Question 1

A hallmark of science is its creativity.

Accepted Answer

Science involves generating new ideas, developing theories and hypotheses, and designing experiments to test those hypotheses. This requires creativity and innovation to come up with original and effective ways of solving problems and advancing knowledge.

Question 2

Spuriousness happens when a researcher makes a correct inference about the causal relations between variables.

Accepted Answer

Spuriousness occurs when a researcher makes a false or misleading inference about the causal relations between variables. It occurs when the relationship between two variables appears to be causal, but in reality, it is due to a third variable that was not considered or controlled for in the analysis.

Question 3

Correlation is the same thing as causation.

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not necessarily indicate causation. Just because two variables are found to be correlated does not mean that one causes the other. There could be other factors at play or the correlation may be coincidental.

Question 4

Random-digit-dialing procedures for telephone survey research will allow for accessing households with unlisted telephone numbers.

Accepted Answer

Random-digit-dialing procedures involve dialing random phone numbers, including unlisted numbers, to access households for telephone survey research.

Question 5

In Canada,the long-form census is mandatory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Canada,the long-form census is mandatory....

Question 6

A natural scientist can study fossil remains of long-dead animals,or examine the botanical composition of plants.How is social science significantly different from natural science?

Accepted Answer

Social science is significantly different from natural science in that it deals with human behavior, which is often complex and subjective. Social researchers must take into account the fact that humans are capable of interpreting their own behavior and may not always be honest or accurate in their self-reporting. This adds an extra layer of complexity to social research that is not present in natural science. B, C, and D are incorrect because the scientific method is applicable to both natural and social science, natural science is falsifiable, and social science is not completely subjective.

Question 7

A middle-aged female who was being surveyed in a shopping mall gave her age as 38,when it was actually 46.This is an example of the problem of social desirability in surveys.

Accepted Answer

Social desirability bias occurs when individuals respond to survey questions in a way that they perceive as socially acceptable or desirable, rather than providing truthful answers. In this example, the middle-aged woman may have felt that giving a younger age was more socially desirable, leading to an incorrect response.

Question 8

Using the Internet for a survey collection of data from the general population is problematic since it is next to impossible to establish a sampling frame,which then creates problems of external validity.

Accepted Answer

Without a sampling frame, it is difficult to ensure that the sample collected is representative of the general population, thus creating issues of external validity.

Question 9

The method of participant observation typically employs random samples of individuals or groups.

Accepted Answer

The method of participant observation does not typically employ random samples. Instead, the researcher selects specific individuals or groups that are relevant to their research question and aims to observe their behaviors and interactions in their natural setting.

Question 10

In survey research,do not assume that the people you interview understand what you are asking.

Accepted Answer

It is important to use clear and concise language in survey questions and to avoid assuming prior knowledge or understanding on the part of the respondents.

Question 11

Questioning lies at the heart of research.

Accepted Answer

Questioning is a key aspect of research as it involves investigating and examining information to verify its accuracy and validity. By questioning assumptions, biases, and beliefs, researchers can uncover new insights and perspectives that can lead to a deeper understanding of a topic or phenomenon. This questioning process also helps to identify gaps or inconsistencies in existing knowledge, which can lead to the development of new theories or hypotheses.

Question 12

According to Weber,the aim of participant observation research is to investigate the world view of those being studied.

Accepted Answer

Weber believed that participant observation research allows the researcher to gain a deep understanding of the world view of those being studied, which is essential in interpreting their beliefs and actions.

Question 13

Sound social research is required to design effective policy solutions that benefit all people.

Accepted Answer

Sound social research provides important insights into the needs and experiences of different social groups, which is necessary to design policies that meet the diverse needs of all people within a society. Without such research, policy solutions may not effectively address the root causes of social problems or may inadvertently disadvantage certain groups. Therefore, sound social research is essential for designing effective policies that benefit all people.

Question 14

A sociologist who owns a Harley-Davidson bike starts hanging out with a biker gang.In addition to the hanging out,he informally conducts interviews with the members,and supplements his research with official statistics and police reports.Then he publishes a book on his work that gives an in-depth insider's look at the structure and process of gang life,contrasted with the official information.His work both confirms some aspects of official data,and explodes some myths about biker gangs.What kind of research is this?

Accepted Answer

This research project is an example of ethnographic research, as the sociologist is immersing himself in the biker gang culture to gain an insider's perspective and supplementing his findings with official statistics and police reports.

Question 15

If a person's sex is said to affect his or her income,then what kind of variable is sex?

Accepted Answer

Sex is considered an independent variable because it is a characteristic that is presumed to influence or predict changes in another variable, such as income, making income the dependent variable.

Question 16

There is very little difference between the subject matter of the natural and the social sciences.

Accepted Answer

The subject matter of the natural sciences typically pertains to the natural world, including physical and biological phenomena, whereas social sciences focus on the study of human behavior, society and cultures, therefore, there is a significant difference between the subject matter of the natural and the social sciences.

Question 17

Measuring people's attitudes is a good way to study their behaviour.

Accepted Answer

Attitudes do not always predict behavior accurately due to various factors such as social norms, situational constraints, and individual differences.

Question 18

Who bears the primary ethical responsibility in university-based academic research?

Accepted Answer

Researchers bear the primary ethical responsibility in university-based academic research. It is their duty to ensure that the research they conduct is ethical and follows all relevant guidelines and regulations. While funding agencies and ethics boards may provide oversight and guidance, the ultimate responsibility for ethical conduct lies with the researchers themselves. Subjects also have rights and protections, but their responsibility is limited to providing informed consent and complying with the parameters of the study.

Question 19

According to the text,what is science?

Accepted Answer

The text defines science as a method of collecting facts, which aligns most closely with choice D.

Question 20

In analyzing a contingency table,it is more useful to compare raw numbers than standardized percentage figures.

Accepted Answer

Standardized percentage figures allow for easier comparison between groups with different sample sizes and proportions. Raw numbers can be misleading if the sample sizes between groups are significantly different.

Quiz 2: Research Methods