Sociology A Down to Earth Approach Books a la Carte Edition 12th Edition By James M. Henslin - Test Bank

Sociology A Down to Earth Approach Books a la Carte Edition 12th Edition By James M. Henslin – Test Bank

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Chapter 5 How Sociologists Do Research

5.1 True/False Questions

1) On the micro level, sociologists study matters such as race relations and multinational corporations; on the macro level, they study human interactions, such as the behavior seen on street corners and in doctor-patient relationships.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 125

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.1 State what topics are valid for sociologists to study.

Topic/A-head: What Is a Valid Sociological Topic?

2) Commonsense ideas are the best topics to choose for sociological research, because they represent “what everyone knows.”

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 125

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.2 Explain why common sense can’t replace sociological research.

Topic/A-head: Common Sense and the Need for Sociological Research

3)The first step in the research model is to formulate a hypothesis.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 126

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

4)When an instrument measures what it is intended to measure, it is considered to possess the quality of reliability.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

5) The individuals that are intended to represent the population to be studied are referred to as the sample.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.4 Know the main elements of the 7 research methods: surveys, participant observation, case studies, secondary analysis, analysis of documents, experiments, and unobtrusive measures; state why sociological research can lead to controversy.

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

6) The mean is commonly the most representative measure of the average when comparing scores in a distribution.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 129

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

7) “Research bias” and “research fraud” are concepts that can be used interchangeably because they are virtually identical.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 130-131

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

8)In order to establish rapport with a sample while researching sensitive and personal issues, the researcher should begin by asking emotional and personal questions so he or she can relate to the respondents.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

9) A multiple-choice exam is an example of a test structure composed of closed-ended questions.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

10)One of the liabilities in using the participant observation as a research method is that findings are difficult to generalize.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

11)Not knowing who gathered the data or which research methods were employed to gather them are major issues to consider when using secondary analysis as a research method.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

12) Researchers are violating people’s privacy when gathering information from Facebook because the Internet is technically a private domain.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 133-134

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

13) When utilizing correlations to assess variables related to human behavior, the researcher will seldom find either a perfect positive correlation or a perfect negative correlation.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 135-136

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

14)If two variables have a perfect correlation, they will be represented by a correlation coefficient of zero.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135-136

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

15) A correlation simply means that two or more variables are present together.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135-136

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

16) For an independent variable to be the cause of an event, it must precede that which is changed (the dependent variable).

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

17)Studying the level of whiskey consumption in a “dry” town by counting the number of empty whiskey bottles in trashcans is an example of research that uses unobtrusive measures.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

18) Access to resources, access to subjects, purpose of the research, and training of researchers are the four primary factors that affect which research method to use.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

19) While marketing tools such as face-recognition cameras at kiosks that classify people by age and sex in order to post targeted ads to customers can be considered unobtrusive measures for collecting data, they raise ethical issues of invasion of privacy.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

And

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

20) Interviewer bias may occur because of a researcher’s sex, race, or perceived ethnicity.

Answer: TRUE

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.5 Explain how gender is significant in sociological research.
Topic/A-head: Gender in Sociological Research

21) Many sociologists believe that theory is unnecessary when doing research.

Answer: FALSE

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 141

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.7 Explain how research and theory work together in sociology.

Topic/A-head: How Research and Theory Work Together

5.2 Multiple Choice Questions

1) Of the following research topics, which most qualifies as research on the micro level?

A) doctor-patient relationships
B) race relations
C) the military
D) multinational corporations

Answer: A

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 125

Skill Level: Analyze It

LO: 5.1 State what topics are valid for sociologists to study.

Topic/A-head: What Is a Valid Sociological Topic?

2) Which of the following represents a correct sequence of steps in the research process?

A) Select a topic, collect the data, review the literature, share the results.
B) Review the literature, select a topic, collect the data, choose a research method.
C) Choose a research method, select a topic, collect the data, formulate a hypothesis.
D) Select a topic, review the literature, collect the data, share the results.

Answer: D

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 126-127

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

3) In the statement, “Poverty causes crime,” the words “poverty” and “crime” are best described as ________ because they are subject to change.

A) unobtrusive measures
B) variables
C) parametric measures
D) correlations

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 126

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

4) In the research model, the step in which the researcher specifies what he or she wants to learn about a specific topic of study is called ________.

A) defining the problem
B) formulating the hypothesis
C) choosing the research model
D) analyzing the results

Answer: A

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 126

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

5) A statement that describes how variables are expected to be related to one another, often according to predictions from a theory, is known as a ________.

A) correlation
B) hypothesis
C) secondary prediction
D) primary function

Answer: B

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 126-127

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

6) Which of the following statements is the best example of a hypothesis?

A) “All men are created equal.”
B) “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
C) “Unemployed men are more likely to commit spousal abuse than employed men.”
D) “More than 300 million people live in the United States.”

Answer: C

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 126-127

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

7) Precise ways to measure variables in research so that comparisons can be made and replications can later be done are referred to as ________.

A) reliability
B) correlation
C) validity
D) operational definitions

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

8) One of the early concerns of IQ tests was that they tested the subject’s knowledge of the upper-class white culture of the scientists who developed them, and not the true educational potential of the person tested. In view of this, which assessment of the early IQ tests is most accurate?

A) The early IQ tests lacked reliability.
B) The early IQ tests were based on a faulty hypothesis.
C) The early IQ tests lacked validity.
D) The early IQ tests were improperly administered.

Answer: C

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

9) The term “________” refers to the extent to which different studies come up with similar results.

A) validity
B) replication
C) reliability
D) duplication

Answer: C

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

10) The methodical and exacting process by which a researcher measures a variable is known as ________.

A) operational definition
B) correlation analysis
C) triangulation
D) factor analysis

Answer: A

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

11)Tiffany has a keen interest in the original theories of William Sheldon regarding the relationship between body type and juvenile delinquency. She has duplicated the study using Sheldon’s original methodology to see if her results are compatible to Sheldon’s. Such a study illustrates the concept of ________.

A) validity
B) reliability
C) replication
D) correlation

Answer: C

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

12) Which research method involves collecting data by having people answer a series of questions?

A) unobtrusive measures
B) secondary analysis
C) experimentation
D) survey

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

13) Dr. Zak is trying to determine what traits, if any, high-achieving students have that students who do poorly on his exams do not possess. To assess personal information from both groups of students, what research method should Dr. Zak probably use?

A) an experimental method
B) an ethnographic study
C) a form of secondary data analysis
D) a survey

Answer: D

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 129, 137

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

14)When reading a table, a comment located just below the title that gives more detailed information on how the data was collected or how the data are presented is called a ________.

A) source
B) byline
C) reference
D) headnote

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 128

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

15)In research, to generalize one’s findings to a total population, what is the most important quality that the sample must possess?

A) It must include at least 25 percent of the total population.
B) It must be representative of the total population.
C) It must consist of people who are selected and people who volunteer.
D) It must be quantitative in order to make comparisons.

Answer: B

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 129-130

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

16) What is the defining characteristic of a random sample?

A) It consists of an equal number of men and women.
B) It is created by asking questions of people who randomly happen to walk by.
C) It gives each person in the population of interest an equal chance of being chosen.
D) It ensures that every person in the sample represents a specific racial, gender, or religious group.

Answer: C

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

17) A small group of seven students evaluated Professor Zanylo’s lectures. On a scale of 1 to 10, the scores the students registered were 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10. Professor Zanylo’s mode score was ________ and his median score was ________.

A) 4; 9
B) 10; 7.4
C) 4; 10
D) 9; 8

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 129

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

18)Walker is conducting research on scholarship recipients at Faber College. In his sample of 250 students, he is ensuring he has a proportionate number of students based on class standing, race, sex, and major course of study. Walker’s sample is an example of a ________.

A) stratified random sample
B) self-administered sample
C) closed-ended sample
D) universal sample

Answer: A

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

19)Michael is going to survey members of the gay and lesbian student union and gather data on their personal lives, interests, and demographics to develop a profile of their membership. To be most successful and receive the most valid responses, what should Michael do?

A) Michael should include a statement in his survey that he is gay.
B) Michael should refrain from asking for data on sexual behavior.
C) Michael should distribute the survey only to volunteers.
D) Michael should begin the questionnaire by asking neutral questions.

Answer: D

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Analyze It

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

20)What is the greatest flaw in using self-administered questionnaires for a research study?

A) They can be administered only to small groups.
B) They are expensive compared to other research techniques.
C) They are labor-intensive.
D) They cause the researcher to lose control of the data collection.

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

21)Sam is conducting interviews to assess students’ opinions on how President Bush handled the second Gulf War. Because this is a controversial topic at Sam’s conservative campus, what is the best way for him to develop a sense of rapport with the sample?

A) He should pay the interviewed students a stipend for their cooperation.
B) He should begin by asking neutral questions and holding off on sensitive issues.
C) He should tell the students he interviews their identities will be kept secret.
D) He should begin by telling the participants that he is a Democrat.

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

22)Juanita is conducting survey research for the Colgate-Palmolive Company. The company recently sent several cases of personal-sized toothpaste to Dr. Yankum as a part of a promotion. Juanita is surveying patients as they leave Dr. Yankum’s office to ask if the dentist gave them any hygiene items to continue quality dental care. Juanita has discovered that practically every patient received Colgate and has concluded in her report that dentists prefer Colgate toothpaste over other brands. What flaw exists in Juanita’s research?

A) She has chosen an inappropriate research design.
B) She is using a biased sample to collect her data.
C) She is relying on marketing research, which is unscientific and therefore invalid.
D) She is conducting research that is tainted by interviewer bias.

Answer: B

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 131

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

23)Which of the following research errors is less likely to be classified as fraud and more likely to be considered as simply sloppy work?

A) analyzing the data incorrectly
B) choosing a biased sample
C) asking biased questions
D) disregarding undesirable results

Answer: A

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 131

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

24)Phillip would like to collect information from a large number of people, but he has a limited budget. In order to sample a large number, but to keep the cost low, Phillip should use ________ as a research method.

A) structured interviews
B) unstructured interviews
C) stratified random samples
D) self-administered questionnaires

Answer: D

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

25)A researcher is asking questions of a serious nature, and a respondent gives only “socially acceptable” answers. This is an example of ________.

A) research fraud
B) poor sample selection
C) interviewer bias
D) research bias

Answer: C

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 132-133

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

26)Which of the following examination formats is most likely to incorporate closed-ended questions?

A) an essay exam
B) a multiple-choice exam
C) an oral exam
D) a fill-in-the-blank exam

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

27)Jasmine is an African American graduate student. She is conducting research on the effects that affirmative action programs have had on American corporations. She found that 95 percent of the subjects she personally interviewed with open-ended questions, covering a diverse sample of 500 corporate executives, stated that they approved of affirmative action. Her response rate approving affirmative action programs was dramatically higher than the national average. In view of this, Jasmine’s research was most likely affected by ________.

A) research fraud
B) interviewer bias
C) biased sample
D) poor interviewing technique

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 132-133

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

28)An attractive African American woman is conducting random interviews on campus to gather data on students’ opinions on the reverse discrimination suit filed by white students at the University of Michigan School of Law. Four out of five of the white respondents and virtually all of the African American respondents favor the court’s ruling and supports “bonus points” being given to applicants of color. Based on this information, what is probably affecting the data collection process?

A) interviewer bias
B) faulty hypothesis
C) inappropriate research method
D) misunderstanding of the subjects’ world

Answer: A

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 132-133

Skill Level: Analyze It

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

29) While conducting research on domestic abuse, Tanya asked workers at a battered women’s shelter, “What do you think causes some men to abuse their wives?” She then permitted the workers to elaborate on their answers. What is the term used to describe such a question, one that leads to this type of answering option?

A) The question and answer are a part of secondary analysis.
B) This is an example of an open-ended question.
C) This is an example of a closed-ended question.
D) The question and answer are examples of generalizability in research.

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

30)What is another term used to describe the research method called participant observation?

A) content analysis
B) fieldwork
C) survey research
D) unobtrusive measures

Answer: B

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

31)Jarod is conducting research on the homeless. For six weeks, he has lived among the homeless “24/7,” sleeping on the street or at a shelter, and engaging in the same activities as the population he is studying. By doing so, Jarod has been able to gather a broad understanding of the homeless, their needs, and characteristics. In view of this, Jarod is using ________ as a method of gathering data.

A) representative sampling
B) secondary analysis
C) content analysis
D) participant observation

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 132-133

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

32)The feeling of trust that researchers establish with their respondents is referred to as ________.

A) commitment
B) rapport
C) empathy
D) confidentiality

Answer: B

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 132

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

33)What is the major problem with using participant observation as a research tool?

A) It often leads to findings that lack generalizability.
B) It is unacceptable based on standards of the American Sociological Association.
C) It lacks both validity and reliability.
D) It is highly biased.

Answer: A

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

34) When a researcher focuses on a single event, situation, or individual, the resulting research is known as ________.

A) an experiment
B) fieldwork
C) a case study
D) secondary analysis

Answer: C

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

35)Every research method has its drawbacks. Which method often leads the current researcher to question the manner in which the data were gathered, the accuracy of the data, and the training of the original researchers?

A) secondary analysis
B) participant observation
C) experiments
D) interviews

Answer: A

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

36)If a researcher is reading diaries to collect information about the attitudes of rape victims, he or she is using ________ to collect the data.

A) ethnography
B) dramaturgical analysis
C) documents
D) unstructured interviews

Answer: C

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 133-135

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

37) Using Facebook to study the race-ethnicity of friendships among college students would be an example of which research method?

A) the survey
B) the experiment
C) participant observation
D) analysis of documents

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 133, 134

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

38)Dr. Zimbardo is examining the effect that pornographic movies have on the ways in which single men respond to the needs of women. He has one group of men watch pornographic films and another watch Three Stooges episodes. He then tests their reactions to women in need by showing them short film clips and following up with a series of questions. What research method is Dr. Zimbardo using?

A) the survey
B) the experiment
C) participant observation
D) secondary analysis

Answer: B

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 135

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

39)In an experiment, one group of participants is exposed to treatment, another is exposed to an application identified to them as treatment, and another is not exposed to any treatment. In such a procedure, the participants who are not exposed to any form of treatment, either genuine or false, are classified as the ________ group.

A) rival
B) placebo
C) experimental
D) control

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

40)Max has developed the hypothesis that the stress felt by unemployed men increases the probability of spousal abuse. In this case, stress would be considered the ________ variable and spousal abuse would be considered the ________ variable.

A) dependent; independent
B) dependent; control
C) independent; dependent
D) independent; control

Answer: C

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 135

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

41) In experimental research, the variable that is the cause of change (the independent variable) must precede that which is changed (the dependent variable). This condition is called ________.

A) reliability
B) rapport
C) random selection
D) temporal priority

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

42)There is a high correlation between the number of Americans who pay income tax in the month of April and the number of swimsuits sold. Which of the following statements is the best description of this relationship?

A) It is a spurious relationship.
B) It is a cause-and-effect relationship.
C) It is an indirect relationship.
D) It is classified as a null hypothesis.

Answer: A

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

43) The three conditions necessary for causation between variables are ________, ________, and ________.

A) correlation coefficient; temporal priority; positive correlation
B) temporal priority; negative correlation; positive correlation
C) negative correlation; spurious correlation; correlation coefficient
D) correlation; temporal priority; lack of spurious correlation

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

44) Steve and Naomi are counting the empty whiskey bottles in trashcans to measure the level of whiskey consumption in town. These researchers are using a method of research referred to as ________.

A) documentation
B) participant observation
C) survey research
D) unobtrusive measures

Answer: D

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

45)When Peter Rossi and the National Opinion Research Center studied the homeless, it was necessary for them to develop a practical and accurate description to determine exactly what constituted being homeless. This description would be classified as a(n) ________.

A) research objective
B) hypothesis
C) operational definition
D) correlation

Answer: C

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 138

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

46) Matthew is completing his master’s thesis, which addresses the culture of outlaw motorcycle gangs. For the past six months, he has been riding with a gang, observing and describing behaviors in an attempt to present a view of these groups from a gang member’s perspective. Like Mario Brajuha, he is determined to keep the identities of his subjects confidential. Which research method is Matthew employing?

A) case study
B) documentary
C) participant observation
D) unobtrusive measures

Answer: C

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 132-133

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

47) Which of the following would not be considered unobtrusive measures?

A) Malls tracking patrons through their Smartphones so stores can send them targeted ads.
B) Face-recognition cameras at kiosks that classify people by age and sex and post targeted ads.
C) Bionic mannequins that greet customers’ and ask them targeted questions about their purchasing habits.
D) Cameras that follow you through the store recording your every move.

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

48) When sociologists Diana Scully and Joseph Marolla (1984, 2014) interviewed convicted rapists in prison they were concerned that the prisoners might shift their answers depending on which researcher was interviewing them because one was male and one was female. They were concerned that gender might lead to…

A) interviewer bias.
B)
C) ethical issues.
D)

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.5 Explain how gender is significant in sociological research.

Topic/A-head: Gender in Sociological Research

49) In addition to choosing the appropriate research method, sociologists must follow research _______ to achieve truth, honesty, and openness.

A) guidelines
B) procedures
C) regulations
D) ethics

Answer: D

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

50)What are the three qualities on which research ethics is based?

A) rapport; generalizability; validity
B) honesty; truth; openness
C) random sample; observation; fieldwork
D) consistency; accuracy; clarity

Answer: B

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

51) Why did Mario Brajuha refuse to turn over his research notes to the authorities, even when subpoenaed?

A) He was fearful of being imprisoned.
B) He knew that as an undocumented worker he would be deported.
C) He was concerned that he would be accused of plagiarism.
D) He wanted to protect his respondents.

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 140

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

52)Which two research methods did Laud Humphreys utilize in his classic “tearoom” study?

A) participant observation and surveys
B) experiments and documents
C) secondary analysis and surveys
D) unobtrusive measures and secondary analysis

Answer: A

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 140-141

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

53)Why did a number of sociologists think Laud Humphreys’ research on tearooms was unethical?

A) He did not identify himself as a researcher.
B) His study findings could not be replicated.
C) He used students to gather and tabulate the data and did not give them credit.
D) He plagiarized in some of his writings.

Answer: A

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 140-141

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

54) Which sociologist argued that research without theory is simply a collection of unrelated “facts”?

A) Talcott Parsons
B) Elton Mayo
C) Paul Light
D) Wright Mills

Answer: D

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 141

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.7 Explain how research and theory work together in sociology.

Topic/A-head: How Research and Theory Work Together

55)Diana Scully and Joseph Marolla conducted structured interviews of convicted rapists who were in prison. They divided the interviews equally between themselves, utilizing the same questions and methods. The primary objective for dividing the group of interviews equally was to ________.

A) assure representativeness of the sample
B) improve rapport with the respondents
C) reduce the chance of interviewer bias
D) minimize the effects of spuriousness

Answer: C

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 141-142

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.7 Explain how research and theory work together in sociology.

Topic/A-head: How Research and Theory Work Together

5.3 Short Answer Questions

1)What topics qualify as appropriate for sociological research?

Answer: Every area of human behavior is a valid topic for sociological research. This includes broad issues such as race relations and international trade as well as individualistic issues such as doctor-patient relationships and small group interaction.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 125

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.1 State what topics are valid for sociologists to study.

Topic/A-head: What Is a Valid Sociological Topic?

2)What are the eight basic steps followed in scientific research?

Answer: (1) selecting a topic;
(2) defining the problem;
(3) reviewing the literature;
(4) formulating a hypothesis;
(5) choosing a research method;
(6) collecting the data;
(7) analyzing the results;
(8) sharing the results

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 126-127

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

3)In research, what is meant by replication?

Answer: the process of repeating a study in order to test its findings

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

4)What is the difference between a “sample” and a “random sample”?

Answer: A sample is simply a group of individuals chosen from the target population without the use of safeguards to see that the group represents the target population. A random sample is a portion of a population in which everyone in the population has the same chance of being included in the study, thereby being more representative of the target population.

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129-130

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

5) What are the three ways to measure the “average” of a set of scores?

Answer: (1) the mean;
(2) the median;
(3) the mode

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

6)What is the advantage of using a stratified random sample over a sample gathered by selecting volunteers?

Answer: Unlike a sample of volunteers, it allows the researcher to generalize his or her findings to the entire population.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

7) What is interviewer bias?

Answer: the process by which respondents shift their answers to impress the interviewer, either positively or negatively, while paying little attention to their true feelings

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 131-132

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

8) Why is it important to ask neutral questions while conducting sociological research?

Answer: The questions must allow respondents to express their own opinions, or else the researcher will collect biased answers, which are worthless from a research perspective.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 130

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

9) Asking interview questions that direct the respondents’ answers is asking __________.

Answer: biased questions

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 131

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

10)Why is participant observation also called fieldwork?

Answer: It takes the researchers into “the field,” where they can be highly involved with the population under study or removed from it.

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 132-133

Skill Level: Analyze It

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

11) What does the term “generalizability” mean as it applies to research methods?

Answer: the extent to which the findings, based on a specific sample and population, can be applied to larger populations

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

12)What are the names of the two groups required for an experiment to take place?

Answer: (1) the experimental group;
(2) the control group

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

13) What is a “spurious” relationship?

Answer: one in which there is a strong correlation, though the strength of that correlation may be caused by a third, unidentified variable

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

14) What is a correlation between variables?

Answer: the presence of two or more variables together, which strengthens their relationship

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

15) What are the three conditions necessary for causation?

Answer: (1) correlation;
(2) temporal priority;
(3) no spurious correlation evident

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

16) What are the four primary factors that affect how sociologists choose a research method?

Answer: (1) access to resources;
(2) access to subjects;
(3) purpose of the research;
(4) training of the researchers

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

17) What are unobtrusive measures?

Answer: ways of observing people who do not know that they are being studied

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 137

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

18) Jim would like to conduct interviews with women who have been victims of rape. What could we suppose about the kind of responses he will get?

Answer: due to his gender the women subjects would be less likely to be open and honest about their experiences, skewing the results of his study

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Applying What You Know

LO: 5.5 Explain how gender is significant in sociological research.

Topic/A-head: Gender in Sociological Research

19) As dictated by the American Sociological Association, what are the three qualities that a researcher must consider for his or her study to be ethical?

Answer: (1) honesty;
(2) truth;
(3) openness

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

20) What was the major ethics issue in the Brajuha research?

Answer: protecting the identity of the subjects

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 140

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

21) How do research and theory work together?

Answer: They work together, because both are essential to sociology. Every theory must be tested, which requires research; and research often leads to new theories. According to C. Wright Mills, research without theory is simply a collection of unrelated facts, while theory without research is abstract and empty.

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 141

Skill Level: Know the Facts

LO: 5.7 Explain how research and theory work together in sociology.

Topic/A-head: How Research and Theory Work Together

5.4 Essay Questions

1) Discuss the eight steps in the research model.

Answer: (1) selecting a topic – sociologists choose a wide range of topics, usually those that inspire their curiosity;
(2) defining the problem – what is it that the researcher wants to learn about the topic?
(3) reviewing the literature – what have other researchers published on this topic?
(4) formulating a hypothesis – developing a statement about what the researcher wants to find according to predictions from a theory;
(5) choosing a research method – what is the design the researcher plans to use to collect the data?
(6) collecting the data – utilizing the method chosen to actually gather information on the topic chosen, keeping in mind that validity and reliability are major concerns when collecting the data;
(7) analyzing the results – testing a hypothesis based on the data collected or studying the results to look for similarities, differences, and other patterns;
(8) sharing the results – writing a report or paper to share with the academic community and other people who have an interest in the topic studied

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 126-127

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

2) Discuss the difference between “validity” and “reliability.”

Answer: (1) Validity refers to whether an operational definition measures what it was intended to measure. It addresses the issue of accuracy of measurement.
(2) Reliability refers to the extent to which different studies come up with similar results. It addresses the issue of consistency of measurement.

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Analyze It

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

3) In research, what is an operational definition? How is an operational definition different from a definition in the traditional sense?

Answer: In research, an operational definition is the precise way that a variable is measured. The difference between an operational definition and a traditional definition is in the exactness or preciseness of the definition. For example, the definition of “man” in the traditional sense is any male age 18 years or older. In a research study, however, the term “man” may be limited to males of a younger age group (18 to 25) or males who are older (over 65).

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 127

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

4) List the seven research methods used to gather data, and identify the major strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

Answer: A summary of the section titled, “Research Methods,” is required. It addresses the seven research methods:
(1) surveys;
(2) participant observation;
(3) case studies;
(4) secondary analysis;
(5) documents;
(6) experiments;
(7) unobtrusive measures. The strengths and weaknesses for each are included in the subsections. For example, the strength of a self-administered survey is its lower cost and larger pool. The disadvantage is a loss of control over the administration of the instrument. Participant observation has the ability to stimulate hypotheses and theories, but it has problems with generalizability. Other research methods are described in sufficient detail for the student to recognize their strengths and weaknesses.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 129-137

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

5) Describe the difference between a “population” and a “sample.” What is a “representative sample”? What is the best way to achieve representativeness in a sample?

Answer: A population is the target group to be studied. In contrast, a sample consists of the individuals selected from the population to represent all members of the population to be studied. A representative sample is one in which every member of the population has an equally likely chance of being selected for the sample. This is best achieved through the process of random sampling.

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 129-130

Skill Level: Analyze It

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

6) What are the two ways researchers use to gather data when employing surveys as a research method? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Answer: Researchers use questionnaires and interviews when employing the survey method.
(1) Questionnaires are usually self-administered. They allow a large number of people to be sampled at a lower cost. One disadvantage is that the researcher loses control of the data collection.
(2) Interviews allow researchers to ask people questions face-to-face, by telephone, or by email. These methods allow for deeper insight into the population being studied. Disadvantages of interviews are that they are labor-intensive, result in fewer respondents, and may lead to interviewer bias.

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 130-131

Skill Level: Analyze It

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

7) List the six practices that can distort data, misrepresent answers, or lead to fraudulent research. Briefly explain what each practice is.

Answer: (1) choose a biased sample – use a sample of people that have a vested interest in answering the question in the way you wish the results to appear;
(2) ask biased questions – phrase questions in such a way that most people see only one logical choice;
(3) list biased choices – use closed-ended questions that result in people giving you the answers you want;
(4) discard undesirable results – keep silent about findings that do not provide the results you want and continue to survey more of the sample until your desired results are obtained;
(5) misunderstand the subject’s world – ask questions that, if answered any other way, would conflict with the value system of the subject;
(6) analyze the data incorrectly – err in your tabulations and calculations (for example, entering incorrect data)

Diff: 4 Page Ref: 131

Skill Level: Analyze It

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

8) How can interviewer bias create skewed results in sociological research?

Answer: Interviewer bias is created when respondents provide answers that they believe are most politically correct or least offensive to the researcher. This may occur because respondents do not wish to offend the researcher. But in some cases, they want to provide a shocking or disturbing response simply because of the background or sex of the researcher. Interviewer bias only occurs in cases in which the respondent is aware of who the researcher is, which is most likely during the data-gathering process on the part of the interview.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 131-132

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

9) How is participant observation research different from unobtrusive measures?

Answer: Participant observation occurs when the researcher participates in a research setting while observing what is happening in the setting. The researcher spends time with the subjects in their natural setting, observing further aspects of their lives. Conversely, unobtrusive measures are used when the researcher observes the behavior of people who are not aware that they are being studied. To secretly record the behavior of people in public settings, such as on a crowded subway car, is generally considered acceptable. But this is not recommended in private settings.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 132-133, 137

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

10) What is secondary analysis? In terms of research, what are documents? How are these two methods different from the other research methods discussed in the chapter?

Answer: (1) Secondary analysis is the examination of data that have been collected by other researchers.
(2) Documents are written sources that provide data in the form of archival materials of any sort, including newspapers, books, diaries, police reports, and other written formats as well as electronic media. The major problem with using both secondary analysis and documents is that the researcher has no control over the qualification of the source of the material. Developing conclusions based on faulty data results in faulty (invalid) research results.

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 133

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

11) Identify and define the three conditions necessary for a change in one variable to be caused by another variable.

Answer: Causation requires correlation, temporal priority, and no spurious correlation.
(1) Correlation means that two variables are present together. The more often they are found together, the stronger the relationship.
(2) Temporal priority means that one thing happens before something else does. For an independent variable to be the cause, it must precede the change.
(3) Spurious correlation means that the cause may be some underlying third variable not identified in the study, so a spurious correlation should not be evident.

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 136

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

12) How is gender significant in sociological research?

Answer: Gender is very significant in sociological research because it impacts our orientations and attitudes and can bias findings. Gender can lead to interviewer bias in which interviewees might shift their answers depending on the gender of the interviewer. This leaves women better suited to conduct certain research, such as with women victims. On the other hand, men may be better suited to conduct certain research with men. Gender has also played a significant role in the history of sociology, as most sociologists were historically men. This left women largely out of research as both researchers and subjects. Today many women sociologists are conducting research, which has changed the landscape of social research.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Knowing the Facts

LO: 5.5 Explain how gender is significant in sociological research.

Topic/A-head: Gender in Sociological Research

13) What is the role of ethics in sociological research?

Answer: Ethics plays an important role in choosing the appropriate research method. All research must meet the ethical criteria of the American Sociological Association. The criteria focus on the basic assumptions of science and morality and require that the researcher to be open (sharing his or her findings), honest, and truthful regarding the research methods and conclusions. Researchers must also ensure that their subjects will not be harmed by the research, and that their subjects’ anonymity is protected. Generally, it is considered ethical for the researchers to identify themselves to the subjects.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

14) What ethical violations occurred in Laud Humphreys’ study of “tearooms”?

Answer: Humphreys did not tell his research subjects that he was studying them. He misrepresented himself as a participant, when he was really a researcher. He violated the subjects’ privacy by using their car license plate numbers to locate them. He risked exposing his subjects’ discreditable sexual behaviors by recording these activities as well as their identities. He failed to tell his subjects that he was using the medical study to learn more about their sexual behaviors. He disguised himself so his subjects would not recognize him as the same person who observed them at the tearooms. Overall, research subjects should be informed that they are being studied and should never be harmed in any way by the research.

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 140

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.6 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.

Topic/A-head: Ethics in Sociological Research

15) What is the relationship between theory and research?

Answer: Theory and research are interdependent. Sociologists use theory to interpret their research. This use of theory helps generate research, as every hypothesis needs to be tested. Research also helps to generate theory, as a theory may need to be modified if the research findings do not fit the theory.

Diff: 6 Page Ref: 141-142

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

LO: 5.7 Explain how research and theory work together in sociology.

Topic/A-head: How Research and Theory Work Together

5.5 Matching Questions

Skill Level: Know the Facts

Match the term with the definition.

1) hypothesis

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 126

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: What Is a Valid Sociological Topic?

2) operational definition

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 127

LO: 5.3 Know the 8 steps of the research model.

Topic/A-head: A Research Model

3) survey

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

4) population

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

5) random sample

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 130

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

6) sample

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129-130

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

7) median

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

8) mean

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 129

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

9) stratified random sample

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 130

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

10) fieldwork

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 132-133

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

11) rapport

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 132

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

12) generalizability

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 133

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

13) experimental group

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

14) control group

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 135

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

15) unobtrusive measures

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 137

Topic/A-head: Research Methods (Designs)

A) in a series of scores, the score that falls halfway between the top and bottom scores

B) the collection of data by having people answer a series of questions

C) a sample from selected subgroups of the target population in which everyone in those subgroups has an equal chance of being included in the research

D) ways of observing people who do not know that they are being studied

E) a feeling of trust that connects the researcher and the people being studied

F) the precise way in which a researcher measures a variable

G) a study in which the researcher participates in a research setting while observing what is happening in that setting (also called participant observation)

H) the group of subjects who are exposed to the independent variable

I) the group of subjects who are not exposed to the independent variable

J) a sample in which everyone in the target population has the same chance of being included in the study

K) the extent to which findings from one group can be applied to other groups

L) in a series of scores, the arithmetic average reached by adding the scores and dividing the total by the number of scores

M) a statement regarding the ways in which variables are expected to be related to one another, often according to predictions from a theory

N) the individuals intended to represent the population to be studied

O) the target group to be studied

1) M; 2) F; 3) B; 4) O; 5) J; 6) N; 7) A; 8) L; 9) C; 10) G; 11) E; 12) K; 13) H; 14) I; 15) D

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Sociology A Down to Earth Approach Books a la Carte Edition 12th Edition By James M. Henslin - Test Bank

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