Question 1

Because national survey organizations collect large-scale data, their data quality is often lower than if an individual researcher conducted their own survey.

Accepted Answer

National survey organizations typically have more resources, standardized procedures, and expertise in survey methodology, which often results in higher data quality compared to individual researchers conducting their own surveys.

Question 2

Over time, the cohorts included in the National Longitudinal Studies ______ from the original four cohorts.

Accepted Answer

The National Longitudinal Studies expanded to include more than the original four cohorts over time, reflecting a broadening of research focus and inclusion of additional demographic groups.

Question 3

All secondary data sets are free of charge for researchers to use.

Accepted Answer

Secondary data sets can vary in terms of accessibility and cost; while some may be freely available to researchers, others may require payment or specific permissions to access.

Question 4

Which of the following data sets studies economic instability for children born to unmarried parents?

Accepted Answer

The Fragile Families & Child Wellbeing Study specifically focuses on the conditions and outcomes for children born to unmarried parents, including aspects of economic instability, making it the correct choice for studying economic instability in such contexts.

Question 5

Generally, it is cheaper for researchers to collect their own data, as compared to using secondary data.

Accepted Answer

Collecting primary data is often more expensive and time-consuming than using secondary data, which is pre-existing and can be accessed more easily and at a lower cost.

Question 6

Which source is responsible for the most well-known and large-scale data sets in America?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for the most well-known and large-scale data sets in America, including the decennial census and the American Community Survey, which provide comprehensive data on the American population and housing.

Question 7

The U.S.Census is conducted every ______ years.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Census is conducted every 10 years, as mandated by the United States Constitution, to count the population and allocate seats in the House of Representatives.

Question 8

A researcher who is interested in looking at longitudinal data on families is most likely to use the ______.

Accepted Answer

The Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) is specifically designed to collect and analyze longitudinal data on the economic and demographic behavior of families and individuals, making it the most suitable choice for a researcher interested in longitudinal family data.

Question 9

The ______ collects data on children's development, school readiness, and school experiences.

Accepted Answer

The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study specifically focuses on collecting data related to children's development, their readiness for school, and their experiences within the school system, making it the correct choice.

Question 10

One reason that researchers might choose to utilize secondary data is because they are unable to conduct large-scale surveys on their own.

Accepted Answer

Secondary data can provide access to large-scale data sets that might be impractical or too costly for individual researchers to collect on their own.

Question 11

Which of the following is the primary source of secondary data for students and faculty, especially within the social sciences?

Accepted Answer

The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) is a primary source of secondary data for students and faculty in the social sciences, offering access to a vast archive of data for analysis.

Question 12

Which of the following data sets on older adults obtains its samples from Medicare beneficiaries?

Accepted Answer

The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is designed to collect data from Medicare beneficiaries, focusing on the health and well-being of older adults.

Question 13

According to the text, the ______ is the most helpful when studying trends in American attitudes and behaviors over time.

Accepted Answer

The General Social Survey (GSS) is most helpful for studying trends in American attitudes and behaviors over time because it has been conducted regularly since 1972, allowing researchers to analyze changes in societal norms, opinions, and behaviors over a long period.

Question 14

Federally funded research has to be made available to the public.

Accepted Answer

Federally funded research in the United States is required to be made available to the public, often after a certain period, to ensure transparency and public benefit from government-funded scientific advancements. This is facilitated through policies and repositories that mandate public access to the outcomes of such research.

Question 15

If a researcher is looking at the data set from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, then they are likely to find ample data on which research demographic?

Accepted Answer

The Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) is a longitudinal study that collects data on families and households in the United States, tracking variables such as income, wealth, employment, health, and marital status over time. This makes it particularly rich in data for research on families and households.

Quiz 11: Using Other Peoples Data