Deck 1: Concepts, Variables, and Measurement

Question 1

Anomie is an example of a -------------.

A) statistic
B) sociological concept
C) level of measurement
D) unit of analysis

Answer 1

sociological concept

Question 2

A(n)-------------- is defined as anything that may vary from one case to the next.

A) variable
B) concept
C) anomaly
D) level of measurement

Answer 2

variable

Question 3

A logical set of characteristics for a variable is referred to as:

A) concepts
B) variables
C) attributes
D) units of analysis

Answer 3

attributes

Question 4

Suppose a researcher hypothesizes that an increase in education leads to increased income. What is the independent variable?

A) years of education
B) income
C) both a and b
D) none of the above

Question 5

Identify the dependent variable in the following hypothesis: If age increases then income increases.

A) age
B) income
C) both a and b
D) none of the above

Question 6

Which of the following criteria must be met in order to effectively argue that two variables are associated?

A) The cause must precede the effect.
B) Changes are not caused by some preceding or intervening variable.
C) The association must be present "often enough."
D) All of the above.

Question 7

The process of defining what we mean by a concept is called ----------.

A) conceptualization
B) operationalization
C) alienation
D) variability

Question 8

The process of developing a variable that measures a concept is called -------------.

A) conceptualization
B) operationalization
C) alienation
D) variability

Question 9

Properly operationalized variables must have attributes that are -----------.

A) mutually exclusive
B) collectively exhaustive
C) independent
D) both a and b

Question 10

When the attributes of a variable include every possible response the attributes are said to be ------------.

A) mutually exclusive
B) conceptualized
C) collectively exhaustive
D) dependent

Question 11

Attributes are -------------- when the categories do not overlap.

A) mutually exclusive
B) conceptualized
C) collectively exhaustive
D) dependent

Question 12

Race is measured at the --------------- level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval/ratio
D) organizational

Question 13

Age at first marriage is measured at the --------------- level of measurement.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval/ratio
D) organizational

Question 14

The categories used in the 2006 General Social Survey for the variable Class include the following: lower, working, middle, and upper class. Identify the level of measurement for this variable.

A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 15

Which of the following is a nominal variable?

A) years of education
B) political party affiliation
C) highest degree earned
D) age

Question 16

Pie charts are common ways of presenting data for:

A) nominal variables
B) ordinal variables
C) interval/ratio variables
D) both a and b

Question 17

Bar charts are common ways of presenting data for:

A) nominal variables
B) ordinal variables
C) interval/ratio variables
D) both a and b

Question 18

Which type of chart is used to represent interval/ratio data?

A) pie charts
B) bar charts
C) histograms
D) both a and b

Question 19

Which of the following is most appropriate to present data on years of education?

A) pie charts
B) bar charts
C) histograms
D) both a and b

Question 20

---------- refers to the degree to which a variable measures what we think it is measuring.

A) Validity
B) Reliability
C) Conceptualization
D) Operationalization

Question 21

------------- refers to the degree to which a measure yields consistent results.

A) Validity
B) Reliability
C) Conceptualization
D) Operationalization

Question 22

The General Social Survey is an example of ----------- data.

A) ecological
B) organizational
C) individual
D) group

Question 23

The U.S. Census is an example of----------- data.

A) ecological
B) organizational
C) individual
D) group

Question 24

Happiness is the independent variable in the following statement: If income increases then happiness increases.

Question 25

Conceptualization is the process of defining what we mean by a concept.

Question 26

Attributes are collectively exhaustive when the attributes do not overlap.

Question 27

Ordinal variables have attributes based on relative numeric values.

Question 28

Interval/ratio is considered the highest level of measurement.

Question 29

Pie charts should be used to present data for nominal or ordinal variables.

Question 30

Histograms are used to display data for nominal variables.

Question 31

Survey questions are not reliable if respondents interpret the questions in different ways.

Question 32

What are statistics, and why are they important?

Question 33

The following is an empirical research question: Does a person's sexual orientation have an effect on annual income? Consider this research question and answer the following:
a. State a suitable research hypothesis:
b. What is the independent variable?
c. What is the level of measurement for the independent variable?
d. What is the dependent variable?
e. What is the level of measurement for the dependent variable?
f. What is the unit of analysis for the research question?

Question 34

Identify the independent and the dependent variable, as well as the unit of analysis, in the following hypothesis: Urban residents are more likely than rural residents to be overweight.
Dependent variable:
Independent variable:
Unit of analysis:

Question 35

Suppose a researcher finds an association between age and home ownership. Three conditions must be satisfied in order to argue a causal connection. Name and discuss two of these three conditions.

Question 36

Discuss two factors that must be considered when operationalizing a variable.

Question 37

Distinguish between the individualistic and ecological fallacy.