Pols 320 Midterm Exam Review Multiple Choice Questions (Part One)

The correct answer is "all of the above." This means that information on a policy can be found in a judicial decision, on a memo written by an Assistant Deputy Minister, and on a government website. This suggests that there are multiple sources where one can access information related to a policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Political research is important because it helps prevent haphazard policy decisions by providing evidence-based information and analysis. It also helps us advance our understanding of the political world by studying and analyzing political systems, institutions, and processes. Furthermore, political research facilitates critical thinking by encouraging individuals to question assumptions and evaluate different perspectives. Lastly, it plays a crucial role in confirming or rejecting anecdotal observations by providing empirical evidence and data to support or challenge these observations. Therefore, all of the above statements are valid reasons for the importance of political research.

The correct answer is the extent of accuracy you want when you are making the jump from what your sample says you are studying, and what the entire population would say, if you asked them all. This explanation aligns with the concept of level of confidence in statistics. It refers to the degree of certainty or precision desired in estimating population parameters based on sample data. The level of confidence indicates how confident one can be that the sample accurately represents the population.

This statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs indicates that Canada will not send foreign aid to a country that abuses human rights. This decision is an example of what governments deliberately choose not to do. The government has made a conscious choice to withhold foreign aid as a response to human rights abuses, demonstrating a deliberate decision to refrain from providing assistance to countries engaging in such behavior.

A "good theory" should have simplicity, predictive accuracy, and importance. Simplicity refers to the theory being easy to understand and explain. Predictive accuracy means that the theory should be able to accurately predict outcomes or events. Importance implies that the theory should be relevant and have practical value. These three qualities together make a theory effective and useful in the field it pertains to.

Surveys are a research method used to estimate a specific characteristic of a population. They involve collecting data from a sample of individuals to make inferences about the larger population. Surveys are designed to gather information on a specific topic or characteristic, such as opinions, behaviors, or demographics. By analyzing the responses received, researchers can estimate or make predictions about the characteristic being studied in the wider population. Surveys are not meant to make generalizations about the entire population, but rather provide an estimate based on the sample data collected.

Public policy refers to the decisions and actions taken by governments and their agents to address public problems. It encompasses the choices made by governments regarding what actions to take or not to take in order to solve societal issues. This definition implies that public policy is a conscious and deliberate decision-making process undertaken by elected representatives. It highlights the authority and responsibility of governments to make choices that impact the allocation of resources and the distribution of benefits and burdens within society.

Political research methodologies allow us to observe the political world in a more systematic manner. This means that by using specific research methods and techniques, we can gather data, analyze it, and draw conclusions about political phenomena. These methodologies provide a structured approach to studying politics, ensuring that the research is rigorous and reliable. By observing the political world in a systematic manner, we can better understand and explain political processes, behaviors, and outcomes.

Unidimensional concepts are variables that cannot be measured unambiguously and cannot be easily subdivided into further distinct meanings. These concepts are often abstract and cannot be broken down into smaller, more specific components. By framing theories in terms of these unidimensional concepts, it becomes easier to understand and analyze complex ideas without the need for further subdivisions. This allows for a more straightforward and comprehensive approach to studying and explaining various phenomena.

Applied research methods refer to the practical application of research techniques and methodologies to address specific real-world problems or issues. This type of research focuses on providing practical solutions and recommendations that can be implemented in a specific context. It involves the use of various data collection and analysis techniques to gather information and generate insights that can inform decision-making and policy development. Applied research methods are often used in fields such as social sciences, medicine, engineering, and business, where the aim is to solve practical problems and improve existing practices.

The correct answer is "a single person or thing." This option accurately describes what a case is - it refers to an individual or an object that is being studied or analyzed in a research or statistical context. In research, a case can represent a single participant or observation, and it is often used to draw conclusions or make generalizations about a larger population.

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An antecedent variable is the variable that occurs prior to all other variables and may have an impact on other independent variables. It is important because it can influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. By occurring before other variables, it has the potential to shape or influence the values of the other variables. Therefore, understanding and controlling for antecedent variables is crucial in research to accurately assess the relationship between variables and avoid confounding factors.

As the population size increases, the needed sample size also increases to accurately represent the population. However, there comes a point where increasing the sample size further will have a relatively small impact on the accuracy of the sample. This means that after reaching a certain sample size, the additional increase in sample size will not significantly improve the accuracy of the sample. Therefore, the statement suggests that there is a diminishing return in accuracy when continuously increasing the sample size beyond a certain point.

This option may not be considered a public policy because it pertains to a specific requirement for hiring research assistants in a business, rather than a broader societal issue or goal. Public policies typically involve actions taken by the government to address societal concerns or achieve certain objectives that affect the general public. In this case, the requirement for a post-secondary degree is more related to the specific needs and preferences of the business, rather than a policy aimed at benefitting the public as a whole.

Policy image refers to the perception or reputation of a particular public policy among the general public or stakeholders. It contributes to our understanding of public policy by highlighting how the policy is perceived, whether it is seen as effective or ineffective, and how it is communicated to the public. Policy image can influence public support, political feasibility, and the overall success of a policy. Therefore, considering policy image is important in understanding the impact and effectiveness of public policy.

The given answer suggests that the development of an exact science affects all subsequent stages of policy development. This implies that when a problem is approached scientifically and systematically, it has an impact on the entire process of policy development. It indicates that the scientific approach influences the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies, ensuring that they are well-informed and effective.

In political research, a population refers to all of the above options mentioned in the question. It can be the group that is being studied, which could be a specific subset of the total population of a state, province, region, or city. It can also be a set of items or cases that are being analyzed. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as all the options accurately describe what a population is in political research.

This statement best represents a positive theory because it makes a normative claim about the superiority of liberal democratic states based on the assumption that the respect for the rule of law in such states is a matter of basic human morality. A positive theory seeks to explain and understand social phenomena by making empirical observations and formulating hypotheses, rather than prescribing what should be. In this case, the statement is not based on empirical evidence but rather on a normative belief about what is morally right.

Public problems are primarily created by us, the members of society. These problems arise due to our actions, decisions, and behaviors. They are not simply objective occurrences waiting to be discovered, nor are they mostly caused by natural phenomena. Instead, public problems are a result of societal issues, such as inequality, poverty, crime, environmental degradation, and political conflicts. These problems exist because we perceive and acknowledge them as such, and they require our collective efforts to address and solve them.

The answer "Excellent" suggests that the person will perform exceptionally well on the midterm exam. This implies that they have a strong understanding of the material and are likely to achieve a high score.

The correct answer is "all of the above." This means that all of the options listed are factors that determine how problems come to be defined. The level of development of a society, a policy maker's personal beliefs, living within a flood plain, and the MP having an affair with the head of an interest group can all contribute to how problems are defined. These factors can shape the perspectives and priorities of individuals and institutions, influencing how they perceive and address problems.

Theory-oriented research is the correct answer because it involves studying past patterns and similarities in order to make predictions. Political scientists use this type of research to develop theories and hypotheses about political behavior and outcomes. By analyzing historical data and identifying recurring patterns, they can make informed predictions about future events. This approach is different from normative philosophy, which focuses on ethical and moral principles, positive theory, which aims to explain and understand political phenomena, and engineering research, which applies scientific principles to solve practical problems.

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Surveys in political research can be considered as a part of engineering research because they involve the systematic collection and analysis of data to inform policy-making and decision-making processes. Engineering research focuses on practical applications and problem-solving, which aligns with the purpose of surveys in political research. Surveys are used to gather data from a large sample of individuals, which can then be analyzed to understand public opinion, voting patterns, and other political phenomena. The findings from surveys can be used to design and implement policies and strategies that address societal issues, making it a form of engineering research in the political context.

The given answer "all of the above" is correct because the survey results indicate that policy preference (A) has 53% support and policy preference (B) has 47% support. Since the margin of error is +/-3%, it is possible that the actual support for policy preference (A) could be as low as 50% and policy preference (B) could be as high as 50%. Therefore, it is likely that policy preference (A) has the most support, policy preference (B) has the least support, and they have an equal amount of support among Canadians.

A public problem refers to an issue or concern that affects a significant number of people or the general public. However, not all problems or concerns are considered public problems. Some issues may only impact a specific group or individuals and may not have broader implications for society as a whole. Therefore, it is not necessary for every problem to be classified as a public problem.

The statement suggests a practical approach to supporting liberal democratic states over autocratic states based on the belief that liberal democratic states are more tolerant of internal dissent. This aligns with the concept of engineering research, which focuses on finding practical solutions to real-world problems. It does not fit under normative philosophy, which deals with ethical and moral principles, or positive theory, which aims to explain and predict phenomena. Theory-oriented research is more focused on developing and testing theories rather than practical applications.