Deck 17: Writing Research Reports

Question 1

Which of the following statements is not true of the Internet?

A) Every major agency of the U.S. government has a website.
B) Numerous social science datasets, such as the GSS, are available on the Internet.
C) Users should evaluate carefully the sources of information obtained on the Internet.
D) Keyword searches usually yield fewer documents or "hits" on the Internet than on electronic databases in the library.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The textbook authors suggest that keyword Web searches may be most useful for

A) brainstorming ideas for a topic.
B) finding copies of scholarly articles related to the topic.
C) narrowing general topics to researchable questions.
D) entertainment but not serious social research.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

To begin a literature search, the authors of the text recommend that you

A) do a keyword search on the Internet.
B) search the library's electronic databases.
C) search the library online catalog for leads.
D) use the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following guidelines is recommended for searching the literature?

A) Start by searching the Internet.
B) Identify and read the classic studies first and then work forward.
C) Don't begin to narrow a topic until you have thoroughly reviewed the literature.
D) The most useful references are literature reviews and meta-analyses.

Question 5

Which information source is likely to produce the most recent and relevant references to social science research?

A) library online catalog
B) Internet
C) SocINDEX and PsycINFO online databases
D) Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature

Question 6

Which of the following sequences most accurately describes the process leading to the preparation of a research proposal?

A) formulate research question  locate relevant research literature  read prior research
B) locate relevant research literature  read prior research  formulate research question
C) read prior research  locate relevant research literature  formulate research question
D) locate relevant research literature  formulate research question  read prior research

Question 7

To judge the topical relevance of references in a literature search, the text recommends that readers

A) first read the abstracts of journal articles.
B) focus on the results or findings section of the research report.
C) carefully read the introduction.
D) pay closest attention to the conclusions section of the research report.

Question 8

According to the text, research proposals

A) are generally longer than final reports of the research.
B) usually bear very little resemblance to final reports of the research.
C) are only necessary if funding is sought to support the research.
D) may be required by a college or university Institutional Review Board.

Question 9

In writing a research report, the text recommends:

A) Always use the passive voice.
B) Write sections such as the introduction in the order they will appear in the report.
C) Make the first draft as close to the final draft as possible.
D) Use free writing to help get started writing.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the practice of free writing?

A) It has proven ineffective in writing up social research.
B) It applies best to writing the results of quantitative analysis.
C) It involves quickly recording thoughts without worrying about grammar or referring to notes.
D) It refers to writing that is not subject to (or free from) others' critical appraisal.

Question 11

Which section of a research report answers the question, "Why should the reader care?"

A) Introduction
B) Literature Review
C) Findings/Results
D) Discussion

Question 12

Which section of a research report presents the theoretical rationale for the research?

A) Introduction
B) Literature Review
C) Methods
D) Findings/Results

Question 13

The "Methods" section of a research report ordinarily includes all but which one of the following subtopics?

A) Design
B) Sample
C) Measurement
D) Procedures
E) Tables

Question 14

Which section is or should be the "heart" of a research report?

A) Literature Review
B) Methods Design
C) Findings/Results
D) Discussion

Question 15

What section of a research report usually contains a description of the statistical analyses performed on the data?

A) Methods Design
B) Methods Measurement
C) Findings/Results
D) Discussion

Question 16

The "Discussion" section of a research report would not include

A) shortcomings of the research.
B) theoretical and practical implications of the findings.
C) a summary of the highlights of the report.
D) tables and graphs.

Question 17

In writing a research report, the textbook recommends that you

A) always write an abstract first, as this provides an overview of the report.
B) write an outline of the report that lists major headings, subtopics, and important points.
C) use the "Discussion" section to interpret data presented in tables and figures.
D) provide limited information about the background of the research when writing for a lay audience.

Question 18

According to the text, which of the following rules of thumb applies to the revision and length of a research report?

A) Taking time between the writing of drafts can improve the quality of a report.
B) Short, concise reports are generally better than longer reports.
C) In general, the longer the report, the better it is.
D) The quality of a final report depends on the quality of the first draft.

Question 19

In writing a research report, the textbook authors note that

A) it is generally better to use direct quotations rather than summarize or paraphrase.
B) it is not necessary to cite the source unless you quote the exact words.
C) experienced writers often ask others to provide critical feedback.
D) experienced writers usually need only one or two drafts to produce a polished report.

Question 20

"Paraphernalia of pedantry" refers to

A) using technical vocabulary to impress the reader.
B) doing a thorough review of the literature.
C) citing all sources for verbatim quotations.
D) making a report brief and to the point.
E) using advanced statistical analyses.

Question 21

According to the text, plagiarism

A) frequently occurs in social research.
B) is defined as a serious and punishable offense only when it is judged to be intentional.
C) usually occurs when researchers mistakenly think their own ideas are original and cannot be traced to others.
D) is often unintentional due to improper quotation and citation.

Question 22

When submitting a paper for publication, the textbook recommends that you

A) always submit to scholarly journals with relatively high rates of acceptance.
B) prepare a brief cover letter of one or two sentences that simply asks the editor to consider your paper for publication.
C) communicate to the editor that you prefer an open (as opposed to blind) review.
D) use reviewers' comments to improve the paper if it is rejected and then submit it to another journal.

Question 23

What is the most common editorial decision on papers submitted for publication?

A) acceptance without revision
B) acceptance with minor revisions
C) revise and resubmit
D) rejection

Question 24

In conducting a search of the social science literature, using a search engine on the Internet will identify the most relevant and up-to-date sources.

Question 25

Using Web search engines to search narrow topics such as "sports and social capital" typically generates very few hits.

Question 26

The best place to begin a literature search is an online library catalog.

Question 27

The best place to begin a literature review is to search the library's online databases.

Question 28

Online databases in the library allow for complex searches, such as searching multiple terms over a span of years.

Question 29

To determine if articles are relevant to a research topic, the text recommends that you start at the back of the article, by reading the concluding section.

Question 30

Free writing is intended to help writers who have difficulty starting to write.

Question 31

The text recommends that you use the passive voice in writing research reports.

Question 32

The abstract of a research report usually is written first, so that it can serve as an outline for writing the rest of the report.

Question 33

It is important to write the introduction first, because it can stimulate the writing of the rest of the report.

Question 34

Generally, the introduction is the longest section of a research report.

Question 35

A literature review is unnecessary when the research tests a hypothesis derived from direct experience or observation.

Question 36

Tables and figures should be used sparingly to summarize large amounts of information.

Question 37

The "Discussion" section may point out the shortcomings of the research.

Question 38

Usually, only sources cited in a report are included in the "References" section.

Question 39

Given the timeliness of research reports, researchers generally write no more than two or three drafts.

Question 40

The best time to revise a paper is after taking some time away from it.

Question 41

Most researchers consider the length of a report to be a good indicator of the quality and importance of the work.

Question 42

In citing others' work, use direct quotations sparingly-when the original words are particularly well chosen.

Question 43

Manuscripts submitted for publication are rarely accepted without revisions.

Question 44

It is not unusual for papers to be accepted by the second, third, or fourth journal to which they have been submitted.

Question 45

Many papers submitted for publication are rejected because of a mismatch between the content of the paper and the scope and mission of the journal.

Question 46

Carefully evaluate the Internet as a source of information for social scientists. What are its strengths and limitations? Why are the library's online databases preferred over the Internet and the online library catalog to begin a review of the social science literature?

Question 47

Identify six recommendations for writing a research report. At least one recommendation should pertain to the process of preparing to write and at least two recommendations should pertain to the process of revision.

Question 48

The textbook's list of the major headings in research reports applies best to experiments and survey research. Based on your reading of Chapters 10, create an outline of the major headings that are likely to be found in reports of field research.

Question 49

Outline the steps in submitting a paper for publication. In what sense is publishing a paper, much like doing research, an iterative process?