Question 1

Which of the following best describes a deductive approach to forming a research question?

Accepted Answer

A deductive approach involves reviewing existing literature to identify gaps or inconsistencies, which then guides the formation of a research question.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of an explanatory research question?

Accepted Answer

Explanatory research questions aim to determine the cause-and-effect relationships between variables. Option C seeks to explain whether the introduction of an arts and crafts programme causes an improvement in prisoner mental health, thus fitting the criteria for explanatory research.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research focuses on collecting broad information from large samples, not detailed information from small samples, which is characteristic of qualitative research.

Question 4

What is interpretivism?

Accepted Answer

Interpretivism is the belief that reality is socially constructed and subjective, meaning different people may have different interpretations and experiences of reality.

Question 5

What is meant by the term ethnogenesis in the context of qualitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Ethnogenesis in qualitative research refers to understanding individual actions as part of a broader context or 'episode' in a person's life, focusing on the cultural and social processes that shape identity.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a type of random sample?

Accepted Answer

A purposive sample is not a type of random sample because it is not selected randomly.

Question 7

In which of the following situations would purposive sampling be the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Purposive sampling is used when researchers want to study a specific subset of a population that meets certain criteria, making it ideal for targeted research.

Question 8

Which of the following is an advantage of face-to-face interviews?

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face interviews allow interviewers to observe non-verbal cues, which can provide additional context and help assess the accuracy of the responses.

Question 9

Which of the following data collection methods is qualitative?

Accepted Answer

Focus groups are a qualitative data collection method as they involve open-ended discussions and interactions among participants, allowing for in-depth insights and understanding of their perspectives.

Question 10

In which of the following situations would the use of inferential statistics be the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics are used to make generalizations from a sample to a population, and are most appropriate when the data is quantitative and collected from a random sample, ensuring that the sample is representative of the population.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an analysis designed for qualitative data?

Accepted Answer

Secondary analysis typically refers to the re-analysis of quantitative data collected by someone else, rather than qualitative data.

Quiz 31: Being a Criminologist and Doing Real-World Criminological Research