Question 1

Which of the following is not an example of a type of statement?

Accepted Answer

Laws, propositions, and axioms are all types of statements, while objectives are not. Objectives are more of a goal or desired outcome rather than a statement conveying information.

Question 2

The "Chicago School" founded by Burgess and Park was influential in our understanding of why children failed in
schools.

Accepted Answer

The "Chicago School" founded by Burgess and Park was influential in urban sociology and the study of human ecology, not specifically focused on why children failed in schools.

Question 3

In the concentric zone theory of the "Chicago School" the zone of transition is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

According to the concentric zone theory, the zone of transition is the area where low-income immigrants first settled when they arrived in Chicago. This area was characterized by high levels of poverty, crime, and social disorganization.

Question 4

In deductive reasoning,one starts from a general law and applies that law to a particular instance.

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning typically involves moving from a general principle, law, or theory to a specific example or observation, using logical steps to arrive at a conclusion that is necessarily true if the initial premise is accurate. This process is often used in fields such as mathematics, logic, and philosophy to establish proofs and arguments.

Question 5

Research on criminal justice policy is an example of applied research.

Accepted Answer

Applied research applies existing scientific knowledge to solve practical problems and find solutions. Criminal justice policy research aims to develop policies and practices that enhance public safety, reduce crime and recidivism rates, and improve the criminal justice system's effectiveness. Thus, it falls under the category of applied research.

Question 6

Much of the current social science research has moved from description to:

Accepted Answer

While exploration, understanding, and theory are all important components of social science research, the shift from description signifies a move towards identifying explanatory factors and establishing causal relationships. Therefore, the best choice is B - explanation.

Question 7

Observation involves all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Statistical manipulation is not part of observation. Observation is simply watching and describing what is seen without manipulating data. Conducting experiments and interviewing people can be part of observation, but they are not the only components.

Question 8

The ecological approach to understanding crime suggests that human behavior is partially the result of the physical and social environment where the behavior takes place.

Accepted Answer

The ecological approach to understanding crime emphasizes how the physical and social environment can influence human behavior and contribute to the occurrence of certain crimes. This approach assumes that crime is not solely the result of individual characteristics or personal choices, but is also shaped by factors such as urban design, community characteristics, and social norms.

Question 9

A hypothesis is a specified expectation about an empirical reality derived from axioms.

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested through empirical research. It is not derived from axioms, which are self-evident principles or assumptions commonly used as basis for reasoning or mathematics.

Question 10

If a number of social scientists agree that a phenomenon exists,they are using intersubjective agreement for objectivity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a number of social scientists agree...

Question 11

A paradigm and a theory refer to two different things.The paradigm is a fundamental model or scheme that organizes our view of something.

Accepted Answer

A paradigm is a framework or model that shapes our understanding and perception of a particular phenomenon, while a theory is a proposed explanation or interpretation of a phenomenon based on evidence and reasoning.

Question 12

Which of the following is not an example of a concept?

Accepted Answer

Concepts refer to abstract ideas or general notions. Delinquency, peer group and social disorganization are all abstract ideas, while indoor temperature is a concrete physical measure.

Question 13

Socrates is mortal and observing a number of other people.All the observed people are mortals.All people are mortal.This is an example of what type of logic?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of inductive logic, where a general conclusion is reached based on observing specific instances. Observing that all people seen are mortal and concluding that all people are mortal is an inductive reasoning process.

Question 14

Grounded theory is used to describe the deductive method of theory construction.

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory is actually an inductive method of theory construction, meaning that theories are developed based on observations and data rather than from pre-existing hypotheses or theories.

Question 15

Criminal Justice and human behavior can be studied scientifically.

Accepted Answer

Both criminal justice and human behavior can be studied using scientific methods and principles, allowing for the collection and analysis of data to test hypotheses and draw conclusions. This approach allows for a more objective understanding of complex issues within the field.

Question 16

Much of the current research in criminal justice and criminology focuses upon which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Much of the current research in criminal justice and criminology focuses on developing a systematic explanation for the observed facts and laws that relate to a particular aspect of life, such as crime, deviance, victimization, and law enforcement. This involves the generation and testing of theories and hypotheses, as well as the collection and analysis of empirical data. Basic building blocks of concepts (A) and their theoretical counterparts (B) are important in developing such explanatory frameworks, but they are not the main focus of current research. Principles or laws (D) may be part of such explanatory frameworks but are not the main focus of current research in criminal justice and criminology.

Question 17

In using scientific inquiry,in deduction we reason toward observations; in induction we reason from observations.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the difference between deduction and induction in scientific inquiry. Deductive reasoning starts with a general principle and uses it to predict specific outcomes, while inductive reasoning uses observations to develop general principles or explanations.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of subjectivity?

Accepted Answer

The preference for a particular rap singer is subjective because it is based on personal taste and opinion. The other options involve more objective measures such as test scores, factual information, and quantitative data.

Question 19

Which type of research frequently involves the inductive method?

Accepted Answer

Inductive method involves starting with observations and data and then generating a theory or hypothesis, which is then tested through further research. Field research frequently utilizes the inductive method, as researchers often observe and gather data from their participants in order to generate new theories or hypotheses. Experiments typically use a more deductive approach, starting with a hypothesis and then testing it through controlled manipulation of variables. Surveys can be either inductive or deductive, depending on whether the research questions are generated from existing theories or from the data itself. Use of existing data such as the Uniform Crime Reports generally involves a deductive approach, as researchers are testing existing theories or hypotheses rather than generating new ones.

Question 20

Which of the following constitute facts related to variables?

Accepted Answer

Variables are the empirical counterpart to concepts, meaning they are measurable and observable aspects of those concepts.

Answer: None 
 B and D are both incorrect statements. Variables can have multiple values, and they are observable through various means, such as surveys or experiments. Choice C is also not a fact, as the level of specificity and breadth of a variable is dependent on the particular variable in question.

Quiz 2: Theory and Criminal Justice Research