Question 1

Briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a controlled experiment as a sociological research method.

Accepted Answer

Controlled experiments in sociological research have both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
1. Causality: Controlled experiments allow researchers to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. By manipulating one variable and observing the effect on another, researchers can determine the impact of specific factors on social phenomena.

2. Replicability: Controlled experiments can be replicated, allowing for the validation of findings and the generalization of results to larger populations. This increases the reliability of the research.

3. Control over variables: In a controlled experiment, researchers have the ability to control and manipulate variables, which helps in isolating the impact of specific factors on the outcome of interest.

Disadvantages:
1. Artificiality: Controlled experiments often take place in artificial settings, which may not accurately reflect real-world social interactions. This can limit the generalizability of findings to natural social environments.

2. Ethical concerns: Some sociological research questions may involve ethical considerations that make it difficult to conduct controlled experiments. For example, it may be unethical to manipulate certain variables or expose participants to potentially harmful conditions.

3. Limited scope: Controlled experiments may not capture the complexity and nuances of social phenomena, as they often focus on a narrow set of variables and conditions. This can limit the applicability of findings to real-world social situations.

In conclusion, while controlled experiments offer valuable insights into causal relationships and provide a high level of control over variables, they also have limitations in terms of generalizability and ethical considerations. As such, researchers should carefully consider the appropriateness of this method for their specific research questions and objectives.

Question 2

Explain sampling and why it is used in data gathering. Explain how one can use a sample for research and still be able to generalize the findings to a larger population; what factors determine if the results from a sample may be generalized to the population?

Accepted Answer

Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of individuals or items from a larger population in order to gather information and make inferences about the entire population. It is used in data gathering because it is often impractical or impossible to collect data from every single member of a population. By using a sample, researchers can still obtain valuable information and draw conclusions about the population as a whole.

In research, a sample can be used to generalize findings to a larger population through the process of random sampling. Random sampling involves selecting individuals from the population in such a way that every member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample. This helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the population, and therefore the findings from the sample can be generalized to the larger population.

Several factors determine if the results from a sample may be generalized to the population. One important factor is the size of the sample. Generally, larger samples are more likely to accurately represent the population than smaller samples. Additionally, the method of sampling used can impact the generalizability of the findings. Random sampling is generally the most reliable method for generalizing findings to a population.

Other factors that can impact the generalizability of findings from a sample to a population include the diversity of the sample, the presence of any biases in the sampling process, and the specific characteristics of the population being studied. By considering these factors and using appropriate sampling methods, researchers can ensure that their findings are applicable to the larger population.

Question 3

Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative studies and the types of analysis that might be used for each.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative and qualitative studies are two different approaches to research that involve different methods of data collection and analysis.

Quantitative studies involve the collection of numerical data and the use of statistical analysis to draw conclusions. This type of research is often used to measure and quantify relationships between variables. Types of analysis that might be used for quantitative studies include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and regression analysis.

On the other hand, qualitative studies involve the collection of non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, and open-ended survey responses. This type of research focuses on understanding the underlying reasons, motivations, and attitudes behind behaviors. Types of analysis that might be used for qualitative studies include thematic analysis, content analysis, and narrative analysis.

In summary, quantitative studies focus on numerical data and use statistical analysis, while qualitative studies focus on non-numerical data and use qualitative analysis methods to draw conclusions. Both approaches have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which method to use depends on the research question and the nature of the data being collected.

Question 4

Explain the Hawthorne effect-what it is and where it originated-and give a brief example that illustrates it.

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

A researcher who lives among the homeless in an effort to understand their norms is carrying out
A) participant observation.
B) content analysis.
C) unobtrusive observation.
D) survey research.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation involves the researcher immersing themselves in the culture or group being studied and observing their behavior and norms firsthand. In this case, the researcher is living among the homeless to gain a deeper understanding of their norms, which fits with the approach of participant observation. Content analysis involves analyzing existing data, unobtrusive observation involves observing behavior without the knowledge of those being observed, and survey research involves gathering data through questionnaires or interviews. None of these approaches would involve living among the homeless to gain a deeper understanding of their norms.

Question 6

Your roommate, a physics major, confidently asserts that the social sciences, including sociology, are not "real science," not like physics is. What might you say in response to demonstrate that sociology is, in fact, a science?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Suppose you were interested in studying attitudes of your fellow students toward immigration. What might you do to be sure that you surveyed a random sample of students? What would it mean for your research if you failed to do so?

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Question 8

Describe how a researcher might develop a research question.

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Question 9

Explain the importance of establishing a population when drawing a sample.

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Question 10

Define the terms research question, independent variable, and dependent variable; give a brief example of a research question and identify the independent and dependent variables within it.

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Question 11

Explain what content analysis is and what types of questions it is most appropriate for. Describe the limitations of content analysis.

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Question 12

State a sociological research question that is of interest to you. What sort of research design would you pick to answer that question? Why?

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Question 13

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning? Give an example of each.

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Question 14

Explain the limitations of a controlled experiment for addressing real-life effects.

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Question 15

Define two of the six methods that sociologists use to gather data. For each of the two you select, discuss an appropriate research problem and the potential advantages and disadvantages of the method for addressing that problem..

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Question 16

Research that is exactly the same as a previous study but on a different group of people or in a different time or place is called a _____ study.
A) carbon
B) replication
C) reified
D) spurious

Accepted Answer

A replication study is one that repeats a previous study with some variations, such as different participants or a different setting, in order to see if the original findings can be reproduced. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A (carbon) is unrelated. Option C (reified) is a term used to describe the process of turning abstract concepts into concrete objects or ideas, and is not relevant to this question. Option D (spurious) means false or fake, but doesn't fit the context of repeating a previous study.

Question 17

Explain the difficulties involved in achieving completely "value-free" sociology. How might a researcher potentially add bias to the outcomes of the research? How do most sociologists resolve the issue of objectivity in research?

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Question 18

Define inductive and deductive reasoning and explain how they are used in the research process.

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Question 19

Explain what a concept is and describe the relationship between concepts and indicator variables.

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Question 20

Explain the difference between validity and reliability. Why are they important in research?

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Quiz 3: Doing Sociological Research