Sophia Socialogy 101
Which of the following is true of variables in a sociological study? a.) The variables are identified after the sample data are collected. b.) The independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable. c.) The variables are independent of each other. d.) The dependent variable causes a change in the independent variable.
The independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable. An independent variable is the factor that causes the change or the outcome. The dependent variable is the effect or the variable that is influenced by the independent variable.
Which of the following is true according to Émile Durkheim's view of society? a.)Society is a system where an elite group of people maintain order by dominating over the others. b.)Society is made up of independent parts that function together to maintain stability. c.)When studying sociology, we need to focus on individuals, who are more important than social facts. d.)When studying society, social stability is considered less important than social change.
Society is made up of independent parts that function together to maintain stability. Durkheim believed that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and that society is held together by shared values, languages, and symbols.
Which of the following best summarizes the symbolic interaction approach to social thinking? Society functions only when different large social structures start functioning together. Society grows when a group of people start following the same sociological paradigm. Society evolves when groups with different interests are in conflict with one another. Society results from the relationships between different people playing different roles.
Society results from the relationships between different people playing different roles. According to the symbolic interaction approach, society is the result of all of our interactions combined. Society is constructed as a result of a series of interactions.
Which of the following skills will enable you to strengthen your ability to relate to others in the best way possible? a.)The technology skill b.)The agility skill c.)The innovation skill d.)The relationship building skill
The relationship building skill The relationship building skill will help you effectively work with others and establish, cultivate, and leverage networks over time. It helps you collaborate with others for the best results possible.
Which of the following occurs in snowball sampling? The researcher asks acquaintances to be the initial subjects. The researcher avoids interacting with respondents to avoid creating bias. The researcher picks respondents at random from government or census data. The researcher picks a sample that represents the entire population.
The researcher asks acquaintances to be the initial subjects. In snowball sampling, the researchers find the initial respondents or subjects through acquaintances who are already in their network. They then use those acquaintances to find their acquaintances and so on, and the process snowballs.
Which of the following occurs in participant observation? a.) The researcher joins in with the activities of the group of people being studied. b.) The researcher deliberately manipulates social customs and mores to record people's behaviors. c.) The researcher provides a list of questions that need to be answered by the people being studied. d.) The researcher conducts an in-depth analysis of a particular person or event. SUBMIT MY ANSWER
The researcher joins in with the activities of the group of people being studied. In participant observation research, a sociologist joins a group of people and participates in the group's routine activities for the purpose of observing them within that context. To obtain results, researchers might go to great lengths and perform the activities of the group being studied themselves to build trust with its members.
According to Robert Merton, which of the following is true of the latent functions of a social process? a.)They are the indirect effects of a social process. b.)They are social effects that cannot be observed. c.)They are the anticipated effects of a social process. d.)They do not have positive effects and give rise to social dysfunction.
They are the indirect effects of a social process. Robert Merton pointed out that social processes often have manifest and latent functions. Manifest functions are the sought or anticipated consequences, whereas latent functions are the unsought consequences of a social process.
Which of the following is true of the bourgeoisie in the Marxist view of society? a.)They do not own or control capital. b.)They own and control the means of production. c.)They have only their own labor to sell. d.)They have no control over social institutions.
They own and control the means of production. According to Marx, the bourgeoisie own and control the means of production, which leads them to exploit workers because they are motivated by profit.
Which of the following is the last step in the scientific method? a.) Use the data gathered from casual observations to make an educated guess about the issue. b.) Check if the data gathered from the study either support or disprove the hypothesis. c.) Make a list of the research methodologies used and report your findings. d.) Use the results obtained to make new predictions and suggest new ways to research the issue further.
Use the results obtained to make new predictions and suggest new ways to research the issue further. The scientific method is a multi-step procedure that involves systematically formulating questions, gathering data, and questioning hypotheses. The last step in the scientific method is to pose new questions after analyzing the results obtained through the study, so that further research about the issue can continue.
In sociology, which of the following characteristics is essential for a group of people to be considered a "society"? A common educational background A common culture and geographic location A shared religion and value system Shared relationships through blood or marriage
A common culture and geographic location In sociology, a society is a group of people who live in a defined geographic area, who interact with one another, and who share a common culture.
From the perspective of conflict theory, what is society built around? a.)The shared values and beliefs that people have in common b.)Everyday interactions between people c.)A competition for limited resources d.)The social contract between the government and people
A competition for limited resources Conflict theory looks at society as a competition for limited resources. This perspective is a macro-level approach that suggests that society is composed of two classes that must compete for social, material, and political resources, such as food and housing, employment, education, and leisure time.
Which of the following is true of paradigms in sociological theory? a.) A single event can be viewed through different paradigms. b.)There is a single correct sociological paradigm for every event. c.)Paradigms are formulated once a hypothesis has been proven. d.)Paradigms are established facts rather than belief systems.
A single event can be viewed through different paradigms. A theoretical perspective (also called a paradigm) is a broad viewpoint, perspective, or lens that permits social scientists to have a wide range of tools to describe society. The existence of different theoretical perspectives is why multiple sociologists can look at the same events or institutions and draw different conclusions.
Adrian is a structural functionalist, and Drew is a conflict theorist. How is Adrian's view of society likely to differ from Drew's view of society? a.)Adrian focuses on elements in a society that cause conflicts, whereas Drew focuses on elements in a society that aid stability. b.)Adrian focuses on one-on-one communications or interactions between a small group of people, whereas Drew focuses on how societies progress and attain stability. c.)Adrian focuses on a complex network of interactions at the microlevel, whereas Drew focuses on interactions at the macrolevel. d.)Adrian focuses on how each part of society works to maintain stability, whereas Drew focuses on the inequalities that cause social differences.
Adrian focuses on how each part of society works to maintain stability, whereas Drew focuses on the inequalities that cause social differences. Adrian, a functionalist, evaluates the functionality and stability of a society. However, Drew, a conflict theorist, focuses on finding the inequalities in society in order to create social change.
Which of the following is a quantitative research method that aims to observe the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable? a.)A questionnaire b.)A focus group c.)Secondary data analysis d.)An experiment
An experiment An experiment is a regimented, highly controlled research method for investigating cause and effect relationships between variables.
Aster and Jodi are both studying religion within a society. Aster uses the perspective of structural functionalism, whereas Jodi uses symbolic interactionism. Which of the following statements best describes Aster's and Jodi's examination of religion? a.) Aster examines the religious factors that cause conflicts and inequality in a society, whereas Jodi examines religious symbols and their meanings in different cultures. b.) Aster examines the role religion plays in attaining social stability, whereas Jodi examines the role it plays in causing inequality within a society. c.)Aster examines the micro aspects of religion such as symbols, whereas Jodi examines the macro aspects of religion such as how it helps control social behavior. d.)Aster examines the role religion plays in promoting social solidarity and stability, whereas Jodi examines the role it plays in shaping a person's life and experiences.
Aster examines the role religion plays in promoting social solidarity and stability, whereas Jodi examines the role it plays in shaping a person's life and experiences. Aster uses a functionalist perspective and examines religion at the macro-level and identifies the role it plays in promoting and maintaining social solidarity and stability. Jodi, on the other hand, uses a symbolic interactionist perspective and examines the role religion plays in shaping a person's life and how it affects their interactions with others.
In the scientific method, which of the following is the next step after determining the exact research plan that is to be used to conduct the study? a.) Collect raw data. b.) Formulate a hypothesis. c.) Interpret the data obtained. d.) Review previous work.
Collect raw data The scientific method is a multi-step procedure that involves systematically formulating questions, gathering data, and questioning hypotheses. After determining the exact research methodologies that are to be used for research, the next step is to go out and use the planned methodologies to collect raw data.
Which of the following steps should a sociologist perform before selecting variables to study? a.) Gathering data from the population to be studied b.) Testing the hypothesis c.) Identifying a sample of the population to study d.) Deciding on the research questions
Deciding on the research questions Once a researcher has decided on the research questions and has completed the background reading, the researcher will select variables to study and a hypothesis to test.
Which of the following refers to the consequences of a social process that disrupts the working of a society? Manifest functions Social institutions Dysfunctions Social facts
Dysfunctions Robert Merton pointed out that social processes often have many functions. Manifest functions are the consequences of a social process that are sought or anticipated, while latent functions are the unsought consequences of a social process. Latent functions can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful. Social processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society are called dysfunctions.
Which of the following actions relates to maintaining confidentiality in a research study? a.) Ensuring that participants do not know the actual purpose or methodology of the study before participating in it b.) Ensuring that information that could cause a study's participant to be identified is not published c.) Ensuring that participants not only agree to participate in a study but also understand what they are agreeing to d.) Ensuring that personal biases do not influence a researcher's interpretation of research results
Ensuring that information that could cause a study's participant to be identified is not published To protect confidentiality, researchers must ensure that research subjects remain anonymous to anyone outside the study itself and must protect all potentially identifying information.
Which of the following would sociologists do when undertaking a meta-analysis? a.) Evaluate all previous studies on a specific subject together b.) Observe people interacting in their everyday environments c.) Formulate a hypothesis and apply a method for testing it d.) Conduct in-depth, open-ended interviews to understand people's perspectives
Evaluate all previous studies on a specific subject together Meta-analysis is a technique in which the results of virtually all previous studies on a specific subject are evaluated together.
Which of the following is the most important element for researchers to obtain informed consent for a study? a.) Having the study hypothesis and methodology peer-reviewed and approved before beginning experiments b.) Explaining the research study to potential participants to ensure that they understand what they are agreeing to do c.) Obtaining permissions for all material from other studies used in the study and providing citations for the original studies d.) Ensuring that participants sign a waiver agreeing to not hold the researchers liable for potential negative outcomes
Explaining the research study to potential participants to ensure that they understand what they are agreeing to do According to the principle of informed consent, researchers are required to explain all parts of a research study to potential participants in order to ensure that they understand what they are agreeing to do.
Which of the following research methods would a symbolic interactionist most likely use? Quantitative data collection Social experiment that involves a control group Secondary research on published sources Extended participant observation
Extended participant observation Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on meanings attached to human interaction, both verbal and nonverbal, and to symbols. Studies that use the symbolic interactionist perspective are more likely to use qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews or participant observation, because they seek to understand the symbolic worlds in which research subjects live. Social experiments, collection and analysis of demographic data, and construction of models to predict behavior are not research methods that are likely to be used by a symbolic interactionist.
Which of the following is the aim of quantitative research methods in sociology? a.)Gathering data from experiments or studies b.)Gathering data in a narrative format c.)Analyzing social phenomena through observation of everyday life d.)Understanding social situations from the participants' viewpoints
Gathering data from experiments or studies Quantitative research includes research methods that focus on gathering data from experiments or studies.
Which of the following is the focus of qualitative research methods in sociology? a.) Designing studies or experiments b.) Gathering information in a narrative format c.) Collecting and analyzing numerical data d.) Formulating hypotheses to be tested
Gathering information in a narrative format Qualitative research focuses on gathering information in a narrative format instead of designing a study or an experiment
What does field research involve? a.) Conducting lab experiments to determine causes of behavior b.) Analyzing government data and documents about a topic c.) Gathering primary data from people in their natural environment d.) Conducting extensive surveys of a designated population
Gathering primary data from people in their natural environment Field research refers to gathering primary data from a natural environment without doing a lab experiment or a survey.
What was Emile Durkheim's contribution to the field of sociology? a.)He suggested that research in the social sciences can be measured scientifically. b.)He suggested that people's sense of "self" develops through interactions with others. c.)He suggested that people suffer when they lose their sense of social connection. d.)He suggested that people suffer because of the exploitative structures of capitalism.
He suggested that people suffer when they lose their sense of social connection. Emile Durkheim, one of the 19th-century founders of sociology, theorized that the need to belong to a community is so significant that when people lose their sense of social connections connections they suffer greatly.
Samantha is a sociologist who uses the structural functionalist perspective. She is analyzing the family structure in a particular society. Which of the following is she most likely to focus on? a.)How the organization of the family contributes to the stable functioning of the society as a whole b.)The meanings given to family rituals and artifacts through interactions among family members c.)The patterns of one-on-one communication between different members of the family
How the organization of the family contributes to the stable functioning of the society as a whole Structural functionalism focuses on the interdependent parts of a society that work collectively to maintain stability. Samantha is most likely to focus on how the organization of the family contributes toward maintaining stability in the society.
Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps that a researcher would adopt while using the scientific method? Identify a problem, hypothesize, design a research plan, and pose new questions. Hypothesize, identify a problem, gather raw data, and interpret your findings. Hypothesize, review others' work, identify a problem, and interpret data. Identify a problem, design a research plan, hypothesize, and report your findings.
Identify a problem, hypothesize, design a research plan, and pose new questions. The scientific method is a multistep procedure that involves systematically formulating questions, gathering data, and questioning hypotheses. There are eight steps in the scientific method. The sequence of steps is as follows: defining a problem, reviewing the work others conducted about the problem, hypothesizing, designing a research plan, collecting raw data, interpreting the collected data, and finally posing new questions or proposing new directions for future research.
Which of the following is a criticism of the structural-functional approach? a.)It observes society as a complex network at the micro level but not at the macro level. b.)It cannot effectively explain how society changes over time. c.)It focuses on individual one-on-one interactions rather than on larger social institutions. d.)It neglects social stability and focuses on change in a society.
It cannot effectively explain how society changes over time. Structural functionalism, also just called functionalism, is a theoretical approach that sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the people in that society. A major criticism of functionalism is that it cannot adequately account for social change.
Which of the following is a drawback of the survey method in sociological research? a.) It is dependent on previous sociological information. b.) It does not yield quantifiable data that can be charted. c.) It captures how people behave but not what they think and believe. d.) It captures what people think and believe but not how they behave in real life.
It captures what people think and believe but not how they behave in real life. A survey captures what people think and believe but not necessarily how they behave in real life.
Which of the following is a criticism of symbolic interactionism? a.)It does not consider the structural constraints people have while interacting with one another. b.)It uses preconceived notions about people to predict their behavior while interacting with each other. c.)It does not focus on the meanings conveyed through the nonverbal aspects of human interaction. d.)It focuses on the behavior of society as a whole instead of people interacting with one another.
It does not consider the structural constraints people have while interacting with one another. Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on meanings attached to human interaction, both verbal and nonverbal, and to symbols. Interactionists are criticized for not paying enough attention to social institutions and structural constraints. It is imperative to address social inequities within society to understand face-to-face interactions.
Which of the following is true of a hypothesis? a.) It is the relationship between variables that has been proven experimentally. b.) It refers to analyzing the gathered data of a study and drawing conclusions. c.) It is the researcher's guess about the answer to a research question. d.) It explains how a dependent variable causes a change in an independent variable.
It is the researcher's guess about the answer to a research question. A hypothesis is a testable, informed guess about predicted outcomes between two or more variables; the hypothesis is the researcher's guess—based on background research—about the answer to the research question.
Which of the following statements is true of a literature review? It is used by researchers to identify gaps in existing research that can be filled. It is the first step that researchers perform when using the scientific method. It decreases the time required for research as most of the data can be duplicated from existing sources. It refers to the short summary of the research at the end of the article.
It is used by researchers to identify gaps in existing research that can be filled. A literature review is a survey of any existing similar or related studies on a topic of study. By reviewing the existing research, people will be able to familiarize themselves with the existing data available and find new ideas that might not have occurred to them before. Researchers may identify gaps in existing scholarly papers that their work can help fill, or they may read an interesting theory that could be applied to their work.
How does reviewing existing research help sociologists conduct their studies? a.) It eliminates the need for researchers to develop their own research question. b.) It provides new ideas to use in their research, which might not have occurred to them earlier. c.) It provides demographic data from government sources pertaining to the research topic. d.) It decreases the time sociologists need to design their research plans.
It provides new ideas to use in their research, which might not have occurred to them earlier. A literature review is a survey of any existing similar or related studies on a topic of study. While reviewing literature, you may identify gaps in existing scholarly work that you can help fill or you may read an interesting theory that could apply to your work. All of these insights will be valuable as you move forward with your research plan.
Which of the following is a criticism of conflict theory? a.)It tends to focus on conflict to the exclusion of recognizing stability. b.)It focuses on individual interactions rather than on broader social structures. c.)It does not recognize the economic and social structures that exist in society. d.)It focuses on gradual changes over time rather than on abrupt changes.
It tends to focus on conflict to the exclusion of recognizing stability. Conflict theory has been criticized because it tends to focus on conflict to the exclusion of recognizing stability.
Which of the following depicts the micro-level view of society? a.)Looking at how a society changes because of conflicts within society b.)Looking at how the social structures or institutions help shape society c.)Looking at society as a system in which all parts must function together to maintain stability d.)Looking at a particular event or circumstances and noting how people interact
Looking at a particular event or circumstances and noting how people interact In sociology, the micro-level orientation looks at specific situations and at how people interact with one another.
Which of the following contradicts the assumptions of conflict theory? Society is a competition among different classes for limited resources. Many social structures have gradually progressed over time rather than changing abruptly. In addition to economic inequalities, inequalities of political power and social structure cause conflict. Large social institutions like the government, education, and religion help maintain unequal social structures.
Many social structures have gradually progressed over time rather than changing abruptly. Conflict theory has been criticized because it tends to focus on conflict to the exclusion of recognizing stability. Many social structures are extremely stable or have gradually progressed over time rather than changing abruptly, as conflict theory would suggest.
A group of sociologists is studying the prevalence of anxiety among teenagers in a school. Which of the following methods is a quantitative research method? Measuring the heart rates and blood pressures of students at different times throughout the day Having students fill out a questionnaire to describe the incidents that caused them anxiety in the past week Conducting detailed interviews with students to understand which events make them more anxious Observing students as they go about their daily activities in school
Measuring the heart rates and blood pressures of students at different times throughout the day Quantitative research includes research methods that focus on gathering data from experiments or studies. Measuring physiological changes like heart rate and blood pressure is a quantitative method. Qualitative research focuses on gathering information in a narrative format instead of designing a study, such as through participant observation or surveys.
Which of the following is the first step in the scientific method? a.) Make an educated guess relating to a research topic. b.) Determine the method to be used for research. c.) Analyze previous research relating to a research topic. d.) Observe and pick an issue to research further.
Observe and pick an issue to research further. The scientific method is a multi-step procedure that involves systematically formulating questions, gathering data, and questioning hypotheses. The first step of the scientific method is to define the problem. The researcher should observe their surroundings and identify the issues that they would want to research further.
Which of the following practices should a researcher follow while writing a literature review? a.) Organize the selected sources either chronologically or by methodology b.) Avoid evaluating the selected articles or developing a purpose statement c.) Structure the research to gain more information outside of the related topic d.) Avoid narrowing down to your topic initially by defining your research question
Organize the selected sources either chronologically or by methodology A literature review is a survey of any existing similar or related studies on a topic of study. While writing the literature review, you should organize the selected resources either chronologically, if you are studying something that has changed over time, or by methodology.
Which idea was George Herbert Mead's contribution to the field of sociology? a.)Authority only exists because people allow it to exist. b.)People make individual and personal decisions in a vacuum. c.)Our sense of "self" comes from our interactions with others. d.)Capitalism is society's most effective economic system.
Our sense of "self" comes from our interactions with others. George Herbert Mead's contribution to sociology is the idea that our sense of "self" is a result of social interaction with others.
Which of the following is a key tenet of symbolic interactionism? a.)People assign different meanings to different things and respond accordingly. b.)People make everyday life decisions independent of the greater social context. c.)People living in a society respond in a similar manner to social pressures. d.)People often compete for social, material, and political resources such as food and housing.
People assign different meanings to different things and respond accordingly. Herbert Blumer outlined the basic premises for symbolic interactionism. The basic premises are that humans interact with things (events, ideas, or people) based on meanings ascribed to those things. These meanings are developed by the interactions people have with others or with society. A person interprets these meanings based on specific circumstances.
Which of the following statements best summarizes the Hawthorne effect? Researchers' personal values usually shape their interpretation of study data. Participation in a research study can modify participants' values and beliefs. People change their behavior when they know they are being observed. Conducting a research study can modify researchers' values and beliefs.
People change their behavior when they know they are being observed. The Hawthorne effect is an unavoidable phenomenon in research where people change their behavior because they know they are being watched as part of a study.
Which of the following quantitative research methods uses a relatively small group of people for testing and is most helpful in obtaining data that are representative of the whole population? a.) Random sampling b.) Secondary data analysis c.) Natural experiments d.) In-depth interviews
Random sampling involves a study's participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population.
Which of the following is the principle behind pursuing a value-free research question? a.) All research is determined and biased by the researcher's own beliefs and values. b.) Research studies should be independent of any value system. c.) Researchers should make it a point to study subjects contrary to their personal values. d.) Research should be objective and not biased by the researcher's values.
Research should be objective and not biased by the researcher's values. The principle of value-free research is that research should be objective and not biased by the researcher's values, principles, or beliefs.
When picking a research question, which of the following is true according to the principles of value-relevant research? a.) Researchers pick their research questions based on the values they follow. b.) Research questions are not biased toward the values of the researcher. c.) Researchers will have better research outcomes when they pick questions in line with their values. d.) Research questions chosen based on values should not change during the research process.
Researchers pick their research questions based on the values they follow. Value-relevant research is an acknowledgment that our values guide us to our research topics; we study what we find valuable and interesting.
Which of the following statements best describes the reason why surveys are the most widely used research method? The data collected do not have to be recorded. They accurately estimate public opinion using a small sample. The data can be easily tabulated and organized. They do not require direct contact with the test subjects.
The data can be easily tabulated and organized. Surveys are the most widely used scientific research method in sociology because the data can be easily organized and tabulated. As the data collected are in the numerical form, a survey is a quantitative research method. Survey research is a research method in which subjects respond to the researchers' questions directly, either in an interview or on a questionnaire, and it requires direct contact with the test subjects. Surveys target specific populations or groups of people and do not accurately estimate the public opinion of the entire population.
According to conflict theory, how does the structure of society develop? a.)Society progresses when there are no differences between people and in society. b.)The people and institutions in society form a machine with interlocking parts that work together to keep the system going. c.)Society is constructed through a series of one-on-one interactions between people playing roles. d.)The disagreements and differences between groups in society allow people to drive change in society.
The disagreements and differences between groups in society allow people to drive change in society. In conflict theory, conflicts lie at the core of society. Since people act based on these conflicts, they bring about change in society.
Henri is studying sociology and has to write a paper on the structure of employment in a particular society using any of the main sociological perspectives. He elects to use conflict theory. Which of the following elements is Henri likely to miss when he uses conflict theory? The factors that cause social change The effects of unequal power on society The factors that lead to social stability The effects of class on society
The factors that lead to social stability Conflict theory focuses on the way inequalities contribute to social differences and perpetuate differences in power. It examines how conflicts arise from competition for scarce resources. Conflict theory can also explain the effect class has on people's behaviors and lives. The element Henri is likely to miss is that it fails to adequately explain social stability. It also sometimes focuses on class to the exclusion of other axes of conflict.
Which of the following does the theory of symbolic interactionism focus on? a.)The conflict that arises within society because of economic inequality b.)The meaning people gain in society through social communication c.)The social institutions and structures that dominate society d.)The unequal treatment of men and women within a society
The meaning people gain in society through social communication Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on meanings attached to human interaction, both verbal and nonverbal, and to symbols. The exchange of meaning through language and symbols is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social worlds.
Which of the following skills helps you resolve issues by making decisions only after considering diverse and ethical perspectives? a.)The initiative skill b.)The communication skill c.)The technology skill d.)The problem solving skill
The problem solving skill Developing the problem solving skill will help you make decisions by using a scientific method and incorporating diverse and ethical perspectives. It helps compare sociological paradigms and helps you identify effective solutions to existing sociological issues.
Which of the following skills best helps you gain a deeper understanding of yourself so that you can work collaboratively with others? a.)The self and social awareness skill b.)The results driven skill c.)The innovation skill d.)The productivity skil
The self and social awareness skill The self and social awareness skill will help you understand yourself and how you relate to the people around you, so you can work together and perform at the highest possible level.
Which of the following is a desired characteristic of a good research topic? The topic should be narrow enough to study within a location and time frame. The topic should be broad enough to cover all people within a category. The topic should be as broad as possible and cover multiple categories. The topic should be narrow and cover only a small group of people across all time.
The topic should be narrow enough to study within a location and time frame. The first step of the scientific method is to ask a question, describe a problem, and identify the specific area of interest. The topic should be narrow enough to study within a geography and time frame.
Which of the following is the purpose of an operational definition of a concept? a.) To integrate all definitions of the concept used in previous studies b.) To correct an incorrect past definition of the concept c.) To provide a basis for measuring the concept in a particular study d.) To provide a universal definition of the concept for future studies
To provide a basis for measuring the concept in a particular study The operational definition defines a concept in terms of the physical or concrete steps it takes to objectively measure it.
When does the Hawthorne effect occur in a sociological study? a.) When participants know they are being observed by a researcher b.) When participants do not provide informed consent for the study c.) When a study is a natural experiment rather than a lab experiment d.) When a study has an experimental group and a control group
When participants know they are being observed by a researcher The Hawthorne effect is an unavoidable phenomenon in research where people change their behavior because they know they are being watched as part of a study.
Which of the following quantitative research methods should a researcher use when trying to understand the political views held by the young population of a specific area? a.)Written surveys b.)Secondary data analysis c.)Laboratory experiments d.)Participant observation
Written surveys Surveys gather different types of information from people. They can track political preferences or patterns in reported individual behaviors (such as sleeping, driving, or texting habits), or they can gather factual information on subjects like employment status, income, and education levels.
Your company is not handing out bonuses to anyone this year. You are extremely disappointed because you were counting on your bonus to plan a trip abroad. Which reaction demonstrates that you are using your sociological imagination? You look at the bigger picture and examine how your company is affected by the current economic climate. You examine your work over the past year and see if there is anything you could have done differently. You start looking for a new job because you believe that your company is the only one holding back annual bonuses. You resign because you believe that your company does not value your contribution.
You look at the bigger picture and examine how your company is affected by the current economic climate. If you use your sociological imagination, you would connect your personal problems with broader social trends. In this situation, you would look at how your company is affected by the current economic climate and understand that it is withholding bonuses because there is a recession and companies are not doing well financially. Examining your work over the past year and assuming that your company does not value your contribution would mean you are not connecting your personal situation with the broader social environment. If you believe that yours is the only company holding back annual bonuses, you would not look at the broader social environment.
Which of the following was the main idea behind Rousseau's theory about societies? a.)People need to feel connections with other people. b.)Authority or power cannot be assigned without consent. c.)The sense of "self" develops as a result of social interactions with others. d.)Capitalism is immoral and is exploitative by nature.
b. Authority or power cannot be assigned without consent. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a French philosopher during the Enlightenment. He explained that authority only exists because people allow it to exist.
C. Wright Mills' concept of the sociological imagination enables sociologists to __________. a.)determine how personal problems relate to social issues b.)look at social events from a less scientific and a more intuitive perspective c.)solve societal problems without taking into account individual behavior d.)analyze how the self and society differ from one another
determine how personal problems relate to social issues The sociological imagination is a concept established by sociologist C. Wright Mills. The sociological imagination is the mindset used by sociologists to make the connection between personal challenges and larger social issues.
Which of the following should a sociologist use to test cause and effect relationships? Experiments Secondary data analysis Participant observation Ethnography
experiment involves the deliberate manipulation of social customs and mores. It is used to test cause and effect relationships.
If you utilize the sociological imagination as proposed by C. Wright Mills, you would connect your personal problems with __________. a.)historical trends b.)your unconscious thoughts c.)your childhood experiences d.)genetic factors
historical trends If you possessed the sociological imagination, you would connect your personal problems with historical trends. According to the sociological imagination, an idea coined by C. Wright Mills, each person's individual lives and personal biographies are deeply connected to the larger trends of society and history.
Which of the following statements best describes a literature review? a.) It involves the in-depth analysis of published scholarly or peer-reviewed articles for a specific research topic. b.) It refers to the well-defined and clear description of the issue that is being researched in a specific study. c.) It refers to analyzing the format of the citations in a study. d.) It refers to the crisp and concise summary of the research that was performed.
it involves the in-depth analysis of published scholarly or peer-reviewed articles for a specific research topic. A literature review is a survey of any existing similar or related studies on a topic of study. A visit to the library or a thorough online search of research databases will uncover existing research about the topic of study.
According to the concept of sociological imagination, the term "issues" relates to __________. a.)the negative effects social groups have on individual thinking patterns b.)environmental factors that a person can control c.)social and cultural factors that are beyond a person's control d.)the private problems that people experience within the scope of their personal relationships
social and cultural factors that are beyond a person's control According to the concept of the sociological imagination established by sociologist C. Wright Mills, the term "issues" refers to those larger social and cultural forces and trends that lie beyond one's personal control. These pertain to broader matters of organization and process, which are rooted in society rather than in the individual.