Question 1

Cross-sectional studies measure groups of people all at one point in time.

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional studies are observational studies that analyze data from a population, or a representative subset, at a specific point in time.

Question 2

Longitudinal studies do not have as many problems as other studies do.

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal studies, while valuable for observing changes over time, can face unique challenges such as participant dropout, time and financial costs, and the potential for changes in the research environment or methods over the study period.

Question 3

The benefits of a longitudinal study include a real developmental picture of change over time and the ability to assess the same people in a lot of depth.

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal studies allow researchers to track changes over time and provide a detailed view of how individuals or groups evolve, offering insights into developmental trends and deep, nuanced understanding of the subjects studied.

Question 4

Generalizability means that our experimental results must be narrowed to a small population of people.

Accepted Answer

Generalizability refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be applied or extended to broader populations, settings, or times, rather than being limited to a narrow population.

Question 5

While nonexperimental procedures can tell us about many important variables related to family health and success, most research studies related to families are experimental in nature.

Accepted Answer

Most research studies related to families are nonexperimental because ethical and practical considerations often make it difficult to manipulate family-related variables experimentally.

Question 6

A natural or quasi-experiment is an experiment in which almost everything is controlled, except for the assignment to groups.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A natural or quasi-experiment is an experiment...

Question 7

Most social science research is of this correlational nature (rather than controlled laboratory experiments).

Accepted Answer

Most social science research involves studying complex human behaviors and societal interactions, which are difficult to replicate or control in a laboratory setting. Therefore, researchers often rely on correlational studies to observe and measure relationships between variables in natural settings.

Question 8

With correlational results, we may consistently make inferences that causality is at play.

Accepted Answer

Correlational results only indicate that there is a relationship between two variables, not that one causes the other.

Question 9

Quantitative research studies are those in which the phenomena under study have been turned into numbers.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to understand patterns, relationships, or trends within the research subject.

Question 10

If we want to understand variables from a more nuanced perspective, we might try to collect qualitative data.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data provides detailed descriptions and insights into phenomena, allowing for a deeper understanding of variables in their natural context.

Question 11

Quantitative data are usually gathered from open-ended questions or interviews which allow people to talk freely about the topic of interest.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data are typically collected from closed-ended questions or structured formats that can be quantified, such as surveys with predefined response options, not from open-ended questions or interviews which are qualitative in nature.

Question 12

Many researchers in the social sciences use a quantitative approach called ethnography.

Accepted Answer

Ethnography is primarily a qualitative research method used in social sciences for the systematic study of cultures and people.

Question 13

An emic perspective is when a researcher is able to study his or her research question from an "inside" perspective, through the eyes of the inhabitants, their history, beliefs, and world view.

Accepted Answer

An emic perspective involves understanding cultural behaviors and beliefs from within the culture, emphasizing the internal meanings and viewpoints of the community members themselves.

Question 14

Fortunately, qualitative data involve a great deal of control over extraneous variables.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data collection focuses on exploring phenomena or behaviors in depth rather than controlling variables, which is more characteristic of quantitative research.

Question 15

An ethnic characteristic is some trait the setting contains or the researcher possesses which may influence the study participant's responses.

Accepted Answer

An ethnic characteristic refers to traits, customs, or features shared by a group that shares a common cultural, linguistic, or ancestral heritage, not traits of a setting or the researcher that may influence study participants' responses.

Question 16

Intersectional identity refers to the idea that individuals in families are completely unaffected by the interactions between our gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, and social class, yet many believe this myth.

Accepted Answer

Intersectional identity acknowledges that individuals' experiences and identities are shaped by the interactions between factors like gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, and social class, rather than being unaffected by them.

Question 17

When we imitate or simulate real world conditions, we conduct this kind of experiment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When we imitate or simulate real world...

Question 18

What certainty that one variable causes a specific outcome or change in the other variable?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What certainty that one variable causes a...

Question 19

These are carefully controlled studies in which the researcher manipulates the participants' experiences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of These are carefully controlled studies in which...

Question 20

Which variable is operationally defined and then manipulated in the experiment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which variable is operationally defined and then...

Quiz 2: How We Study the Family: Theories and Research Methods