Question 1

Describe some of the difficulties that social scientists face when doing survey research.

Accepted Answer

Social scientists face a number of difficulties when conducting survey research. One major challenge is obtaining a representative sample of the population. It can be difficult to ensure that the people surveyed are a true reflection of the entire population, which can lead to biased results.

Another difficulty is getting people to participate in the survey. Response rates can be low, especially with the rise of telemarketing and spam calls, leading to a potential lack of diversity in the sample. Additionally, people may be hesitant to share personal information or may provide inaccurate responses, leading to unreliable data.

Designing effective survey questions is also a challenge. Questions must be clear, unbiased, and relevant to the research topic in order to elicit accurate and meaningful responses. Social scientists must also consider cultural and language barriers when designing surveys for diverse populations.

Finally, analyzing and interpreting the data collected from surveys can be complex. Social scientists must use appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data and draw meaningful conclusions, which requires a high level of expertise and training.

Overall, conducting survey research in social science presents numerous challenges that require careful planning and execution to produce valid and reliable results.

Question 2

Carly believes that, contrary to the stereotype of silent men and chatty women, men chat as often-if not more-as women do when they're eating. For four months, Carly eats her lunch in the university cafeteria, recording the talking time of males and females in couples and in groups during their food breaks. What type of study is Carly conducting?

Accepted Answer

A)   observational study
B)   participant observation study
C)   objective analytical study
D)   group experimental study A

Question 3

Using your own examples, demonstrate how science differs from other forms of knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Science differs from other forms of knowledge in several ways. One key difference is the reliance on empirical evidence and the scientific method. In science, knowledge is gained through systematic observation, experimentation, and the testing of hypotheses. For example, in the field of biology, researchers use controlled experiments to study the effects of different variables on a biological process, such as the growth of plants under varying light conditions.

Another difference is the emphasis on peer review and replication. Scientific knowledge is constantly subject to scrutiny by the scientific community, with research findings needing to be reviewed and replicated by other scientists before being accepted as valid. This ensures that scientific knowledge is reliable and objective. For instance, a study on the effects of a new drug on a specific disease would need to be replicated by different research groups before the findings are widely accepted and incorporated into medical practice.

Additionally, science is characterized by its willingness to revise and update knowledge based on new evidence. Unlike other forms of knowledge that may be more resistant to change, scientific knowledge is always open to modification in light of new discoveries. For example, the understanding of the structure of the atom has evolved over time as new evidence has emerged, leading to the development of new theories and models.

Overall, science stands apart from other forms of knowledge due to its reliance on empirical evidence, peer review, replication, and its dynamic nature that allows for the continual refinement of knowledge based on new discoveries.

Question 4

What is random-digit-sampling?

Accepted Answer

A)   choosing subjects selectively from a sampling frame
B)   dividing a population into equal and representative samples
C)   procedures for producing experimental conditions
D)   telephone procedures for establishing random samples

Question 5

A graduate sociology student proposes a thesis on pool hustlers. A major part of his methodology is to hang out in pool halls, and as a reasonably good pool player he will play games and allow himself to be hustled, and he will use his skill to set up hustles himself. What kind of research is he conducting?

Accepted Answer

A)   participant observation
B)   social observation
C)   unethical observation
D)   primary observation

Question 6

What is the best scientific methodology for a scientist to use to isolate a cause?

Accepted Answer

A)   an experiment
B)   a survey
C)   field research
D)   observation studies

Question 7

What is the Hawthorne effect? Can you describe a personal experience of yours in which reactivity became an issue?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the Hawthorne effect? Can you...

Question 8

How is regression analysis, showing the relationship between two variables, represented in a scatter plot?

Accepted Answer

A)   as plotted points
B)   on the x-axis
C)   on the y-axis
D)   as a straight line

Question 9

In Canada, the long-form census is mandatory.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

As a sociologist, I decide to study the social phenomenon of suicide; I am not value-free in choosing this topic, as I had a cousin who took his own life. Which of the following will I have to be mindful of when conducting my research?

Accepted Answer

A)   randomization
B)   confounding
C)   validity
D)   objectivity

Question 11

Write a proposal for a sociological research experiment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Write a proposal for a sociological research...

Question 12

For many students, the mere mention of research methods provokes a cringing reaction. What was your outlook on the subject matter prior to studying this chapter? What have you learned that you can apply when reading newspaper articles and other reports of research findings? How does understanding the various methods of research help you to acquire a deeper understanding of the social world you live in?

Accepted Answer

The answer of For many students, the mere mention of...

Question 13

What is the basic logic of experimentation in science? Why don't social scientists use experiments as often as natural scientists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the basic logic of experimentation...

Question 14

Tony is doing research on alcoholism and the effects it has on individuals and their families. Which of the following would Tony not use in his ethnographic study?

Accepted Answer

A)   reports on provincial alcohol sales
B)   interviews with alcoholics
C)   personal interviews with wives and husbands of alcoholics
D)   attending AA meetings with alcoholics

Question 15

Briefly explain the scientific meaning of objectivity, and why it is important for research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain the scientific meaning of objectivity,...

Question 16

Which of the following refers to obtaining consistent results with the same measure?

Accepted Answer

A)   multiple causation
B)   reliability
C)   experimenter presence
D)   validity

Question 17

As part of a research project, Carmen attended the birthday party of a child. When the cake was served, Carmen was asked to teach everyone the "Happy Birthday Song" in English. After the cake, presents were opened, including the gift from Carmen. What part of this event was problematic for Carmen's research?

Accepted Answer

A)   Carmen's presence influenced events at the party.
B)   Teaching the English song distracted Carmen from other observations.
C)   Carmen should not have attended the child's party.
D)   Carmen should not have given a gift to a research participant's family member.

Question 18

What social research method would you use to study pothead (marijuana smoking) culture, and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What social research method would you use...

Question 19

There is very little difference between the subject matter of the natural and the social sciences.

Accepted Answer