Deck 2: Sociological Research

Question 1

Sociological studies have indicated that people who are married are less likely to commit suicide than people who are divorced. In this example, suicide is a(n)

A) hypothesis.
B) independent variable.
C) dependent variable.
D) index.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A sociologist who is interested in examining racism in sports might determine what percentage of team owners, general managers, coaches, and managers are members of each racial group. This would be an example of developing a(n)

A) research design.
B) operational definition.
C) hypothesis.
D) theory.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Sociologists conduct a "review of the literature" to

A) refine the problem under study.
B) clarify possible techniques to be used in collecting data.
C) eliminate or reduce the number of avoidable mistakes they make.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The variable that is hypothesized to cause or influence another variable is referred to by social scientists as a(n)

A) independent variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) spurious variable.
D) operational variable.

Question 5

Which sociological perspective would most likely suggest that education is necessary for people to earn more money and advance in society for the purpose of social stability?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 6

What is commonly the second step in the scientific method?

A) defining the problem
B) selecting the research design
C) reviewing the literature
D) collecting and analyzing data

Question 7

Which of the following terms is used to describe a systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem?

A) scientific method
B) social science
C) experiment
D) value neutrality

Question 8

A speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables is known as a

A) correlation.
B) hypothesis.
C) sample.
D) research design.

Question 9

Which one of the following statements is true regarding the subjects of Adler and Adler's study of self-injurers?

A) Most begin injuring in secret.
B) They are a homogeneous group.
C) Their behavior is carefully planned.
D) Most eventually "grow out of it."

Question 10

An operational definition is

A) a speculative statement about the relationship between two variables.
B) the extent to which a measure provides consistent results.
C) an explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to measure the concept.
D) a relationship between two variables whereby a change in one coincides with a change in the other.

Question 11

A variable is

A) a measurable trait or characteristic that is subject to change under different conditions.
B) the extent to which a measure provides consistent results.
C) the unintended influence that observers or experiments can have on their subjects.
D) a speculative statement about the relationship between two traits.

Question 12

After a sociologist reviews the literature, what is the next step in the process?

A) define the problem
B) generate ideas for future research
C) create a hypothesis
D) choose a research design

Question 13

A researcher finds that those who have children at a young age are significantly more likely to have lower levels of education as a result of early childbearing. This would be an example of

A) a hypothesis.
B) a correlation.
C) causal logic.
D) an effect.

Question 14

Sociological studies have indicated that people who are married are less likely to commit suicide than people who are divorced. In this example, marital status is a(n)

A) hypothesis.
B) independent variable.
C) dependent variable.
D) index.

Question 15

If you were interested in studying the relationship between date and acquaintance rape victims and the characteristics of the rapist, your first step would be to

A) review the literature on date and acquaintance rape.
B) define the problem.
C) create a hypothesis.
D) choose a research design.

Question 16

The statement "Women who receive welfare are less likely than other women to have babies" is an example of

A) an operational definition.
B) a hypothesis.
C) a research design.
D) causal logic.

Question 17

Adler and Adler's work on self-injury reflects which of the three major sociological approaches?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) all three perspectives

Question 18

Researchers find that pet owners live longer, healthier lives. Within this study, pet ownership is the

A) independent variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) spurious variable.
D) operational variable.

Question 19

Income, religion, race, gender, and marital status can all be examples of

A) indexes.
B) scales.
C) variables.
D) operational definitions.

Question 20

What sociological perspective would most likely suggest that educational inequalities are purposeful and set up to reinforce the position of those in power?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 21

The race of a criminal offender is found to determine the frequency with which capital punishment is administered. In this example, the frequency of administered capital punishment would be considered the

A) hypothesis.
B) independent variable.
C) dependent variable.
D) index.

Question 22

"Data indicate that people who prefer to watch televised news programs are less knowledgeable than those who read newspapers and newsmagazines." This statement is an example of a(n)

A) causality.
B) correlation.
C) independent variable.
D) law.

Question 23

The relationship between a condition or a variable and a particular consequence, with one event leading to the other, is known as

A) observation.
B) causal logic.
C) a correlation.
D) an index.

Question 24

What type of sample is specifically used for gathering information about clandestine or difficult-to-identify groups?

A) snowball sample
B) random sample
C) valid sample
D) blind survey

Question 25

A factor held constant to test the relative impact of the independent variable is known as a

A) control variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) correlation.
D) cross-tabulation.

Question 26

If researchers wanted to examine the opinions of people listed in a city directory, they might call every tenth or fiftieth or hundredth name listed. This would constitute a

A) scale.
B) control variable.
C) quota sample.
D) random sample.

Question 27

________ study of Italian street-corner men used participant observation.

A) Terry Mizrahi's
B) William
C) Max Weber's
D) Vilfredo Pareto's
F) Whyte's

Question 28

A study, generally in the form of an interview or a questionnaire, that provides sociologists with information concerning how people think or act is known as

A) observation research.
B) a survey.
C) secondary analysis.
D) an experiment.

Question 29

Ethnography is the most common form of ________ research, which relies on what is seen in the field and in naturalistic settings more than it does on statistical data.

A) quantitative
B) qualitative
C) observational
D) experimental

Question 30

The statement "Eating fewer fats and carbohydrates will lead to weight loss" is an example of

A) causal logic.
B) a dependent variable.
C) an independent variable.
D) a cross tabulation.

Question 31

A research measure that provides consistent results is considered

A) valid.
B) reliable.
C) an index.
D) a scale.

Question 32

A research design is a(n)

A) explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to measure the concept.
B) speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
C) indicator of attitudes, behavior, or characteristics of people or organizations.
D) detailed plan or method for scientifically obtaining data.

Question 33

Researchers found which of the following to be true of cell phone users compared to landline users?

A) more likely to screen incoming calls
B) more likely to break off a call mid-survey
C) a higher proportion of non-adults on cell phones
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 34

Which of the following would be considered a valid measure of an individual's intelligence?

A) his or her age
B) the researcher's opinion
C) the number of years of school completed by the individual
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 35

The relationship between two variables whereby a change in one coincides with a change in the other is known as a(n)

A) index.
B) correlation.
C) operational definition.
D) scale.

Question 36

In which type of sample does each member of the entire population being studied have the same chance of being selected?

A) random sample
B) quota sample
C) index sample
D) Roper sample

Question 37

To conduct a cross-cultural study of job discrimination against women, a sociologist interviews 75 women between the ages of 20 and 40 in an American city, and 75 women in the same age group in a Canadian city. This study would be classified as

A) a secondary analysis.
B) participant observation.
C) a survey.
D) a content analysis.

Question 38

A sociologist attends meetings at all the schools and churches in his community over several years, and meets as many residents as he can for the purpose of exploring all facets of the community's social life. He then compiles a detailed description of the community. He is conducting

A) a content analysis.
B) a secondary analysis.
C) a quantitative study.
D) ethnographic research.

Question 39

When a researcher collects information about a group through direct involvement and inspection, this is known as

A) a survey.
B) observation.
C) secondary analysis.
D) an experiment.

Question 40

Validity refers to

A) the provision of consistent results.
B) independent, rather than dependent, variables.
C) the accurate measurement of the phenomenon under study.
D) the ethical standards that are followed by sociologists.

Question 41

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the independent variable is called the

A) experimental group.
B) representative group.
C) study group.
D) control group.

Question 42

Which of the following was NOT one of the goals of social scientists embedded with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and Iraq?

A) identify local customs
B) look at family structures
C) conduct experiments on local communities
D) identify local internal social conflicts

Question 43

Secondary analysis includes a variety of research techniques that use

A) questionnaires and interviews.
B) participant observation.
C) publicly accessible information and data, or data collected by another.
D) control groups.

Question 44

Which of the following existing data sources is used most frequently for sociological research?

A) census data
B) scientific records
C) personal journals
D) newspapers

Question 45

An inherent problem in using secondary sources of data is that

A) the researcher may not find the exact data needed for his or her own research.
B) the data are plagued with statistical errors.
C) the researcher may be more careless when using someone else's data.
D) all of the analysis has been completed by an initial research team.

Question 46

When was sociology's code of ethics first published?

A) 1871
B) 1917
C) 1947
D) 1971

Question 47

An artificially created situation that allows the researcher to manipulate variables and to introduce control variables is known as a(n)

A) survey.
B) experiment.
C) replication.
D) research design.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT incorporated into the basic principles of the code of ethics for sociology?

A) a required number of data sources
B) respect for subjects' privacy
C) acknowledgment of research collaboration
D) disclosure of sources of financial support

Question 49

A sociologist sets up an experiment on television violence and children. She shows one set of children (group A) violent cartoons and then observes their play. She shows a second set of children (group B) nonviolent cartoons and then observes their play. Which of these groups would be considered the experimental group?

A) group A
B) group B
C) neither group
D) both groups

Question 50

A sociologist decides to study the interaction among students in the college's computer center. When the students realize they are under observation, they become shy and reserved in their interactions. This is an example of

A) replication.
B) secondary analysis.
C) the Hawthorne effect.
D) value neutrality.

Question 51

Regina wants to study the homeless in her hometown. In order to do so, she lives at a homeless shelter for a month. During this time, she does everything that the women she is studying does and tells no one of her true identity. This method would be

A) an experiment.
B) ethnography.
C) face-to-face interview.
D) participant observation.

Question 52

What term do sociologists use to describe the phenomenon whereby subjects deviate from their typical behavior because they realize they are under observation?

A) the control group effect
B) the spurious response
C) the Hawthorne effect
D) skewing

Question 53

People may behave differently in artificial situations than they would in the "real world." This poses a particular problem for researchers using

A) questionnaires.
B) content analysis.
C) replication.
D) laboratory experiments.

Question 54

Which of the following is included in the code of ethics for sociology?

A) maintaining confidentiality
B) objectivity and integrity in research
C) protection of research subjects from personal harm
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 55

A researcher studies adolescent attitudes about senior citizens by analyzing depictions of the elderly in the lyrics of popular music and the content of teen magazines. This is an example of

A) content analysis.
B) replication.
C) survey research.
D) an experiment.

Question 56

Sociologists consider secondary analysis to be

A) more valid than other forms of research.
B) more reliable than other forms of research.
C) a nonreactive form of research.
D) an outdated mode of research.

Question 57

Which of the following sociologists conducted an examination of suicide using secondary analysis?

A) Max Weber
B) Émile Durkheim
C) Jane Poulsen
D) William
F) Whyte

Question 58

The code of ethics for the discipline of sociology was developed by

A) Max Weber.
B) the U.S. Department of Education.
C) the American Association of University Professors.
D) the American Sociological Association.

Question 59

When a sociologist actually joins a group for a period to get an accurate sense of how it operates, the approach is called

A) an experiment.
B) ethnography.
C) face-to-face interview.
D) participant observation.

Question 60

Why was Rik Scarce, a doctoral student at Washington State University, placed in jail in 1993?

A) for preserving the confidentiality of his research
B) for raiding a university laboratory
C) for "snitching" on university administrators
D) for forging transcripts

Question 61

What is a popular form of summary many sociologists utilize to quickly and clearly show a relationship between two variables?

A) cross-tabulation
B) median
C) mode
D) mean

Question 62

Which sociologist argued that sociological research should be open to bringing about social change and to drawing on relevant research by nonsociologists?

A) Jane Poulson
B) Joyce Ladner
C) Shulamit Reinharz
D) Karen Barkey

Question 63

After the conclusion of his or her research on the homeless in Chicago, which sociologist stated that "in the short term, good social research will often be greeted as a betrayal of one or another side?"

A) Erving Goffman
B) Alvin Gouldner
C) Joyce Ladner
D) Peter Rossi

Question 64

A magazine asks its readers to complete a survey that questions them about their sexual practices. Based on the responses that it receives, the magazine publishes an article entitled "The Sexual Practices of Men and Women in the U.S." This magazine has conducted a valid random sample to support its article.

Question 65

The number calculated by adding a series of values and then dividing by the number of values is referred to as the

A) mean.
B) mode.
C) median.
D) percentage.

Question 66

Which of the following is used to show a portion of 100?

A) mean
B) mode
C) median
D) percentage

Question 67

In the statement, "The more a person exercises, the longer he or she will live," longevity is the independent variable.

Question 68

Correlations are an indication that causality is always present.

Question 69

Which of the following is true regarding feminist researchers?

A) tend to involve and consult subjects more
B) more oriented toward seeking change
C) generally want to raise public consciousness
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 70

Validity refers to the degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study.

Question 71

The Death of White Sociology, which called attention to the tendency of mainstream sociology to treat the lives of African Americans as a social problem, was written by

A) Erving Goffman.
B) Alvin Gouldner.
C) Joyce Ladner.
D) Shulamit Reinharz.

Question 72

What conclusion did the National Bureau of Economic Research reach about gays and lesbians as subjects of sociological research?

A) Most research treats its gay and lesbian subjects with contempt.
B) Most research ignores the possibility that its subjects might be gay or lesbian.
C) Most research underreports the number of gays and lesbians in a population.
D) Most research begins from a position that sexuality is fluid and that gays and lesbians are in a state of transition.

Question 73

What is the chief ethical concern concerning all the new sources of data available through new technological means like Internet research?

A) conflicts of interest
B) reliability of the data
C) the high costs of money and time
D) the privacy of the subjects

Question 74

The single most common value in a series of scores is referred to as the

A) mean.
B) mode.
C) median.
D) percentage.

Question 75

The midpoint or number that divides a series of values into two groups of equal numbers of values is referred to as the

A) mean.
B) mode.
C) median.
D) percentage.

Question 76

Which of the following does your textbook note as a common criticism of Exxon's actions after the 1989 Valdez disaster?

A) Exxon didn't pay sociologists well enough for the research they did on jury deliberations.
B) Exxon agreed to fund only those sociologists who were known to be in favor of Exxon's policies and actions.
C) No legal scholars were approached to do research on jury deliberations.
D) Exxon didn't volunteer to fund research on clean-up technologies or long-term environmental costs.

Question 77

The third step in the scientific method is reviewing the literature.

Question 78

Which of the following is true regarding actions by the Exxon Corporation after the 1989 Valdez disaster?

A) Exxon solicited sociologists to do research on jury deliberations.
B) Exxon offered research money for sociologists doing research on jury deliberations.
C) Some of the research funded by Exxon was published in peer-reviewed journals.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 79

We have little reliable data on human sexuality because

A) it is difficult for researchers to obtain accurate information about this sensitive subject.
B) until the AIDS crisis, there was little scientific demand for data on sexual behavior.
C) government funding for studies of sexual behavior is controversial.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 80

Selection of a research design will influence both the cost of a research project and the amount of time needed to collect the results of the research.