Question 1

What is a variable?

Accepted Answer

A variable in the context of mathematics

Question 2

How could a positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime be explained in order to show there is no causation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Even criminals love ice cream. 
B)  Ice cream sales increase to console victims of violent crime. 
C)  Ice cream sales and violent crime are linked by another variable. 
D)  Ice cream sales and violent crime rates only correlate sometimes. 
A)  Even criminals love ice cream. 
B)  Ice cream sales increase to console victims of violent crime. 
C)  Ice cream sales and violent crime are linked by another variable. 
D)  Ice cream sales and violent crime rates only correlate sometimes.

Question 3

Which of the following is not commonly seen as a key challenge of measurement?

Accepted Answer

A)  Error 
B)  Bias 
C)  Validity 
D)  Time 
A)  Error 
B)  Bias 
C)  Validity 
D)  Time

Question 4

Explain the omitted variable problem, using an example.

Accepted Answer

The omitted variable problem occurs when

Question 5

Why can we not be certain about the future in the study of comparative politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  We only have evidence of the past, not the future. 
B)  We are unable to factor in unforeseen events. 
C)  Previous observations may not hold in deviant cases. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  We only have evidence of the past, not the future. 
B)  We are unable to factor in unforeseen events. 
C)  Previous observations may not hold in deviant cases. 
D)  All of the above

Question 6

What is the name commonly used in comparative politics for the conditions or range of cases for which an argument works?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scale conditions 
B)  Scope conditions 
C)  Extension conditions 
D)  Extrapolation conditions 
A)  Scale conditions 
B)  Scope conditions 
C)  Extension conditions 
D)  Extrapolation conditions

Question 7

An effort to show that a given theory has logical limitations is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  An empirical critique 
B)  A theoretical critique 
C)  A qualitative limitation 
D)  A quantitative comparison 
A)  An empirical critique 
B)  A theoretical critique 
C)  A qualitative limitation 
D)  A quantitative comparison

Question 8

What does the presence of an intervening variable signify?

Accepted Answer

A)  The effect of variable X on variable Y is mediated through variable Z 
B)  Variables X and Y are independent 
C)  The effect of variable X on variable Y is dependent on correlation 
D)  Variable Z has no effect on variable X 
A)  The effect of variable X on variable Y is mediated through variable Z 
B)  Variables X and Y are independent 
C)  The effect of variable X on variable Y is dependent on correlation 
D)  Variable Z has no effect on variable X

What is a variable?

How could a positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime be explained in order to show there is no causation?

Which of the following is not commonly seen as a key challenge of measurement?

Explain the omitted variable problem, using an example.

Why can we not be certain about the future in the study of comparative politics?

What is the name commonly used in comparative politics for the conditions or range of cases for which an argument works?

An effort to show that a given theory has logical limitations is called:

What does the presence of an intervening variable signify?

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

What is a variable?

How could a positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime be explained in order to show there is no causation?

Which of the following is not commonly seen as a key challenge of measurement?

Explain the omitted variable problem, using an example.

Why can we not be certain about the future in the study of comparative politics?

What is the name commonly used in comparative politics for the conditions or range of cases for which an argument works?

An effort to show that a given theory has logical limitations is called:

What does the presence of an intervening variable signify?

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