Sociological Research Practice Quiz

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| By Dwessler
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Quizzes Created: 18 | Total Attempts: 32,756
Questions: 15 | Attempts: 2,102

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Sociological Research Practice Quiz - Quiz


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    A measurement is considered ______ if it actually measures what it is intended to measure, according to the topic of the study.

    • A.

      Reliable

    • B.

      Sociological

    • C.

      Valid

    • D.

      Quantitative

    Correct Answer
    C. Valid
    Explanation
    A measurement is considered valid if it actually measures what it is intended to measure, according to the topic of the study. Validity refers to the accuracy and appropriateness of a measurement in relation to the concept being studied. It ensures that the measurement is capturing the intended construct or phenomenon accurately, without any bias or distortion. Validity is crucial in research as it ensures that the findings and conclusions drawn from the measurements are meaningful and trustworthy.

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  • 2. 

    Which statement illustrates value neutrality?

    • A.

      Obesity in children is obviously a result of parental neglect and, therefore, schools should take a greater role to prevent it

    • B.

      In 2003, states like Arkansas adopted laws requiring elementary schools to remove soft drink vending machines from schools

    • C.

      Merely restricting children’s access to junk food at school is not enough to prevent obesity

    • D.

      Physical activity and healthy eating are a fundamental part of a child’s education

    Correct Answer
    B. In 2003, states like Arkansas adopted laws requiring elementary schools to remove soft drink vending machines from schools
    Explanation
    The statement "In 2003, states like Arkansas adopted laws requiring elementary schools to remove soft drink vending machines from schools" illustrates value neutrality because it presents a factual information about a specific action taken by certain states, without expressing any personal opinion or judgment.

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  • 3. 

    Which statement provides the best operational definition of “childhood obesity”?

    • A.

      Children who eat unhealthy foods and spend too much time watching television and playing video games

    • B.

      A distressing trend that can lead to health issues including type 2 diabetes and heart disease

    • C.

      Body weight at least 20% higher than a healthy weight for a child of that height

    • D.

      The tendency of children today to weigh more than children of earlier generations

    Correct Answer
    C. Body weight at least 20% higher than a healthy weight for a child of that height
    Explanation
    The best operational definition of "childhood obesity" is body weight at least 20% higher than a healthy weight for a child of that height. This definition provides a specific and measurable criteria for determining whether a child is considered obese. It focuses on the actual weight of the child in relation to their height, rather than general behaviors or trends.

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  • 4. 

    Which research approach is best suited to the scientific method?

    • A.

      Questionnaire

    • B.

      Case study

    • C.

      Ethnography

    • D.

      Secondary data analysis

    Correct Answer
    A. Questionnaire
    Explanation
    A questionnaire is the best research approach suited to the scientific method because it allows for the collection of quantitative data from a large sample size. This approach involves asking a set of standardized questions to gather information from participants, which can then be analyzed statistically. Questionnaires are efficient, cost-effective, and can be easily replicated, ensuring reliability and validity of the findings. Additionally, they allow for the testing of hypotheses and the establishment of cause-and-effect relationships, making them a suitable choice for scientific research.

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  • 5. 

    What research method did John S. Lynd and Helen Merrell Lynd mainly use in their Middletown study?

    • A.

      Secondary data

    • B.

      Survey

    • C.

      Participant observation

    • D.

      Experiment

    Correct Answer
    C. Participant observation
    Explanation
    John S. Lynd and Helen Merrell Lynd mainly used participant observation as their research method in their Middletown study. Participant observation involves the researchers immersing themselves in the community or group being studied and actively participating in their activities while observing and taking notes. This method allows for a deep understanding of the social dynamics, behaviors, and interactions within the community, providing rich and detailed data. It is particularly useful for studying social phenomena in their natural context and capturing the nuances that may not be easily captured through other research methods.

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  • 6. 

    The main difference between ethnography and other types of participant observation is:

    • A.

      Ethnography isn’t based on hypothesis testing

    • B.

      Ethnography subjects are unaware they’re being studied

    • C.

      Ethnographic studies always involve minority ethnic groups

    • D.

      There is no difference

    Correct Answer
    A. EthnograpHy isn’t based on hypothesis testing
    Explanation
    Ethnography is different from other types of participant observation because it does not involve hypothesis testing. In ethnographic studies, the focus is on understanding the culture and behavior of a particular group of people, rather than testing specific hypotheses or theories. Ethnographers immerse themselves in the community they are studying, often spending extended periods of time living with and observing the group. They aim to gain a deep understanding of the group's beliefs, practices, and social dynamics through direct observation and interaction. This qualitative approach allows for rich, descriptive data to be collected, which can then be used to generate theories or hypotheses for further research.

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  • 7. 

    Which person or organization defined the concept of value neutrality?

    • A.

      Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    • B.

      Peter Rossi

    • C.

      American Sociological Association (ASA)

    • D.

      Max Weber

    Correct Answer
    D. Max Weber
    Explanation
    Max Weber is the correct answer because he is widely recognized as the person who defined the concept of value neutrality. Weber argued that social scientists should strive to be objective and unbiased in their research, avoiding personal values and judgments. He believed that researchers should focus on understanding and explaining social phenomena without imposing their own subjective opinions or beliefs. Weber's concept of value neutrality has had a significant influence on the field of sociology and social science research.

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  • 8. 

    Which best describes the results of a case study?

    • A.

      It produces more reliable results than other methods because of its depth

    • B.

      Its results are not generally applicable

    • C.

      It relies solely on secondary data analysis

    • D.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    B. Its results are not generally applicable
    Explanation
    A case study is a research method that focuses on a specific individual, group, or event in great detail. It aims to provide an in-depth analysis and understanding of the particular case being studied. However, the results of a case study are not generally applicable to a larger population or to other similar cases. This is because case studies are typically conducted on a small scale and may not represent the broader population or context accurately. Therefore, the statement "Its results are not generally applicable" best describes the results of a case study.

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  • 9. 

    Sociological studies test relationships in which change in one ______ causes change in another.

    • A.

      Test subject

    • B.

      Behavior

    • C.

      Variable

    • D.

      Operational definition

    Correct Answer
    C. Variable
    Explanation
    Sociological studies test relationships in which change in one variable causes change in another. In this context, a variable refers to any factor or element that can vary or change, and is used to measure or analyze the relationship between different aspects of society. By studying how changes in one variable can lead to changes in another, sociologists are able to understand the complex dynamics and interdependencies within social systems.

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  • 10. 

    Which materials are considered secondary data?

    • A.

      Photos and letters given to you by another person

    • B.

      Books and articles written by other authors about their studies

    • C.

      Information that you have gathered and now have included in your results

    • D.

      Responses from participants whom you both surveyed and interviewed

    Correct Answer
    B. Books and articles written by other authors about their studies
    Explanation
    Secondary data refers to information that has been collected and documented by someone else for a different purpose. In this case, books and articles written by other authors about their studies are considered secondary data because they have been published by individuals who conducted their own research. These sources provide a wealth of information that can be used to support or enhance one's own research findings. Photos and letters given by another person, information gathered by the researcher, and responses from participants are examples of primary data, as they are collected directly by the researcher for their own study.

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  • 11. 

    Using secondary data is considered an unobtrusive or ________ research method.

    • A.

      Non-reactive

    • B.

      Non-participatory

    • C.

      Non-restrictive

    • D.

      Non-confrontive

    Correct Answer
    A. Non-reactive
    Explanation
    Using secondary data is considered an unobtrusive research method because it involves analyzing existing data that has already been collected by someone else for a different purpose. This means that the researcher does not directly interact with the participants or manipulate any variables, making it a non-reactive approach. Instead, they rely on existing records, documents, or data sets to gather information and draw conclusions. This method allows for a more objective and unbiased analysis of the data without influencing or altering the participants' behavior or responses.

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  • 12. 

    What method did researchers John Mihelich and John Papineau use to study Parrotheads?

    • A.

      Survey

    • B.

      Experiment

    • C.

      Ethnography

    • D.

      Case study

    Correct Answer
    C. EthnograpHy
    Explanation
    Researchers John Mihelich and John Papineau used ethnography as a method to study Parrotheads. Ethnography involves immersing oneself in the culture and community being studied, observing and participating in their activities, and conducting interviews and discussions to gain a deep understanding of their beliefs, behaviors, and experiences. This method would have allowed the researchers to closely observe and interact with Parrotheads, enabling them to gather rich and detailed data about this particular group of fans.

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  • 13. 

    To study the effects of fast food on lifestyle, health, and culture, from which group would a researcher ethically be unable to accept funding?

    • A.

      A fast-food restaurant

    • B.

      A nonprofit health organization

    • C.

      A private hospital

    • D.

      A governmental agency like Health and Social Services

    Correct Answer
    A. A fast-food restaurant
    Explanation
    A researcher would ethically be unable to accept funding from a fast-food restaurant to study the effects of fast food on lifestyle, health, and culture because there would be a conflict of interest. Accepting funding from a fast-food restaurant could potentially bias the research findings and compromise the integrity of the study.

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  • 14. 

    In a study, a group of 10-year-old boys are fed doughnuts every morning for a week and then weighed to see how much weight they gained. Which factor is the dependent variable?

    • A.

      The doughnuts

    • B.

      The boys

    • C.

      The duration of a week

    • D.

      The weight gained

    Correct Answer
    D. The weight gained
    Explanation
    The dependent variable in this study is the weight gained by the 10-year-old boys. This means that the weight gained is the outcome or result that is being measured and observed in response to the independent variable, which is the consumption of doughnuts every morning for a week. The weight gained is directly influenced by the doughnuts consumed, making it the dependent variable in this experiment.

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  • 15. 

    Why is choosing a random sample an effective way to select participants?

    • A.

      Participants do not know they are part of a study

    • B.

      The researcher has no control over who is in the study

    • C.

      It is larger than an ordinary sample

    • D.

      Everyone has the same chance of being part of the study

    Correct Answer
    D. Everyone has the same chance of being part of the study
    Explanation
    Choosing a random sample is an effective way to select participants because it ensures that everyone in the population has an equal chance of being included in the study. This helps to minimize bias and increase the generalizability of the findings. Random sampling helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the larger population, allowing for more accurate conclusions to be drawn.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 22, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 28, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Dwessler
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