Deck 2: Sociological Research Methods

Question 1

The sociological perspective incorporates theory and research to arrive at a more accurate
understanding of the "hows" and "whys" of human social interaction.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Whether a variable is dependent or independent depends on the context in which it is used.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Variables are the observable and/or measurable counterparts of concepts;for example,"suicide" is a concept and the "rate of suicide" is a variable.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Sociologist Emile Durkheim emphasized that individual acts of suicide provide better explanations for suicide than do suicide rates.

Question 5

Durkheim's study of suicide is often criticized because his sample size was so small-around 50
cases.

Question 6

The deductive approach proceeds as follows: (1)theories generate hypotheses, (2)hypotheses lead to observations (data gathering), (3)observations lead to the formation of generalizations,and (4)generalizations are used to support the theory,to suggest modifications to it,or to refute it.

Question 7

Quantitative research is often complex,involves a smaller number of cases,and provides a more holistic picture of some particular social phenomenon or human problem.

Question 8

Content analysis is the systematic examination of cultural artifacts or various forms of communication to extract thematic data and draw conclusions about social life.

Question 9

In secondary analysis,researchers use existing materials and analyze data that were originally collected by others.Existing data sources include public records,official reports of organizations and government agencies,and surveys conducted by researchers in universities and private corporations.

Question 10

Sociologists who are interested in observing social interactions as it occurs primarily use structured surveys.

Question 11

Qualitative researchers generally use surveys,secondary analyses of existing statistical data,and experimental designs.

Question 12

Laud Humphreys sought to interview the family,friends,and acquaintances of persons killed in
single­car crashes that he thought might have been "autocides."

Question 13

Sociologist Emile Durkheim concluded that single people had proportionately higher suicide rates than married persons because they had a low degree of social integration;he referred to this as anomic suicide.

Question 14

In the inductive approach,the researcher collects information or data (facts or evidence)and then generates theories form the analysis of that data.

Question 15

In Suicide,sociologist Emile Durkheim documented that a high suicide rate was symptomatic of a large-scale social problem.This research was in direct contradiction to the historically held notion that suicide was due to psychological illness.

Question 16

Sociology involves debunking-the unmasking of fallacies (false or mistaken ideas or opinions)in
the everyday and official interpretations of society.

Question 17

Researchers frequently select a representative sample (a small group of respondents)from a larger population (the total group of people)to answer questions about their attitudes,opinions,or behavior.

Question 18

Social scientists cite many causes for suicide including rapid social change,economic conditions,hopeless poverty,and lack of religiosity.This is an example of multicollinearity.

Question 19

Case studies are the most widely used research method in the social sciences because they make it possible to study things that are not directly observable-such as people's attitudes and beliefs-and to describe a population too large to observe directly.

Question 20

Survey data may be collected by interviews.One strength of interviews is that people may be influenced by the interviewer's race,age,sex,size,or other attributes in responding to the questions asked.

Question 21

The National Societal Association (NSA)Code of Ethics set forth certain basic standards that sociologists must follow in conducting research.

Question 22

Sociologists obtain their knowledge of human behavior through______________,which result(s)in a body of information that helps us move beyond guesswork and common sense in understanding society.

A)common sense ideas
B)research
C)myths
D)scientific laws

Question 23

If we use the______________approach to determine why people commit suicide,we start by formulating a theory about the "causes" of suicide and then test our theory by collecting and analyzing data (such as vital statistics on suicides).

A)explanatory
B)inductive
C)normative
D)deductive

Question 24

Conventional experiments require that subjects be divided into two groups: the control group contains the subjects who are exposed to the independent variable and the experimental group who are not exposed to the independent variable.

Question 25

Which approach to the theory-and-research cycle does the following sequence reflect: (1)specific observations suggest generalizations, (2)generalizations produce a tentative theory, (3)the theory is tested through the formation of hypotheses,and (4)hypotheses may provide suggestions for additional observations?

A)explanatory
B)deductive
C)normative
D)inductive

Question 26

Sociologists using the______________approach to study suicide might start by simultaneously collecting and analyzing data related to suicidal behavior and then generate a theory.

A)explanatory
B)deductive
C)normative
D)inductive

Question 27

A researcher wanting to investigate the moral beliefs,traditions,religious views,and customs in regards to physician-assisted suicide would use the______________approach.

A)empirical
B)explanatory
C)observational
D)normative

Question 28

Durkheim's research on suicide documented that suicide was a large­scale social problem and not an isolated individual problem.This would be an example of:

A)demystifying
B)myth making
C)debunking
D)formative approach

Question 29

The relationship between theory and research has been referred to as a continuous cycle.The theory and research cycle consists of two approaches.In the______________approach,the researcher collects information or data (facts or evidence)and then generates theories from the analysis of that data.

A)normative
B)deductive
C)inductive
D)explanatory

Question 30

In Suicide,sociologist Emile Durkheim documented that a high suicide rate was symptomatic of a large-scale social problem.This research was in direct contradiction to the historically held notion that suicide was:

A)a mass community problem
B)a regional issue
C)small-scale religious bigotry
D)a psychological illness

Question 31

The______________approach uses religion,customs,habits,traditions,and law to answer important questions.It is based on strong beliefs about what is right and wrong and what "ought to be" in society.

A)empirical
B)deductive
C)inductive
D)normative

Question 32

A______________is a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe,explain,and (occasionally)predict social events.

A)statement
B)theory
C)commonsense approach
D)testimonial

Question 33

The Hawthorne effect refers to changes in the subject's behavior caused by the researcher's presence or by the subject's awareness of being studied.

Question 34

Survey work involves not only immersing oneself into the group or community that the researcher studies but also engaging in dialogue to learn more about social life through ongoing interaction with others.

Question 35

Our own personal knowledge and experiences are enough to help us formulate accurate understandings about the world.

Question 36

The relationship between theory and research has been referred to as a continuous cycle.The theory and research cycle consists of two approaches.In the______________approach,the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the theory.

A)deductive
B)normative
C)inductive
D)explanatory

Question 37

The______________approach attempts to answer questions through systematic collection and analysis of data.This approach is referred to as the conventional model,or the "scientific method," and is based on the assumption that knowledge is best gained by direct,systematic observation.

A)descriptive
B)empirical
C)normative
D)explanatory

Question 38

In a(n)______________study of suicide,sociologists might ask: Why do African American men over age sixty-five have a significantly lower suicide rate than white males in the same age bracket?

A)descriptive
B)explanatory
C)evaluative
D)observational

Question 39

A trademark of sociology involves the unmasking of fallacies in the everyday and official interpretations of society.This process is called:

A)debunking
B)demystifying
C)deductive reasoning
D)reformative

Question 40

A researcher attempting to study physician assisted suicide through the systematic collection and analysis of data would use the______________approach.

A)empirical
B)explanatory
C)normative
D)descriptive

Question 41

Which of the following represents a correct sequence of steps in the "conventional" research model?

A)Select and define the research problem,develop the research design,collect and analyze the data,formulate the hypothesis,and draw conclusions and report the findings.
B)Develop the research design,formulate the hypothesis,select and define the research problem,collect and analyze the data,and draw conclusions and report the findings.
C)Select and define the research problem,formulate the hypothesis,develop the research design,collect and analyze the data,and draw conclusions and report the findings.
D)Formulate the hypothesis,select and define the research problem,draw conclusions and report the findings,develop the research design,and collect and analyze the data.

Question 42

Sociologist Emile Durkheim used the degree of social integration in society to determine its influence on the rate of suicide.In this example,the "degree of social integration" is the
Variable.

A)multiple
B)dependent
C)independent
D)control

Question 43

Sociologist Emile Durkheim used the degree of social integration in society to determine its influence on the rate of suicide.In this example,the "rate of suicide" is the______________variable.

A)dependent
B)control
C)independent
D)multiple

Question 44

With______________research,the goal is scientific objectivity,and the focus is on data that can be measured numerically.

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

Question 45

Sociologists create a(n)______________,which is an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features that are specific enough to measure the variable.

A)correlational definition
B)operational definition
C)policy statement
D)interpretative definition

Question 46

A(n)______________is any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can change or vary from one person,time,situation,or society to another.It is the observable and/or measurable counterpart of a concept.

A)variable
B)theory
C)hypothesis
D)insight

Question 47

Becky would like to conduct a study to determine how women define spousal abuse and the meanings they attach to incidents of abuse.She will most likely use a______________approach to analyze her results.

A)qualitative
B)discriminant
C)quantitative
D)factor analysis

Question 48

In a hypothesis,the researcher considers the______________to be the cause.

A)independent variable
B)dependent variable
C)multiple variable
D)control variable

Question 49

In a hypothesis,the researcher presumes the______________to be caused by another variable.

A)independent variable
B)dependent variable
C)multiple variable
D)control variable

Question 50

The researcher has developed the hypothesis that homicide rates increase as the rate of unemployment increase.The rate of unemployment would be considered the______________variable and the homicide rate would be considered the______________variable.

A)dependent;independent
B)dependent;control
C)independent;dependent
D)independent;control

Question 51

With______________research,interpretative description (words)rather than statistics (numbers)is used to analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships.

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

Question 52

A researcher would like to compare suicide rates between recent immigrants and more established immigrants using a quantitative research approach.Which research model would be most appropriate?

A)conventional research model
B)explanatory research model
C)qualitative research model
D)nonscientific research model

Question 53

Social integration and loneliness are examples of______________,which are the abstract elements representing some aspect of the world in simplified form.

A)theories
B)principles
C)operational definitions
D)concepts

Question 54

Sociologist Emile Durkheim selected suicide as a research topic because he wanted to demonstrate the importance of society in situations that might appear to be arbitrary acts by individuals.Which step is this in the conventional research model?

A)Review previous research.
B)Formulate the hypothesis.
C)Select and define the research problem.
D)Develop the research design.

Question 55

Sociologists conducting research may formulate a(n)______________,which is a statement of the relationship between two or more concepts.

A)theory
B)hypothesis
C)variable
D)operational definition

Question 56

Tim would like to compare suicide rates between elite athletes and non-athletes by analyzing suicide notes looking for patterns of feelings of despair or failure.He will most likely use a approach to his study.

A)qualitative
B)quantitative
C)conventional
D)none of these choices

Question 57

Age,sex,race,and ethnicity are often used as______________variables.

A)multiple
B)dependent
C)control
D)independent

Question 58

Eric wants to test his hypothesis that unemployed men are more likely to commit spousal abuse than men who are employed.He is most likely to use a______________to test his hypothesis.

A)qualitative approach
B)quantitative approach
C)discriminant approach
D)variable approach

Question 59

Researchers in one study systematically analyzed the contents of the notes of suicide victims to determine recurring themes,such as feelings of despair or failure.They hoped to determine if any patterns could be found that would help in understanding why people might kill themselves.This is an example of:

A)explanatory research
B)qualitative research
C)observational research
D)quantitative research

Question 60

Researchers in one study examined the effects of church membership,divorce,and migration on suicide rates in the United States and using complex statistical techniques,concluded that suicide rates are typically higher where divorce and migration rates are higher and church membership is lower.This is an example of:

A)observational research
B)quantitative research
C)explanatory research
D)qualitative research

Question 61

What is one of the main steps that is different between a conventional research design and a qualitative research design?

A)Conventional research is used primarily for hard based sciences.
B)In a qualitative research design,the researcher begins with a general approach rather than a highly detailed plan.
C)Only the qualitative design conducts a thorough literature review.
D)The qualitative design collects data and selects a statistical model.

Question 62

A researcher develops an interest in the motivating factors of job satisfaction among migrant workers.Which of the following steps will be unique to this research design?

A)access to people who can provide necessary data
B)thoroughness of the literature review
C)the accuracy of the hypothesis
D)the validity of the researcher's operational definitions

Question 63

Social scientists cite many causes for suicide including rapid social change,economic conditions,hopeless poverty,and lack of religiosity.This is an example of:

A)singular determination
B)multiple determination
C)plural association
D)multiple causation

Question 64

As a researcher you must decide which population-persons about whom you want to be able to draw conclusions-will be observed or questioned.In______________,participants are deliberately chosen because they have specific characteristics.

A)probability sampling
B)scattered sampling
C)random sampling
D)indeterminate sampling

Question 65

Because the researcher had access to twenty years of data on the same participants in an education program,the researcher was able to perform a(n)______________study.

A)cross-sectional
B)operational
C)reformative
D)longitudinal

Question 66

The unit of analysis is referred to as:

A)the "what" or "whom" being studied
B)research design
C)categorical analysis
D)statistical method

Question 67

In social science research,______________are the most typical unit of analysis.

A)nations
B)categories
C)cities
D)individuals

Question 68

As a researcher collecting and analyzing data,you would be engaging in______________if you included such factors as age,sex,race,ethnicity,and educational attainment in deciding what population will be observed or questioned.

A)rotational sampling
B)scattered sampling
C)random sampling
D)probability sampling

Question 69

The Census is a type of

A)secondary data analysis
B)ethnography
C)survey
D)field research

Question 70

As a researcher you must decide which population-persons about whom you want to be able to draw conclusions-will be observed or questioned.In______________,every member of an entire population being studied has the same chance of being selected.

A)random sampling
B)probability sampling
C)scattered sampling
D)rotational sampling

Question 71

In sociologist Emile Durkheim's attempt to explain the rates of suicide,______________were the units of analysis.

A)individuals
B)families
C)social groups/categories
D)religious organizations

Question 72

______________ studies are based on observations that take place at a single point in time;these studies focus on behavior or responses at a specific moment.

A)Latitudinal
B)Cross-sectional
C)Longitudinal
D)Cross-reference

Question 73

According to sociologist Emile Durkheim,______________suicide occurs among people who are isolated from any social group.

A)egoistic
B)anomic
C)altruistic
D)fatalistic

Question 74

As sociologist Emile Durkheim analyzed his data,he identified all except which of the following categories of suicide?

A)egoistic
B)anomic
C)altruistic
D)eccentric

Question 75

Suppose that your goal is to earn an "A" in this sociology course.Your professor may have created a(n)______________by specifying an "A" as earning a test average of 90 percent or above.

A)interpretative statement
B)qualitative variable
C)statement of correlation
D)operational definition

Question 76

Sociologist Emile Durkheim concluded that______________suicides were relatively high in Protestant countries in Europe because Protestants believed in individualism and were more loosely tied to the church than were Catholics.

A)anomic
B)egoistic
C)fatalistic
D)altruistic

Question 77

A researcher is interested in uncovering the social factors that may motivate suicide bombers.Because this would include a small number of cases,which research model would be most appropriate?

A)conventional research model
B)qualitative research model
C)longitudinal research model
D)probability research model

Question 78

Using______________studies,sociologist Emile Durkheim was able to compare suicide rates over a period of time in France and other European nations.

A)latitudinal
B)cross-sectional
C)longitudinal
D)cross-reference

Question 79

As a researcher collecting and analyzing data,you would be engaging in______________if you placed all the names of the population being observed or questioned into a rotating drum and conducting a drawing.

A)rotational sampling
B)scattered sampling
C)random sampling
D)probability sampling

Question 80

In Silvia Canetto's study,she found that gender differences in suicidal behavior are more closely associated with beliefs about and expectations for men and women rather than purely interpersonal crises.She did not gather data but engaged in:

A)statistical modeling
B)predictable staging
C)research design
D)problem formulation