Deck 2: Three Paradigms of Knowing

Question 1

Quantitative methods implies:

A) Numerical measurement
B) Generalizability
C) Using statistical analysis to measure data
D) All of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Qualitative includes, but is not limited to:

A) Fieldwork
B) Ethnography
C) Interviews
D) All of the above

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which research paradigm identifies the purpose of research as understanding how meaning is created?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) All of the above

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which paradigm has a main goal of instigating social change by revealing the values and behaviors that underlie social interaction?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) All of the above

Question 5

Which research paradigm(s) assume(s) that it is impossible to separate the values of the researcher from the topic being studied?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) Both b and c

Question 6

Which paradigm(s) assume(s) that there are multiple realities that are socially constructed?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) Both b and c

Question 7

Which paradigm(s) relies on rich description?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) Both b and c

Question 8

Which paradigm is associated with the assumption of a singular, objective reality?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) All of the above

Question 9

Making precise, systematic, and repetitive observations characterizes methodologies associated with which paradigm?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) All of the above

Question 10

Which research paradigm includes generalization and discrimination as the two main processes by which we observe?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) All of the above

Question 11

Sorting objects by their differences refers to

A) Discrimination
B) Generalization
C) Objectivity
D) Paradigms

Question 12

A philosophical concept or assumption that things exist in reality separate from our perceptions and interpretation of them is called

A) Discrimination
B) Generalization
C) Objectivity
D) Paradigms

Question 13

Grouping or categorizing objects together by their similarities refers to

A) Discrimination
B) Generalization
C) Objectivity
D) Paradigms

Question 14

Lenses that permit different worldviews and have assumptions about ways of knowing are known as

A) Discrimination
B) Generalization
C) Objectivity
D) Paradigms

Question 15

You are studying how a small group of people makes sense of a new social media app by listening to the stories they tell about their experiences. Your approach to research reflects which methodological way of knowing?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) Both b and c

Question 16

You hypothesize that the more college students communicate with their roommates via a particular messaging app, the less they will talk in person to with their roommates. Your approach to research reflects which methodological way of knowing?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) Both b and c

Question 17

You are concerned that several elementary textbooks portray girls doing passive indoor activities while boys are showing doing active outdoor activities and you want to raise your audience's awareness of the values reflected in the portrayals. Your approach to research reflects which methodological way of knowing?

A) Social Science
B) Interpretive
C) Critical
D) Both b and c

Question 18

When used to enforce rigid, evaluative boundaries, paradigms can

A) Be enlightening
B) Help us understand methodological differences
C) Isolate areas of research from one another
D) Spur progress in research

Question 19

The paradigm you choose for doing research depends on

A) The kinds of research questions you want to ask about communication
B) Your assumptions about the nature of reality
C) The context and purpose of the research
D) All of the above

Question 20

Research paradigms are like methodological "cultures" because

A) Each has its own set of rules, customs, beliefs, and values
B) There is a trend within each "culture" to strictly adhere to one specific view or paradigm
C) Crossing paradigm "cultures" can lead to more collaborative understandings of communication
D) Both a and c
Essays:

Question 21

Explain the key ways that researchers define research as either qualitative or quantitative. Then discuss how the split between quantitative and qualitative is incomplete.

Question 22

Identify one assumption associated with the quantitative social science paradigm and contrast it with a corresponding assumption from the critical paradigm.

Question 23

Identify one assumption and one methodology for each of the three research paradigms. Explain the impact each paradigm has on our way of knowing.

Question 24

Consider yourself a quantitative social science paradigm researcher, adhering to all values and characteristics of this paradigm. First, explain how you conduct and analyze research based on this paradigm. Second, discuss what points you would make if someone from an interpretive or critical paradigm started arguing with you that their research is better. How would you counter this argument?