
   - **Quantitative Research Report**: Aims to quantify data and generalize results from a sample to the population of interest. It is more objective and seeks to identify patterns, test theories, and make predictions.

2. **Data Type**:
   - **Qualitative**: Deals with non-numerical data such as words, texts, images, or objects. The report will include quotes, themes, narratives, and descriptions.
   - **Quantitative**: Involves numerical data that can be measured and compared. The report will include statistical analyses, graphs, tables, and charts.

3. **Methodology Section**:
   - **Qualitative**: Describes the context of the research, the role of the researcher, sampling techniques (often purposive or convenience sampling), data collection methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, observations), and data analysis approaches (e.g., thematic analysis, discourse analysis).
   - **Quantitative**: Details the hypotheses or research questions, operational definitions of variables, sampling methods (often random or systematic sampling), data collection instruments (e.g., surveys, experiments), and statistical analysis techniques (e.g., regression, ANOVA).

4. **Analysis and Results**:
   - **Qualitative**: Presents a thematic or narrative analysis, with data often categorized into themes or patterns. The report will include participant quotations and detailed descriptions to support findings.
   - **Quantitative**: Provides statistical analysis, with results presented in the form of statistical tests, confidence intervals, and p-values. The report will focus on the relationships between variables and the significance of the findings.

5. **Discussion and Conclusion**:
   - **Qualitative**: Discusses the implications of the findings in relation to the context of the study, with an emphasis on the meanings and interpretations derived from the data. The report may also discuss the trustworthiness and credibility of the findings.
   - **Quantitative**: Discusses the implications of the findings in relation to the original hypotheses or research questions, with an emphasis on the extent to which the data support or refute these hypotheses. The report will also consider the reliability and validity of the results.

6. **Language and Tone**:
   - **Qualitative**: Often uses a narrative style with an emphasis on the voices and perspectives of the participants. The language is more descriptive and interpretive.
   - **Quantitative**: Uses a more formal and technical style, with an emphasis on objectivity and precision in the description of data and results.

7. **Generalizability**:
   - **Qualitative**: Typically has limited generalizability due to the context-specific and interpretive nature of the research. The report will often discuss the findings in relation to the particular study sample.
   - **Quantitative**: Seeks to generalize findings to a larger population and will discuss the extent to which the sample and results are representative.

In summary, a report on qualitative research will be rich in descriptive content and interpretation, providing a nuanced understanding of the research context, while a report on quantitative research will focus on numerical data, statistical analysis, and the testing of hypotheses, aiming for generalizable and objective findings.

Question 4

When writing a report about a field research study, researchers often mix data and analysis together. If they do NOT do so, they are committing

Accepted Answer

The error of segregation occurs when researchers separate data and analysis, failing to integrate them effectively to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research findings.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a tenet of "academic freedom?"

Accepted Answer

Academic freedom includes the liberty to express ideas, teach subjects within one's expertise, and explore controversial topics. However, it does not extend to teaching topics outside one's area of training, as this could undermine the quality and integrity of education.

Question 6

A common problem in the politics of social research is that

Accepted Answer

Politicians may allocate government funds to research projects that align with their ideological values rather than those of the highest scientific significance or quality, potentially skewing the direction and focus of social research.

Question 7

Explain the idea of "models of relevance," their purpose, and major types.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the idea of "models of relevance,"...

Question 8

Which of the following is often found in a quantitative data research report, but rarely in a research report based on qualitative data from a field or historical-comparative study?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research reports typically include a distinct section labeled "methods" or "data" to describe the quantitative methods and data used in the study. This is less common in qualitative research reports, which may integrate methodological details into the narrative rather than segregating them into a separate section.

Question 9

Rule discusses how social research should be used to aid the disadvantaged/underprivileged groups of society. Project Camelot is an example of how social research can be used to suppress the already disadvantaged. How does one reconcile these differences? Where does academic freedom enter into this discussion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rule discusses how social research should be...

Question 10

After an author engages in freewriting, he or she should edit, revise and rewrite. During this rewrite process, the author should be aware of the following issues EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug and is unrelated to the process of editing, revising, and rewriting in writing or authorship. Coherence, mechanics, and structure are all relevant concerns in the rewrite process.

Question 11

You read a report that says the following: "We find that the same social conditions and behaviors are defined by some as a social problem and by others as agreeable. Yet, there is a core of conditions which nearly everyone holds to be undesirable crime, poverty, epidemics). Sociological truth may not instantly make us free of the problems or eliminate dysfunctions in society. But by discovering the consequences of actual practices and making these known, sociology provides a basis for their reexamination and perhaps, in the long run, their modification."
-Which of James Rule's five models of relevance best fits the quotation?

Accepted Answer

The quotation suggests that sociology can have a direct and positive effect by uncovering the consequences of social practices and providing a basis for their reevaluation and potential modification, aligning with the direct and positive effects model.

Question 12

In what ways does political/economic power influence the process of social scientific research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways does political/economic power influence...

Question 13

Professor Yang said she just received an RFP in the mail. What is an RFP?

Accepted Answer

An RFP, or Request for Proposals, is a document issued by a funding agency to solicit research proposals from potential researchers. It outlines the agency's research interests, requirements for proposals, and how proposals will be evaluated.

Question 14

According to Rule's models of relevance, social research should be used to aid the disadvantaged or underprivileged of society. This is called

Accepted Answer

Rule's models of relevance suggest that social research should focus on aiding those who are disadvantaged or underprivileged, which is referred to as "special constituency, the uncoopted."

Question 15

What is a "SLAPP suit?"

Accepted Answer

A SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) is used by powerful entities to intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. In the context of researchers, it refers to lawsuits aimed at intimidating those who testify in court as independent experts, to discourage them from providing testimony that could be damaging to the organization's interests.

Question 16

Borrowing someone else's ideas or words and failing to properly document the original source is called

Accepted Answer

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's ideas or words without properly crediting the original source, which is considered a serious ethical and academic violation.

Question 17

The term occurs when politicians earmark funds or grants for specific projects at a particular university or research institute due to political favoritism.

Accepted Answer

The term "pork barrel money" refers to government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district. In the context of funding for universities or research institutes, it implies that the allocation of these funds is influenced by political favoritism rather than merit or need.

Question 18

When writing a research report, the author must be aware of all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B because while it's important for an author to be aware of the issues related to their report, the phrase "and more" is too vague and broad, suggesting that this option does not specifically pertain to the essential considerations in writing a research report. The other options (A, C, D) are directly related to important aspects of writing a research report, such as understanding the audience, maintaining an appropriate style and tone, and organizing thoughts effectively.

Question 19

In the writing process, in which step should you organize initial notes, make lists of ideas, outline thoughts, and make certain that your bibliographic citations are complete?

Accepted Answer

The prewriting step involves organizing initial notes, making lists of ideas, outlining thoughts, and ensuring that bibliographic citations are complete. This stage is about planning and structuring before the actual writing begins.

Question 20

Quinetta said she was going to attend a workshop on grantsmanship next week. What will she learn?

Accepted Answer

Grantsmanship workshops are designed to teach participants how to find funding opportunities and craft compelling grant proposals, which is what option D describes.

Quiz 16: Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research