Exam 2: Examining Our Social World

_____ is a relationship in which one variable is the direct consequence of another.

When viewers vote for the contestants of television entertainment shows, such as The Voice or Dancing with the Stars, they are an example of a(n):

Sociologists and other scientists try to establish correlation because _____.

_____ are preferred because the results can be generalized to a larger population.

Explain independent, dependent, and control variables.

What are the two types of sampling methods used by researchers to select a sample?

Which of the following is an advantage of evaluation research?

All ethical standards have at least three golden rules. What are those rules?

Research methods are organized and systematic procedures to gain knowledge about a particular topic.

Nonprobability samples are especially useful when sociologists:

Causation is also known as correlation.

Validity is the consistency with which the same measure produces similar results time after time, whereas reliability is the degree to which a measure is accurate and really measures what it claims to measure.

Explain the importance of research methods with an example.

_____ is the relationship between two or more variables.

_____ sharpens critical thinking skills.

What are the seven steps present in the scientific method?

Sociologists rely on techniques that include careful data collection, exact measurement, accurate recording and analysis of the findings, thoughtful interpretation of results, and, when appropriate, generalization of the findings to a larger group.

As concepts are abstract and may vary among individuals and cultures, scientists rely on _____ to measure concepts.

Explain questionnaires and interviews and describe how they are used in a survey.

Identify a true statement about longitudinal studies.