Exam 3: Doing Sociological Research

Which of these statements can be said of all soundly conducted sociological research?

Suppose you were interested in studying attitudes of your fellow students toward immigration. What might you do to be sure that you surveyed a random sample of students? What would it mean for your research if you failed to do so?

What research method would be most appropriate for a study of cultural changes over long periods of time?

A researcher who uses data collected by someone else is using primary data.

The research method that permits the sociologist to be active in a situation while objectively monitoring it at the same time is called

When Dr. Baker, a professor at a university, uses data from the United States Department of Agriculture's  Census of Agriculture on farm size, he is using _____ data.

Which of the following would be considered a serendipitous research finding?

Experiments sometimes include measuring the variable/concept both before and after an intervention of some sort. This technique is known as a

Define inductive and deductive reasoning and explain how they are used in the research process.

Which of these is an example of secondary data?

All sociological research methods are equally able to establish cause and effect.

Briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a controlled experiment as a sociological research method.

When selecting a research method, what is the first question a sociologist should ask?

The initial step in conducting social science research is to develop a research question, which is a testable statement often in if-then form.

Explain the difficulties involved in achieving completely "value-free" sociology. How might a researcher potentially add bias to the outcomes of the research? How do most sociologists resolve the issue of objectivity in research?

William Foote Whyte's "Street Corner Society" is an example of which method of research?

Define the terms research question, independent variable, and dependent variable; give a brief example of a research question and identify the independent and dependent variables within it.

Concepts are

If Mary wants to take an in-depth, nuanced look at how mothers and daughters interact, what type of research would she most likely be doing?

In what way does sociological knowledge differ from philosophy and personal belief?