1. Social scientists investigate individuals, societies, and ______.
a. philosophies
b. conceptualizations
c. social processes
d. triangulation
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define social science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Medium
2. Which of the following is a common error in reasoning?
a. resistance to change
b. systematic investigation
c. deductive reasoning
d. constructivism
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Reevaluating
Difficulty Level: Medium
3. Which paradigm emphasizes the importance of exploring and representing the ways in which different stakeholders in a social setting construct their beliefs?
a. constructivism
b. evaluation
c. positivism
d. triangulation
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
4. Social research can be descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, or ______.
a. evaluative
b. qualitative
c. quantitative
d. selective
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Types of Social Research
Difficulty Level: Easy
5. A study that includes asking questions that require a written response is known as a(n) ______.
a. interview
b. survey
c. observation
d. exploration
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Types of Social Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
6. Constructivists believe reality is ______.
a. symbolic
b. qualitatively interactive
c. understood through observation
d. socially constructed
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. Research that seeks to determine the effects of programs, policies, or other efforts to affect social patterns is called ______.
a. evaluation research
b. differing perspectives
c. exploration research
d. interactive phenomena
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Evaluation Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
8. ______ research seeks to find out how people get along in a specific setting and what meanings they give to their actions.
a. Exploratory
b. Explanatory
c. Observation
d. Deductive
Ans: A
Learning Objective:1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Exploratory Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
9. Social phenomena are defined in ______ research.
a. deductive
b. inductive
c. descriptive
d. alternative
Ans: C
Learning Objective:1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Descriptive Research
Difficulty Level: Easy
10. Illogical reasoning occurs when we prematurely jump to conclusions or argue on the basis of ______.
a. major alternatives
b. constructivism
c. invalid assumptions
d. selective observations
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Reasoning
Difficulty Level: Easy
11. ______ occurs when we conclude, without justification, that what is true for some cases is true for all cases.
a. Deductive reasoning
b. Overgeneralization
c. Triangulation
d. Positivism
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Generalizing
Difficulty Level: Medium
12. An observation based on faulty perceptions of empirical reality is called ______ observation.
a. qualitative
b. quantitative
c. faulty
d. inaccurate
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Observing
Difficulty Level: Easy
13. ______ is choosing to look only at things that are in line with our preferences or beliefs.
a. Intensive observation
b. Selective observation
c. Selective reasoning
d. Overgeneralization
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Observing
Difficulty Level: Easy
14. The use of multiple methods to study one research question is known as ______.
a. sampling
b. triangulation
c. positivism
d. descriptive research
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Easy
15. Using ______ allows one to make connections between different things that they have observed.
a. reasoning
b. reevaluating
c. overgeneralization
d. faulty observation
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Medium
16. ______ may help us draw understanding from what we have observed in other times or places.
a. Generalizing
b. Observation
c. Reasoning
d. Reevaluating
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Generalizing
Difficulty Level: Medium
17. Positivism refers to which of the following beliefs?
a. There is a reality, which follows general laws, and it can be understood through observation.
b. Quantitative data, collected using approved methodology, is the best way to learn about the social world.
c. A researcher can get a better picture of social reality if they utilize multiple methods to study one research question.
d. Embracing social change and empowering social scientists to study the social world is beneficial to society.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
18. The reluctance to reevaluate our ideas in light of new information is referred to as ______.
a. participant observation
b. invalid reasoning
c. resistance to change
d. quantitative reasoning
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Reevaluating
Difficulty Level: Easy
19. When we jump to conclusions or argue on the basis of invalid assumptions, we are using ______.
a. inaccurate observation
b. inductive reasoning
c. selective observation
d. illogical reasoning
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Reasoning
Difficulty Level: Easy
20. Excessive devotion to tradition is an example of ______.
a. uncritical agreement
b. resistance to change
c. ego-based commitment
d. illogical reasoning
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Reevaluating
Difficulty Level: Medium
21. ______ is a methodology based on questioning belief in an external reality.
a. Triangulation
b. Determinism
c. Constructivism
d. Positivism
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
22. ______ relies on logical and systematic methods to answer questions.
a. Research methods
b. The social world
c. Paradigms
d. Science
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define Social Science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Easy
23. If a study relies upon numerical data, it likely utilizes ______ methods.
a. quantitative
b. inductive
c. qualitative
d. deductive
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
24. After entering her classroom, Dr. Phillips glances around to assess class attendance. It is likely she has made a(n) ______.
a. inaccurate observation
b. selective observation
c. overgeneralization
d. illogical observation
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Observing
Difficulty Level: Medium
25. We may reduce the likelihood of overgeneralization by using ______ procedures.
a. systematic
b. resistance
c. inaccurate
d. selective
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define social science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Generalizing
Difficulty Level: Hard
26. Methods such as participant observation, interviewing, and focus groups are examples of which type of research?
a. inductive
b. quantitative
c. exploratory
d. qualitative
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Qualitative and/or Quantitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Hard
27. Social scientific research may be qualitative or ______.
a. exploratory
b. quantitative
c. personal
d. selective
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Easy
28. Defining and describing social ______ is part of descriptive research.
a. norms
b. values
c. sciences
d. phenomena
Ans: D
Learning Objective:1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Types of Social Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
29. Methods of investigation should utilize _____ procedures.
a. systematic
b. observational
c. personal
d. selective
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define Social Science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Medium
30. Positivism asserts that reality can be understood through ______.
a. human interaction
b. social structure
c. observation
d. personal interpretation
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
31. Margaret noticed that her classmates were sleeping during the lecture. She concluded that most students at her university are poorly motivated to learn. Margaret’s assessment is an example of ______.
a. an oversimplification
b. an observation
c. positivism
d. an overgeneralization
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define social science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Medium
32. Ricardo is studying the relationship between school success and nutrition. He is incorporating a variety of research methodologies in his investigation. Ricardo’s work exemplifies ______.
a. positivism
b. constructivism
c. triangulation
d. overgeneralization
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
33. Lucia administers a not for profit organization which focuses on feeding the hungry. She is interested in determining and describing benefits of her program to the local community. Which type of research would be most beneficial towards her aim?
a. explanatory
b. exploratory
c. descriptive
d. evaluation
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Evaluation Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
34. When an issue is first being explored the research is typically ______.
a. descriptive
b. evaluative
c. exploratory
d. quantitative
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Descriptive Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
35. Research which focuses on explaining cause and effect related to social phenomenon is typically ______ research.
a. exploratory
b. explanatory
c. descriptive
d. solitary
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Exploratory Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
36. What is/are the hallmark of sociological research?
a. adherence to scientific methods
b. personal assumptions and observations
c. experiments
d. deference to authority
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define Social Science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Value of Social Research | Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Medium
37. Jumping to conclusions could also be referred to as ______ reasoning.
a. selective
b. illogical
c. persuasive
d. exploratory
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define Social Science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Generalizing
Difficulty Level: Medium
38. ______ methods lessen the tendency to develop answers about the social world from ego-based or institutional commitments.
a. Qualitative
b. Generalizable
c. Scientific
d. Reevaluative
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define Social Science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Internet
Difficulty Level: Medium
39. Researchers interested in determining “what is going on here” typically engage in which type of research?
a. exploratory
b. explanatory
c. revisionist
d. Internet-based
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Exploratory Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
40. Research which produces numerical data are considered ______.
a. qualitative
b. biased
c. samples
d. quantitative
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Easy
True/False
1. Qualitative and quantitative methods may be combined in research projects.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Easy
2. The distinction between quantitative and qualitative research is always clear.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
3. Qualitative data can be converted to quantitative data.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Easy
4. Triangulation suggests that a researcher can gain a clear picture of the reality being studied by viewing it from one perspective.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
5. Constructivism rejects positivism.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Medium
6. Evaluation research isan example of explanatory research.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Evaluation Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
7. Exploratory research frequently revolves around quantitative methods.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 1.3: Identify the four types of social research.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Exploratory Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
8. Social science is the use of scientific methods to investigative individuals, societies, and social processes.
Ans: T
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define social science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. Social scientists do not study the Internet as part of the conversation.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define social science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Science, Society, and Social Research
Difficulty Level: Easy
10. Understanding social science research methods has little value for students outside of class.
Ans: F
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define social science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Value of Social Research
Difficulty Level: Medium
Short Answer
1. What is social science? What are its limitations?
Ans: Answer will vary. Students should note that social science relies on scientific methods to investigate individuals, societies, and social processes. When we utilize scientific methods within the social sciences, we observe individuals and social groups. Students should further note that there are errors that may occur when conducting social scientific research. The limitations involved include the risk of overgeneralization, inaccurate observation, illogical reasoning, and resistance to change.
Learning Objective: 1.2: Define Social Science and identify its limitations.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Avoiding Errors in Reasoning About the Social World
Difficulty Level: Medium
2. Identify and describe the three components of resistance to change.
Ans: Answer will vary. Students should identify ego-based commitments, excessive devotion to tradition, and uncritical agreement with authority as the three components of resistance to change. Ego-based commitments entail making statements about the social world that conform to our own needs, rather than to observable facts. Excessive devotion to tradition entails distorting our observations as a means of maintaining our own beliefs. This hinders the ability to accept new findings and develop new knowledge. Uncritical agreement with authority entails failing to critically evaluate the ideas of those in positions of power. This prevents scientists from establishing new discoveries, limiting our understanding of the social world.
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Reevaluating
Difficulty Level: Hard
3. Define positivism and constructivism. Describe the role each plays in social science research.
Ans: Answer will vary. Students should define positivism as the belief that there is a reality that exists apart from our own perception of it. This separate reality may be understood through observation. Conversely, constructivism is a methodology based on questioning belief in an external reality. Constructivism emphasizes the importance of exploring the way in which different stakeholders in a social setting construct their belief. Students should address how social scientists apply both concepts and their usefulness in generating quality research findings.
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Hard
4. Describe quantitative and qualitative research and provide an example of each.
Explain which types of social research are best accomplished by each methodology.
Ans: Answer will vary. Students should note that quantitative methods revolve around numerical data. Surveys and experiments that record variation in social life in terms of categories that vary in amount are quantitative based. An example of quantitative methods may include a survey-oriented experiment, or any experiment focused on numerical data. Qualitative methods include participant observation, intensive interviews, and focus groups. Qualitative research seeks to capture social life as participants experience it rather than in categories predetermined by the researcher. An example of a qualitative research study may include personal, social experiences of a specific population. Students should identify when each type of research is generally employed.
Learning Objective: 1.4: Explain the difference between the orientations in the following two pairs: quantitative/qualitative; positivist/constructivist.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Quantitative and/or Qualitative Methods
Difficulty Level: Hard
5. What is selective observation? What, if anything, motivates social scientists to avoid selective observation in their research?
Ans: Answer will vary. Choosing to only look at things that are in line with our preferences or beliefs. Students should identify the drawbacks of selective observation such as limiting research scope, tainting findings, etc. Students should discuss the importance of unbiased, scientifically sound research practices.
Learning Objective: 1.1: Describe the four common errors in everyday reasoning.
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Observing
Difficulty Level: Medium
