Question 1

A researcher studies the financial records of several large corporations that went bankrupt during the Great Depression.Which research technique is he or she using?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using historical analysis to study the financial records of several large corporations that went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Historical analysis involves analyzing data from past events or sources to better understand history and its significance.

Question 2

What can we assume about a culture that has more than 50 words associated with violence?

Accepted Answer

If a culture has more than 50 words associated with violence, it suggests that violence is a visible aspect of life in this society. The fact that there are so many words to describe different forms of violence implies that it is a significant and prevalent part of the culture.

Question 3

According to Travis Hirschi's social control theory of juvenile delinquency,young people are more likely to engage in delinquency when

Accepted Answer

According to Travis Hirschi's social control theory, young people are more likely to engage in delinquency when social ties are weak or broken. The theory asserts that a person's bond with society and its values acts as a strong deterrent against delinquent behavior, and weak social bonds can make delinquency more appealing.

Question 4

Which of the following claims is an incorrigible proposition in contemporary American culture?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following claims is an...

Question 5

Today,the percentage of American children who do not live with both parents is

Accepted Answer

The percentage of American children who do not live with both parents is not appreciably different than it was a century ago, as historical data shows similar trends in family arrangements over time.

Question 6

Before giving a final exam,Professor Simpson announces to the class,"I'm sure you'll do well,because you're the smartest group I've ever had." The class average increases from a C after the midterm to an A- after the final.This may be an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

This is a classic example of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The professor's statement likely boosted the confidence and motivation of the students, leading them to perform better on the final exam and therefore increasing their class average.

Question 7

In his research on seventeenth-century crime waves among the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony,sociologist Kai Erikson relied on which research methodology?

Accepted Answer

Kai Erikson's research relied on historical analysis, as he studied historical records and documents from the seventeenth century in order to understand the crime waves that occurred among Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during that time.

Question 8

Which of the following best fits the criteria for good empirical research into the prevalence of domestic violence in U.S.households?

Accepted Answer

Conducting analysis on data obtained from a reputable source like the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics provides a more reliable and representative sample than methods such as surveys or counting the number of domestic violence shelters. It also allows for statistical analysis to determine prevalence rates and demographics of those affected by domestic violence.

Question 9

Sociological research is _____________ because it operates on the assumption that answers to questions about human behavior can be ascertained only through controlled,systematic observations in the real world.

Accepted Answer

Sociological research is empirical because it relies on collecting data through observation and other research methods to test hypotheses and answer research questions. This data is then used to draw conclusions and make generalizations about human behavior. The other options, theoretical, experimental, and probabilistic, are not accurate descriptions of the nature of sociological research.

Question 10

A false association between two variables that is actually due to the effect of a third variable is called a

Accepted Answer

A spurious relationship occurs when there is a correlation between two variables, but this correlation is not directly causal, i.e. it is due to the influence of a third variable or variables. The other answer choices refer to different phenomena, like the placebo effect or self-fulfilling prophecies, which are not related to spurious relationships.

Question 11

Which mode of research allows the researcher to directly control all relevant variables?

Accepted Answer

Experiments allow the researcher to directly manipulate and control all relevant variables, providing a high level of control over the research environment. Field research, surveys, and unobtrusive research may involve less control over variables due to their more naturalistic and observational nature.

Question 12

Analysis of existing data is synonymous with the term_____ data.

Accepted Answer

Analysis of existing data refers to the use of pre-existing data that has already been collected by a third party, such as government agencies, research institutions, or businesses. Therefore, the term "existing data" is typically associated with secondary data. Choice B (existential) is not a relevant term in the context of data analysis. Choice C (conclusive) refers to the results of a study, rather than the data itself. Choice D (cultural) is not relevant to this question.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research relies on numeric data and precise statistical analyses to draw conclusions and make predictions. This approach is used in many fields, including social sciences, healthcare, and marketing research. It often involves large-scale surveys or experiments to collect numerical data that can be analyzed using statistical software.

Question 14

Which mode of research minimizes the problem of reactivity?

Accepted Answer

Unobtrusive research minimizes the problem of reactivity as the research is done without direct involvement or interference with the subject being studied, reducing the likelihood of participants changing their behavior due to being observed.

Question 15

Research that uses nonnumeric information-such as phrases,symbols,and observations-to describe people,actions,or events in social life is ________ research.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research is focused on nonnumeric information such as words, images, and observations. It aims to understand social phenomena through subjective interpretation and the exploration of complex relationships between variables. This type of research is often used in social sciences, such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology, to gain a deep understanding of human behavior, actions, and experiences.

Question 16

A set of statements or propositions that seeks to explain or predict a particular aspect of social life is a

Accepted Answer

The answer of A set of statements or propositions that...

Question 17

The _____ effect occurs when research subjects respond to the attention they are receiving from researchers.

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where research subjects modify their behavior in response to being observed or studied. They may improve their performance, behave differently, or simply act in ways they believe the researchers want them to. This can skew study results and make it difficult to obtain accurate data.

Question 18

The tendency for patients to improve because they have been led to believe they are receiving treatment,even though they're not,is called the _______ effect.

Accepted Answer

The placebo effect is a phenomenon where a patient experiences improvements in their symptoms after receiving a treatment that is inactive or not expected to have a therapeutic effect. The placebo effect is believed to be mainly due to the patient's expectation of improvement.

Question 19

In __________ research,sociologists observe events as they actually occur.

Accepted Answer

Field research involves observing events as they actually occur in natural settings, which makes it the best choice for this question. Survey research involves gathering data through interviews or questionnaires, secondary analysis involves analyzing data collected by others, and historical research involves analyzing past events or documents.

Question 20

The number of problems defined by the American Psychiatric Association as mental disorders,and the definitions for these,are indication of the _____ organization of U.S.society.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the American Psychiatric Association has defined a large number of mental disorders and their definitions is an indication of the economic organization of U.S. society. This is because the treatment and management of mental disorders is a big business in the United States, with pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and mental health professionals all benefitting financially from these definitions and the subsequent treatments and therapies that are prescribed.

Quiz 3: Building Reality: the Social Construction of Knowledge