Question 1

Describe the survey method of research,including at least two of the strengths and one concern or potential problem of surveys.

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Question 2

Define hypothesis and create your own using the variables weight and eating habits.Be sure to clarify which variable is the independent (X)and which is the dependent (Y)in your explanation.

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Question 3

A sociologist is interested in understanding the ways in which inmates experience prison and the effect prison has on their postsentence employment prospects.Briefly explain a study design to address this question,and address the pros and cons of your design.

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Question 4

Define the terms validity and reliability.

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Question 5

Describe the difference between white coat effects and reflexivity in social research,and discuss why each of these is important.

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Question 6

The instructor of an introductory sociology class asks his students to fill out a questionnaire that he hopes to analyze and eventually publish.He tells the students that if they choose NOT to fill out the questionnaire,they will have points deducted from their next test.
Which golden rule(s)of research does this situation violate? Can you think of any potential white coat effects that come into play? Give at least one suggestion of how the instructor could handle the situation in a more ethical manner.

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Question 7

Create a formal hypothesis about the relationship between student engagement in college and academic performance.Identify the independent and dependent variables,and operationalize these variables.Explain why your operationalization scheme is valid.

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Question 8

What is generalizability in social science research and why is sampling important in it?

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Question 9

If a field researcher cannot reveal that a study is being done for fear that this revelation might significantly affect the social processes being studied,he or she is finding out that:

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In this scenario, the researcher is struggling to follow the norms of voluntary participation and informed consent due to the fear of affecting the social processes being studied. This highlights the importance of ethics in sociological research and the challenges that researchers may face in balancing the ethical principles with the need for valid data.

Question 10

In what ways is the role of the social researcher important? (In other words,describe white coat effects and/or reflexivity.)

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Question 11

Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research methods and give an example of each from the many examples discussed in Chapter 2.

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Question 12

What is the difference between correlation and causation? Which is harder to prove and why? Use an example to explain your answer.

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Question 13

Distinguish between deductive and inductive approaches to research.

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Question 14

Define causality,and list and define the three factors that are needed for it to be established.

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Question 15

In complete sentences,list and describe the three elements proposed by Sandra Harding (1987)as essential to feminist methodologies.

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Question 16

Sometimes a researcher may find it necessary to go against the ethical norms of informed consent and voluntary participation.Which of the following would NOT be considered one of these times?

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Informed consent and voluntary participation are especially important when dealing with vulnerable populations such as underage, incarcerated, or pregnant individuals, making it unethical to bypass these norms in such cases.

Question 17

A sociologist studying minor children,pregnant women,or inmates must get approval,as these groups are known as:

Accepted Answer

These groups are known as protected populations because they are considered vulnerable and therefore require special protections and ethical considerations in research. This includes obtaining informed consent and ensuring safety and privacy measures are in place.

Quiz 2: Methods