Question 1

With __________ research,interpretative description (words) rather than statistics (numbers) is used to analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research uses interpretative description rather than statistics to analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships. Observational research involves observing and recording behavior, while quantitative research involves measuring and analyzing numerical data. Explanatory research aims to identify cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 2

Sociologists obtain their knowledge of human behavior through __________,which result(s) in a body of information that helps us move beyond guesswork and common sense in understanding society.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists obtain their knowledge of human behavior through research, which allows them to gather empirical data and analyze it systematically. This results in a body of information that is more reliable and accurate than guesswork or common sense ideas. Additionally, scientific methods help sociologists avoid myths and biases that may distort their understanding of society.

Question 3

A __________ is a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe,explain,and (occasionally) predict social events.

Accepted Answer

A theory is a set of statements that seek to explain social events and phenomena. It is based on empirical evidence and can be tested through observation and research. A statement refers to a singular assertion or expression of an idea, while a commonsense approach is a form of knowledge or understanding gained through everyday experience. A testimonial is a statement or endorsement from an individual regarding a particular product, service or experience.

Question 4

In Suicide,sociologist Emile Durkheim documented that a high suicide rate was symptomatic of a large-scale social problem.This research was in direct contradiction to the historically held notion that suicide was:

Accepted Answer

Historically, suicide was believed to be a result of individual psychological illness. Durkheim's research, however, showed that a high suicide rate indicates larger societal issues, such as social isolation or lack of social integration.

Question 5

If we use the __________ approach to determine why people commit suicide,we start by formulating a theory about the "causes" of suicide and then test our theory by collecting and analyzing data (such as vital statistics on suicides).

Accepted Answer

The deductive approach starts with a theory or hypothesis and then seeks to test this through the collection and analysis of data. It involves using logic and reasoning to form specific predictions or expectations about what findings will emerge from the data. In this case, we have a theory about the causes of suicide and are seeking to test it through the use of vital statistics data.

Question 6

Which approach to the theory-and-research cycle does the following sequence reflect: (1) specific observations suggest generalizations, (2) generalizations produce a tentative theory, (3) the theory is tested through the formation of hypotheses,and (4) hypotheses may provide suggestions for additional observations?

Accepted Answer

The sequence reflects the inductive approach to the theory-and-research cycle, where specific observations lead to the formation of a tentative theory which is then tested through the formation of hypotheses. The hypotheses generated from the theory may also suggest additional observations.

Question 7

A researcher wanting to investigate the moral beliefs,traditions,religious views,and customs in regards to physician-assisted suicide would use the ____________ approach.

Accepted Answer

The normative approach is concerned with analyzing and evaluating moral beliefs and values. In this case, the researcher is interested in studying the moral beliefs, traditions, and religious views surrounding physician-assisted suicide, which all fall under the category of normative ethics.

Question 8

A trademark of sociology involves the unmasking of fallacies in the everyday and official interpretations of society.This process is called:

Accepted Answer

Debunking is the process of exposing the false beliefs or myths that people hold about society, institutions, or groups. This is a common practice in sociology to challenge popular misconceptions and help people understand the reality of the social world. The other options (demystifying, deductive reasoning, and reformative) may have some relevance in sociology, but they are not specifically related to the process of unmasking fallacies in interpretations of society.

Question 9

Researchers in one study examined the effects of church membership,divorce,and migration on suicide rates in the United States and using complex statistical techniques,concluded that suicide rates are typically higher where divorce and migration rates are higher and church membership is lower.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of quantitative research as it involves the use of statistical techniques to analyze data and draw conclusions.

Question 10

In a(n) __________ study of suicide,sociologists might ask: Why do African American men over age sixty-five have a significantly lower suicide rate than white males in the same age bracket?

Accepted Answer

The question is asking for an explanation for a phenomenon, which falls under explanatory studies.

Question 11

The relationship between theory and research has been referred to as a
Continuous cycle.The theory and research cycle consists of two approaches.In the __________ approach,the researcher collects information or data (facts or evidence) and then generates theories from the analysis of that data.

Accepted Answer

The inductive approach involves collecting data and generating theories from the analysis of that data. This approach starts with specific observations and experiences and then works towards generalizing and developing theories or models. It is the opposite of the deductive approach, where a theory is developed first and then tested through research and observation. The normative and explanatory approaches are not related to this concept.

Question 12

Durkheim's research on suicide documented that suicide was a large-scale social problem and not an isolated individual problem.This would be an example of:

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's research was aimed at debunking the myth that suicide was always an individual problem caused by personal factors such as mental illness or weakness. He argued that suicide rates could vary depending on social factors such as level of social integration or regulation, and that suicide was thus a social problem that required social solutions rather than just individual ones.

Question 13

A researcher attempting to study physician assisted suicide through the systematic collection and analysis of data would use the ____________ approach.

Accepted Answer

The empirical approach involves gathering and analyzing data through observation and experimentation, which would be necessary for a study on physician assisted suicide. Explanatory and normative approaches could also be used, but they focus on explanations or value judgments rather than empirical data. Descriptive approach simply describes a phenomenon without analyzing it.

Question 14

Eric wants to test his hypothesis that unemployed men are more likely to commit spousal abuse than men who are employed.He is most likely to use a __________ to test his hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

Eric is testing a quantifiable hypothesis using statistical analysis, which falls under the quantitative approach.

Question 15

The __________ approach attempts to answer questions through systematic collection and analysis of data.This approach is referred to as the conventional model,or the "scientific method," and is based on the assumption that knowledge is best gained by direct,systematic observation.

Accepted Answer

The empirical approach is the one that is based on systematic collection and analysis of data. This approach is also known as the scientific method and is based on direct, systematic observation. Descriptive, normative, and explanatory approaches are other types of approaches used in research, but they do not emphasize the importance of direct observation and data analysis as much as the empirical approach does.

Question 16

The __________ approach uses religion,customs,habits,traditions,and law to answer important questions.It is based on strong beliefs about what is right and wrong and what "ought to be" in society.

Accepted Answer

The normative approach is based on subjective beliefs and opinions about what should be in society, using religion, customs, habits, traditions, and law to answer important questions. It focuses on moral evaluations and judgments rather than objective analysis or observation. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 17

The relationship between theory and research has been referred to as a continuous cycle.The theory and research cycle consists of two approaches.In the __________ approach,the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the theory.

Accepted Answer

In the deductive approach, the researcher begins with a theory or hypothesis and uses research to either support or disprove the theory. This approach is often used in quantitative research, where the goal is to test a specific hypothesis or theory.

Question 18

Sociologists using the __________ approach to study suicide might start by simultaneously collecting and analyzing data related to suicidal behavior and then generate a theory.

Accepted Answer

The inductive approach involves starting with empirical observations and then generating a theory or explanation based on those observations. In the case of studying suicide, sociologists would collect and analyze data related to suicidal behavior and use this data to develop a theory to explain the phenomenon.

Question 19

Researchers in one study systematically analyzed the contents of the notes of suicide victims to determine recurring themes,such as feelings of despair or failure.They hoped to determine if any patterns could be found that would help in understanding why people might kill themselves.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This study is an example of qualitative research because the researchers are analyzing the contents of suicide notes, which are typically written in narrative or subjective form, rather than collecting numerical data.

Question 20

With __________ research,the goal is scientific objectivity,and the focus is on data that can be measured numerically.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research focuses on numerical data that can be measured objectively, with the goal of scientific objectivity. The other options (qualitative, observational, explanatory) may involve subjective interpretation or non-numerical data.

Quiz 2: Sociological Research Methods