Question 1

Lorenzo follows the steps of the historical-comparative research process.He begins to write up his findings regarding the nuclear facility accident in Fukushima,Japan,in 2012.Which statement would come first in his paper?

Accepted Answer

The statement that comes first in a research paper should introduce the topic and provide context. In this case, statement D introduces the topic of the Fukushima nuclear facility accident and frames it within the context of evaluating theories about risk management in large-scale societies.

Question 2

Historical research methods and comparative research methods both

Accepted Answer

Historical research methods and comparative research methods involve critical examination of social organization to interpret macro social processes. They focus on analyzing and comparing historical and contemporary social structures, institutions, and practices, which helps to develop a broader understanding of society. While both methods may use qualitative and quantitative methods, they generally prioritize analyzing human experiences, behaviors, and interactions rather than relying solely on big data. However, they do not prioritize the past over the present, as comparative research methods often involve analyzing contemporary societies and social dynamics.

Question 3

An archive is a

Accepted Answer

An archive is a physical or virtual space where materials such as documents, recordings, and artifacts are brought together, organized, preserved, and made available for inspection. Archives can be found in various entities, including museums, libraries, government agencies, and private organizations. The primary purpose of an archive is to preserve and provide access to items of cultural, artistic, educational, or historical significance for future generations. Therefore, option B is the best choice as it accurately describes the nature and function of archives. Option A is not specific enough, as it could apply to any storage facility. Option C only refers to materials that have been evaluated by scholars, which is not always the case for archival material. Option D is too limiting since archives can contain many types of materials, not just big data.

Question 4

The most important reason why,when the choice is available,sociologists collect primary information over secondary information is because

Accepted Answer

Secondary information was collected by someone else, which means the original researcher cannot control its quality or content. This limitation makes primary information more desirable when the choice is available, as it allows for direct control over the data collection process.

Question 5

David conducts a historical-comparative study of the terrorist attacks on September 11,2001.When he considers counterfactuals,he

Accepted Answer

When considering counterfactuals, David is thinking about what would have happened in society if the terrorist attacks had not occurred.

Question 6

Dr.Swan is a sociologist with experience in ethnography and in-depth interviewing.She uses skills developed in those areas to begin a project in historical-comparative research about rural poverty.Accordingly,she selects

Accepted Answer

Since Dr. Swan is interested in researching rural poverty, selecting a town in West Virginia that is experiencing economic dislocation would be the best choice. This allows her to conduct ethnographic research and in-depth interviews with individuals affected by poverty in that specific community, which can provide deeper insights into the causes and consequences of rural poverty. Options A and B are not relevant to her research question, and option D lacks specificity in terms of the geographic area of focus.

Question 7

Organizations may sometimes provide false or biased information.Researchers should,therefore,

Accepted Answer

It is important for researchers to carefully evaluate any archival data they use for bias and accuracy, regardless of the source. There is no guarantee that governmental data is free from bias or that data from organizations without a clear agenda exists. Therefore, it is crucial for researchers to exercise caution and thoroughness in evaluating all data sources.

Question 8

Kenyatta conducts a study of residential patterns of Muslim Americans.She uses aggregate data,which offers information related to ________ but not ________.

Accepted Answer

Aggregate data provides information about the number of Muslim Americans living in a particular zip code, which is related to their residential pattern. However, it does not give information about specific individuals living in a particular residence, which is individual-level data. The other choices (A, C, and D) are not accurate for characterizing aggregate data.

Question 9

Historical research methods consider ________;comparative research methods consider ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Historical research methods consider ________;comparative research methods...

Question 10

Why would a researcher conduct critical content analysis on materials such as speeches or journalistic reports?

Accepted Answer

Critical content analysis is particularly useful for identifying biases and blind spots in media and other forms of communication. By analyzing speeches or journalistic reports, researchers can uncover underlying ideologies, political perspectives, and other factors that may shape the information presented. This can lead to a deeper understanding of social and cultural phenomena, as well as help to identify potential areas for improvement or intervention. While critical content analysis can be used in conjunction with other research methods, such as big data approaches or purposive sampling, it is not necessarily a supplement to these methods.

Question 11

Professor Michael Bellesiles reached an incorrect conclusion in his book Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture.Where,in the stages of historical-comparative research,did he go wrong?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Professor Michael Bellesiles reached an incorrect conclusion...

Question 12

Michelle collects five new reports and adds them to her data set.She finds that these new reports add nothing new;rather,they reinforce what she has already found.Michelle has reached the point of

Accepted Answer

Saturation is when additional data or information no longer provides anything new or useful to further develop or support a theory or hypothesis. In this case, Michelle has collected enough data to reach the point of saturation, meaning that adding more data does not add anything new to what she has already found.

Question 13

Which is an example of micro data?

Accepted Answer

An individual's birth and death dates are specific pieces of information about one person, making it micro data.

Answer: B 
 Data collected by an individual scholar would also be micro data since it is focused on a specific area or subject.

Answer: C 
 All primary information is not necessarily micro data as it could still be collected on a larger scale, such as a census.

Answer: D 
 Data from reports is not necessarily micro data as it could still be aggregated information collected on a larger scale.

Question 14

A researcher wants to know whether stress influences time spent exercising.She wants to strengthen the validity of her measure,so she

Accepted Answer

Collecting primary data allows the researcher to control the accuracy of their measure, which is essential for strengthening its validity. Secondary data may not be specific or relevant enough for the researcher's purposes, and using both qualitative and quantitative measures may not necessarily improve the validity of the measure itself. Increasing the sample size may increase the precision of the study, but not necessarily the accuracy or validity of the measure being used.

Question 15

Dr.Harper seeks primary information for her study about the lives of Sudanese refugees in the Midwest,so she turns to ________ for ________.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Harper is seeking primary information, meaning information directly from the source, in this case, the Sudanese refugees themselves. Therefore, interviews would provide the most relevant and firsthand information. The other options offer either secondary information or tangential information that are not directly related to the lives of Sudanese refugees in the Midwest.

Question 16

When a researcher systematically reviews materials that have been converted into a quantitative data set,seeking to test a hypothesis,this approach is called

Accepted Answer

The approach described involves analyzing quantitative data through a systematic review of materials, which is known as quantitative content analysis. The other choices (materials-based research, critical content analysis, and saturated coding) do not accurately reflect the described approach.

Question 17

Mishon's sociological study of W.E.B.DuBois's work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)follows the typical steps in the historical-comparative research process.Which question represents Mishon's first step?

Accepted Answer

The first step in the historical-comparative research process often involves identifying a broad research question or area of interest, which in this case is represented by the question about an influential person in African American history.

Question 18

Consider two books about Sacagawea,a Shoshone woman who assisted the Lewis and Clark expedition.One is a history book and one is a historical sociology book.What emphasis is distinctive to historical sociology?

Accepted Answer

Historical sociology often uses historical events or figures to explore and support sociological theories, such as rational choice theory, which is a distinctive emphasis compared to simply recounting historical facts or decisions.

Question 19

Organizations such as Data Sharing for Demographic Research are designed to allow researchers to

Accepted Answer

Data Sharing for Demographic Research aims to ease the process of sharing data that might be difficult for researchers to collect on their own, making it easier for them to perform their research.

Question 20

What would happen if a sociologist used purposive sampling to select a case for a historical-comparative research study? He or she would

Accepted Answer

Purposive sampling involves selecting cases that have specific characteristics or meet certain criteria, which in historical-comparative research could include choosing an anomalous case to gain deeper insights into a phenomenon that differs from the norm.

Quiz 12: Materials-Based Methods