SOC Ch. 2

The following scores on a 10-point quiz are 10, 10, 9, 9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4. The mode is a)6. b)7. c)8. d)9.

a)6.

What is the most important factor to consider when writing a survey question? a)It must be simple and clear. b)It must be vague and ambiguous. c)It must be elegant and grammatically correct. d)It must make the researchers' opinion obvious.

a)It must be simple and clear.

A predefined series of questions designed to collect information about people's particular attributes, beliefs, and actions is called a)research design. b)correlational data. c)an experiment. d)a survey.

d)a survey.

A defining trait of a hypothesis is that it a)can be tested. b)is the final, concluding statement on a scientific topic. c)does not explain why things might occur. d)is not affected by any variables.

a)can be tested.

Scientific method

The systematic observation of empirical, this-worldly evidence to assess and refine ideas about what happens and why.

Which of the following statements regarding ethnography is true? a)It involves the extended observation of an entire social setting. b)It was used primarily when the field of sociology was in its infancy and has since fallen out of favor. c)It is ideally suited to the study of familiar, well-defined topics. d)It involves collecting and reporting data in numerical form.

a)It involves the extended observation of an entire social setting.

Which of the following describe the scientific method? a)It is an organized, step-by-step process. b)It is designed to ensure objectivity. c)It leaves room for guessing. d)It is systematic. e)It uses personal opinion as a tool to gather information.

a)It is an organized, step-by-step process. b)It is designed to ensure objectivity. d)It is systematic.

The scientific method is important to research for which of the following reasons? a)It offers a methodology through which researchers can obtain useful data. b)It is used by advertisers to prove the validity of their claims. c)It reinforces what we already believe about our world. d)It allows sociological researchers to achieve accurate results.

a)It offers a methodology through which researchers can obtain useful data. d)It allows sociological researchers to achieve accurate results.

Why is research described as cyclical? a)Research generates new ideas that lead to new hypotheses. b)One generation's research is always overturned by the next generation. c)Disproving one's predecessors' research is every new researcher's goal. d)"Hot" research topics are dependent upon the societies in which they develop.

a)Research generates new ideas that lead to new hypotheses.

In the Exxon Valez case, in which ExxonMobil hired sociologists, among others, to support its appeal of a $5.3 billion dollar judgment, what did ExxonMobil want these experts to show? a)The punitive judgment against the corporation was faulty and would not serve as a deterrent to future incidents. b)The corporation was not liable in any way for the oil spill. c)The public perception of the guilty verdict would irreparably tarnish ExxonMobil's reputation. d)The state of Alaska was unfairly prosecuting ExxonMobil.

a)The punitive judgment against the corporation was faulty and would not serve as a deterrent to future incidents.

If you have been asked a question by Pew Research about how you plan to vote in the 2020 election, you have participated in a)a survey. b)correlational research. c)an experiment. d)qualitative research.

a)a survey.

Confidentiality becomes problematic when the researcher discovers that the people being studied a)are committing crimes. b)are doing things that are disturbingly unethical. c)are so boring that they have little to contribute to the study. d)lied to the researcher so they would be included in the study.

a)are committing crimes. b)are doing things that are disturbingly unethical.

Reliability refers to the extent to which a measure produces ______ results over time. a)consistent b)positive c)popular d)correct

a)consistent

Observation research becomes problematic when the researcher a)develops an inappropriately close relationship with the people being studied. b)includes word-for-word quotes from the people who are being studied. c)takes notes about the friends and family of the people who are being studied. d)actually joins the group of people who are being studied.

a)develops an inappropriately close relationship with the people being studied.

Reviewing previous literature on the same topic allows a researcher to a)eliminate or reduce avoidable mistakes. b)publicly proclaim the superiority of the new research. c)argue with other researchers about techniques. d)duplicate the work of other researchers.

a)eliminate or reduce avoidable mistakes.

An increasingly popular form of qualitative research is the study of an entire social setting through extended systematic observation, a field known as a)ethnography. b)microbiology. c)sociobiology. d)ethnobotany.

a)ethnography.

The research design chosen by researchers guides the way they ______ data. a)gather and analyze b)reject and discard c)arrange and speculate d)fabricate and disperse

a)gather and analyze

Sociological researchers are bound by a code of ethics that requires them to exercise a)integrity. b)professional and scientific responsibility. c)discretion when analyzing data that could make their sponsors look bad. d)patriotism. e)social responsibility. f)respect for people's rights, dignity, and diversity.

a)integrity. b)professional and scientific responsibility. e)social responsibility. f)respect for people's rights, dignity, and diversity.

In the series of numbers 10, 4, 4, and 2, the average is 5. What is another name for the average? a)mean b)percentage c)mode d)median

a)mean

If the number of drinks consumed by a small group is 4, 4, 6, 7, and 8, the number 6 would be the a)median. b)mean. c)percentage. d)mode.

a)median.

The median approximates the ______ between the highest and lowest values in a set of scores. a)midpoint b)average c)odd number d)bottom

a)midpoint

When sociologists study behaviors and communities, which of the following research methods allows the greatest depth? a)observation b)statistical analysis c)questionnaires d)analyzing reports that have already been published

a)observation

The type of survey that includes forms for taking information is the a)questionnaire. b)note. c)documentary. d)memorandum.

a)questionnaire.

What is the most reliable source of existing research for sociologists? a)sociological journals b)online sources c)newspapers and magazines d)in-person interviews

a)sociological journals

Value neutrality can be defined as a)sociological researchers working to overcome any biases they may bring to their research. b)nonsociologists doing research so that they are not biased by their sociological knowledge. c)sociological researchers allowing their personal opinions to shape their interpretation of the data. d)sociological researchers reporting research findings even if the findings run against their own feelings or common sense beliefs.

a)sociological researchers working to overcome any biases they may bring to their research. d)sociological researchers reporting research findings even if the findings run against their own feelings or common sense beliefs.

It is important to maintain value neutrality in sociological research so that a)sociologists will report findings even when those findings go against their own personal views. b)sociologists will keep their own values in mind when deciding whether or not to report their findings. c)scholars are able to transfer their biases to their readers. d)people reading the research results can easily tell what the sociologists' biases were.

a)sociologists will report findings even when those findings go against their own personal views.

Observation is the most common form of qualitative research, but it can have some challenges for researchers. When using observation, researchers should a)take detailed notes. b)bring the subjects to laboratories to study them there. c)first consider using family members and friends as their subjects before strangers. d)seek respect from the subjects but not their acceptance.

a)take detailed notes.

True or false: Most research will not benefit from the introduction of control variables. a)True b)False

b)False

True or false: When people are confronted with empirical research disproving a common sense claim, they change their initial common sense beliefs to align with the research. a)True b)False

b)False

_____, our tendency to apply commonsense reasoning after the fact, rather than before, is one of the limitations of commonsense claims. a)Confirmation bias b)Hindsight bias c)Compatibility d)Empiricism

b)Hindsight bias

Which of the following statements pertain to an operational definition? a)For valid research, researchers can only use one concept per study. b)It is a specific explanation about a concept. c)It is nonspecific and allows researchers room to adjust the concept as the research continues. d)It explains an abstract concept.

b)It is a specific explanation about a concept. d)It explains an abstract concept.

Feminist scholars and researchers would support which of the following statements? a)Quantitative research is more valuable than qualitative research. b)The traditional distinction between industrial nations and developing ones is misguided. c)It is important to raise public consciousness and influence policy through sociological research. d)There should be further research into the role that immigrant women play in maintaining their households.

b)The traditional distinction between industrial nations and developing ones is misguided. c)It is important to raise public consciousness and influence policy through sociological research. d)There should be further research into the role that immigrant women play in maintaining their households.

A control variable is a)a relationship between two variables in which change in one coincides with a change in the other. b)a factor the researcher holds constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable. c)the extent to which a measure produces consistent results. d)the degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study.

b)a factor the researcher holds constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable.

Duncan Watts characterizes common sense as a)the wisdom we gain from our parents and caregivers, often from before we are aware of it. b)a loosely organized set of facts, observations, etc., accumulated over a lifetime. c)an innate ability that we either possess from birth or not.

b)a loosely organized set of facts, observations, etc., accumulated over a lifetime.

An experiment is a)a series of identical questions asked of a large number of participants. b)an artificially created situation that allows researchers to manipulate variables. c)the collection of information through direct participation or by closely watching a group or community. d)any method that is considered by the scientific community to be both unethical and unscientific.

b)an artificially created situation that allows researchers to manipulate variables.

Which of the following can be appropriate components of the research process in sociological studies? a)ignoring the subjects' perspectives b)asking the subjects questions c)observing the subjects d)guessing information about the subjects

b)asking the subjects questions c)observing the subjects

The systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by a given rationale, is called a)content control. b)content analysis. c)statistical analysis. d)statistical marking.

b)content analysis

When sociologists conduct research and test hypotheses, they do not necessarily need to collect new data all the time. They can also make use of a)anything they want as long as it supports their hypothesis. b)data that was collected for use in another manner, such as census data. c)guesses based on common sense. d)gossip, innuendo, and hearsay from others.

b)data that was collected for use in another manner, such as census data.

It is important for students to understand the scientific method, even if they will never do sociological research, so they can a)impress their friends with their knowledge. b)differentiate between facts, errors, and fiction. c)never read newspapers or watch TV news again. d)perform experiments on their own children.

b)differentiate between facts, errors, and fiction.

A research design is a detailed plan a)used in the natural sciences but not the social sciences. b)for gathering data scientifically. c)that relies on the opinions of others. d)for experiments but does not involve data gathering.

b)for gathering data scientifically.

When conducting research, sociologists review literature to a)search for mistakes by other researchers and report the mistakes to the proper agencies. b)gain insights about other factors that might pertain to their studies. c)duplicate other sociologists' work and to write the results exactly as the other sociologists did without giving them credit. d)gain additional insights by analyzing other studies about the same problems they are researching.

b)gain insights about other factors that might pertain to their studies. d)gain additional insights by analyzing other studies about the same problems they are researching.

The two basic forms of the survey are a)flowcharts and conversations. b)interviews and questionnaires. c)field studies and questionnaires. d)interviews and field studies.

b)interviews and questionnaires.

The most frequently occurring number in a series of numbers is the a)mean. b)mode. c)percentage. d)average.

b)mode.

The term scientific method refers to the way sociologists a)measure behavior in laboratories instead of natural environments. b)research a problem in consistent, objective ways. c)use personal opinions to draw conclusions. d)guess the answers to their research problems.

b)research a problem in consistent, objective ways.

When sociologists use previously gathered data in a way that was not originally intended, this is called a)content analysis. b)secondary analysis. c)participant observation. d)causal logic.

b)secondary analysis.

If data is reliable, this means a)there is a true representation of the sample population. b)the measurement produced consistent results. c)nothing, because all data can be reliable. d)the data will always be available for secondary analysis.

b)the measurement produced consistent results.

Causal logic is best defined as a)a personal opinion that illustrates the causes and effects of the topics being studied. b)the relationship between a condition and a consequence, with one leading to the other. c)a scientific process needed to test whether a hypothesis is true. d)the transition between an abstract concept into a measurable factor.

b)the relationship between a condition and a consequence, with one leading to the other.

Researchers choose participant observation as their method to collect information when a)they are too lazy or untrained to do real research such as surveys or questionnaires. b)they want to analyze how the subjects view their social lives in some setting. c)they are too shy to do face-to-face interviews. d)they want to do detailed statistical analysis of the group.

b)they want to analyze how the subjects view their social lives in some setting.

If researchers produce accurate data that is right on target, they are demonstrating a)reliability. b)validity. c)a hypothesis. d)a bias.

b)validity.

_____, our tendency to favor evidence that supports our existing beliefs, while discounting evidence that contradicts our beliefs, is one of the limitations of commonsense claims. a)Compatibility b)Hindsight bias c)Confirmation bias d)Empiricism

c)Confirmation bias

Why would monitoring callers to a radio talk show not be a good way to gather information about the general population's feelings on a specific issue? a)The people who call in are typical Americans. b)Radio programs alter people's opinions, which would make the callers' views inaccurate. c)Entire categories of people do not listen to those programs, and only some listeners call in. d)It is unethical to listen to radio programs and to use the answers for research purposes.

c)Entire categories of people do not listen to those programs, and only some listeners call in.

Which of the following is characteristic of a dependent variable? a)It predicts change. b)It has little to do with the independent variable. c)It is influenced by the independent variable. d)It causes other variables to act or react.

c)It is influenced by the independent variable.

Which of the following is a secondary source? a)a memoir by a middle-class student who took an unorthodox route to be admitted to an Ivy League college b)an interview with a middle-class student who was accepted at Harvard c)a story in The New Yorker about how middle-class students gain entry to Ivy League colleges d)Yale University's data on its incoming freshman class

c)a story in The New Yorker about how middle-class students gain entry to Ivy League colleges

When researchers talk about a mean, they are referring to a)the single most occurring value in a series of values. b)the portion of 100. c)an average that is calculated by adding a series of values, then dividing by the number of values. d)the midpoint that divides a series of values into two groups of equal numbers of values.

c)an average that is calculated by adding a series of values, then dividing by the number of values.

To be effective, a survey question must a)be general in nature. b)lead respondents to the answer the researchers want. c)be easily understandable by the respondents. d)give the respondents a reason to answer the question, such as a monetary incentive.

c)be easily understandable by the respondents.

Erving Goffman conducted historical sociological research about how advertisements portray women. The technique he used in this research was a)statistical marking. b)content control. c)content analysis. d)statistical analysis.

c)content analysis.

Which type of research provides rich information from sources such as field observations and in-depth interviews? a)anecdotal b)quantitative c)qualitative d)statistical

c)qualitative

Suppose a researcher found that 43 out of 50 students surveyed preferred multiple choice exams over essay exams and that when given essay exams, students averaged a score of 73 percent. This research is a)qualitative. b)psychological. c)quantitative. d)invalid because it relies on observation.

c)quantitative.

When researchers say that a measure is valid, they mean a)the measure produces consistent results. b)the variable being measured is closely associated with one or more other variables. c)the measure or scale truly reflects the object under study; it measures what it is supposed to measure. d)the measure proves the researcher is right.

c)the measure or scale truly reflects the object under study; it measures what it is supposed to measure.

If a sample is representative, this means a)the researchers' hypothesis can be supported. b)nothing, because all data can be validated. c)the sample reflects the test population. d)the measurement that was used provided consistent results.

c)the sample reflects the test population.

Commonsense beliefs are not always reliable because such beliefs lack which of the following? a)a basis in commonly held beliefs b)an individual's own experiences and feelings c)the proper application of personal biases d)a systematic analysis of the facts

d)a systematic analysis of the facts

Experiments are useful because they a)allow subjects to exist in their normal state. b)cause increased productivity in control groups. c)attract more external funding. d)allow researchers to manipulate variables.

d)allow researchers to manipulate variables.

Scientific studies do not aim to answer all the questions that can be raised about a particular subject. Therefore, the conclusion of a research study represents a)all that can be known about the topic. b)that the study was flawed and needs to be repeated. c)a failure. d)both an end and a beginning.

d)both an end and a beginning.

Correlation is a relationship in which a change in a variable a)cannot be detected in another variable. b)is independent of another variable. c)is impossible to measure. d)coincides with a change in another variable.

d)coincides with a change in another variable.

To be certain that they are not invading their subjects' privacy, sociologists assure subjects of anonymity. They also guarantee that they will protect and treat personal information a)exponentially. b)publicly. c)openly. d)confidentially.

d)confidentially.

If a researcher wants to be certain she is not violating ethics standards by accepting funding from an entity which may benefit from her research, she should a)clarify that she will only accept the funding if the entity is shown to be free from ethical violations. b)refuse the research job. There is no way to maintain integrity in this situation. c)leak any questionable sources to watchdog groups or the media. d)disclose all funding sources.

d)disclose all funding sources.

The American Sociological Association made the Code of Ethics a part of sociological research to a)tell research subjects how they should behave while being studied. b)distinguish sociology from other sciences that do not have a Code of Ethics. c)generate revenue from dues. d)encourage sociologists to maintain objectivity, integrity, and the confidentiality of their subjects.

d)encourage sociologists to maintain objectivity, integrity, and the confidentiality of their subjects.

Based on other research they have conducted, feminist theorists in sociology would likely be interested in studying a)interaction among different leaders of the Roman Catholic Church. b)the people who spend a significant amount of time at their local bars and street corners. c)social hierarchies in the Boy Scouts organization. d)how much housework and paid work people do in a given week.

d)how much housework and paid work people do in a given week.

An independent variable a)depends on the influence of another variable. b)is independent of any other variables and needs to be analyzed on it own merits. c)may or may not exist in the researchers' hypothesis. d)is a causal variable that brings about change.

d)is a causal variable that brings about change.

Duncan Watts argues that common sense's primary appeal is a)it causes no harm. b)most people respect it. c)most people are born with it. d)it simply works.

d)it simply works.

When applying the scientific method to research a project, social science researchers have to develop ______ for each concept being studied. a)chemical catalysts b)dependent variables c)independent variables d)operational definitions

d)operational definitions