Question 1

The scientific method is recognition that any explanation is tentative and may be modified or disproved by careful investigation. Even the scientific theories that constitute the core knowledge in any discipline are not regarded as absolutes. They are regarded as

Accepted Answer

The scientific method recognizes that any explanation is tentative and may be modified or disproved by careful investigation. Therefore, even the scientific theories that constitute the core knowledge in any discipline are not regarded as absolutes. They are regarded as probabilities or generalizations based on what is known so far.

Question 2

A method of explanation that develops and tests theories about how observable facts or events are related is

Accepted Answer

The scientific method involves developing and testing theories through observation and experimentation. It is a systematic approach to understanding the natural world and how it works. The other options listed (laboratory experiment, field work, and case study) are methods that can be used within the scientific method, but do not necessarily encompass the entire process.

Question 3

Theories are developed at different levels of generality. Theories with low levels of generality will explain only a small or narrow range of behaviors. Which of the following is an example of theory with a low level of generality?

Accepted Answer

The theory that "Christian voters tend to vote Republican" is an example of a theory with low level of generality because it only explains a narrow range of behavior, namely, the voting patterns of a particular group of people. It does not explain why other groups may vote differently or why people vote in general.

Question 4

Large samples are not much more accurate than small samples. A sample of a few thousand-even one thousand-is capable of reflecting the opinions of 1 million or 100 million voters fairly accurately. For example, a random sample of one thousand voters across the United States can produce a sampling error (plus or minus) of

Accepted Answer

A random sample of one thousand voters across the US can produce a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percent, meaning that the results of the sample should be within 3 percentage points of the actual results for the entire population with 95 percent confidence. Therefore, Choice C is the correct answer.

Question 5

The classic research design is not without problems. Social scientists must be aware of the more difficult problems in applying this research design to social science research and must be prepared on occasion to

Accepted Answer

Social scientists should be prepared to adapt their procedures to address any issues that arise in the research design, ensuring the study remains valid and ethical.

Question 6

The scientific method is descriptive and explanatory, but NOT

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is a process for gathering data and testing hypotheses, which is descriptive and explanatory. However, it does not make value judgments or dictate what we should do, which means it is not normative.

Question 7

Theories are typically a set of interrelated concepts that can be considered

Accepted Answer

Theories are not unique; there may be multiple theories about the same phenomenon. Theories are helpful in explaining and understanding phenomena. Theories are not facts; rather, they are explanations that can be tested through empirical research. Theories are generalizable in that they can apply to different contexts and situations.

Question 8

If a survey poll is constructed scientifically and thoughtfully, it can provide accurate information about the opinions of a population. Which of the following is not a problem of survey research?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling is not a problem of survey research, it is actually a necessary component for obtaining representative results. Instead, non-random sampling can lead to biased conclusions. The other options (uninformed opinions, weakly held opinions, and changing opinions) are all potential issues with survey research.

Question 9

Issues about which people think the most and about which they hold strong and stable opinions are called

Accepted Answer

Salient issues are those that are prominent and stand out, and they tend to be the ones about which people think and hold strong opinions. Public issues, social issues, and aggregate issues may or may not be salient depending on how much attention people pay to them.

Question 10

The aggregate of opinions of individuals on topics in survey research is called

Accepted Answer

Public opinion refers to the collective opinions or attitudes held by a group of people on a particular issue or set of issues. It is often measured through surveys and polls that gather the opinions of a sample of the population.

Question 11

A significant relationship is one that is NOT likely to have occurred

Accepted Answer

A significant relationship is one in which the outcome is not likely to have occurred by chance alone. It is determined by statistical analysis and testing. The other answer choices are not accurate explanations of a significant relationship.

Question 12

The scientific method represents all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The scientific method does not deal with what should be, but rather with what is and what can be observed and tested. It is focused on developing statements about how events or behavior might be related and then testing the validity of those statements through experimentation and observation.

Question 13

A relationship that is not likely to have occurred by chance is said to be significant. After observing a significant relationship, social scientist next ask whether there is

Accepted Answer

After observing a significant relationship, social scientists are interested in establishing whether there is a causal relationship between the phenomena. This involves investigating whether changes in one variable cause changes in another variable. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. The other options (B, C, and D) are not relevant to the process of investigating a significant relationship.

Question 14

As part of their World Poll, the Gallup organization continuously polls individuals in more than 150 nations and seeks to represent the opinions of what percent of the worlds' population?

Accepted Answer

Gallup's World Poll aims to represent the opinions of 98 percent of the world's population, covering over 150 countries and areas.

Question 15

Personal bias is a controversial issue in social science. Researchers are part of what they investigate, and they study what they think is important. Which of the following is an area where the researcher's values might be reflected?

Accepted Answer

A researcher's values can potentially influence their perceptions of the data, the statement of the hypothesis, and the interpretations of the findings. This is because researchers bring their own experiences, beliefs, and biases to the research process, which can impact how they view and interpret the information at various stages of the study.

Question 16

Public opinion in democracies is given a great deal of attention. Survey results on hot-button issues command the attention of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Public opinion survey results are important for politicians to understand the views of their constituents, for news media to report on the pulse of the public, and for social scientists to analyze and study trends in public opinion. Therefore, all of the given options apply.

Question 17

There is always the chance that the sample selected will not be representative of the universe. Survey researchers can estimate this sampling error through which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

The mathematics of probability is the method used to estimate sampling error. It involves calculating the margin of error, which represents the range within which the true population value is likely to fall based on the sample data. This margin of error is typically expressed as a percentage and is based on the sample size, variance, and level of confidence.

Question 18

The social sciences seek to develop theories to explain why human beings

Accepted Answer

The social sciences are concerned with understanding and explaining human behavior. Therefore, the best choice is D, which refers to behavior. While the other options may also be studied by social scientists, they are not as comprehensive as behavior when it comes to explaining human action.

Question 19

The scientific method strives to develop a systematic body of

Accepted Answer

The scientific method uses observation, experimentation, and analysis to develop and test theories, which are systematic explanations for natural phenomena. While the scientific method does rely on gathering facts and establishing rules, its ultimate goal is to develop a coherent and predictive theory. Therefore, the best choice is C) theory.

Question 20

Deductive and inductive reasoning are parts of the process of using logic and observing the phenomena around us. Inductive reasoning goes from

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning starts with specific observations and patterns and then draws a general conclusion based on those observations.

Quiz 2: Social Sciences and the Scientific Method