Question 1

A correlation between wearing your lucky hat and your team winning is most likely due to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Omitted variables 
B)  Spurious correlation 
C)  Intervening variables 
D)  Divine intervention 
A)  Omitted variables 
B)  Spurious correlation 
C)  Intervening variables 
D)  Divine intervention

Question 2

Hypotheses that are generated starting with general ideas and testing whether these work on specific examples are called:

Accepted Answer

A)  Inductive Reasoning 
B)  Deductive Reasoning 
C)  Comparative checking 
D)  Analyzing Deviant Cases 
A)  Inductive Reasoning 
B)  Deductive Reasoning 
C)  Comparative checking 
D)  Analyzing Deviant Cases

Question 3

The testability of a theory or hypothesis refers to what term?

Accepted Answer

A)  Falsifiability 
B)  Legitimacy 
C)  Conclusiveness 
D)  Defensibility 
A)  Falsifiability 
B)  Legitimacy 
C)  Conclusiveness 
D)  Defensibility

Question 4

What is the difference between a theory and a thesis?

Accepted Answer

A theory and a thesis are two distinct c

Question 5

Which of the following is not a central argument in the Qualitative-Quantitative debate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Qualitative arguments are too case-specific. 
B)  Quantitative methods neglect case context. 
C)  Qualitative arguments do not "travel well." 
D)  Quantitative arguments are too concerned with prediction. 
A)  Qualitative arguments are too case-specific. 
B)  Quantitative methods neglect case context. 
C)  Qualitative arguments do not "travel well." 
D)  Quantitative arguments are too concerned with prediction.

Question 6

Describe the various potential problems that could arise when an analyst assumes causation from two variables that are correlated. What are some major rules of thumb we could use to avoid these pitfalls?

Accepted Answer

There are several potential problems tha

Question 7

What are the major types of evidence used by comparative political analysts?

Accepted Answer

Comparative political analysts use a var

Question 8

What does a correlation between wealth and democracy need to prove that getting rich causes countries to democratize?

Accepted Answer

A)  A positive correlation 
B)  A negative correlation 
C)  A positive causal argument where wealth -> democracy 
D)  Theoretical proof 
A)  A positive correlation 
B)  A negative correlation 
C)  A positive causal argument where wealth -> democracy 
D)  Theoretical proof

Question 9

Which of the following is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Theories are typically backed by facts and evidence. 
B)  Theories require real world support. 
C)  Theories are usually inductive. 
D)  Theories are general explanations of empirical phenomena. 
A)  Theories are typically backed by facts and evidence. 
B)  Theories require real world support. 
C)  Theories are usually inductive. 
D)  Theories are general explanations of empirical phenomena.

Question 10

Formulate a good "why" question about any topic in comparative politics. Argue in support of the importance of the question. Generate a general theory that one could use as the framework to answer your question. Deduce a hypothesis from this theory and explain how it could be tested.

Accepted Answer

Why do some countries with similar polit

Question 11

Which of the following is not always true of a thesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  A thesis is generally placed at the beginning of a paper. 
B)  A thesis should be developed after a hypothesis is tested. 
C)  A thesis should be a full theory. 
D)  A thesis should be backed by evidence. 
A)  A thesis is generally placed at the beginning of a paper. 
B)  A thesis should be developed after a hypothesis is tested. 
C)  A thesis should be a full theory. 
D)  A thesis should be backed by evidence.

Question 12

Which of the following might be the reason that two variables are correlated?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is a causal relationship between them. 
B)  There is some other variable that influences them both. 
C)  Coincidence 
D)  All of the above 
A)  There is a causal relationship between them. 
B)  There is some other variable that influences them both. 
C)  Coincidence 
D)  All of the above

Question 13

Measurements of adult literacy rates would be considered what type of evidence?

Accepted Answer

A)  Qualitative 
B)  Quantitative 
C)  Inferential 
D)  Theoretical 
A)  Qualitative 
B)  Quantitative 
C)  Inferential 
D)  Theoretical

Question 14

How do hypotheses differ from theories?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hypotheses are more speculative than theories. 
B)  Hypotheses are more quantitative than theories. 
C)  Hypotheses are less hypothetical than theories. 
D)  Hypotheses are less intuitive than theories. 
A)  Hypotheses are more speculative than theories. 
B)  Hypotheses are more quantitative than theories. 
C)  Hypotheses are less hypothetical than theories. 
D)  Hypotheses are less intuitive than theories.

Question 15

Deviant cases are unique because _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  They provide little insight to the study or its results. 
B)  They result from deductive reasoning. 
C)  They specifically deal with the study of social deviants in a society. 
D)  They do not fit the predicted pattern. 
A)  They provide little insight to the study or its results. 
B)  They result from deductive reasoning. 
C)  They specifically deal with the study of social deviants in a society. 
D)  They do not fit the predicted pattern.

Question 16

Endogeneity refers to:

Accepted Answer

A)  A circumstance when a variable creates its own correlation 
B)  A circumstance when a theory can be tested with evidence 
C)  A circumstance when two variables exhibit mutual or reciprocal effects 
D)  A circumstance when two variables exhibit correlation without a causal relationship 
A)  A circumstance when a variable creates its own correlation 
B)  A circumstance when a theory can be tested with evidence 
C)  A circumstance when two variables exhibit mutual or reciprocal effects 
D)  A circumstance when two variables exhibit correlation without a causal relationship

Question 17

Among African countries, wealth is low, poverty is high, and democracy is scarce. Wealth and democracy demonstrate a ___ correlation, while poverty and democracy demonstrate a ____ correlation.

Accepted Answer

A)  hypothetical/true 
B)  negative/positive 
C)  true/hypothetical 
D)  positive/negative 
A)  hypothetical/true 
B)  negative/positive 
C)  true/hypothetical 
D)  positive/negative

Question 18

An empirical critique serves to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Establish the validity of the evidence presented 
B)  Demonstrate the link between hypotheses and theory 
C)  Demonstrate the logical limitations of a given theory 
D)  Point to evidence that does not support a conventional version of a given theory 
A)  Establish the validity of the evidence presented 
B)  Demonstrate the link between hypotheses and theory 
C)  Demonstrate the logical limitations of a given theory 
D)  Point to evidence that does not support a conventional version of a given theory

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true about hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hypotheses can be tested against empirical evidence. 
B)  Hypotheses need not be vetted. 
C)  Hypotheses are determined after research has been completed. 
D)  Hypotheses cannot come from deductive reasoning. 
A)  Hypotheses can be tested against empirical evidence. 
B)  Hypotheses need not be vetted. 
C)  Hypotheses are determined after research has been completed. 
D)  Hypotheses cannot come from deductive reasoning.

Question 20

What are the major advantages of quantitative and qualitative analysis? Is one to be preferred to the other, and if so, under what circumstances? Can scholars use both and if so how? Be sure to use examples of types of questions and problems as you respond to this prompt.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative analysis and qualitative an

A correlation between wearing your lucky hat and your team winning is most likely due to:

Hypotheses that are generated starting with general ideas and testing whether these work on specific examples are called:

The testability of a theory or hypothesis refers to what term?

What is the difference between a theory and a thesis?

Which of the following is not a central argument in the Qualitative-Quantitative debate?

Describe the various potential problems that could arise when an analyst assumes causation from two variables that are correlated. What are some major rules of thumb we could use to avoid these pitfalls?

What are the major types of evidence used by comparative political analysts?

What does a correlation between wealth and democracy need to prove that getting rich causes countries to democratize?

Which of the following is not true?

Formulate a good "why" question about any topic in comparative politics. Argue in support of the importance of the question. Generate a general theory that one could use as the framework to answer your question. Deduce a hypothesis from this theory and explain how it could be tested.

Which of the following is not always true of a thesis?

Which of the following might be the reason that two variables are correlated?

Measurements of adult literacy rates would be considered what type of evidence?

How do hypotheses differ from theories?

Deviant cases are unique because _________.

Endogeneity refers to:

Among African countries, wealth is low, poverty is high, and democracy is scarce. Wealth and democracy demonstrate a _ correlation, while poverty and democracy demonstrate a __ correlation.

An empirical critique serves to:

Which of the following statements is true about hypotheses?

What are the major advantages of quantitative and qualitative analysis? Is one to be preferred to the other, and if so, under what circumstances? Can scholars use both and if so how? Be sure to use examples of types of questions and problems as you respond to this prompt.

The Comparative Approach: an Introduction

The Modern State

Political Economy

Development

Democracy and Democratization

Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown

Constitutions and Constitutional Design

Legislatures and Legislative Elections

Executives

Political Parties, Party Systems, and Interest Groups

Revolutions and Contention

Nationalism and National Identity

Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

Ideology and Religion in Modern Politics

Comparative Politics and International Relations

Filters

Exam 2: Theories, Hypotheses, and Evidence

A correlation between wearing your lucky hat and your team winning is most likely due to:

Hypotheses that are generated starting with general ideas and testing whether these work on specific examples are called:

The testability of a theory or hypothesis refers to what term?

What is the difference between a theory and a thesis?

Which of the following is not a central argument in the Qualitative-Quantitative debate?

Describe the various potential problems that could arise when an analyst assumes causation from two variables that are correlated. What are some major rules of thumb we could use to avoid these pitfalls?

What are the major types of evidence used by comparative political analysts?

What does a correlation between wealth and democracy need to prove that getting rich causes countries to democratize?

Which of the following is not true?

Formulate a good "why" question about any topic in comparative politics. Argue in support of the importance of the question. Generate a general theory that one could use as the framework to answer your question. Deduce a hypothesis from this theory and explain how it could be tested.

Which of the following is not always true of a thesis?

Which of the following might be the reason that two variables are correlated?

Measurements of adult literacy rates would be considered what type of evidence?

How do hypotheses differ from theories?

Deviant cases are unique because _________.

Endogeneity refers to:

Among African countries, wealth is low, poverty is high, and democracy is scarce. Wealth and democracy demonstrate a ___ correlation, while poverty and democracy demonstrate a ____ correlation.

An empirical critique serves to:

Which of the following statements is true about hypotheses?

What are the major advantages of quantitative and qualitative analysis? Is one to be preferred to the other, and if so, under what circumstances? Can scholars use both and if so how? Be sure to use examples of types of questions and problems as you respond to this prompt.

The Comparative Approach: an Introduction

The Modern State

Political Economy

Development

Democracy and Democratization

Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown

Constitutions and Constitutional Design

Legislatures and Legislative Elections

Executives

Political Parties, Party Systems, and Interest Groups

Revolutions and Contention

Nationalism and National Identity

Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

Ideology and Religion in Modern Politics

Comparative Politics and International Relations

Filters

Among African countries, wealth is low, poverty is high, and democracy is scarce. Wealth and democracy demonstrate a _ correlation, while poverty and democracy demonstrate a __ correlation.