Question 1

Social science reduces the likelihood of overgeneralization by:

Accepted Answer

A)  Using systematic procedures for selecting individuals to study that are representative for the groups to which we hope to generalize 
B)  Using explicit criteria for establishing causality 
C)  Requiring systematic measurement and sampling 
D)  Using empirical evidence 
E)  Answering questions from an ego-based commitment 
A)  Using systematic procedures for selecting individuals to study that are representative for the groups to which we hope to generalize 
B)  Using explicit criteria for establishing causality 
C)  Requiring systematic measurement and sampling 
D)  Using empirical evidence 
E)  Answering questions from an ego-based commitment A

Question 2

When determining how accurate research is in capturing social reality, social scientists refer to dimensions of:

Accepted Answer

A)  Causality 
B)  Reliability 
C)  Validity 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Objectivity 
A)  Causality 
B)  Reliability 
C)  Validity 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Objectivity C

Question 3

A key concern of survey research is sample generalizability.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

The General Social Survey is administered to a sample of U.S. residents, but it hopes to identify features of the U.S. population as a whole. In other words, the GSS hopes for:

Accepted Answer

A)  Validity 
B)  Reliability 
C)  Causal validity 
D)  Generalizability 
E)  Cross-population generalizability 
A)  Validity 
B)  Reliability 
C)  Causal validity 
D)  Generalizability 
E)  Cross-population generalizability

Question 5

Use the following to answer questions 16-18:
In each set, match a concept from Group A to a definition or example from Group B.
-Validity
NOTE: Answers from Group B may be used more than once.
 Group A
 1. Causal validity
 2. Cross population generalizability
 3. External validity
 4. Internal validity
 5. Measurement validity
 6. Sample generalizability
 
 Group B
 a. When a measure measures what we think it measures
 b. When findings about one group, population, or setting hold true for other groups, populations, or settings
 c. When a conclusion that A leads to or results in B is correct
 d. When a conclusion based on a subset of a larger population holds true for the entire population

Accepted Answer

1-c
2-b
3-

Question 6

A new student observes that in his first class, the people sitting in the back row answer most of the questions, so in the next class he sits with the back row, concluding that this is where the smartest students sit. What is wrong with his reasoning?

Accepted Answer

A)  He overgeneralized. 
B)  He made systematic observations. 
C)  He let his own biases affect his conclusions. 
D)  He deferred to authority. 
E)  None of the above 
A)  He overgeneralized. 
B)  He made systematic observations. 
C)  He let his own biases affect his conclusions. 
D)  He deferred to authority. 
E)  None of the above

Question 7

Exploratory research is designed to identify causes and effects.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Findings from a recent study indicated that education was an important predictor of television viewing. What is the purpose of this research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Descriptive 
B)  Exploratory 
C)  Explanatory 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Selective 
A)  Descriptive 
B)  Exploratory 
C)  Explanatory 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Selective

Question 9

Descriptive research suggests how social phenomena (such as neighborhood characteristics) affect other social phenomena (such as youth outcomes).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Although science requires systematic data collection, scientists should protect the specific methods of data collection need not be disclosed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The everyday error that involves prematurely jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  Overgeneralization 
B)  Selective observation 
C)  Inaccurate observation 
D)  Illogical reasoning 
E)  Resistance to change 
A)  Overgeneralization 
B)  Selective observation 
C)  Inaccurate observation 
D)  Illogical reasoning 
E)  Resistance to change

Question 12

To reduce the risk of illogical reasoning, social researchers use explicit criteria for identifying causes and for determining whether these criteria are met in a particular instance.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The General Social Survey asks the question: Are you very happy, somewhat happy, or not at all happy in your marriage? Many researchers have questioned whether this is an accurate way to find out how satisfied people really are in their marriage. What is being critiqued in the GSS question?

Accepted Answer

A)  Reliability 
B)  Causal validity 
C)  Sample generalizability 
D)  Cross-population generalizability 
E)  Measurement validity 
A)  Reliability 
B)  Causal validity 
C)  Sample generalizability 
D)  Cross-population generalizability 
E)  Measurement validity

Question 14

Sally decides that she wants to observe interactions among individuals involved in a protest. She wants to understand their actions as well as the issues that concern them. She is performing what type of research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Explanatory 
B)  Exploratory 
C)  Descriptive 
D)  Interactive 
E)  Evaluation 
A)  Explanatory 
B)  Exploratory 
C)  Descriptive 
D)  Interactive 
E)  Evaluation

Question 15

When the results of a study hold true for multiple populations, it can be said that the study has:

Accepted Answer

A)  Cross-population generalizability 
B)  Measurement validity 
C)  Sample generalizability 
D)  Internal validity 
E)  Causal validity 
A)  Cross-population generalizability 
B)  Measurement validity 
C)  Sample generalizability 
D)  Internal validity 
E)  Causal validity

Question 16

Social science overcomes the reliance on tradition or unquestioning respect for authority by:

Accepted Answer

A)  Using systematic procedures for selecting individuals to study that are representative for the groups to which we hope to generalize 
B)  Using explicit criteria for establishing causality 
C)  Requiring systematic measurement and sampling 
D)  Using empirical evidence 
E)  Answering questions from an ego-based commitment 
A)  Using systematic procedures for selecting individuals to study that are representative for the groups to which we hope to generalize 
B)  Using explicit criteria for establishing causality 
C)  Requiring systematic measurement and sampling 
D)  Using empirical evidence 
E)  Answering questions from an ego-based commitment

Question 17

Using the General Social Survey, a researcher finds that of all the religious groups in the United States, Catholics are the single largest group, but combined Protestant denominations outnumber Catholics. This is an example of what kind of research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Exploratory 
B)  Descriptive 
C)  Explanatory 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Qualitative 
A)  Exploratory 
B)  Descriptive 
C)  Explanatory 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Qualitative

Question 18

"Why do young people in poor neighborhoods join gangs?" This is an example of what kind of research question?

Accepted Answer

A)  Exploratory 
B)  Descriptive 
C)  Explanatory 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Quantitative 
A)  Exploratory 
B)  Descriptive 
C)  Explanatory 
D)  Evaluation 
E)  Quantitative

Question 19

Name four errors in everyday reasoning in the conclusion that people should not feel guilty about not letting their house cats out in the city, because when one observer moved into the country, she opened the door to her cats, and they chose not to go outside.

Accepted Answer

Overgeneralization-occurs when we unjust

Question 20

Use the following to answer questions 16-18:
In each set, match a concept from Group A to a definition or example from Group B.
-Errors in Everyday Reasoning
Group A
 1. Overgeneralization
 2. Selective observation
 3. Illogical reasoning 
 4. Resistance to change
 
 Group B
 a. Prematurely jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions
 b. Unjustifiably concluding that what is true for some cases is true for all cases
 c. Reluctance to change ideas even in light of new information
 d. Systematic procedures for selecting objects of study
 e. Noting observations that coincide with preexisting preferences or beliefs

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use the following to answer questions 16-18:
In...

Social science reduces the likelihood of overgeneralization by:

When determining how accurate research is in capturing social reality, social scientists refer to dimensions of:

A key concern of survey research is sample generalizability.

The General Social Survey is administered to a sample of U.S. residents, but it hopes to identify features of the U.S. population as a whole. In other words, the GSS hopes for:

A new student observes that in his first class, the people sitting in the back row answer most of the questions, so in the next class he sits with the back row, concluding that this is where the smartest students sit. What is wrong with his reasoning?

Exploratory research is designed to identify causes and effects.

Findings from a recent study indicated that education was an important predictor of television viewing. What is the purpose of this research?

Descriptive research suggests how social phenomena (such as neighborhood characteristics) affect other social phenomena (such as youth outcomes).

Although science requires systematic data collection, scientists should protect the specific methods of data collection need not be disclosed.

The everyday error that involves prematurely jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions is called:

To reduce the risk of illogical reasoning, social researchers use explicit criteria for identifying causes and for determining whether these criteria are met in a particular instance.

The General Social Survey asks the question: Are you very happy, somewhat happy, or not at all happy in your marriage? Many researchers have questioned whether this is an accurate way to find out how satisfied people really are in their marriage. What is being critiqued in the GSS question?

Sally decides that she wants to observe interactions among individuals involved in a protest. She wants to understand their actions as well as the issues that concern them. She is performing what type of research?

When the results of a study hold true for multiple populations, it can be said that the study has:

Social science overcomes the reliance on tradition or unquestioning respect for authority by:

Using the General Social Survey, a researcher finds that of all the religious groups in the United States, Catholics are the single largest group, but combined Protestant denominations outnumber Catholics. This is an example of what kind of research?

"Why do young people in poor neighborhoods join gangs?" This is an example of what kind of research question?

Name four errors in everyday reasoning in the conclusion that people should not feel guilty about not letting their house cats out in the city, because when one observer moved into the country, she opened the door to her cats, and they chose not to go outside.

The Process and Problems of Social Research

Ethics in Research

Conceptualization and Measurement

Sampling and Generalizability

Causation and Experimental Design

Survey Research

Elementary Quantitative Data Analysis

Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, Listening

Qualitative Data Analysis

Unobtrusive Measures

Evaluation Research

Filters

Exam 1: Science, Society, and Social Research

Social science reduces the likelihood of overgeneralization by:

When determining how accurate research is in capturing social reality, social scientists refer to dimensions of:

A key concern of survey research is sample generalizability.

The General Social Survey is administered to a sample of U.S. residents, but it hopes to identify features of the U.S. population as a whole. In other words, the GSS hopes for:

A new student observes that in his first class, the people sitting in the back row answer most of the questions, so in the next class he sits with the back row, concluding that this is where the smartest students sit. What is wrong with his reasoning?

Exploratory research is designed to identify causes and effects.

Findings from a recent study indicated that education was an important predictor of television viewing. What is the purpose of this research?

Descriptive research suggests how social phenomena (such as neighborhood characteristics) affect other social phenomena (such as youth outcomes).

Although science requires systematic data collection, scientists should protect the specific methods of data collection need not be disclosed.

The everyday error that involves prematurely jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions is called:

To reduce the risk of illogical reasoning, social researchers use explicit criteria for identifying causes and for determining whether these criteria are met in a particular instance.

The General Social Survey asks the question: Are you very happy, somewhat happy, or not at all happy in your marriage? Many researchers have questioned whether this is an accurate way to find out how satisfied people really are in their marriage. What is being critiqued in the GSS question?

Sally decides that she wants to observe interactions among individuals involved in a protest. She wants to understand their actions as well as the issues that concern them. She is performing what type of research?

When the results of a study hold true for multiple populations, it can be said that the study has:

Social science overcomes the reliance on tradition or unquestioning respect for authority by:

Using the General Social Survey, a researcher finds that of all the religious groups in the United States, Catholics are the single largest group, but combined Protestant denominations outnumber Catholics. This is an example of what kind of research?

"Why do young people in poor neighborhoods join gangs?" This is an example of what kind of research question?

Name four errors in everyday reasoning in the conclusion that people should not feel guilty about not letting their house cats out in the city, because when one observer moved into the country, she opened the door to her cats, and they chose not to go outside.

The Process and Problems of Social Research

Ethics in Research

Conceptualization and Measurement

Sampling and Generalizability

Causation and Experimental Design

Survey Research

Elementary Quantitative Data Analysis

Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, Listening

Qualitative Data Analysis

Unobtrusive Measures

Evaluation Research

Filters