Deck 2: How Sociologists Do Research

Question 1

According to Brym and Lie,the single biggest problem for sociological research is ____.

A)being taken seriously by non-sociologists
B)acquiring resources to support the research because sociological research is expensive
C)that experience filters perceptions of reality
D)that values do not influence the choice of research
E)none of these choices

Answer 1

C

Question 2

When researchers introduce an independent variable to an experimental group in the normal course of social life,this is called:

A)a random chance experiment
B)a field experiment
C)a value based experiment
D)post-experimental research
E)a direct sample experiment

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The example of OTTFFSSENT demonstrates that:

A)our understanding of reality is shaped by our experience
B)children always know best
C)reality is objectively known
D)our experiences do not influence how we see the world
E)there is no pattern to social life

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A community holds a parade every year after which area farmers are then allowed to plant their lands.While the parade does not influence the growing season in any demonstrable way,the community believes that a good parade does positively influence the crop yields.This would be an example of:

A)sociological thinking
B)scientific thinking
C)traditional thinking
D)social thinking
E)formal thinking

Question 5

The question of whether a researcher's findings apply beyond the specific case examined is a question of:

A)reliability
B)validity
C)generalizability
D)causality
E)accuracy

Question 6

One of the problems in gathering data in social research is:

A)Values
B)Theories
C)Methods
D)Bias
E)Science

Question 7

One of the means of dealing with bias in sociological research is:

A)privately reflecting on one's ideas
B)publicly acknowledging interests that influence our perceptions
C)conversing with students about sociological research
D)avoiding the sociological literature on the subject
E)none of these choices

Question 8

The question of whether a researcher's interpretations are accurate,that is,whether his or her measurements measure what they are supposed to measure,is a question of:

A)reliability
B)validity
C)generalizability
D)causality
E)accuracy

Question 9

In experiments,members of experimental and control groups are selected using:

A)sampling frames
B)representative samples
C)probability samples
D)randomization techniques
E)baseline community drawing

Question 10

To be included in a representative sample,respondents must:

A)select themselves
B)be selected according to whether the researcher considers them appropriate subjects
C)not appear in a sampling frame
D)have an unknown and zero chance of being selected from a sampling frame
E)none of these choices

Question 11

The question of whether researcher A would interpret or measure a variable in the same way as researcher B is a question of:

A)reliability
B)validity
C)generalizability
D)causality
E)accuracy

Question 12

Two observers standing on a street corner saw an automobile accident.While both observers witnessed the same event,they disagreed over which driver was responsible for the accident.This is an example of knowledge based on:

A)selective observation
B)casual observation
C)direct observation
D)indirect observation
E)participant observation

Question 13

Knowledge based on the assumption about the past that may or may not be accurate is known as:

A)sociological thinking
B)scientific thinking
C)traditional thinking
D)social thinking
E)formal thinking

Question 14

Dr.Shelter is interested in the problem of homelessness.He decides to study homelessness because he is personally moved by the social problem.Dr.Shelter's choice of research topic is based on which of the following?

A)Values
B)Theories
C)Methods
D)Bias
E)Science

Question 15

A neighbor talking to others in a community said that all members of the working class prefer to wear blue jeans rather than slacks.He said this because all working class people whom he knew wore jeans.This statement is an example of knowledge based on:

A)overgeneralization
B)generalization
C)the exception to the rule
D)qualification
E)illogical reasoning

Question 16

Which of the following is usually the first step in the research cycle?

A)selecting a research method
B)reviewing the literature
C)formulating a research question
D)collecting data
E)none of these choices

Question 17

Someone who would ignore contradictory evidence because they challenge cherished beliefs is creating their ideas from what kind of observation?

A)selective observation
B)casual observation
C)direct observation
D)indirect observation
E)participant observation

Question 18

The attempt to observe a social milieu objectively and take part in the activities being observed is called:

A)the Hawthorne effect
B)participant observation
C)validation
D)surveying
E)experimentation

Question 19

A sports commentator insists that football teams from Florida can not win in cold weather because these teams have lost 55% of their past games when played in cold weather.This statement represents which form of knowledge?

A)overgeneralization
B)generalization
C)the exception to the rule
D)mystification
E)illogical reasoning

Question 20

Which of the following filters perceptions and ensures that we never perceive society in a pure or objective form?

A)values
B)theories
C)previous research
D)research methods
E)all of these choices

Question 21

If researchers are unable to differentiate their ideas and understandings from those of their research subjects,they have:

A)"gone native"
B)become overly objective
C)created validation for the subjects
D)reached the point where they are ready to analyze the data
E)not attained subjectivity

Question 22

A sociologist who is unsure about exactly what will be found when she begins her research is engaged in which type of research?

A)exemplary
B)participant observation
C)experimentation
D)surveying
E)exploratory

Question 23

One means of overcoming the weaknesses of a particular method when studying a problem is to:

A)follow a single method as well as possible
B)research all methods over a lengthy period of time
C)ask the research subjects which method is best
D)conduct research before formulating the research question
E)use several methods

Question 24

A researcher who gradually and slowly comes to be accepted by the group she is studying is guarding against:

A)"going native"
B)validity
C)reactivity
D)subjectivity
E)objectivity

Question 25

During a research study on views toward crime,a sociologist was careful to code the names of the subjects rather than use their real names in the research.This is important because:

A)researchers cannot use data in a way that allows them to be traced to a particular subject
B)researchers cannot use any personal data
C)researchers can only use personal data
D)researchers must judge data by the names of the subjects
E)none of these choices

Question 26

Lillian Rubin studied how working class men felt about their wives working in the paid labor force in Families on the Fault Line.By engaging in participant observation she revealed that the economic dislocation of the workers influenced not only how they felt about women working but also how they felt about:

A)race and ethnicity
B)large companies
C)America
D)politics
E)the military

Question 27

A researcher who examines a social setting from the viewpoint of the participants is conducting research using which method?

A)the Hawthorne effect
B)participant observation
C)validation
D)surveying
E)experimentation

Question 28

When a sociological researcher interviews workers about their opinions of their health insurance,the researcher is engaging in what stage of research?

A)reviewing the literature
B)selecting a research method
C)formulate a research question
D)collecting the data
E)analyzing the data

Question 29

A researcher speculates that people who get married are more likely than people who are not married to be interested in the same kind of pets.This is an example of:

A)variables
B)a hypothesis
C)grounded theory
D)operationalization
E)reliability

Question 30

The research practice of deciding which observations to link to which variables is known as:

A)validating
B)hypothesizing
C)grounding theory
D)operationalization
E)contrasting

Question 31

If a researcher's presence influences the subjects' behavior,it is called ____.

A)value neutrality
B)the Hawthorne effect
C)reactivity
D)subjectivity
E)objectivity

Question 32

The belief that if a child steps on a crack,his or her mother's back will break is an example of what form of nonscientific thinking?

A)overgeneralization
B)premature closure of inquiry
C)the exception to the rule
D)mystification
E)illogical reasoning

Question 33

When conducting research on human subjects,sociologists are mindful of the need to:

A)respect the reputations of their university
B)respect the need of public information
C)respect for technology
D)respect for data
E)respect the subject's rights

Question 34

A sociological study of dog trainers which is based on the examination of actual dog trainers,their activities,and their social lives without any predetermined conceptions of these matters is an example of which of the following?

A)variable
B)hypothesis
C)grounded theory
D)operationalization
E)reliability

Question 35

Sociological research attempts to overcome nonscientific thinking by following a rigorous six-step model.Usually,the first step in this process is:

A)reviewing the literature
B)selecting a research method
C)formulate a research question
D)collecting the data
E)analyzing the data

Question 36

Mr.Coach cannot comprehend that he could be wrong concerning his idea about what is the best way to reorganize football teams because he has given this idea much thought.This is an example of:

A)overgeneralization
B)premature closure of inquiry
C)ego defense
D)mystification
E)intellectual intolerance

Question 37

If you wanted to understand the rationalizations and motives that criminals use to understand the meaning and consequences of their actions,which method would you use?

A)observation
B)participant observation
C)statistical analysis
D)surveying
E)experimentation

Question 38

A researcher who spends time with subjects in the places where they naturally congregate is engaged in which type of research?

A)the Hawthorne effect
B)participant observation
C)validation
D)surveying
E)experimentation

Question 39

Newton refuses to discuss any competing view about string theory.He states that: "We know all there is to know about string theory!" This is an example of what form of nonscientific thinking?

A)overgeneralization
B)premature closure of inquiry
C)the exception to the rule
D)mystification
E)illogical reasoning

Question 40

Any social concept that can have more than one value is called:

A)a variable
B)a hypothesis
C)a grounded theory
D)an operationalization
E)a reliable indicator

Question 41

The process whereby individuals are assigned to research groups by chance is known as:

A)randomization
B)population
C)experimentation
D)sampling
E)variation

Question 42

When a sociologist conducts an experiment in a natural setting and examines the natural course of social life without intervening,this is called:

A)a field experiment
B)a natural experiment
C)a laboratory experiment
D)a survey experiment
E)a classical experiment

Question 43

If a researcher who is studying social class is able to use variables that are meaningful to the participants,the standards are said to meet ____ criteria for validity in that setting.

A)internal
B)external
C)sociological
D)grounded
E)all of these choices

Question 44

When sociologists decide to measure social class by finding out people's annual income and wealth,they have connected observations of the social world to a variable.This illustrates which research practice?

A)variables
B)hypothesis
C)grounded theory
D)operationalization
E)reliability

Question 45

A person who answers research questions is called a:

A)variable
B)respondent
C)test subject
D)sociologist
E)all of these choices

Question 46

A carefully controlled artificial situation that allows researchers to isolate hypothesized causes and measure their effects precisely is called:

A)a random sample
B)a population
C)an experiment
D)a sample
E)a variable

Question 47

When research subjects have an equal chance to be assigned to a research group,this is called:

A)randomization
B)population
C)experiment
D)sample
E)variable

Question 48

A sociological researcher studying a new religious movement is concerned that his interpretations are correct.This concern with the accuracy of interpretation of the data is known as:

A)variables
B)hypothesis
C)validity
D)operationalization
E)reliability

Question 49

A researcher believes that colder temperatures lead to more snowfall.The amount of snowfall is the ____ variable.

A)independent
B)dependent
C)spurious
D)sociological
E)all of these choices

Question 50

Behaviors that occur in social life may not be replicated in a laboratory setting.This is one of the problems of experimentation and occurs because of the ____ of the laboratory.

A)artificial nature
B)sterile nature
C)organizational nature
D)objective nature
E)none of these choices

Question 51

Which of the following is the analysis of empirically established cause and effect?

A)operationalization
B)the Hawthorne effect
C)generalizability
D)causality
E)none of these choices

Question 52

A sociologist believes that high levels of education create the opportunity for better-paid work after graduation.Levels of education would be the ____ variable in this hypothesis.

A)independent
B)dependent
C)spurious
D)sociological
E)all of these choices

Question 53

A subset of a population is called a:

A)populace
B)sample
C)group
D)designated community
E)sub-population

Question 54

Dr.Freeman conducts research on a small group of white supremacists in a sparsely populated and rural midwestern town.She then publishes a book based on her observations and interviews with the group.Several colleagues are concerned that her book seems to be written about all white supremacists but is based on only this one small group.The problematic issue for Dr.Freeman's colleagues is:

A)operationalization
B)the Hawthorne effect
C)generalizability
D)causality
E)none of these choices

Question 55

Two sociologists studying a new religious movement are concerned that their interpretations are consistent.This concern is with:

A)variability
B)hypotheses
C)validity
D)operationalization
E)reliability

Question 56

When people are asked questions about their knowledge,attitudes,or behavior in a face-to-face or telephone interview,or in a "paper-and-pencil" format,they are completing which of the following?

A)a survey
B)an answer and question session
C)an ethnographic interview
D)an experiment
E)all of these choices

Question 57

Participant observation is deficient when it comes to establishing reliability,generalizability,and general causality.Therefore,it is better suited for ____ research,according to the text.

A)statistical
B)survey
C)exploratory
D)corporate
E)all of these choices

Question 58

People who are interviewed haphazardly on a street corner do not constitute a representative sample of American adults because:

A)it is too diverse of a sample
B)the sample is too concentrated
C)the sample will overlook children
D)the Hawthorne effect will ruin the sample
E)the sample does not include people who live outside of the area and do not frequent the street corner

Question 59

If a researcher who is studying social class is able to use variables that are meaningful to people outside of the social setting,the standards are said to be ____ criteria for validity in that setting.

A)internal
B)external
C)sociological
D)grounded
E)all of these choices

Question 60

In Klockars's classic study of professional fencing,he only studied one professional fence in detail.The question of whether we can conclude that his findings are accurate is a question of:

A)operationalization
B)the Hawthorne effect
C)generalizability
D)causality
E)none of these choices

Question 61

The list of all the people in a population of interest is called a:

A)voluntary response sample
B)representative sample
C)full population
D)sampling frame
E)probability sample

Question 62

Because training interviewers and researchers to go out and conduct research in person can be expensive,researchers have started using ____ instead.

A)self-administered questionnaires
B)face-to-face interviews
C)telephone interviews
D)close-ended questionnaires
E)responsive questionnaires

Question 63

Mr.Percival receives a survey from an automobile company asking him what kind of automobile he may be interested in buying in the next five to ten years.The survey came with a stamped self-addressed envelope to be sent back to the company's researcher.What kind of survey did Mr.Percival participate in?

A)self-administered questionnaire
B)face-to-face interview
C)telephone interview
D)close-ended questionnaire
E)response rate

Question 64

If one variable changes as the other changes,the variables are said to be ____.

A)connected
B)independent
C)dependent
D)spurious
E)associated

Question 65

In the film Kinsey,researcher Alfred Kinsey relied on what we today call a ____ of respondents.

A)sampling frame
B)probability sample
C)convenience sample
D)technology sample
E)all of these choices

Question 66

If a group of sociologists is interested in studying college students' attitudes toward the U.S.Congress,they will need to gather responses to a survey.However,it is not possible for the research group to ask all college students what they think.In order to generate a set of meaningful responses,the research group will have to design a survey that is based on a:

A)voluntary response sample
B)representative sample
C)full population
D)sampling frame
E)probability sample

Question 67

According to Brym and Lie,one of the largest threats to the validity of survey research findings is which of the following?

A)overcounting
B)superlative counting
C)researcher bias
D)undercounting
E)response rate

Question 68

If respondents for a survey are chosen at random,then the sample is a:

A)voluntary response sample
B)representative sample
C)full population
D)sampling frame
E)low probability sample

Question 69

One of the most useful ways to display survey data is the ____ table.

A)contingency
B)statistical
C)student's T
D)response rate
E)"Kitchen" table

Question 70

The ____ is the number of people asked to complete a questionnaire divided by the number of people who answer the questionnaire.This is usually reported as a percentage.

A)failure rate
B)Hawthorne rate
C)success rate
D)rate of return
E)response rate

Question 71

Some people believe that it is not important if the United States Bureau of the Census is off by a slight margin.The principal argument used to dismiss calls for different counts is based on ____ of changing how the census is conducted.

A)the cost
B)the difficulty
C)the statistics
D)the organization
E)none of these choices

Question 72

Brym and Lie suggest that few,if any,sampling frames are perfect.Even the United States Census,which is one of the largest and most meticulous surveys in the world,misses a small percentage of the American population.The group that was most undercounted in the census is:

A)women
B)minority groups
C)college students
D)European-Americans
E)none of these choices

Question 73

The United States Census succeeds in counting about ____ of the population.

A)80%
B)75%
C)100%
D)98%
E)90%

Question 74

A survey where the researcher is able to directly question a subject is called a:

A)self-administered questionnaire
B)face-to-face interview
C)open-ended questionnaire
D)close-ended questionnaire
E)responsive questionnaire

Question 75

If a researcher is interested in the effect of television viewing on behavior and randomly selects research subjects who are male and female to determine the consequences of television viewing,television viewing is the:

A)connected variable
B)independent variable
C)dependent variable
D)spurious association
E)control variable

Question 76

When children fight at home,an adult is often present to intervene.By repeatedly separating and not ____ their aggressive behavior,the adult can teach them that fighting is unacceptable.

A)validating
B)sanctioning
C)rewarding
D)praising
E)demystifying

Question 77

A young sociologist conducting research about grief awkwardly phrases a series of questions on a survey.This creates a problem with the validity of the findings because research subjects are confused by what the questions mean.This is an example of:

A)response bias
B)wording effects
C)researcher bias
D)overcounting
E)response rate bias

Question 78

A survey that focuses on sensitive,unpopular,or illegal behavior that leads subjects to answer inaccurately is a serious threat to the validity of research results.This problem is known as:

A)response bias
B)wording effects
C)researcher bias
D)overcounting
E)response rate bias

Question 79

One of the more popular ways of conducting a survey,where people are mailed a questionnaire and then return it to the researcher,is known as a:

A)self-administered questionnaire
B)face-to-face interview
C)telephone interview
D)close-ended questionnaire
E)response rate

Question 80

Janice is taking a survey about television sets.The question about preferred screen size allows four options: 12" screen,19" screen,25" screen,and 36" screen.This is an example of what kind of question?

A)open-ended question
B)close-ended question
C)essay question
D)nonresponse
E)response rate