Exam 1: Science, Society, and Research Related to Crime, Criminology, and Social Control

Social science research is different from pseudoscience because social science uses ______.

Evaluative research refers to identifying the causes and effects of a social phenomena.

Imagine you are a criminological researcher interested in studying violence. Describe what in particular you are interested in learning. Then indicate which type of social science research you should employ and why.

Illusory correlation is another word used for errors in reasoning.

Identify and define two categories of purposes for social scientific research. Then, provide an example of a common phenomenon explored in criminological research and how those two categories could be used to examine that phenomenon. Then, using this example, provide a brief overview of how they could be integrated together into one research project.

Research about social programs or interventions is exploratory research.

Imagine that in class your criminology professor gave an example of a selective observation she saw in the field. Which of the following resembles the example she provided?

Describe how science and pseudoscience differ from each other.

A researcher wants to examine what factors related to predicting both youth delinquency and violence. First indicate what type of research would be needed to find out which factors predict both youth delinquency and violence. Then provide at least three research questions that could be asked.

Deborah was reluctant to change her ideas about causes of youth violence in light of new information because her grandfather believed strongly in those causes. Which of the following describes her error of reasoning the best ?

According to your text, what is one way social scientists attempt to reduce potential sources of error in everyday reasoning?

Instead of relying on findings that are based on intuition, gut reactions, or our own experiences, what do criminologists use or do?

A program intended to reduce violence in schools, taught youth coping skills on how to deal with stress and negative emotions. While on the surface, it appeared to be successful, the school board would not continue funding the program unless an official evaluation was done. Using the knowledge you gained in Chapter 1 so far, can you identify two reasons why a formal evaluation of a program is important to the school board in deciding to continue funding it?

Lynn assumed that because she felt that all teens were delinquents that her teen neighbor was also a delinquent. Which type of error reasoning is this?

Descriptive research is often used to explore details of a phenomenon that have not yet been studied.

Ego-based commitments and excessive devotions to traditions are representative of what type of error of reasoning?

Erica, a graduate student, wants to collect in-depth information on an individual's feelings, experiences, and perceptions. Which of the following would be the best method to achieve her goals?

A graduate student did not base her evidence on the principles of the scientific method and as such engaged in ______.

Jumping to premature conclusions is an example of an inaccurate observation.

Dr. Williams studies how structures and patterns in society influence her participant's interpretations of their reality and she uses her research as a way to challenge societal structures that reinforce oppression. Her research falls under ______.