Question 1

An integrated social science review of the literature should accomplish three goals. These three goals are summarizing prior research, critiquing prior research, and ______.

Accepted Answer

An integrated social science review of the literature aims to summarize and critique prior research, and the third goal is to present pertinent conclusions drawn from that review. This involves synthesizing the findings to highlight what has been learned and possibly identify gaps or areas for further study, rather than replicating studies, merely transcribing findings, or conducting new research.

Question 2

When unexpected patterns in the research lead to new insights or approaches, sociologists call them ______.

Accepted Answer

Serendipitous findings refer to unexpected discoveries or insights that emerge during the research process, often leading to new research directions or hypotheses. These are not initially anticipated but can provide significant contributions to the field of study.

Question 3

Scientists utilize inductive and ______ reasoning when conducting research.

Accepted Answer

Scientists use both inductive and deductive reasoning in their research process. Inductive reasoning involves making broad generalizations from specific observations, while deductive reasoning starts with a general statement or hypothesis and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion.

Question 4

Inductive research begins with specific data, which are then used to develop a ______ to account for data.

Accepted Answer

Inductive research starts with specific observations or data and then moves towards forming a broader theory or generalization to explain those observations.

Question 5

A social research question is a question about the social world that one seeks to answer through the collection and analysis of ______.

Accepted Answer

Social research questions are answered through the collection and analysis of empirical, verifiable data. This approach ensures that conclusions are based on evidence that can be observed or measured.

Question 6

A social theory is a logically interrelated set of propositions that help us make sense of interrelated _____.

Accepted Answer

Social theories are frameworks that help us understand and make sense of various phenomena in the world, particularly those related to human behavior, social structures, and the relationships between individuals and societies.

Question 7

Cross-population generalizability occurs to the extent that the results of a study hold true for _____.

Accepted Answer

Cross-population generalizability refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be applied to or hold true for multiple different populations beyond the one specifically studied.

Question 8

A measurement is valid when it ______.

Accepted Answer

Validity in measurement refers to the extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.

Question 9

When researchers hypothesize that one variable increases as the other increases, the direction of association is ______.

Accepted Answer

When researchers hypothesize that one variable increases as the other increases, they are describing a positive direction of association, indicating that both variables move in the same direction.

Question 10

Evaluating social theory is one of the most important objectives of ______.

Accepted Answer

Evaluating social theory is a primary objective of social science, which involves the study of human society and social relationships.

Question 11

Scholarly research must be ______.

Accepted Answer

Scholarly research must be peer-reviewed to ensure its credibility, quality, and academic integrity. Peer review involves evaluation by experts in the field before the research is published, but it does not necessarily have to be published in a print journal or follow a specific reasoning approach (deductive or inductive).

Question 12

If a pattern in data is out of the ordinary, it may be considered ______.

Accepted Answer

Anomalous means deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected, which fits the description of a pattern in data that is out of the ordinary.

Question 13

Replications of a study may allow us to establish ______.

Accepted Answer

Replications of a study help in establishing the generalizability of the findings, indicating whether the results can be applied to different populations or in different contexts.

Question 14

Research questions may change or expand during ______.

Accepted Answer

Research questions often evolve during the data collection and analysis phase as new insights and information emerge, necessitating adjustments to the original questions.

Question 15

Explanatory and evaluative studies are types of ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explanatory and evaluative studies are types of...

Question 16

Validity is the state that exists when statements or conclusions about empirical reality are ______.

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the accuracy or correctness of statements or conclusions about empirical reality.

Question 17

Sample generalizability is a key concern in ______.

Accepted Answer

Sample generalizability is a key concern in survey research because it involves ensuring that the findings from a sample can be applied to a larger population.

Question 18

Causal validity asserts that A ______.

Accepted Answer

Causal validity asserts that A causes B, meaning there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the two variables.

Question 19

Generalizability may refer to a sample, as well as a ______.

Accepted Answer

Generalizability refers to the extent to which findings from a sample can be applied to a broader population, hence "cross-population" is the correct choice.

Question 20

Peer-reviews are almost always ______.

Accepted Answer

Peer-reviews are typically anonymous to ensure impartiality and honesty in the feedback process.

Quiz 2: The Process and Problems of Social Research