Question 1

All concepts require indicators to allow researchers to measure them. Provide a measurable indicator variable for each of the following three concepts and explain your rationale. Social mobility Well-being Societal development

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

Which of the following statements about hypothesis testing is true?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about a relationship between variables. It is not a demonstration of fact, but rather an educated guess that needs to be tested. When testing a hypothesis, it may either be accepted or rejected based on the empirical evidence collected. Therefore, choice C is the only true statement about hypothesis testing. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because not all sociological research follows the model of hypothesis, a hypothesis is not a demonstration of fact, and hypotheses can be used in both quantitative and qualitative studies.

Question 3

Which of these statements can be said of all soundly conducted sociological research?

Accepted Answer

All soundly conducted sociological research requires a plan for the collection of data. This is a fundamental aspect of any research study regardless of whether it is quantitative or qualitative in nature. The use of a hypothesis is also common in sociological research, but not necessarily required for all studies.

Question 4

Would participation observation be a useful research method with a large group, such as a rally or a march of thousands of individuals? Explain your reasoning.

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Question 5

A characteristic that may have more than one value or score is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A characteristic that may have more than one value or score is referred to as a variable in research. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B refers to a single value or score, while option C refers to a tentative explanation to be verified and option D is an outcome or result of an observation.

Question 6

If Mary wants to take an in-depth, nuanced look at how mothers and daughters interact, what type of research would she most likely be doing?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research involves exploring and understanding complex phenomena, such as relationships and social interactions, through in-depth analysis of data gathered through methods such as observation, interviews, and focus groups. This type of research would be most suited to Mary's goal of examining the nuances of mother-daughter relationships.

Question 7

The research technique in which the sociologist is the researcher but is also involved in the activities being studied is called

Accepted Answer

Participant observation is a research technique in which the sociologist is not just an observer, but rather becomes a part of the group or community being studied. They engage in the activities and interactions of the group, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the social phenomena being studied. This technique requires the researcher to be involved in the activities being studied, making it distinct from other research techniques such as subjective analysis, actor-action research or ethnography.

Question 8

Why is the controlled experiment particularly suited for determining cause and effect?

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Question 9

To study the difference in academic achievement between male and female athletes, one might look at rates of graduation among university students involved in sports. This is an example of _____ research.

Accepted Answer

The study involves gathering quantitative data (rates of graduation) and comparing them between two groups (male and female athletes) to determine a difference in academic achievement. Therefore, it is an example of quantitative research.

Question 10

How are most hypotheses stated?

Accepted Answer

Most hypotheses are stated as if-then statements, which propose a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. For example, "If plants receive more sunlight, then they will grow taller."

Question 11

When a researcher uses numerical analysis, she is most likely engaging in _____ research.

Accepted Answer

Numerical analysis involves the use of mathematical calculations and statistics to analyze data, which is a hallmark of quantitative research.

Question 12

Provide an example of a measure that is reliable but not valid. How would this affect research conclusions?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

When developing a research question, it is important to

Accepted Answer

Reviewing the relevant literature is crucial in developing a research question as it helps identify gaps in knowledge and informs the direction of the research. While funding, conflicts of interest, and ethics review are important considerations, they are not as fundamental to the development of the research question.

Question 14

If sociology is an empirical science and thus based on observation, how can sociologists study concepts that cannot be observed? Provide a specific example of a concept and discuss how it could be studied.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

How is doing a replication study useful?

Accepted Answer

A replication study is useful because it can demonstrate the reliability of the original findings and show what changes have occurred since the original study was conducted. This helps to strengthen or modify the original conclusions and can provide more confidence in the validity of the results.

Question 16

In the discussion of the use of statistics in sociology, the text lists six "mistakes" that can be made. List and briefly describe ways in which data and research outcomes can be distorted or misrepresented, accidentally or intentionally.

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Question 17

Why is content analysis a valuable research method for sociology? What can it be used to demonstrate?

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Question 18

Suppose a sociologist wants to study the social processes involved participation in acts of terrorism. What sociological research method would be least appropriate? Explain your reasoning.

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Question 19

Based on what you read, you think that people whose parents are divorced are more likely to become divorced themselves. As you begin your research, you state your belief explicitly, in a testable way. This explicit, testable statement is a

Accepted Answer

The explicit, testable statement about the relationship between divorce among parents and their children's likelihood of divorce is a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation or prediction that can be tested through research.

Question 20

What does the term research design refer to?

Accepted Answer

Research design refers to the overall plan or strategy for conducting a research project, including what observational method will be used, how data will be collected and analyzed, and what steps will be taken to control for potential confounds. A and D do not fully capture the concept of research design, and while B may be a component of a research design, it does not encompass the full scope of the term.

Quiz 3: Doing Sociological Research