Question 1

Typically,sociologists who work with quantitative data (such as surveys)wait until after they have concluded their research before they engage in data analysis.However,ethnographers usually engage in data analysis while they are conducting their investigations.Is this behaviour reasonable given the nature of these types of methods? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Typically,sociologists who work with quantitative data (such...

Question 2

Which of the following potential projects studying convenience stores could be said to be utilizing a qualitative research method?

Accepted Answer

Option A involves observing and identifying patterns in human behavior, which is a qualitative research method.

Question 3

You are an ethnographer studying poverty in Chicago.Over the course of your research,you live in a low-rent apartment,join a number of social clubs,and take several jobs in the community.The total time you spend on this project takes several years.Given what you know about ethnography and proper data analysis,when should you analyze your data?

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic research involves continuous data collection and analysis. Therefore, it is recommended to analyze data continually over the course of the project to ensure that new insights can inform subsequent data collection and analysis. This approach also helps the ethnographer to identify any gaps or weaknesses in their research design and adjust their methods accordingly. Ultimately, this will lead to more comprehensive and accurate findings.

Question 4

Catherine is taking a research methods class in which the semester project involves conducting original research.Catherine is interested in finding out if viewing particular television programs has an impact on behaviour.She wants to see if children are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour after they watch television shows that exhibit violent images.Catherine's tentative prediction is what scientists refer to as __________.

Accepted Answer

Catherine's tentative prediction is a hypothesis, which is a testable explanation for a phenomenon or observation. The other options are not applicable in this context - an operational definition refers to a clear and precise definition of a variable in a study, reliability refers to the consistency of research findings, and validity refers to the accuracy or truthfulness of a research study.

Question 5

Kordell is interested in distributing questionnaires to first-year students regarding their study habits.He has targeted several universities where he wants to carry out the research.What must Kordell do first?

Accepted Answer

Before conducting research involving human subjects, it is important to obtain approval from the institutional review board (IRB) of the universities where the research will take place. The IRB is responsible for reviewing and approving research proposals to ensure that they meet ethical and legal standards for protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects. Therefore, Kordell must first submit his research proposal to each school's IRB.

Question 6

You are studying homicide rates in a major city,and your data seem to be indicating something quite peculiar.You notice that ice cream consumption seems to be correlated with an increase in murder rates.Upon more careful reflection,you recall that murder rates tend to rise in the summer,when people are outside more (and,consequently?AU: This should be reworded.I believe it is also spurious.Being outside does not make people eat more ice cream.maybe "when people are more likely to be found outside eating ice cream." ,eating more ice cream).Your first conclusion is an example of __________.
AU: This should be reworded.I believe it is also spurious.Being outside does not make people eat more ice cream.maybe "when people are more likely to be found outside eating ice cream."

Accepted Answer

The conclusion drawn about ice cream consumption and murder rates is spurious because it is based on a correlation without a clear causal relationship. The true cause of the increase in murder rates is likely to be the summer weather and increased outdoor activity, which coincidentally also increases ice cream consumption.

Question 7

When determining correlations,sociologists sometimes fall victim to spurious relationships.What is a spurious relationship,and how did the Coleman Report demonstrate a spurious relationship between school resources and test scores?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When determining correlations,sociologists sometimes fall victim to...

Question 8

What are two types of generalizability relevant to sociological research?

Accepted Answer

The two types of generalizability relevant to sociological research are empirical generalizability and theoretical generalizability. Empirical generalizability refers to the extent to which findings from a study can be applied to other similar groups or situations. Theoretical generalizability refers to the extent to which findings from a study can contribute to or extend theoretical frameworks or concepts.

Question 9

What is the scientific method? Explain each step of the scientific method.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the scientific method? Explain each...

Question 10

What are qualitative and quantitative research methods? If you,as a researcher,were interested in the way-of-life details of a group of people,which type of research would you be more likely to conduct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are qualitative and quantitative research methods?...

Question 11

You want to conduct a research study on the sexual behaviours of married couples in rural Canada.You plan on interviewing individuals using an in-depth survey method.After approval from your institutional review board and finding individuals to interview,but before you conduct the interviews,what is needed to make sure that this project is ethical?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is necessary to ensure that the participants fully understand the purpose of the research, the potential risks and benefits, and their rights as participants. Approval from academic or professional associations and other researchers conducting follow-up interviews may be beneficial but are not necessary for ensuring ethical conduct.

Question 12

What is the difference between representative sampling and random sampling? When would you choose to use representative sampling over random sampling?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between representative sampling...

Question 13

You want to study a riot that occurred over 60 years ago.You have access to a handful of survivors,but they likely cannot provide all the information you need.Which two research methods should you use to complete the study?

Accepted Answer

The best choice in this scenario would be to use interviews and historical research. Interviews can provide valuable firsthand accounts and perspectives from survivors, but it is important to also supplement this information with historical research to provide a broader context and understanding of the riot. This may involve gathering information from archival sources such as newspapers, government documents, and other written records. Surveys and experiments may not be as useful in this situation since the focus is on studying a past event rather than collecting current data or testing a hypothesis.

Question 14

Which of the following responses best encapsulates why some sociologists strive for empirical generalizability?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists strive for empirical generalizability so that findings can be applied to populations larger than their sample set. By achieving empirical generalizability, sociologists can confidently infer that the findings they uncovered within their limited sample set also likely apply to the larger population they are studying. This allows for greater application of sociological research in addressing larger societal issues.

Question 15

You want to understand how American views on violence in the media differ from the views of Germans.To complete your comparison of these two populations,what type of research should you conduct?

Accepted Answer

Cross-national comparison research compares two or more countries, collecting data on similarities and differences to determine if patterns occur across cultures. This type of research is ideal for comparing American and German views on violence in the media.

Quiz 3: Studying the Social World