Question 1

Tim would like to compare suicide rates between elite athletes and non-athletes by analyzing suicide notes looking for patterns of feelings of despair or failure.He will most likely use a _________ approach to his study.

Accepted Answer

Tim is interested in analyzing the content of suicide notes for patterns of emotions, which is a subjective and non-numerical process. Therefore, a qualitative approach, which involves subjective interpretation of data, would be most appropriate for Tim's study.

Question 2

Social scientists cite many causes for suicide including rapid social change,economic conditions,hopeless poverty,and lack of religiosity.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The statement is mentioning multiple causes for suicide which means that there is not just one singular factor that leads to suicide but multiple factors that contribute to it. This is an example of multiple causation.

Question 3

Sociologist Emile Durkheim used the degree of social integration in society to determine its influence on the rate of suicide.In this example,the "rate of suicide" is the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

In this example, the variable being measured and affected by the level of social integration is suicide. Therefore, the rate of suicide is the dependent variable.

Question 4

In sociologist Emile Durkheim's attempt to explain the rates of suicide,__________ were the units of analysis.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's analysis focused on social groups/categories as units of analysis, rather than just individuals or other specific entities.

Question 5

A researcher would like to compare suicide rates between recent immigrants and more established immigrants using a quantitative research approach.Which research model would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher would like to compare suicide...

Question 6

The researcher has developed the hypothesis that homicide rates increase as the rate of unemployment increase.The rate of unemployment would be considered the __________ variable and the homicide rate would be considered the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

In this hypothesis, the researcher is trying to determine if there is a relationship between the rate of unemployment (independent variable) and the homicide rate (dependent variable). The dependent variable is the variable that is being studied and measured, while the independent variable is the factor that is being manipulated or varied to observe the effect on the dependent variable. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 7

In social science research,__________ are the most typical unit of analysis.

Accepted Answer

Individuals are the most typical unit of analysis in social science research, as they are the focus of many studies in fields such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology. While nations, categories, and cities may also be studied, they are typically analyzed in relation to their impact on individuals or groups of individuals.

Question 8

In a hypothesis,the researcher considers the __________ to be the cause.

Accepted Answer

In a hypothesis, the independent variable is the variable that the researcher considers to be the cause. This is the variable that the researcher changes or manipulates to see if it has an effect on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the variable that the researcher measures to see if it is affected by the independent variable. Multiple variables and control variables may also be present in the hypothesis but they are not considered to be the cause.

Question 9

The unit of analysis is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The unit of analysis refers to the "what" or "whom" being studied in a research project, such as individuals, groups, organizations, countries, or events. It is the focus of the analysis and the entity from which data is collected and analyzed. Choices B, C, and D are not correct definitions of the unit of analysis.

Question 10

In a hypothesis,the researcher presumes the __________ to be caused by another variable.

Accepted Answer

In a hypothesis, the dependent variable is presumed to be caused or influenced by another variable, which is the independent variable. The other choices, multiple variable and control variable, are not directly related to the presumption of causality in a hypothesis.

Question 11

Becky would like to conduct a study to determine how women define spousal abuse and the meanings they attach to incidents of abuse.She will most likely use a __________ approach to analyze her results.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research methods are used to understand and interpret social phenomena through the collection and analysis of non-numerical data. In this case, Becky is interested in understanding how women define and attach meaning to spousal abuse, which is a complex and subjective concept. Qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and textual analysis would be well-suited to explore this topic and provide rich, nuanced insights into women's experiences and perspectives.

Question 12

Which of the following represents a correct sequence of steps in the "conventional" research model?

Accepted Answer

The conventional research model typically follows the sequence of selecting and defining the research problem, formulating the hypothesis, developing the research design, collecting and analyzing the data, and drawing conclusions and reporting the findings. Option C is the only one that follows this sequence. Options A and B have the steps out of order, while Option D excludes collecting and analyzing the data, which is a crucial step in the research process.

Question 13

Social integration and loneliness are examples of __________,which are the abstract elements representing some aspect of the world in simplified form.

Accepted Answer

Concepts are abstract elements that represent some aspect of the world in simplified form. Social integration and loneliness are examples of such concepts. Theories are explanations for observed phenomena, principles are general rules or laws, and operational definitions are specific definitions used in research to measure or manipulate a variable.

Question 14

Sociologist Emile Durkheim used the degree of social integration in society to determine its influence on the rate of suicide.In this example,the "degree of social integration" is the __________ variable.

Accepted Answer

The "degree of social integration" in this example is the independent variable because Durkheim is examining how it affects the dependent variable of suicide rates. The other options do not accurately describe the role of the "degree of social integration" in this research.

Question 15

A(n) __________ is any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can change or vary from one person,time,situation,or society to another.It is the observable and/or measurable counterpart of a concept.

Accepted Answer

A variable is defined as any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can change or vary from one person, time, situation, or society to another. A theory is an explanation of a phenomenon rather than a measurable concept. A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables. An insight is a sudden understanding or realization.

Question 16

Sociologists create a(n) __________,which is an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features that are specific enough to measure the variable.

Accepted Answer

An operational definition is an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features that are specific enough to measure the variable.

Question 17

Age,sex,race,and ethnicity are often used as __________ variables.

Accepted Answer

Age, sex, race, and ethnicity are often used as independent variables, as they are the variables that are being manipulated or studied in relation to their effect on other variables in the research.

Question 18

Suppose that your goal is to earn an "A" in this sociology course.Your professor may have created a(n) __________ by specifying an "A" as earning a test average of 90 percent or above.

Accepted Answer

An operational definition is a statement that defines a variable or term in terms of specific, measurable, and observable behaviors or actions. In this case, the "A" grade is defined as earning a test average of 90 percent or above, which is a specific and measurable criterion.

Question 19

Sociologists conducting research may formulate a(n) __________,which is a statement of the relationship between two or more concepts.

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a statement of the relationship between two or more concepts that is being tested through research. It is a specific prediction about what the researcher expects to find in the data. The other options are related to research but do not specifically refer to a statement of the relationship between concepts.

Question 20

Sociologist Emile Durkheim selected suicide as a research topic because he wanted to demonstrate the importance of society in situations that might appear to be arbitrary acts by individuals.Which step is this in the conventional research model?

Accepted Answer

Selecting and defining the research problem involves choosing a topic to study and clarifying what questions the researcher wants to answer with their research. Durkheim selected suicide as a research topic to demonstrate the importance of society in shaping individual behavior. This step comes before forming a hypothesis, developing a research design, or reviewing previous research.

Quiz 2: Sociological Research Methods