Question 1

Kendra is researching the effects of vitamin C on test-taking ability.Before the exam, Kendra gives group A orange juice, and group B water.Vitamin C is the ______.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

Thomas wants to better understand the trends in literacy rates in Baltimore city over the past 50 years using Baltimore city data.What type of research should Thomas conduct?

Accepted Answer

Thomas should conduct secondary data analysis because this method involves analyzing data that has already been collected by others, which is suitable for understanding trends over a long period, such as the 50-year span of literacy rates in Baltimore city.

Question 3

What is the importance of interpretive framework?

Accepted Answer

Interpretive frameworks are crucial in qualitative research as they help researchers understand the complex realities and perspectives of participants, leading to a deeper comprehension of their social worlds. Unlike quantitative research that may use statistics to determine causality (C), interpretive research focuses on meanings and experiences. It does not eliminate the need for a literature review (B) nor does it inherently prevent unethical decisions (D); ethical considerations are a separate aspect of research design and conduct.

Question 4

Tyson is researching whether actors on prime-time television and hit movies negatively impact teenagers' body images.He is going undercover at a local high school to observe and participate with the students to better understand the world they live in.Tyson is conducting which research method?

Accepted Answer

Tyson is conducting field research because he is directly observing and participating in the environment of his subjects to gather data.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a purpose of the American Sociological Association's code of ethics?

Accepted Answer

The American Sociological Association's code of ethics is designed to ensure ethical standards in sociological research and practice, including participant safety, value neutrality, and responsible scholarship, but not to ensure the financial gain of researchers.

Question 6

Alexis wants to research the 1960's feminist movement.She reads articles from the time period, watches documentaries, reads scholarly journals on the topic, and interviews influential women from the movement.What kind of research method is Alexis using?

Accepted Answer

Alexis is using secondary data analysis as she is examining existing sources such as articles, documentaries, and scholarly journals to gather information about the 1960's feminist movement.

Question 7

Reliability is defined by the text as:

Accepted Answer

Reliability in research refers to the consistency of a study's results. If a study is reliable, it means that its results can be replicated under the same conditions, indicating that the study's findings are consistent over time and across different samples.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an example of a sociological hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

B) is not a sociological hypothesis because it describes a straightforward economic relationship (buying CDs and having less money) rather than a relationship between social behaviors, structures, or processes.

Question 9

A class of third graders is told that the assistant principal will be visiting their class to confirm their teacher's reports of bad behavior.When the principal visits, the students behave perfectly.This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne Effect describes how individuals modify an aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed. In this scenario, the students improved their behavior because they knew the assistant principal was observing them for that specific reason.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of nonreactive research?

Accepted Answer

Nonreactive research involves collecting data without directly interacting with the subjects, so their behavior remains unaffected by the research process. Gathering data from government studies fits this description, as it involves analyzing existing data that was not influenced by the researcher's presence or actions.

Question 11

Kevin conducted a study on whether the length of the line at a local Starbucks affected how well the customers enjoyed their coffee after receiving it.Malcolm conducted the study at his local Starbucks, and found the same results.Kevin's study had a high level of _____.

Accepted Answer

Kevin's study demonstrated high reliability because Malcolm was able to replicate the study at his local Starbucks and found the same results. High reliability means that the study's findings are consistent when repeated under similar conditions.

Question 12

The term value neutrality is defined by the text as:

Accepted Answer

Value neutrality refers to the practice of researchers remaining impartial and unbiased during their study and when publishing results, ensuring their personal beliefs or opinions do not influence the research process or outcomes.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a step in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

C) Receive corroboration from the field is not a standard step in the scientific method. The scientific method typically involves identifying a problem or question, researching existing sources, formulating a hypothesis, conducting experiments or observations, analyzing the results, and reporting the findings. Receiving corroboration from the field, while it may happen as part of the broader scientific process, is not considered a formal step in the scientific method itself.

Question 14

The term interpretive framework can be defined as:

Accepted Answer

An interpretive framework is a sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding through observation or interaction, rather than hypothesis testing.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of an unethical sociological research practice?

Accepted Answer

Observing study participants without their consent is considered unethical because it violates the principle of informed consent, which is a fundamental ethical standard in sociological research. This principle requires that participants are fully informed about the nature of the research and agree to participate voluntarily.

Question 16

Miguel is doing a research paper on New York City's Stone Wall riots of 1969.He visits the scene of the riots, interviews people who were there, reads the police reports of the event, and watches video footage.Miguel is conducting an) ______.

Accepted Answer

Miguel is conducting a case study because he is examining the Stonewall riots in depth through various methods of data collection, such as interviews, reports, and video footage, focusing on this specific event.

Question 17

Quincia is studying how of the lack of comprehensive sex education is affecting a small, rural town in North Dakota.She spends two months in the town, observing and interviewing the townspeople.Quincia is conducting an) _____.

Accepted Answer

Ethnography involves the researcher immersing themselves in a community or group to observe and interact with participants in their real-life environment, which is what Quincia is doing.

Question 18

In order to better understand the sorority pledging process at her university for her sociology thesis, Carmen pledges with a popular sorority.This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation is a qualitative research method where the researcher immerses themselves in the group or situation they are studying to gain a deeper understanding of it. Carmen pledging with a sorority to understand the process firsthand is an example of this method.

Question 19

Kyle is collecting newspaper clippings from his grandfather about the American public's perception of World War II.This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

Secondary data refers to information that has already been collected by someone else, in this case, the newspaper clippings collected by Kyle's grandfather.

Question 20

John wants to study whether a larger number of laptops available to students at his school lead to higher grades.Choose the independent and dependent variable.

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the one that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. In this case, the number of laptops available to students is the independent variable because John is studying how changes in this variable affect the dependent variable, which is the students' grades.

Quiz 2: Sociological Research