Question 1

Select a topic (e.g., gun control, domestic violence, terrorism)and describe how a researcher might approach that topic using two of the following paradigms: conflict, symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology, structural functionalism, feminist paradigms, and/or critical race theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Select a topic (e.g., gun control, domestic...

Question 2

A model or scheme for helping us organize and interpret the world is referred to as a:
A)paradigm.
B)theory.
C)hypothesis.
D)law.
E)concept.

Accepted Answer

A paradigm is a model or framework that is used to understand and interpret the world, guiding how we perceive, think about, and study various phenomena.

Question 3

In a study of women the following notation was used: Y = f(X)where Y represented fertility plans and X represented occupational plans. This states:
A)that fertility plans are a function of (or are affected by)occupational plans.
B)that occupational plans are a function of (or are affected by)fertility plans.
C)that occupational plans are not a function of fertility plans.
D)that fertility plans are a function of (or are affected by)occupational plans and is a hypothesis.
E)that occupational plans are a function of (or are affected by)fertility plans and is a hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a study of women the following...

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT TRUE of paradigms?
A)Paradigms shape the kinds of observations we are likely to make.
B)Paradigms determine the kinds of facts we will discover.
C)Paradigms shape the conclusions that we draw from facts.
D)Paradigms determine whether we look at micro or macro concerns.
E)Paradigms are selected by a researcher to achieve desired results.

Accepted Answer

Paradigms are not selected by researchers to achieve desired results; rather, they are established frameworks or perspectives that guide research within a certain field. While researchers may choose to work within a particular paradigm, they cannot simply select or create a paradigm to achieve specific results.

Question 5

How can social theory help researchers better understand practical problems? Give an example of an applied problem where an understanding of social theory would be useful.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can social theory help researchers better...

Question 6

In the traditional scientific method, the first step is developing a theory.

Accepted Answer

The first step in the traditional scientific method is usually making an observation or identifying a problem, not developing a theory.

Question 7

What effects does theory have on research methods? Please give at least two examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What effects does theory have on research...

Question 8

Chen is beginning a research study in which he has an idea of what he's looking to find, but is letting his own observations shape the specifics of his theory. What approach is he taking to conduct his research?
A)Deductive theory
B)Grounded theory
C)Conflict theory
D)Ethnomethodology
E)Structural functionalism

Accepted Answer

Chen is using a grounded theory approach, where he is allowing the data to shape his theory rather than starting with a preconceived idea (deductive theory). Conflict theory, ethnomethodology, and structural functionalism are other theoretical frameworks that guide research, but they are not relevant to Chen's approach in this scenario.

Question 9

Theory is directly relevant to "why" questions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Theory is directly relevant to "why" questions....

Question 10

Maureen is performing a study in which she interviews disabled military veterans about how they are adapting to being back home. She is focusing on questions about what it means to be perceived by others as both "disabled" and a "veteran." What paradigm is Maureen's work most likely shaped by?
A)Ethnomethodology
B)Critical race
C)Symbolic interactionism
D)Structural functionalism
E)Conflict

Accepted Answer

Maureen's focus on understanding the meaning behind the labels "disabled" and "veteran" suggests that her work is shaped by symbolic interactionism, which explores how people derive meaning from and engage with symbolic elements in their social environment, such as language and labels.

Question 11

Which of the following illustrates the use of the inductive method?
A)Hypothesis, observations, accept or reject hypothesis
B)Observations, pattern finding, and generalizations
C)Theory, hypothesis, observations, and generalizations
D)Theory, observations, and generalizations
E)Generalizations, theory, and observations

Accepted Answer

The inductive method involves starting with observations, identifying patterns and generalizing from those patterns. Choice B matches this approach. The other choices involve starting with a hypothesis or theory, which is more in line with the deductive method.

Question 12

You must always have a fully developed theory before beginning observations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You must always have a fully developed...

Question 13

How does the researcher's choice of social theory to use in a research project affect the outcomes of the research? What kinds of ethical concerns should a researcher be aware of before choosing a theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the researcher's choice of social...

Question 14

The best example of a researcher who developed widely accepted theories based upon inductive reasoning is:
A)Erving Goffman.
B)Emile Durkheim.
C)Karl Marx.
D)Max Weber.
E)Guillermina Jasso.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The best example of a researcher who...

Question 15

Contrast the inductive model of theory construction with the deductive model. Give examples of research that use each of these models.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contrast the inductive model of theory construction...

Question 16

Feminist paradigms focus only on how inequities hurt women.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Feminist paradigms focus only on how inequities...

Question 17

All quality social science research is tightly intertwined with social theory.

Accepted Answer

Social theory provides a framework to understand and explain social phenomena, which is critical in the design, implementation, and interpretation of social science research. Without a theoretical basis, research may lack coherence and fail to capture the complexity of the social world.

Question 18

The traditional model of science uses inductive logic.

Accepted Answer

The traditional model of science starts from specific observations and uses induction to arrive at general theories or laws.

Question 19

Deliberately choosing a specific research paradigm in order to get specific results is totally acceptable.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Deliberately choosing a specific research paradigm in...

Question 20

Which of the following topics would a macrotheory be more likely to explain than a microtheory?
A)The effect of the judge's instructions on jury deliberations
B)The relationships between government, family, and the economy
C)The grandparent-grandchild relationship
D)Student-faculty interactions
E)Dating behaviors

Accepted Answer

Macrotheories explain large-scale social phenomena such as the relationships between government, family, and the economy. Microtheories, on the other hand, explain individual or small group behavior, such as student-faculty interactions or dating behaviors. The grandparent-grandchild relationship can fall under either a macro or microtheory depending on the specific focus of the study. The effect of the judge's instructions on jury deliberations would also be a microtheory as it focuses on the behavior of individuals in a specific situation.

Quiz 2: Paradigms, Theory, and Social Research

Select a topic (e.g., gun control, domestic violence, terrorism)and describe how a researcher might approach that topic using two of the following paradigms: conflict, symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology, structural functionalism, feminist paradigms, and/or critical race theory.

A model or scheme for helping us organize and interpret the world is referred to as a:

In a study of women the following notation was used: Y = f(X) where Y represented fertility plans and X represented occupational plans. This states:

Which of the following is NOT TRUE of paradigms?

How can social theory help researchers better understand practical problems? Give an example of an applied problem where an understanding of social theory would be useful.

In the traditional scientific method, the first step is developing a theory.

What effects does theory have on research methods? Please give at least two examples.

Chen is beginning a research study in which he has an idea of what he's looking to find, but is letting his own observations shape the specifics of his theory. What approach is he taking to conduct his research?

Theory is directly relevant to "why" questions.

Maureen is performing a study in which she interviews disabled military veterans about how they are adapting to being back home. She is focusing on questions about what it means to be perceived by others as both "disabled" and a "veteran." What paradigm is Maureen's work most likely shaped by?

Which of the following illustrates the use of the inductive method?