Sociological Research Practice Quiz

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.