Question 1

Reasons for conducting social research include all except
A) understanding the social world
B) exploring a new phenomenon
C) promote personal opinions
D) seeking solutions to social problems

Accepted Answer

Conducting social research is not done to promote personal opinions, as social research aims to provide objective and unbiased information about the social world.

Question 2

Studying and understanding the world through systematic and direct observation is known as
A) Empirical research
B) Sociological imagination
C) Epistemology
D) Sociology

Accepted Answer

Empirical research involves using observations and data to systematically understand the world around us. Sociology and epistemology are broader fields of study, while the sociological imagination involves understanding how individual experiences are shaped by larger societal forces.

Question 3

The sociological imagination is A) The practice of linking people's experiences to social conditions B) Studying the social world using observation C) Focused on individual level explanations for social problems D) A concept developed in the 18^th century

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination involves linking people's personal experiences to larger societal issues and understanding the influence of social factors on individual behavior and outcomes. It was first introduced by C. Wright Mills in the mid-20th century.

Question 4

Which of the following is the best example of using the sociological imagination to understand unemployment A) William is fired for being late to work three times in a row. B) Kiera has trouble finding a job after college due to large scale downsizing. C) After Li tells her boss that she hates working 2^nd shift, she is taken off the schedule. D) Stephanie misses her shift because her regular babysitter is sick.

Accepted Answer

The best example of using the sociological imagination to understand unemployment is option B. This is because it takes into consideration the larger societal forces that contribute to unemployment, such as corporate decisions to downsize. This is beyond the individual's control and is influenced by economic and political factors. Options A, C, and D are more individualistic explanations for unemployment and do not take into account the broader social context.

Question 5

Tools and practices used to gather and analyze information are known as
A) Surveys
B) Sociological imagination
C) Research Methods
D) Experiments

Accepted Answer

Research methods encompass various tools and practices used to gather and analyze information, including surveys, interviews, observations, and experiments. Sociological imagination refers to the ability to see the connections between individual experiences and larger societal patterns, but it is not a tool or practice used for gathering and analyzing information. Therefore, the best choice is C- Research Methods.

Question 6

Knowing where social knowledge comes from is
A) A form of power
B) Not related to methodology
C) Not possible to determine
D) A way of perpetuating false claims

Accepted Answer

Knowing where social knowledge comes from can give individuals power, as they have an understanding of the sources and validity of information. This can allow them to make better decisions and challenge false claims.

Question 7

Research conducted to generate questions and hypotheses about emerging or not-yet-defined phenomena is called
A) Exploratory research
B) Descriptive research
C) Explanatory research
D) Evaluative research

Accepted Answer

Exploratory research is conducted to generate questions and hypotheses about emerging or not-yet-defined phenomena. It is used to gain a better understanding of a topic and is often carried out before descriptive or explanatory research. Descriptive research is used to describe and analyze the characteristics of a specific population or phenomenon. Explanatory research is used to explain the relationship between variables, while evaluative research is used to evaluate the effectiveness of a program, intervention, or policy.

Question 8

Research that is focused primarily on describing a social phenomenon is known as
A) Exploratory research
B) Descriptive research
C) Explanatory research
D) Evaluative research

Accepted Answer

Descriptive research is focused on describing a social phenomenon. It aims to provide a detailed and accurate picture of the phenomenon being studied, including its characteristics, circumstances, and contexts. This type of research is often used to generate new ideas or hypotheses, explore a topic in greater depth, or provide a baseline understanding for future research.

Question 9

_____________ research attempts to explain and predict future conditions for people, situations, and settings
A) Exploratory research
B) Descriptive research
C) Explanatory research
D) Evaluative research

Accepted Answer

Explanatory research is focused on understanding the relationships between different factors and predicting future outcomes based on those relationships. It often uses experimental designs to test causal relationships and is commonly used in fields such as psychology, sociology, and economics.

Question 10

A researcher who wanted to assess or improve the effectiveness of a policy would engage in _______________.
A) Exploratory research
B) Descriptive research
C) Explanatory research
D) Evaluative research

Accepted Answer

Evaluative research is designed to assess the effectiveness or efficiency of a program or policy. This type of research is used to determine if the program or policy is achieving its intended outcomes or if improvements need to be made. Exploratory research aims to gather general information about a topic, descriptive research provides a detailed description of a phenomenon, and explanatory research aims to identify the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

Question 11

Dr. Scott is interested in conducting research that will shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the amount of physical distance that people put between themselves and others when in public. Which type of research is this most likely to fit into?
A) Descriptive
B) Explanatory
C) Evaluative
D) Exploratory

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes a situation where Dr. Scott is interested in exploring a new topic - how the pandemic impacted physical distancing behavior in public. Therefore, this is most likely an example of exploratory research, which is designed to uncover and explore new topics or phenomena. Descriptive research involves describing a phenomenon, explanatory research seeks to explain a relationship between variables, and evaluative research assesses the effectiveness of an intervention or program.

Question 12

Dr. Glover wants to assess how well online and hybrid teaching impacted student's understanding of course content. What type of research is she most likely conducting?
A) Descriptive
B) Exploratory
C) Evaluative
D) Explanatory

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about assessing the impact of a specific teaching method on students' understanding of course content. This suggests an evaluative research approach, which aims to determine the effectiveness of a program or intervention. Descriptive research is used to describe phenomena, exploratory research is used to explore new areas or topics, and explanatory research aims to explain relationships between variables.

Question 13

Dr. Filoteo hypothesizes that students who were online during the COVID-19 pandemic are less likely to have a favorable opinion of their college experience than students who were in a hybrid or fully in-person learning environment. What type of research is she likely to be conducting?
A) Explanatory
B) Descriptive
C) Evaluative
D) Exploratory

Accepted Answer

Explanatory research aims to understand the cause-and-effect relationships between variables. Dr. Filoteo's hypothesis about the relationship between the mode of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and students' opinions of their college experience is an attempt to explain how one variable (mode of learning) affects another (opinion of college experience), making it explanatory research.

Question 14

Research that is conducted with the goal of advancing knowledge is known as
A) Applied research
B) Evaluative research
C) Basic research
D) Descriptive research

Accepted Answer

Basic research aims to expand and deepen knowledge in a particular field. It seeks to increase our understanding of phenomena, without necessarily having any immediate practical application. This type of research is often conducted by academics or scientific institutions, and its results can ultimately lead to new discoveries or advancements in a particular field.

Question 15

Dr. Parks is assessing the effectiveness of a program for kindergarten students focused on citizenship and empathy for a local organization. This is an example of _____________ research.
A) Applied
B) Basic
C) Exploratory
D) Descriptive

Accepted Answer

This is an example of applied research because it is focused on assessing the effectiveness of a program for a specific organization. Applied research is conducted to solve practical problems or answer real-world questions in a specific context or community.

Question 16

Ontology is concerned with
A) What sorts of things can be known
B) Methods for gathering data
C) The nature of reality and existence
D) The morality of society

Accepted Answer

Ontology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality and existence. It explores questions such as the nature of being, existence, and reality. It is not concerned with methods for gathering data, what can be known, or the morality of society.

Question 17

Dr. Jenson is interested in the way that content is including into high school curricula, particularly with the notion the topics that are included shape what students know and will know. Which field does his inquiry best fit into.
A) Epistemology
B) Ontology
C) Philosophy
D) Psychology

Accepted Answer

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of knowledge, including how it is acquired and what makes it reliable. Dr. Jenson's inquiry into how content is included in high school curricula and how it shapes students' knowledge aligns with this field of study.

Question 18

Which of the following inform what we know?
A) Tradition and authority
B) Intuition and common sense
C) Personal experiences
D) All of these

Accepted Answer

All of these options - tradition and authority, intuition and common sense, and personal experiences - contribute to our knowledge base in different ways. Tradition and authority often inform our societal norms and laws, intuition and common sense guide our day-to-day decision-making, and personal experiences shape our perspectives and understanding of the world.

Question 19

What is the goal of sociological theory?
A) To advance a researcher's opinions
B) To make sense of the social world
C) To advocate for a particular cause
D) To ponder the morality of an issue

Accepted Answer

The goal of sociological theory is to make sense of the social world by providing explanations for social phenomena and understanding how society operates. It is not about advancing personal opinions, advocating for a cause, or pondering the morality of an issue.

Question 20

_________ research begins with theory from which hypothesis are developed and tested using data.
A) Inductive
B) Descriptive
C) Deductive
D) Exploratory

Accepted Answer

Deductive research starts with a theoretical framework and develops hypotheses that are then tested through data collection and analysis. Inductive research is more exploratory, starting with empirical data to develop theories. Descriptive research aims to describe a situation or phenomenon. Exploratory research is used to investigate and gain insights into a topic, often used when little is known about it.

Quiz 1: What Is Social Research a Particular Way of Knowing

Reasons for conducting social research include all except

Studying and understanding the world through systematic and direct observation is known as

The sociological imagination is

Which of the following is the best example of using the sociological imagination to understand unemployment

Tools and practices used to gather and analyze information are known as

Knowing where social knowledge comes from is

Research conducted to generate questions and hypotheses about emerging or not-yet-defined phenomena is called

Research that is focused primarily on describing a social phenomenon is known as

_____________ research attempts to explain and predict future conditions for people, situations, and settings

A researcher who wanted to assess or improve the effectiveness of a policy would engage in _______________.

Dr. Scott is interested in conducting research that will shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the amount of physical distance that people put between themselves and others when in public. Which type of research is this most likely to fit into?

Dr. Glover wants to assess how well online and hybrid teaching impacted student's understanding of course content. What type of research is she most likely conducting?

Dr. Filoteo hypothesizes that students who were online during the COVID-19 pandemic are less likely to have a favorable opinion of their college experience than students who were in a hybrid or fully in-person learning environment. What type of research is she likely to be conducting?

Research that is conducted with the goal of advancing knowledge is known as

Dr. Parks is assessing the effectiveness of a program for kindergarten students focused on citizenship and empathy for a local organization. This is an example of _____________ research.

Ontology is concerned with

Dr. Jenson is interested in the way that content is including into high school curricula, particularly with the notion the topics that are included shape what students know and will know. Which field does his inquiry best fit into.

Which of the following inform what we know?

What is the goal of sociological theory?

_________ research begins with theory from which hypothesis are developed and tested using data.