Question 1

______ is best described as the systematic process of data collection in order to produce knowledge.
A) Observation
B) Sampling
C) Research
D) Causation

Accepted Answer

Research is the systematic process of data collection, analysis, and interpretation to produce knowledge. It involves a structured method to investigate questions or hypotheses.

Question 2

Jamal is conducting research on a topic that has not been researched before, hoping to discover new knowledge about the topic. In this role, Jamal is a ______ of knowledge.
A) producer
B) consumer
C) critic
D) beneficiary

Accepted Answer

By conducting research on a previously unstudied topic to discover new knowledge, Jamal is creating or producing new information, making him a producer of knowledge.

Question 3

Statements that could hypothetically be proven true or false are considered ______.
A) normative
B) empirical
C) theories
D) ideas

Accepted Answer

Empirical statements are those that can be proven true or false through observation or experiment, making them capable of being tested empirically.

Question 4

"I believe that abortion should be legal in all cases," is an example of a(n) ______ statement.
A) empirical
B) normative
C) research
D) basic

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of a normative statement because it expresses a value judgment about what ought to be, rather than stating a fact that can be empirically tested or observed.

Question 5

A(n) ______ statement may include an opinion about how you feel things should be.
A) empirical
B) normative
C) research
D) basic

Accepted Answer

Normative statements express opinions or beliefs about what ought to be, rather than what is empirically verifiable. They often involve values or judgments on how things should be.

Question 6

When investigating using library sources, you are being a ______ of knowledge.
A) producer
B) consumer
C) critic
D) benefactor

Accepted Answer

When investigating using library sources, you are consuming the information provided by those sources, making you a consumer of knowledge.

Question 7

What research element is the most essential to sociologists?
A) objective materials
B) data collection
C) qualitative methods
D) prior sources

Accepted Answer

Data collection is fundamental to sociological research as it provides the empirical evidence necessary to support or refute theories and hypotheses.

Question 8

A social scientist says that society would improve if all households made the same income. This is an example of a(n) ______ statement.
A) normative
B) empirical
C) basic
D) applied

Accepted Answer

Normative statements are value judgments or opinions that cannot be tested or proven right or wrong. They often involve what ought to be rather than what is. The statement about society improving if all households made the same income reflects a value judgment or opinion, making it a normative statement.

Question 9

What makes sociological research different from other kinds of research?
A) It involves people, organizations, or social systems.
B) It is primarily qualitative in nature.
C) It is primarily quantitative in nature.
D) It is mainly about what goes on inside people's heads.

Accepted Answer

Sociological research is distinct because it focuses on people, organizations, or social systems, examining how they interact and influence each other within society.

Question 10

How would a researcher define empirical statements?
A) They provide evidence for studies.
B) They prove a hypothesis.
C) They are statements of possible facts.
D) They express an opinion.

Accepted Answer

Empirical statements are based on observed and measured phenomena and are thus considered statements of possible facts. They are derived from empirical evidence, which is information acquired by observation or experimentation.

Question 11

Goldrick-Rab's research with college students gave us information on ______.
A) real-life experiences of college students
B) opinions of students about college life
C) a laboratory controlled experiment
D) career decisions made by college students

Accepted Answer

Goldrick-Rab's research primarily focuses on the real-life experiences of college students, including their financial struggles, housing and food insecurity, and the impact of these challenges on their academic success and well-being.

Question 12

How are research skills useful outside of the workplace?
A) They can help people gain better employment.
B) They allow people to express their opinions.
C) They decrease disagreements between individuals.
D) They help us make better choices.

Accepted Answer

Research skills help individuals gather, analyze, and evaluate information, which can lead to more informed and effective decision-making in various aspects of life beyond the workplace.

Question 13

Research skills can benefit a person who is listening to the news by enabling the person to ______.
A) recount the information correctly to another person
B) recall the information at a later date
C) think critically about the information
D) determine the credentials of the person presenting the information

Accepted Answer

Thinking critically about the information allows the person to evaluate the credibility of the source and the accuracy of the information.

Question 14

How might a researcher study substance abuse using basic research?
A) by developing new methods of group treatment
B) by reading articles about potential genetic components
C) by testing alternative medications
D) by studying the best counselor/client ratio

Accepted Answer

Basic research aims to increase our understanding of fundamental principles. Reading articles about potential genetic components of substance abuse would contribute to this goal by enhancing knowledge of its underlying causes without directly applying that knowledge to develop treatments or interventions.

Question 15

______ research seeks to solve a specific, real-world problem.
A) Data
B) Applied
C) Basic
D) Theoretical

Accepted Answer

Applied research is focused on addressing specific, practical issues and solving real-world problems, unlike basic or theoretical research, which is more about gaining knowledge for its own sake.

Question 16

Lorna is conducting research to find out if there is a relationship between violent acts and playing video games. Lorna is conducting ______ research.
A) normative
B) applied
C) basic
D) historical

Accepted Answer

Lorna is conducting basic research, which aims to increase our understanding of fundamental principles. In this case, she is exploring the relationship between violent acts and playing video games without seeking to apply this knowledge to solve a specific problem, which distinguishes it from applied research. Normative research focuses on establishing norms or standards, and historical research involves studying past events.

Question 17

Clive is conducting research to find a way to reduce pollution in a local stream. Clive is conducting ______ research.
A) normative
B) applied
C) basic
D) historical

Accepted Answer

Clive's research aims to solve a practical problem, which is reducing pollution in a local stream. This makes it applied research, as applied research focuses on applying knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Question 18

Which statement about basic research is TRUE?
A) It takes the place of applied research.
B) It is rarely profitable.
C) It is designed to produce immediate results.
D) It helps us solve specific problems.

Accepted Answer

Basic research is primarily focused on gaining more comprehensive knowledge or understanding of the subject without a specific application in mind, making it less directly profitable compared to applied research, which is designed to solve specific problems.

Question 19

Pieces of information such as statistics, facts, and images are considered types of ______.
A) data
B) subjective context
C) conjectures
D) variables

Accepted Answer

Statistics, facts, and images are all examples of data, which is information that can be collected and analyzed.

Question 20

What is the most common form of data collection among sociologists?
A) surveys and interviews
B) ethnographic study
C) historical
D) observation

Accepted Answer

Surveys and interviews are the most common forms of data collection among sociologists because they allow for the collection of a large amount of data from a sizable population in a relatively short amount of time.

Quiz 3: Using Research Methods

______ is best described as the systematic process of data collection in order to produce knowledge.

Jamal is conducting research on a topic that has not been researched before, hoping to discover new knowledge about the topic. In this role, Jamal is a ______ of knowledge.

Statements that could hypothetically be proven true or false are considered ______.

"I believe that abortion should be legal in all cases," is an example of a(n) ______ statement.

A(n) ______ statement may include an opinion about how you feel things should be.

When investigating using library sources, you are being a ______ of knowledge.

What research element is the most essential to sociologists?

A social scientist says that society would improve if all households made the same income. This is an example of a(n) ______ statement.

What makes sociological research different from other kinds of research?

How would a researcher define empirical statements?

Goldrick-Rab's research with college students gave us information on ______.

How are research skills useful outside of the workplace?

Research skills can benefit a person who is listening to the news by enabling the person to ______.

How might a researcher study substance abuse using basic research?

______ research seeks to solve a specific, real-world problem.

Lorna is conducting research to find out if there is a relationship between violent acts and playing video games. Lorna is conducting ______ research.

Clive is conducting research to find a way to reduce pollution in a local stream. Clive is conducting ______ research.

Which statement about basic research is TRUE?

Pieces of information such as statistics, facts, and images are considered types of ______.

What is the most common form of data collection among sociologists?