Question 1

Which of the following topics would a macrotheorist be more likely to study than a microtheorist?

Accepted Answer

Macroeconomic theorists typically focus on studying large-scale systems and institutions, such as international relations among countries. Microeconomic theorists, on the other hand, tend to study smaller-scale phenomena, such as individual behavior and interactions, like student-faculty interactions and dating behavior among students. Therefore, international relations among countries is more likely to be studied by a macrotheorist than any of the other options listed.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about paradigms is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A paradigm is not a system of interrelated statements; rather, it is a framework or model of understanding that guides how we interpret and study social phenomena.

Question 3

A sociologist with a symbolic interactionist orientation would be MOST likely to do research on which of the following question(s)?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on understanding how individuals interact and create meaning in their social world. Therefore, a sociologist with this orientation would be most likely to research unstated norms governing interactions between family members, as this question directly pertains to how individuals interact and create meaning within a specific social context. The other questions listed are more macro-level and may be better suited for sociologists with different theoretical orientations.

Question 4

The idea that knowledge is based on observation made through one of the five senses rather than on belief or logic alone is termed

Accepted Answer

The idea that knowledge is based on observation made through the five senses rather than on belief or logic alone is the central tenet of positivism. Positivism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes empirical evidence and scientific methods to explain the natural and social phenomena of the world.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is(are)TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Laws are universal generalizations that describe consistent relationships observed in nature. They are not created by scientists but discovered through observation and experimentation. Laws do not explain phenomena; they describe them. They are not concerned with accidental patterns but with consistent, repeatable patterns. Laws are objective, but not necessarily agreed upon by all, as scientific consensus can change with new evidence.

Question 6

The Minamata disease,a disease which produced severe nervous disorders and birth defects,was traced to the fact that the Chisso Chemical Company dumped mercury into a bay where Japanese villagers fished.The villagers of Minamata,the village in which the company was located,refused to become involved in lawsuits with the chemical company for many years.However,the residents of Niigata,a fishing village forty miles up the river from the factory,filed lawsuits against the chemical company.Which of the following explanations flows from the conflict paradigm in attempting to explain the differences in lawsuits between the two villages?

Accepted Answer

The conflict paradigm suggests that power and resource control influence social behavior. The chemical company's control over resources in Minamata likely deterred lawsuits.

Question 7

Jeremy attended a chamber music concert.During one of the movements he jumped up and yelled "Way to go,violin!" Later he screamed "Come on,cello! You can do it!" As a social science student,you conclude that Jeremy was probably doing research using a(n)

Accepted Answer

Ethnomethodology involves studying the methods people use to make sense of their social world, often by disrupting social norms to observe reactions. Jeremy's behavior at the concert disrupts norms, suggesting he is using this approach.

Question 8

Which of the following is not an important reason for why we develop theories in order to conduct research?

Accepted Answer

All of these are important reasons to develop theory. Each of these reasons plays a crucial role in why we develop theories in order to conduct research. Theory helps us explain observations and comprehend patterns that we observe. By doing so, we can prevent assumptions based on uncharacteristic observations and shape the direction of our research efforts towards more productive ends.

Question 9

Fred wants to explain why people get married.Fred's goal is,therefore,to develop a(n)________ about marriage.

Accepted Answer

A theory is a systematic explanation for the observations that relate to a particular aspect of life. In this case, Fred is attempting to explain why people get married, so he is developing a theory about marriage.

Question 10

Professor May wants to learn how grandparents define their role when they become the guardians of their grandchild.May asks grandparents questions like,"How did you come to have custody of your grandchild?" and "Do you feel more like a parent or a grandparent?" Which of the following paradigms is May probably using?

Accepted Answer

Professor May's focus on asking grandparents about their personal experiences and perceptions of their roles and relationships with their grandchild is indicative of a symbolic interactionism paradigm. This paradigm emphasizes the individual's subjective interpretation and construction of their social world through interpersonal interactions and communication.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about paradigms is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

All the statements A, B, C, and D are true about paradigms, so none of them is false.

Question 12

Which of the following statements exemplifies a null hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

The null hypothesis is a statement that assumes there is no relationship or difference between variables being studied. Option A states that there is no relationship between gender and jury verdicts, which exemplifies a null hypothesis. The other options are stating a specific relationship or difference between gender and jury verdicts, so they do not demonstrate the null hypothesis.

Question 13

Axioms are

Accepted Answer

Axioms are fundamental assertions on which theory is grounded that are assumed to be true. They serve as the starting point for logical reasoning and deduction in the creation of mathematical models and theories.

Question 14

Grounded theory

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory is an inductive method of theory construction that emphasizes the systematic observation and analysis of social phenomena to develop theoretical explanations. This approach begins with the collection of data and the identification of patterns, themes, and categories, which are used to develop tentative concepts and hypotheses. Through an iterative and recursive process of data collection and analysis, researchers refine and revise their theories until they achieve theoretical saturation and develop a comprehensive explanatory framework. Accordingly, grounded theory requires significant preparation and theory development before the research can begin, but it does not necessarily precede empirical research.

Question 15

In a study of women,the following notation was used: Y = f(X)where Y represented number of live births and X represented occupational prestige scores.This notation represents

Accepted Answer

The notation Y = f(X) represents a functional relationship between Y (the number of live births) and X (occupational prestige scores), indicating that Y is a function of X or affected by X. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 16

Walking with an open umbrella on a beautiful day or using hands to eat mashed potatoes are techniques used by ______ to understand the social world.

Accepted Answer

Ethnomethodologists use unconventional methods, like walking with an open umbrella on a sunny day, to reveal the underlying social norms and rules that people use to make sense of the world.

Question 17

The fundamental models or frames of reference we use to organize our observations and reasoning are:

Accepted Answer

Paradigms are the fundamental models or frames of reference that guide how we interpret and understand observations and reasoning in a particular field.

Question 18

Which of the following illustrates the use of the inductive method?

Accepted Answer

The inductive method involves making observations, identifying patterns, and drawing generalizations based on those patterns. Choice B describes this process. The other choices include elements of deductive reasoning (where a hypothesis or theory is proposed and then tested through observations) or include elements that are out of order or unrelated to the inductive method.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a function of theory for research?

Accepted Answer

All of the given choices are functions of theory for research.

Question 20

Which of the following outlines the steps in the traditional deductive model?

Accepted Answer

The traditional deductive model starts with a theoretical expectation, from which researchers formulate a testable hypothesis. The next step is to operationalize the concepts being studied, to make them measurable and observable. Finally, observations are made to test whether the hypothesis is supported or not. Option E is the only choice that correctly orders these steps.

Quiz 2: Paradigms,theory,and Social Research

Which of the following topics would a macrotheorist be more likely to study than a microtheorist?

Which of the following statements about paradigms is FALSE?

A sociologist with a symbolic interactionist orientation would be MOST likely to do research on which of the following question(s) ?

The idea that knowledge is based on observation made through one of the five senses rather than on belief or logic alone is termed

Which of the following statements is(are) TRUE?

Jeremy attended a chamber music concert.During one of the movements he jumped up and yelled "Way to go,violin!" Later he screamed "Come on,cello! You can do it!" As a social science student,you conclude that Jeremy was probably doing research using a(n)

Which of the following is not an important reason for why we develop theories in order to conduct research?

Fred wants to explain why people get married.Fred's goal is,therefore,to develop a(n) ________ about marriage.

Which of the following statements about paradigms is FALSE?

Which of the following statements exemplifies a null hypothesis?

Axioms are

Grounded theory

In a study of women,the following notation was used: Y = f(X) where Y represented number of live births and X represented occupational prestige scores.This notation represents

Walking with an open umbrella on a beautiful day or using hands to eat mashed potatoes are techniques used by ______ to understand the social world.

The fundamental models or frames of reference we use to organize our observations and reasoning are:

Which of the following illustrates the use of the inductive method?

Which of the following is NOT a function of theory for research?

Which of the following outlines the steps in the traditional deductive model?