Question 1

What is involved with critical analysis?
A) Tools to question the methodology that other researchers utilized in research
B) Determining a general subject from which different types of questions can be derived
C) To study politics in different ways so that interesting and relevant research topics can be identified
D) Explanation, analysis, and interpretation

Accepted Answer

Critical analysis involves questioning the methodology that other researchers utilized in research.

Question 2

What is the difference between political science and politics?
A) Political science is the study of how to be a politician
B) Political science is the study of politics
C) Political science and politics are essentially the same thing
D) Political science investigates why students major in political science

Accepted Answer

Political science is an academic discipline that studies the theory and practice of politics, including the analysis of political systems, behavior, and activity. Politics refers to the activities associated with governance and decision-making within a society.

Question 3

What is a research topic?
A) The specific question you will answer through your research
B) A written synthesis of prior research
C) A general subject from which different types of questions can be derived
D) A way to think about politics

Accepted Answer

A research topic is a general subject area from which specific research questions can be developed.

Question 4

Which of the following is not one of the three general categories of research design?
A) Quantitative or qualitative research designs
B) Experimental or observational research designs
C) Comparative research designs
D) Contrasting research designs

Accepted Answer

Contrasting research designs is not a recognized category of research design. The three general categories are typically quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.

Question 5

Why is important for samples to be representative of the population?
A) For hypothesis confirmation
B) For generalization
C) For variation
D) For diversity

Accepted Answer

Samples must be representative of the population to ensure that the results of the study can be generalized to the entire population.

Question 6

What is the purpose of pure research?
A) To satisfy curiosity
B) To develop causal statements
C) To solve a problem
D) To describe political phenomena

Accepted Answer

Pure research is conducted to satisfy curiosity and to develop causal statements.

Question 7

What is the counterpart to normative research?
A) Pure research
B) Descriptive research
C) Empirical research
D) Causal research

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the counterpart to normative research?
A)...

Question 8

Normative research in political science:
A) is concerned with questions of what ought to be in politics
B) attempts to make causal statements
C) involves rich description
D) is to satisfy curiosity

Accepted Answer

Normative research in political science focuses on evaluating and prescribing what ought to be, dealing with values and ethical considerations in politics.

Question 9

What is usually the first step in a research project?
A) Writing a literature review
B) Developing a theory
C) Identifying a research topic
D) Developing an analytical research question

Accepted Answer

Identifying a research topic is typically the first step in a research project as it sets the direction for the entire study.

Question 10

Empirical research in political science:
A) Is judgmental
B) Is like descriptive research in that its main purpose is description of how events occur
C) Is to satisfy curiosity
D) Uses evidence to make statements about the relationships between variables

Accepted Answer

Empirical research in political science involves using evidence and data to analyze and make statements about the relationships between variables, rather than just describing events or satisfying curiosity.

Quiz 1: Introduction

What is involved with critical analysis?

What is the difference between political science and politics?

What is a research topic?

Which of the following is not one of the three general categories of research design?

Why is important for samples to be representative of the population?

What is the purpose of pure research?

What is the counterpart to normative research?

Normative research in political science:

What is usually the first step in a research project?

Empirical research in political science: