Deck 2: The Process and Problems of Social Research

Question 1

An integrated social science review of the literature should accomplish three goals. These three goals are summarizing prior research, critiquing prior research, and ______.

A) presenting pertinent conclusions
B) replicating the findings of the study
C) transcribing the findings into one's own words
D) authoring new research on the subject

Answer 1

A

Question 2

When unexpected patterns in the research lead to new insights or approaches, sociologists call them ______.

A) anomalous findings
B) a research circle
C) serendipitous findings
D) an empirical generalization

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Scientists utilize inductive and ______ reasoning when conducting research.

A) variable
B) intuitive
C) individualistic
D) deductive

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Inductive research begins with specific data, which are then used to develop a ______ to account for data.

A) theory
B) variable
C) finding
D) generalization

Question 5

A social research question is a question about the social world that one seeks to answer through the collection and analysis of ______.

A) real-life observation
B) empirical, verifiable data
C) a set of hypotheses
D) official records

Question 6

A social theory is a logically interrelated set of propositions that help us make sense of interrelated _____.

A) phenomena
B) questions
C) personal thoughts
D) members of communities

Question 7

Cross-population generalizability occurs to the extent that the results of a study hold true for _____.

A) multiple populations
B) another individual
C) a single given community
D) one sample

Question 8

A measurement is valid when it ______.

A) provides an unanticipated outcome
B) contradicts other measures
C) reveals new information
D) measures what we think it will measure

Question 9

When researchers hypothesize that one variable increases as the other increases, the direction of association is ______.

A) negative
B) positive
C) absolute
D) predictable

Question 10

Evaluating social theory is one of the most important objectives of ______.

A) social science
B) the human experience
C) philosophy
D) society

Question 11

Scholarly research must be ______.

A) published in a print journal
B) deductive
C) peer-reviewed
D) inductive

Question 12

If a pattern in data is out of the ordinary, it may be considered ______.

A) unanimous
B) experimental
C) anomalous
D) obtained

Question 13

Replications of a study may allow us to establish ______.

A) social research standards
B) generalizability
C) research circles
D) anomalous findings

Question 14

Research questions may change or expand during ______.

A) data collection and analysis
B) the development of a conclusion
C) the peer-review process
D) the formation of a hypothesis

Question 15

Explanatory and evaluative studies are types of ______.

A) symbolic interactionism
B) cross-population research
C) generalizable studies
D) deductive research

Question 16

Validity is the state that exists when statements or conclusions about empirical reality are ______.

A) incorrect
B) correct
C) unknown
D) empirically reviewed

Question 17

Sample generalizability is a key concern in ______.

A) survey research
B) quantitative research methods
C) developing a hypothesis
D) establishing a scientific paradigm

Question 18

Causal validity asserts that A ______.

A) and B are unrelated
B) causes B
C) may sometimes cause B
D) and B are the same

Question 19

Generalizability may refer to a sample, as well as a ______.

A) cross-population
B) anomalous finding
C) inductive strategy
D) rational choice

Question 20

Peer-reviews are almost always ______.

A) conducted with others
B) anonymous
C) in-person
D) ignored

Question 21

Online bibliographic databases such as SocINDEX are most likely to contain ______.

A) peer-reviewed articles
B) newspaper articles
C) opinion pieces
D) informative videos

Question 22

When searching the web for research materials, putting quotation marks around a phase will do which of the following?

A) produce only peer reviewed search results
B) enable Google scholar
C) limit your search
D) search video content

Question 23

The web provides a medium for anyone with basic skills to post just about anything. Thus, when searching the web for your research ______.

A) it is important to verify your sources
B) remember the majority of information can be trusted
C) you will rarely find scholarly materials
D) there are few ways to narrow your search results

Question 24

When searching the World Wide Web for research materials it is common to find that ______.

A) progress tends to be slow due to limited information
B) it is difficult to avoid information in which you have no interest or necessity
C) online scholarly information and resources are typically not peer reviewed
D) there are few academic databases or search tools

Question 25

When summarizing prior research during the literature review process, you should do which of the following?

A) focus on the particular research question you will address
B) focus on research questions that are unrelated to yours
C) work to discover a new research question
D) begin forming your conclusion

Question 26

A researcher may go through a peer-review process. This means the researcher ______.

A) must conduct a new study
B) should make changes and submit their work again
C) is prevented from resubmitting their work
D) is asked to submit their work elsewhere

Question 27

It is important for a research question to be ______.

A) broad
B) specific
C) valid
D) procedural

Question 28

Independent and dependent variables should be ______.

A) easily identifiable
B) revealed in your conclusion
C) open to interpretation
D) peer-reviewed

Question 29

When we conduct social research, we are attempting to connect theory with ______.

A) empirical data
B) dependent variables
C) explanatory research
D) the research circle

Question 30

The research circle concludes with ______.

A) data collection
B) data analysis
C) the peer-review process
D) external validity

Question 31

In longitudinal research, data are collected ______.

A) in the political arena
B) at two or more points in time
C) exclusively from existing sources
D) through the use of web-based sources

Question 32

Repeated cross-sectional designs are also known as ______.

A) trend studies
B) retro-analysis
C) fixed panel designs
D) event-based designs

Question 33

People who have experienced the same event are known as a ______.

A) research circle
B) cohort
C) dependent variable
D) fixed sample

Question 34

Longitudinal research measures ______ and ______ at different times to determine whether variation has occurred.

A) validity; generalizability
B) cohorts; cross sections
C) independent variables; dependent variables
D) opinions; observations

Question 35

The three main types of longitudinal research include repeated cross-sectional design, fixed sample panel design, and ______.

A) cohort design
B) latitudinal design
C) subject fatigue
D) event-based design

Question 36

Which of the following is necessary for a study's finding to be considered authentic?

A) The various perspectives of participants must be fairly represented.
B) The findings must align in support of the original hypothesis.
C) The study cohort must include representatives from all social groups.
D) The researchers must not disclose their methodologies.

Question 37

Social research questions should be feasible, socially important, and ______.

A) possible to examine in a short period of time
B) scientifically relevant
C) qualitative
D) reflective of a researcher personal experiences

Question 38

The goal of authenticity is stressed by researchers who exhibit focus and attention on their own individual thoughts and assumptions.

Question 39

Specific deterrence theory predicts that arresting spouse abusers will lessen their likelihood of reoffending by increasing the costs of reoffending.

Question 40

Reviewing peer-reviewed articles that report prior research is an essential step in designing new research.

Question 41

Social research questions are often refined as researchers make connections between theory and data.

Question 42

Newspapers and magazine articles are examples of empirical sources.

Question 43

Reviewing peer-reviewed journal articles that report prior research is an essential step in designing new research.

Question 44

Anomalous findings are unexpected patterns in data.

Question 45

Researchers utilizing the web should adopt a "buyers beware" approach.

Question 46

Briefly explain what a social research question is and the role it plays in the research process. In other words, what are the fundamental characteristics of a social research question and how do researchers utilize their questions to guide research?

Question 47

What is validity and why is it important?

Question 48

What is the goal a literature review? What special concerns should a researcher consider when searching the literature using the web?

Question 49

Explain the differences between deductive and inductive research.

Question 50

What is theory? What role does theory play in social science research?