Exam 20: Research Methods

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

Social scientists face a number of difficulties when conducting survey research. One major challenge is obtaining a representative sample of the population. It can be difficult to ensure that the people surveyed are a true reflection of the entire population, which can lead to biased results.

Another difficulty is getting people to participate in the survey. Response rates can be low, especially with the rise of telemarketing and spam calls, leading to a potential lack of diversity in the sample. Additionally, people may be hesitant to share personal information or may provide inaccurate responses, leading to unreliable data.

Designing effective survey questions is also a challenge. Questions must be clear, unbiased, and relevant to the research topic in order to elicit accurate and meaningful responses. Social scientists must also consider cultural and language barriers when designing surveys for diverse populations.

Finally, analyzing and interpreting the data collected from surveys can be complex. Social scientists must use appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data and draw meaningful conclusions, which requires a high level of expertise and training.

Overall, conducting survey research in social science presents numerous challenges that require careful planning and execution to produce valid and reliable results.

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

Science differs from other forms of knowledge in several ways. One key difference is the reliance on empirical evidence and the scientific method. In science, knowledge is gained through systematic observation, experimentation, and the testing of hypotheses. For example, in the field of biology, researchers use controlled experiments to study the effects of different variables on a biological process, such as the growth of plants under varying light conditions.

Another difference is the emphasis on peer review and replication. Scientific knowledge is constantly subject to scrutiny by the scientific community, with research findings needing to be reviewed and replicated by other scientists before being accepted as valid. This ensures that scientific knowledge is reliable and objective. For instance, a study on the effects of a new drug on a specific disease would need to be replicated by different research groups before the findings are widely accepted and incorporated into medical practice.

Additionally, science is characterized by its willingness to revise and update knowledge based on new evidence. Unlike other forms of knowledge that may be more resistant to change, scientific knowledge is always open to modification in light of new discoveries. For example, the understanding of the structure of the atom has evolved over time as new evidence has emerged, leading to the development of new theories and models.

Overall, science stands apart from other forms of knowledge due to its reliance on empirical evidence, peer review, replication, and its dynamic nature that allows for the continual refinement of knowledge based on new discoveries.