Question 1

Which of the following steps is not a part of the study of the sociological world?

Accepted Answer

Using statistical models is more aligned with quantitative research methods, which are used across various fields, including sociology, but it's not a step specific to the study of the sociological world. The study of the sociological world encompasses a broader range of methodologies, including qualitative approaches that might not involve statistical models.

Question 2

Determining exactly how to measure concepts is known as:

Accepted Answer

The process of determining how to measure concepts is known as operationalization. This involves defining the specific measurements or indicators that will be used to quantify a particular concept. Controlling for spurious variables and correlation are related, but separate concepts that are not specifically focused on determining how to measure concepts. Designing key concepts may involve operationalization, but it refers to the broader process of identifying and defining the key concepts that will be studied.

Question 3

A spurious relationship occurs between two variables when:

Accepted Answer

A spurious relationship occurs when two variables are statistically correlated but not causally related. This can happen when there is a third variable that is causing both variables to be correlated. It is important to distinguish spurious relationships from causal relationships in order to properly interpret data and make informed decisions. A lack of correlation or unrelated variables are not examples of spurious relationships.

Question 4

The first person to propose that the scientific method could be applied to the study of social life was:

Accepted Answer

Auguste Comte is considered the founder of sociology and was the first person to propose the scientific method could be applied to the study of social life. He believed that society could be studied scientifically in the same way that natural sciences study the physical world.

Question 5

Prior to the 19th century, the primary influence on the way people viewed the world was based on:

Accepted Answer

Prior to the 19th century, religion was the primary influence on the way people viewed the world. This was a time when people believed that the earth was the center of the universe and that all other planets and stars revolved around it. The dominant religions of the time, Christianity and Islam, taught that God created the universe and that human beings were at the center of it.

Question 6

Richard is researching the way that religious differences have led to conflicts among Iraqi Muslims. His research focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Social dynamics refers to the study of the causes and consequences of social change. Richard's research is focused on understanding how religious differences have led to conflicts among Iraqi Muslims, which is an example of social change or conflict, and therefore falls under the category of social dynamics. The other options do not seem as relevant to Richard's research topic.

Question 7

Concepts or ideas that vary in frequency or occurrence across people, times, or places are known as:

Accepted Answer

Variables are concepts or ideas that vary in frequency or occurrence across people, times, or places. Spurious factors refer to a false relationship between two variables, key concepts are important or central ideas within a particular field or discipline, and correlatives refer to the degree of association or relationship between two variables.

Question 8

All of the following led to the rise of sociology except:

Accepted Answer

The Bubonic plague did not lead to the rise of sociology. Instead, the French Revolution, European imperialism, and advances in the natural sciences all helped to create the social conditions and intellectual framework for the emergence of sociology as a discipline. The French Revolution brought about social and political upheaval, leading scholars to question the foundations of society and analyze its structures. Imperialism brought new cultural perspectives and social complexities to Europe, sparking curiosity about other cultures and ways of life. Advances in the natural sciences, such as the work of Charles Darwin and the development of evolutionary theory, inspired scholars to look at society in terms of social evolution and cultural adaptation.

Question 9

Alexa and Eduardo want to do a sociological study of working mothers in Brazil. Alexa wants to begin with some general theories about working moms in Brazil and then make hypotheses based on those theories. Eduardo prefers to collect data first by interviewing a representative sample of working Brazilian mothers and then formulate a theory to explain their findings. In this example, Alexa prefers to use _________, while Eduardo would rather use __________.

Accepted Answer

Alexa's approach of starting with general theories and then making hypotheses is an example of deductive reasoning. Eduardo's approach of collecting data first and then formulating a theory is an example of inductive reasoning.

Question 10

The scientific approach is based on all of the following assumptions except:

Accepted Answer

The scientific approach is not based on the assumption that research is valid only if it disproves the researcher's initial assumptions. In fact, scientific research often begins with a hypothesis or initial assumption that is tested through empirical observation and analysis. While it is important to remain open to the possibility of disproving initial assumptions, this is not the only way that research can be considered valid.

Question 11

Statements regarding why and how facts relate to each other and the connection between those facts are known as:

Accepted Answer

Statements regarding why and how facts relate to each other and the connection between those facts are best described as theories. Hypotheses are educated guesses or predictions about the relationship between variables. Empirical knowledge refers to information that has been gathered through observation or experimentation. Levels of analysis refer to the different levels at which phenomena can be studied, such as individual, group, or societal levels.

Question 12

Allison is a sociologist who feels very strongly that every child should be given equal opportunities for a quality high school education because it is crucial for the child's future. However, after studying the topic scientifically, she discovers that the quality of a child's high school education plays no role whatsoever in the future of that child. What should she, as a scientist, do based on the rules of objectivity and ethical behavior?

Accepted Answer

As a scientist, Allison's duty is to release her findings as they are, regardless of her personal feelings or beliefs. Objectivity and ethical behavior require her to be honest about her research and present the results in their true form. By doing so, she is allowing the public to form their own opinions based on the evidence. A and B would both involve manipulating or hiding the data, which would be unethical and go against the principles of scientific research.

Question 13

Studies that take place under laboratory conditions are:

Accepted Answer

Studies that take place under laboratory conditions are known as controlled experiments, where the researcher manipulates one or more independent variables and measures their effect on one or more dependent variables while controlling for other factors. Survey methods involve collecting data through questionnaires or interviews, field studies involve observing and recording behaviors in natural settings, and secondary analyses involve analyzing previously collected data.

Question 14

Educated guesses based on theories but not yet scientifically tested are known as:

Accepted Answer

Hypotheses are educated guesses based on theories but not yet scientifically tested.

Question 15

Sara wants to study political protests in Russia by traveling to Moscow and joining one of the student protest groups. She would be using:

Accepted Answer

Participant observation involves immersing oneself in a particular social setting and observing and participating in the activities of the group being studied. In this scenario, Sara would be joining a student protest group in Moscow to study political protests in Russia, making participant observation the most appropriate choice. Nonparticipant observation involves observing a group from a distance without participating, secondary analysis involves analyzing data collected by someone else, and content analysis involves analyzing media or written content.

Question 16

Ethnography is a form of:

Accepted Answer

Ethnography involves observing and interacting with individuals or groups in their natural setting, making it a type of field study research. It is not survey research, controlled experimental research, or secondary analysis.

Question 17

Tom is studying how changes in income affect the frequency of eating out. In this example, "changes in income" is the ________________ variable and "frequency of eating out" is the _________________ variable.

Accepted Answer

"Changes in income" is the independent variable because it is the variable that is being manipulated or changed, while "frequency of eating out" is the dependent variable because it is the variable that is being measured or observed as a result of changes in income.

Question 18

The discrimination and oppression that people face because of their race, class, and gender is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The term that accurately describes discrimination and oppression related to race, class, and gender is intersectionality. This term was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the unique experiences of black women who face both racism and sexism. Intersectionality recognizes that individuals have multiple identities that interact and affect their experiences of oppression and discrimination. Cultural prejudice refers to negative attitudes towards a specific culture or group, hidden racism refers to racism that is not readily apparent, and overt ethnocentrism refers to a belief in the superiority of one's own culture.

Question 19

According to the text, the Industrial Revolution led, in part, to the rise of sociology because:

Accepted Answer

The text states that the Industrial Revolution led to the collapse of the old social structure, and no one could explain why. This created a need for a new understanding of society and social relationships, which led to the development of sociology as a discipline.

Question 20

The statement "People who have more than 12 years of education and who own a personal computer are more likely to use online dating services than those who have less than 12 years of education and who do not own a personal computer" is a:

Accepted Answer

This statement is a hypothesis as it is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested by research. It proposes a relationship between two variables (level of education and computer ownership) and their impact on the likelihood of online dating usage.

Quiz 2: Examining the Social World: How Do We Know