Question 1

What is one of the main steps that is different between a conventional research design and a qualitative research design?

Accepted Answer

In a conventional research design, the researcher typically begins with a highly detailed plan that includes specific research questions, hypotheses, and a detailed methodology for collecting and analyzing data. In contrast, in a qualitative research design, the researcher often begins with a more general approach, with a focus on understanding the experiences, perspectives, and meanings of participants rather than testing specific hypotheses. This more flexible approach allows the researcher to adapt the study design as new themes and ideas emerge from the data.

Question 2

A researcher develops an interest in the motivating factors of job satisfaction among migrant workers.Which of the following steps will be unique to this research design?

Accepted Answer

Access to people who can provide necessary data would be unique to this research design, as migrant workers may have more limited access or reluctance to participate in research studies. Thoroughness of the literature review, accuracy of the hypothesis, and validity of the researcher's operational definitions are important steps in any research design.

Question 3

Social scientists cite many causes for suicide including rapid social change,economic conditions,hopeless poverty,and lack of religiosity.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Multiple causation refers to the idea that there is not just one single cause for a particular event or phenomenon, but rather multiple factors that contribute to it. In this case, social scientists recognize that suicide can be caused by a combination of factors such as rapid social change, economic conditions, hopeless poverty, and lack of religiosity. Therefore, multiple causation is the best choice.

Question 4

As a researcher you must decide which population-persons about whom you want to be able to draw conclusions-will be observed or questioned.In______________,participants are deliberately chosen because they have specific characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling involves randomly selecting participants from a larger population, which increases the likelihood that the sample is representative of the population. Scattered sampling and indeterminate sampling are not commonly used methods in research. Random sampling is similar to probability sampling, but participants are not necessarily selected based on specific characteristics. Therefore, probability sampling is the best choice for selecting participants with specific characteristics.

Question 5

Because the researcher had access to twenty years of data on the same participants in an education program,the researcher was able to perform a(n)______________study.

Accepted Answer

A longitudinal study is one that measures the same sample of individuals over an extended period, which in this case is twenty years. This allows the researcher to study individual changes over time and provide more accurate information about the effects of the education program on these participants.

Question 6

The unit of analysis is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The unit of analysis refers to the "what" or "whom" being studied in research. It is the main focus of the research and the entity that the researcher collects data on and analyzes.

Question 7

In social science research,______________are the most typical unit of analysis.

Accepted Answer

Individuals are the most typical unit of analysis in social science research as the research often focuses on understanding human behavior, attitudes, and experiences. It is important to study individuals to make generalizations about groups, communities, and societies.

Question 8

As a researcher collecting and analyzing data,you would be engaging in______________if you included such factors as age,sex,race,ethnicity,and educational attainment in deciding what population will be observed or questioned.

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling involves selecting participants based on predetermined criteria or characteristics, such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, and educational attainment. This makes it the best choice for collecting data that considers these factors. Rotational sampling involves selecting participants in a predetermined sequence, scattered sampling involves selecting participants from different areas or locations, and random sampling involves selecting participants purely by chance, without consideration of any specific factors or characteristics.

Question 9

The Census is a type of

Accepted Answer

The Census is a type of survey, as it involves collecting data from a large population through standardized questionnaires or forms. It is not secondary data analysis, as the data is collected specifically for the Census and not retrieved from existing sources. It is also not ethnography or field research, as it does not involve observing or interacting directly with individuals or communities.

Question 10

As a researcher you must decide which population-persons about whom you want to be able to draw conclusions-will be observed or questioned.In______________,every member of an entire population being studied has the same chance of being selected.

Accepted Answer

Random sampling ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the study, which helps to reduce bias and increase the representativeness of the sample. Probability sampling (B) is a broader term that includes random sampling as well as other methods that involve using statistical techniques to ensure a representative sample. Scattered sampling (C) and rotational sampling (D) are not commonly used terms in research methodology and do not refer to established sampling methods.

Question 11

In sociologist Emile Durkheim's attempt to explain the rates of suicide,______________were the units of analysis.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim focused on social groups or categories as the units of analysis to explain the rates of suicide. He argued that social factors, such as the degree of social integration or regulation, were crucial in understanding suicide patterns in society.

Question 12

______________ studies are based on observations that take place at a single point in time;these studies focus on behavior or responses at a specific moment.

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional studies are based on observations at a single point in time and focus on behavior or responses at a specific moment. Latitudinal studies involve observations taken along a geographic or latitudinal line, while longitudinal studies track changes in behavior or responses over time. Cross-reference is not a type of study design.

Question 13

According to sociologist Emile Durkheim,______________suicide occurs among people who are isolated from any social group.

Accepted Answer

Egoistic suicide is the type of suicide that occurs among individuals who have weak social ties or are isolated from any social group. Emile Durkheim identifies egoistic suicide as a consequence of social disintegration, where the lack of integration into society leads to feelings of meaninglessness and purposelessness, resulting in suicide.

Question 14

As sociologist Emile Durkheim analyzed his data,he identified all except which of the following categories of suicide?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim did not identify the category of "eccentric" suicide. He categorized suicide into three main types: egoistic, anomic, and altruistic.

Question 15

Suppose that your goal is to earn an "A" in this sociology course.Your professor may have created a(n)______________by specifying an "A" as earning a test average of 90 percent or above.

Accepted Answer

An operational definition is a definition that specifies the procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable. In this case, the professor has operationalized the goal of earning an "A" in the course by defining it as earning a test average of 90 percent or above.

Question 16

Sociologist Emile Durkheim concluded that______________suicides were relatively high in Protestant countries in Europe because Protestants believed in individualism and were more loosely tied to the church than were Catholics.

Accepted Answer

Egoistic suicides are caused by a lack of integration into society, and Durkheim believed that Protestantism's emphasis on individualism led to weaker social ties and less integration. Anomic, fatalistic, and altruistic suicides do not relate to this particular theory about religious affiliation.

Question 17

A researcher is interested in uncovering the social factors that may motivate suicide bombers.Because this would include a small number of cases,which research model would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A qualitative research model would be the most appropriate because it allows for in-depth exploration and understanding of a small number of cases. It also allows for the collection of rich and descriptive data that can be analyzed to identify themes and patterns in the social factors that may motivate suicide bombers.

Question 18

Using______________studies,sociologist Emile Durkheim was able to compare suicide rates over a period of time in France and other European nations.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim utilized longitudinal studies in order to compare suicide rates over a period of time in France and other European nations. Longitudinal studies involve observing and collecting data from the same group of individuals over an extended period of time.

Question 19

As a researcher collecting and analyzing data,you would be engaging in______________if you placed all the names of the population being observed or questioned into a rotating drum and conducting a drawing.

Accepted Answer

A random sampling method involves selecting individuals from a population at random, without any predetermined criteria or bias. This ensures that each individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected and reduces the risk of skewed or biased results. Placing all the names in a rotating drum and conducting a drawing is a common way to perform a random sample.

Question 20

In Silvia Canetto's study,she found that gender differences in suicidal behavior are more closely associated with beliefs about and expectations for men and women rather than purely interpersonal crises.She did not gather data but engaged in:

Accepted Answer

Silvia Canetto's study focused on understanding the underlying beliefs and expectations related to gender differences in suicidal behavior, which aligns with problem formulation rather than gathering data or statistical analysis.

Quiz 2: Sociological Research Methods