Question 1

To say that research is empirical means it is based on ______.
A) data
B) theory
C) ethics
D) quality

Accepted Answer

Empirical research is based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual data rather than theory or beliefs.

Question 2

If you do a library "research paper" for a class, it is not really research in the true sense of the word because ______.
A) someone else gathered the data
B) you are not likely to produce a new analysis
C) you didn't get approval from the IRB
D) you are using someone else's ideas without their permission

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

A library "research paper" is actually not research, but which component of research?
A) sampling
B) data collection
C) literature review
D) secondary data analysis

Accepted Answer

A library "research paper" typically involves a literature review, which is a comprehensive survey of existing research and publications on a particular topic.

Question 4

Which method of data collection involves immersing yourself deeply in another culture or subculture?
A) observation
B) content analysis
C) ethnography
D) interviews

Accepted Answer

Ethnography involves immersing oneself in a culture or subculture to understand it from an insider's perspective.

Question 5

Which method of data collection involves asking open-ended questions in order to understand their perspective on some phenomenon?
A) surveys
B) interviews
C) content analysis
D) focus groups

Accepted Answer

Interviews involve asking open-ended questions to gather in-depth insights and understand the interviewee's perspective on a phenomenon.

Question 6

Which method of data collection is best used for understanding a large number of people's opinions or attitudes on a topic?
A) interviews
B) experiments
C) surveys
D) observation

Accepted Answer

Surveys are designed to collect data from a large number of people efficiently, making them ideal for understanding opinions or attitudes on a topic.

Question 7

Which method of data collection is best used to understand how a change in social conditions affects people?
A) ethnography
B) secondary data analysis
C) experiments
D) observation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which method of data collection is best...

Question 8

Which method of data collection consists of comparing perspectives of different groups of people in some depth?
A) interviews
B) focus groups
C) ethnography
D) experiments

Accepted Answer

Focus groups involve discussions with different groups of people, allowing for in-depth comparison of their perspectives.

Question 9

Quantitative research produces data that are analyzed ______.
A) using statistics
B) to find patterns in meaning and experience
C) through the researcher's personal interpretation
D) by altering conditions of different groups.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of numerical data, which is typically analyzed using statistical methods to identify patterns, relationships, or trends.

Question 10

Qualitative research produces data that are analyzed ______.
A) using statistics
B) to find patterns in meaning and experience
C) through the researcher's personal interpretation
D) by altering conditions of different groups

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research focuses on understanding human experiences and meanings, often analyzing data to find patterns in meaning and experience.

Question 11

Which of the following methods is qualitative?
A) experiments
B) surveys
C) interviews
D) secondary data analysis

Accepted Answer

Interviews are a qualitative method as they involve collecting non-numerical data through open-ended questions to gain insights into people's thoughts and experiences.

Question 12

Which of the following methods is quantitative?
A) interviews
B) ethnography
C) surveys
D) focus groups

Accepted Answer

Surveys are a quantitative method as they involve collecting numerical data that can be statistically analyzed.

Question 13

Which of the following methods can be either qualitative or quantitative?
A) experiments
B) secondary data analysis
C) content analysis
D) ethnography

Accepted Answer

Content analysis can be both qualitative, focusing on themes and patterns, and quantitative, involving counting and statistical analysis of content.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of an applied research topic?
A) the effect of video games on levels of aggressiveness in children
B) the effect of adding peer mentors in math 101 courses on students' final course grades
C) voters' opinions about legalization of marijuana
D) women's opinions regarding gun control in the United States

Accepted Answer

Applied research is aimed at solving practical problems. The topic about adding peer mentors in math courses to improve grades is an example of applied research, as it seeks to address a specific educational issue.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a basic research topic?
A) ways of improving students' timeliness in turning in financial aid forms
B) evaluating how well a domestic violence shelter is meeting the needs of senior citizens who experience elder abuse
C) the effect of a school shooting on attitudes about gun control in the state following the shooting
D) the number on children being bullied in the locker rooms at the local high school

Accepted Answer

Basic research is aimed at increasing understanding of fundamental principles and theories. The effect of a school shooting on attitudes about gun control is a broad topic that seeks to understand societal attitudes, fitting the description of basic research.

Question 16

A methodology is ______.
A) a set of ideas about how and why research should be conducted
B) a way to collect data
C) a set of ethical procedures to follow to protect participants from harm
D) a way of deciding how many people will participate in your study

Accepted Answer

A methodology is a set of ideas about how and why research should be conducted, guiding the overall approach and principles of the research process.

Question 17

Theory is LEAST likely to be used for which of the following kinds of research?
A) qualitative research
B) quantitative research
C) basic research
D) applied research

Accepted Answer

The answer of Theory is LEAST likely to be used...

Question 18

You are collecting data in order to see if it supports ideas that some sociologists have about how people perceive privilege. This is an example of using ______ in your research.
A) evaluation
B) ethics
C) conceptualizing
D) theory

Accepted Answer

The research is using theory to guide the data collection process to see if it supports existing sociological ideas about privilege.

Question 19

You decide that you want to conduct research to determine whether a theory about how people use and resist power is correct. You are using theory to ______.
A) build theory
B) test theory
C) interpret data
D) ground data

Accepted Answer

You are using the theory to test its validity or applicability in real-world scenarios, which is the process of testing theory.

Question 20

Which of the following is the best research question, based on the guidelines for writing good research questions?
A) Does providing all homeless people in a city with apartments or tiny houses effectively eliminate homelessness in that city after 5 years?
B) How does providing homeless people in a city with apartments affect their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being in the long run?
C) How does providing homeless addicts with free apartments affect their likelihood of maintaining sobriety for 3 years?
D) What effect does an hour-long commute have on a person's perception of their family and job?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the best...

Quiz 1: Introduction

To say that research is empirical means it is based on ______.

If you do a library "research paper" for a class, it is not really research in the true sense of the word because ______.

A library "research paper" is actually not research, but which component of research?

Which method of data collection involves immersing yourself deeply in another culture or subculture?

Which method of data collection involves asking open-ended questions in order to understand their perspective on some phenomenon?

Which method of data collection is best used for understanding a large number of people's opinions or attitudes on a topic?

Which method of data collection is best used to understand how a change in social conditions affects people?

Which method of data collection consists of comparing perspectives of different groups of people in some depth?

Quantitative research produces data that are analyzed ______.

Qualitative research produces data that are analyzed ______.

Which of the following methods is qualitative?

Which of the following methods is quantitative?

Which of the following methods can be either qualitative or quantitative?

Which of the following is an example of an applied research topic?

Which of the following is an example of a basic research topic?

A methodology is ______.

Theory is LEAST likely to be used for which of the following kinds of research?

You are collecting data in order to see if it supports ideas that some sociologists have about how people perceive privilege. This is an example of using ______ in your research.

You decide that you want to conduct research to determine whether a theory about how people use and resist power is correct. You are using theory to ______.

Which of the following is the best research question, based on the guidelines for writing good research questions?