Question 1

Which of the following terms refers to studying people where they live,work,and play?

Accepted Answer

Field research is the term that refers to studying people where they live, work, and play. Participant observation involves observing and participating in the social setting being studied. Case investigation involves in-depth analysis of a particular individual or group. Field experimentation involves manipulating variables in a natural setting to test hypotheses.

Question 2

In Canada,which organization outlines the basic standards sociologists must follow in conducting research?

Accepted Answer

The Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association outlines the basic standards sociologists must follow in conducting research through their Statement of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The other options provided do not exist as recognized organizations in the field of sociology.

Question 3

Under what conditions is it possible to conduct observational research?

Accepted Answer

Observational research can be conducted in various locations and at different times, as it involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Question 4

On which of the following do most writers on feminist research issues agree?

Accepted Answer

Most writers on feminist research issues agree that there is no one method that can be termed the feminist methodology. Feminist research is characterized by its commitment to values such as social justice and inclusivity, but the specific methods used may vary depending on the research question and context. Interviews may be one useful method, but there are other qualitative and quantitative methods that can be employed as well. Gender does not determine the ability to engage in feminist research.

Question 5

Which of the following methods is most closely associated with a feminist methodology?

Accepted Answer

In-depth interviews are most closely associated with a feminist methodology as they enable researchers to collect women's subjective experiences and enable marginalized groups to voice their perspectives in their own words. Feminist researchers typically emphasize the importance of qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews, open-ended surveys, and participant observation rather than quantitative techniques like field experiments and laboratory experimentation.

Question 6

During his study of a low-income neighbourhood in Boston,William Whyte took note of what those around him were discussing to gain inside information.Which type of research method has this research strategy as a main characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Participant observation involves the researcher becoming a part of the group being studied and directly observing their behavior and conversations, which is what Whyte did in his study of the low-income neighborhood in Boston.

Question 7

Which of the following occurs in an unstructured interview?

Accepted Answer

In an unstructured interview, the interviewer does not have a specific set of questions that must be asked. Instead, they establish the general direction of the interview by asking open-ended questions, allowing the interviewee to take the conversation in new directions. The interviewer also avoids using previous answers to direct new questions, which is a characteristic of a structured interview. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Question 8

In their investigation of students' participation in class discussion,what did sociologists David Karp and William Yoels find?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists David Karp and William Yoels found that on average, a very small number of students are responsible for the majority of discussion that occurs in class on any given day.

Question 9

According to the text,what is one problem with the use of secondary analysis?

Accepted Answer

The text states that one problem with secondary analysis is that the data may not reflect variables of interest to the researcher.

Question 10

You decide to study a new religious group that has bought the house next door by attending their meetings twice a week for a period of approximately eight to ten months.Which of the following decisions must you now make?

Accepted Answer

In order to avoid ethical issues and obtain informed consent, it is important to let the religious group know that they are being studied. This can be done through obtaining permission from the religious group leaders or by directly informing the members during the first meeting attended. The other options (A, C, D) do not apply to this scenario as a study design has not yet been specified.

Question 11

Which research method is useful for describing features of a large population without having to interview everyone?

Accepted Answer

Self-administered questionnaires allow researchers to collect data from a large population by distributing surveys that participants complete, making it an efficient method for describing features of a large population without needing to interview everyone individually.

Question 12

What does "maintaining confidentiality" mean?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does "maintaining confidentiality" mean?
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Question 13

Laud Humphreys studied homosexual acts between strangers meeting in public restrooms.In the course of his research,which of the following can be raised as an ethical concern?

Accepted Answer

Humphreys did not inform his subjects that they were being studied, which violates the principle of informed consent.

Question 14

Which of the following terms best describes research that takes the form of an in-depth,multifaceted investigation of a single event,person,or social grouping?

Accepted Answer

A case study is an in-depth investigation that focuses on a single event, person, or social grouping. This type of research is often used in qualitative inquiry and involves the collection of detailed data through various methods such as interviews, observations, and documentation. Complete observation and field research are broader terms that do not necessarily refer to a single event or grouping.

Question 15

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, as he was asked to reveal confidential information from his research.

Question 16

Which research method listed below attempts to provide explanations that can improve the situation of participants?

Accepted Answer

Feminist research aims to provide explanations that can improve the situation of participants, particularly women and marginalized groups, by taking into account their experiences, perspectives, and agency. It seeks to challenge systemic inequalities and address social justice issues by promoting equality, reflexivity, ethics, and diversity in the research process and outcomes. Interviews, secondary analysis, and field research can also contribute to understanding and intervention, but they do not necessarily prioritize empowerment or social change as their main goals.

Question 17

According to the text,which research method is known to be both artificial in nature and subject to problems of reactivity?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory experiments are artificial in nature as they take place in a controlled environment that tries to mimic the real world. The participants may behave differently in this environment compared to their behavior in real life, known as reactivity. Therefore, laboratory experiments are subject to problems of reactivity.

Question 18

Margrit Eichler identified several limitations in traditional sociological research.Which of the following categories did these limitations relate to?

Accepted Answer

Margrit Eichler identified limitations in traditional sociological research specifically related to gender, highlighting biases and gaps in how gender issues were addressed.

Question 19

Sociologists David Karp and William Yoels became interested in why students do not participate in class discussions.They sent observers who sat in on various classes and recorded certain patterns of class activity but did not take part in the classes.What research method did this study use?

Accepted Answer

The study used complete observation as the observers did not participate in the classes but just observed and recorded patterns of class activity. Participant observation involves researchers taking an active role in the group being studied. A case investigation involves in-depth exploration of a specific individual, group or situation. Qualitative research is a broad umbrella term encompassing various research methods, including participant observation, case studies, and interviews.

Question 20

According to the text,how does field research compare to experiments and surveys?

Accepted Answer

Field research often has less reliability due to the uncontrollable nature of the environment, but it can have greater validity because it allows researchers to observe behavior in real-life settings rather than controlled laboratory conditions (such as in experiments) or relying on self-report from participants (such as in surveys).

Quiz 2: Sociological Research