Research Methods Exam 2 Study Guide

Type of data analysis depends on: a. research objectives b. analytical techniques c. population being studied d. types of notes taken

population being studied

Structured interviews consist of: a. spontaneously created questions b. predetermined questions and answer sets c. timed specific responses

predetermined questions and answer sets

Age of an offender is an example of which level of measurement? a. interval b. nominal c. ratio d. ordinal

ratio

The interview schedule for focus groups can be: a. structured b. semi-structured c. unstructured d. all of the answers are correct

all of the answers are correct

When using probability sampling, researchers generalize from observed cases to unobserved ones. a. true b. false

true

When a research chooses a sample that is not typical of a large population this is known as: a. a cluster b. probability c. nonprobability d. bias

bias

Particular empirical measures that may or may not agree with common understandings of our individual mental images about a specific concept are known as: a. reliability b. validity c. accuracy d. face validity

face validity

Content validity refers to: a. a comparison of measures to some external criterion b. an empirical measure that may or may not agree with our common understanding of a particular concept c. the degree to which a measure covers the range of meanings included within the concepts d. the basis of logical relationships among variables

the degree to which a measure covers the range of meanings included within the concepts

A person's height as a measure of a person's IQ would be seen as having what problem? a. precision b. reliability c. accuracy d. validity

validity

A primary advantage of the semi-structured interview when compared to the structured interview is that it allows: a. more data to by gathered b. unscheduled probes to be used c. cognitive changed to take place d. multiple topics to be studied

unscheduled probes to be used

An empirical measure that adequately reflects the meaning of the concept under consideration is known as: a. reliability b. validity c. accuracy d. face validity

validity

Under what conditions would it be appropriate to use a snowball sampling technique? a. when the characteristic of interest to the study is a deviant one and only a small number of people who know one another are required b. when your questionnaire can be administered in a narrow geographic area c. when all you need to do is interview persons from a population where the sampling frame is known d. when the researcher absolutely must have a sample that is representative of the population from which it is drawn

when the characteristic of interest to the study is a deviant one and only a small number of people who know one another are required

Unstructured interviews taking the following shapes: a. conversational shape b. flat shape c. survey questions d. none of the answers are correct

conversational shape

Which of the following is not an example of a multistage cluster sample? a. the British Crime Survey b. the National Crime Victimization Survey c. Uniform Crime Reports d. polling data during an election year

Uniform Crime Reports

Which of the following statements is not correct? a. a measure is valid if it truly measures the underlying concept b. a measure is reliable if it is observable over time c. a measure is reliable if it is constant d. both validity and reliability are important in a measure

a measure is reliable if it is observable over time

The method of relying on available subjects is sometimes misleadingly called: a. cluster sampling b. convenience sampling c. snowball sampling d. quota sampling

convenience sampling

A researcher has measured fear of crime by asking the subjects whether or not they were afraid of crime and by asking them to rate from 1 - 10 their own fear of crime. Which is the highest level of measurement that is illustrated by this example? a. nominal b. ordinal c. interval d. ratio

ordinal

Multistage cluster sampling with stratification, systematic sampling, simple random sampling and disproportionate stratified sampling are examples of: a. nonprobability sampling b. probability sampling c. sampling distributions d. sampling frames

probability sampling

If the variable that you are interested in studying is so rare that it is unlikely to be discovered using random sampling, what is the best alternative? a. accidental sampling b. quota sampling c. stratified sampling d. purposive sampling

purposive sampling

The purpose of sampling is to select a set of elements from a population in such a way that the descriptions of the sample statistics accurately portray the parameters of the population. This is best achieved through use of: a. a convenience sample b. random selection c. the sampling element d. stratified sampling

random selection

It is always a good idea to make more than one measurement of any subtle or complex social concept, which is known as: a. test-retest method b. inter-rater reliability c. split-half method d. face validity

split-half method

Which of the following are true with respect to representativeness? a. a sample represents a population's if it is exactly the same on all relevant variables b. a sample is representative if it approximates the population c. a sample needs to be representative of the population on all variables d. a representative sample is only obtained when a simple random sample is used

a sample is representative if it approximates the population

Which of the following is accurate? a. the reason that researchers use probability samples is because they guarantee representativeness of the sample b. in general, the more heterogeneous a population, the smaller the sample needed for representativeness c. a simple random sample is appropriate when the researcher wants to over-represent a characteristic in the population d. a sample is representative of the population from which it is drawn if the aggregate characteristics of the sample approximate those of the general population

a sample is representative of the population from which it is drawn if the aggregate characteristics of the sample approximate those of the general population

If a researcher has a population of college students from which a sample has been drawn and concludes that on average there are higher grades achieved by those students who live on campus than those who commute, higher grades is an example of what? a. a sample element b. a population parameter c. a sample statistic d. an unreliable result

a sample statistic

A basic principle of probability sampling is that a sample will be representative of the population from which it is drawn if: a. all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected for the sample b. the researcher uses a method of selection based upon convenience c. every "nth" person is selected for the sample d. all are principles of probability sampling

all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected for the sample

Qualitative interviews can occur: a. face to face b. online c. over the phone d. all of the answers are correct

all of the answers are correct

High-caliber qualitative studies: a. retain richness b. recognize meaning c. do not lose track of context d. all of these answers are correct

all of these answers are correct

Grounded theory stems from: a. quantitative techniques b. analysis of patterns and themes c. linear regression d. diverse populations

analysis of patterns and themes

Which of the following types of researchers have NOT historically used qualitative interviews: a. criminologists b. sociologists c. anthropologists d. chemists

chemists

If you did not have the sampling frame of your population but still wanted to use a probability sampling technique for statistical reasons, you should select what type of sample? a. quota b. snowball c. cluster d. stratified

cluster

The words or symbols in language used to illustrate subjective thoughts or mental images about things we may encounter in daily life are known as: a. operations b. concepts c. observations d. measurements

concepts

Operationalization involves: a. describing how actual measurements will be made b. adding up the sum of the parts to determine the whole c. removing negative correlations from variables d. making the necessary measurement

describing how actual measurements will be made

When a researcher uses probability sampling, he/she can: a. never be sure that the sample reflects the population from which it was drawn b. estimate the amount of sampling error that can be expected c. never guarantee the population elements of a known nonzero probability of being selected for the sample d. never be sure that the entire sampling frame was included

estimate the amount of sampling error that can be expected

Professor Smith is studying attitudes toward gun control and plans to assess support for firearms registration by determining whether or not her research subjects say they would travel to countries where the possession of unlicensed guns is legal. Her critics argue that this measure lacks: a. face validity b. construct validity c. convergent validity d. criterion-related validity

face validity

A good way to avoid sampling bias in the assessment of public opinion about a specific criminal justice topic is to employ the use of a radio call-in show since those who call radio talk shows represent everyone in the population. a. true b. false

false

Nonprobability sampling cannot be used in criminal justice research. a. true b. false

false

Reliability is measuring what you think you are measuring. a. true b. false

false

Stratified sampling results in a greater degree of representativeness but at the same time increases the probable sampling error. a. true b. false

false

Sampling is used for two reasons, sometimes it is not necessary to collect data from all persons and it: a. is possible to collect data from all persons b. is statistically significant c. is often not possible to collect information from all persons d. makes research more valid

is often not possible to collect information from all persons

Which of the following is not accurate with respect to probability sampling? a. enhances the likelihood that the results reflect the population from which the sample was drawn b. probability sampling offers a way to measure the degree of success in accomplishing a representative sample c. randomization is the key to probability sampling d. it helps draw a sample but makes generalization to other populations more difficult

it helps draw a sample but makes generalization to other populations more difficult

Sampling is used because: a. it may not possible to collect information from the entire population b. it is necessary to collect information from the entire population c. samples are useful tools only in experimental designs d. it is easier and you can guess if your data reflects the larger population

it may not possible to collect information from the entire population

When a researcher uses a multistage cluster sampling technique they must repeat several sets including: a. listing and stratifying b. listing and counting c. listing and sampling d. listing and analyzing

listing and sampling

Which of the following is not appropriate for use as a sampling frame? a. telephone directories when you wish to sample attitudes toward a new law b. lists of licensed drivers when you wish to ask juveniles their opinions about drinking prohibitions c. taxpayer rolls when the researcher is interested in public concerns about school appropriations in their community d. AMA membership lists to survey doctors about their attitudes concerning HMO's

lists of licensed drivers when you wish to ask juveniles their opinions about drinking prohibitions

The primary advantage of the unstructured interview is that it provides: a. more specific data b. more numerical data c. more interaction with participants d. more breadth of information

more interaction with participants

Knowledge is typically constructed from: a. a single perspective b. multiple perspectives c. the critical realist perspective d. structural positivism

multiple perspectives

Qualitative data interpretation is different than that of quantitative data interpretation in that it accepts: a. multiple realities b. survey data c. idealist perspective d. linear regression in all circumstances

multiple realities

National Crime Victimization Survey and the British Crime Survey both use the following technique to gather data? a. simple random samples b. stratified sampling c. multistage cluster sampling d. quota sampling

multistage cluster sampling

Your criminal justice class requires a study of the success of your state's drug courts. The professor suggests that you first select 10 counties from your state. From those ten counties you will select the two largest cities from each. Finally the drug courts in each of the cities will be monitored to measure success. What type of sampling design did your professor suggest? a. stratified sampling b. multistage cluster sampling c. multistage cluster sampling with stratification d. judgmental sampling

multistage cluster sampling

Quota samples, judgmental samples, snowball samples and reliance on available subjects are all examples of: a. nonprobability sampling b. probability sampling c. sampling distributions d. sampling frames

nonprobability sampling

Which of the following is not a reason for using random selection methods in selecting samples? a. random selection is a check on conscious or unconscious bias b. random selection gives access to probability theory c. random selection allows for estimates of error d. random selection allows for privacy

random selection allows for privacy

The number of counts on an indictment is what level of measurement? a. nominal b. ordinal c. interval d. ratio

ratio

The production report generated at the city police department contains the number of arrests made by each officer on a monthly basis. What level of measurement would number of arrests be? a. nominal b. ordinal c. interval d. ratio

ratio

In research, the process of regarding something as real (such as crime seriousness) when it is not is called: a. reification b. validity c. typology d. reliability

reification

The key standards for measurement quality are: a. mutual exclusivity and exhaustibility b. reliability and validity c. pattern and repetition d. duplicity and veracity

reliability and validity

On the first day of the semester your introductory criminology instructor handed out a very long questionnaire asking things that you did not think was appropriate about your drinking habits. Back in the dorm you complained to your roommates and discovered that they were given the same questionnaire by their instructors. What sampling method was used? a. snowball sample b. multistage cluster sample c. simple random sample d. reliance on available subjects

reliance on available subjects

The value for a given variable in a population is a: a. population parameter b. sample element c. sample statistic d. equal probability of selection method

sample statistic

With the use of stratified sampling a researcher wants to reduce the: a. sampling error b. standard error c. number of dependent variables d. time it takes to draw a sample

sampling error

Sampling is the process of: a. selecting observations b. determining values c. hypothesis testing d. generating data

selecting observations

In order to study active criminals who have not been arrested for their criminal acts, the researcher would be wise to employ which type of sampling technique? a. purposive sampling b. snowball sampling c. convenience sampling d. stratified random sampling

snowball sampling

An RA at a local university devised a plan to spot check the dorm for illegal drinking by knocking on every 5th door on each floor. What technique was the RA using? a. stratified sampling b. simple random sampling c. quota sampling d. systematic sampling

systematic sampling

If a researcher has a list of 10,000 elements and wants to sample 1000 and selects every 10th element she is using: a. simple random sampling b. cluster sampling c. systematic sampling d. Quota sampling

systematic sampling

Dwayne wanted to find out what the citizens of Canton think about a proposed law that would require sex offenders to be treated in the community in lieu of prison confinement and he decided to randomly call people listed in the phone book. What is his sampling frame? a. the citizens of Canton b. the proposed law c. telephone listings d. sex offenders

telephone listings

Sampling is often used when it is not possible to collect information from all persons you want to study and when it is not necessary to collect information from all persons. a. true b. false

true

Reliance on available subjects can be an appropriate sampling method if: a. the researcher wants to study the characteristics of people who are passing the sample point at some specified time b. collecting data from people what have all characteristics of a matrix c. the researcher wants to do research on active criminals or deviants d. the researcher only has a questionnaire to be completed

the researcher wants to study the characteristics of people who are passing the sample point at some specified time

The goal of sampling is to reduce potential biases. a. true b. false

true

A lower-level measure cannot be converted to a higher-level one. a. true b. false

true

Cluster sampling is a very efficient tool, but the efficiency means a less accurate sample since with each cluster there is a chance for sampling error. a. true b. false

true

Conceptualization is the process by which we specify precisely what we mean when we use particular terms. a. true b. false

true

Every variable should have two important qualities; their attributes should be exhaustive as well as mutually exclusive. a. true b. false

true

Ordinal measures are variables whose attributes may be logically rank-ordered. a. true b. false

true

Random selection permits the researcher to link findings from a sample to the body of probability theory in order to estimate the accuracy of those findings. a. true b. false

true

Reliability is threatened every time there is a single observer as the source of data. a. true b. false

true

What factors are not accounted for when using probability sampling? a. each member of the populations has a known chance of being selected b. knowing that each member of the population has a chance of being selected allows the researcher to generalize back to the population c. there is less need to be careful in the sample selection when the population is homogenous d. when the population is homogeneous there is a greater need to use probability sampling than when the population is heterogeneous

when the population is homogeneous there is a greater need to use probability sampling than when the population is heterogeneous

The primary difference between the interval and the ratio level of variables is that: a. interval is rarely used b. with ratio there is an absolute meaning of zero c. with interval there is an absolute meaning of zero d. none of the above

with ratio there is an absolute meaning of zero