Question 1

A recent analysis of domestic violence in a northern city reveals that domestic violence incidents tend to increase during the coldest months of the year (i.e., winter) and decrease during the warmest months of the year (i.e., summer) In this case, we would say which of the following about the correlation between temperature and domestic violence?

Accepted Answer

The analysis indicates that as temperature decreases, the number of domestic violence incidents increases. This inverse relationship between temperature and domestic violence suggests a negative correlation.

Question 2

A researcher conducts a survey of state prisons to determine how much time it takes officials to process newly admitted inmates into the prison system. What is the researcher's unit of analysis?

Accepted Answer

The unit of analysis is the object or level that is being studied in the research. In this case, the research is being conducted on state prisons to determine how much time it takes officials to process newly admitted inmates into the prison system, hence state prisons is the unit of analysis.

Question 3

A researcher conducts interviews with police officers to study how they cope with the everyday stresses associated with their jobs. What is the researcher's unit of analysis?

Accepted Answer

The researcher's unit of analysis is police officers as they are the group being studied and analyzed. The interviews are just the method of data collection. Jobs and stresses are factors being studied, but they are not the main focus of the research.

Question 4

A teacher who reads a research report finding that minority students tend to speak loudly and concludes that each minority student in her classroom must be told to speak softly in the classroom is making what type of logical error?

Accepted Answer

The teacher is committing an ecological fallacy by making a generalization about all minority students based on a research finding about a group of minority students. This is an error in reasoning that occurs when conclusions about individuals are drawn from aggregate data or statistical information.

Question 5

A teacher who observes a small group of minority students talking loud in the hallway and concludes that young minorities are taught to talk loudly is making what type of logical error?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A teacher who observes a small group...

Question 6

A researcher who notices that Southerners appear to be more aggressive and develops a theory that Southerners are more violent is using what type of reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using inductive reasoning because they are starting with a specific observation (Southerners appear to be more aggressive) and developing a theory based on that observation. Deductive reasoning would start with a hypothesis or theory and then test it through observation or experimentation. Conceptual reasoning involves abstract or theoretical thinking, while operational reasoning involves using specific procedures or techniques to achieve a desired outcome.

Question 7

A researcher who theorizes that Southerners are more violent and then collects data to test this theory is using what type of reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning involves starting with a general theory or hypothesis and then conducting research to test specific instances or observations to see if they confirm the theory. In this case, the researcher starts with a general theory about Southerners being more violent and then collects data to see if this theory holds true, which is a classic example of deductive reasoning.

Question 8

A researcher who subjectively measures age based on responses to questions about economic and social independence is using what type of measure?

Accepted Answer

Subjectively measuring age based on responses to questions about economic and social independence involves subjective interpretations of language and meaning, therefore it is a qualitative measure.

Question 9

A researcher who objectively measures age by the number of anniversaries of a person's birthdate is using what type of measure?

Accepted Answer

The measure of age by the number of anniversaries of a person's birthdate is a quantitative measure as it involves a numerical value.

Question 10

The time dimension of a survey given to college freshmen every year for ten years is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The time dimension of a survey given...

Question 11

The time dimension of a survey given to the same cohort of juveniles each year for ten years is:

Accepted Answer

A survey given to the same cohort of juveniles each year for ten years is a panel study, where the same group of individuals is surveyed at multiple points in time to track changes and patterns over time. Longitudinal studies can also involve following the same group of individuals, but it is not necessary for the surveys to be conducted at fixed intervals. A cohort refers to a group of individuals who share a common characteristic, such as being born in the same year, but it does not necessarily imply that they are surveyed over time. A trend refers to a general pattern or direction of change in a population, but it does not necessarily involve following the same group of individuals over time.

Question 12

The time dimension of a one-time survey on public drunkenness is:

Accepted Answer

A one-time survey is a snapshot in time and does not follow the same individuals over time. Therefore, it is cross-sectional.

Question 13

A criminal justice professor does a lot of research on the effect of poverty on juvenile delinquency. She hopes to use her research findings to provide information on how to structure poverty reduction programs. What research paradigm is this researcher following?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is following a critical research paradigm which seeks to understand and challenge existing power structures by examining social inequalities and how they contribute to issues such as poverty and juvenile delinquency. The focus on using research findings to inform social policy and programs aligns with a critical approach. Positivist research is focused on gathering empirical evidence and testing hypotheses, while interpretive research seeks to understand the subjective meanings and experiences of individuals. Marxist research focuses specifically on the role of economic structures in shaping society.

Question 14

After completing research on crimes committed by girls, a researcher concludes that "when girls commit crimes, they do not consider their behavior criminal. Instead, they consider their behavior a normal response to social inequality." What research paradigm is this researcher following?

Accepted Answer

Interpretive research focuses on understanding the subjective experiences and interpretations of individuals, rather than on objective facts or statistical data. In this case, the researcher is interested in understanding the reasons why girls commit crimes, and they believe that girls' perceptions of their behavior as a normal response to social inequality is a key factor.

Question 15

A researcher concludes, "The majority of individuals who are arrested for driving while intoxicated are males between the ages of 22 and 35." Based on this statement, what was the most likely purpose of this research project?

Accepted Answer

The statement indicates that the purpose of the research project was to describe the demographic characteristics of individuals who are arrested for driving while intoxicated. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is descriptive research.

Question 16

A researcher theorized that correctional officers become personally detached from inmates as a means of reducing the stress associated with their professional responsibilities. Subsequent observations of correctional officers supported this theory. What method of reasoning is this researcher using?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher theorized that correctional officers become...

Question 17

After observing their behavior for several months, a researcher theorized that correctional officers become personally detached from inmates as a means of reducing the stress associated with their professional responsibilities. What method of reasoning is this researcher using?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using inductive reasoning because they have observed the behavior of correctional officers and used that information to develop a theory about why they become detached from inmates.

Question 18

A research project revealed that 80% of all adult offenders did not receive religious instruction as children. What is the most likely nature of the data used in this research project?

Accepted Answer

The data used in this research project is quantitative. This is because it involves numerical values (80%) and statistical analysis can be conducted on it.

Question 19

A research project revealed that feelings of guilt were expressed by adult offenders who grew up in a religious household. What is the most likely nature of the data used in this research project?

Accepted Answer

The use of words such as "feelings" and "expressed" suggest that the data was collected through qualitative methods, such as interviews or open-ended questionnaires, which allow for rich and detailed descriptions of individuals' experiences and emotions. Additionally, the focus on the nature of offenders' upbringing in a religious household implies a need for deeper understanding of the context and meaning of their experiences, which is better suited for qualitative analysis.

Question 20

To evaluate the effect of a drug prevention program delivered to junior high school students, a researcher will conduct follow up surveys of the students each year until 12th grade. What is the time dimension of this research project?

Accepted Answer

The time dimension of this research project is longitudinal, specifically a panel study because the same group of students will be followed over time and surveyed at multiple points. A cross-sectional study would involve surveying different groups of students at one point in time, a trend study would involve analyzing data from different time periods without following the same individuals, and a point in time study would involve collecting data at one specific point in time without following individuals over time.

Quiz 4: Classifying Research