Research Methods in the Social Sciences Eighth Edition Test Bank

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Multiple Choice Section1.According to the text, sociologyisa sciencebecause:a.its subject matterincludesthe investigation of society.b.thephenomenasociologistsstudy arefixed and predictable.c.the goal of sociologyisto predict and explain human behavior.d.the disciplineutilizes ascientific methodology.Topic:What Is Science?, p. 4, Answer: d2.According to the authors ofthistext, science:a.is easily defined.b.refers to general or particular bodies of knowledge.c.is united not by its subject matter but by its methodology.d.has no methodology.Topic:What Is Science?, p. 4, Answer: c3.Knowledge based on sensory experience is known as:a.inductively strong.b.a posteriori.c.rational.d.a priori.Topic: Approaches to Knowledge, p. 5, Answer: b4.Rationalists hold thatknowledgeclaims are justified on the basis of:a.application of thescientific method.b.the supernatural.c.our sensory experiences.d.our innate capacity to grasp concepts and ideas regardless of our sensory experiences.Topic: Approaches to Knowledge, pp. 5-6, Answer: d5.Epistemology refers to:a.scientificmethodology.b.the scientific investigation of philosophical issues.c.the study of the foundations of knowledge.d.the study of primitive societies.Topic: Approaches to Knowledge, pp. 4-5, Answer: c

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6.According to the text, scientific knowledge:a.once established, is indisputable.b.is justifiedon the basis of reason alone.c.is justifiedon the basis of bothreason and sensory experience.d.none of theseanswersarecorrectTopic: Approaches to Knowledge, pp. 5-6, Answer: c7.Which isafundamental assumption of the scientific approach?a.Knowledge is superior to ignorance.b.We can know nature.c.All natural phenomena have natural causes.d.All oftheseanswers are correct.Topic: Basic Assumptions of Science, pp. 6-8, Answer: d8.Which of the following is NOT afundamentalassumption of the scientific approach?a.Some natural phenomena have supernatural causes.b.Knowledge is superior to ignorance.c.Nature is orderly and regular.d.Nothing is self-evident.Topic: Basic Assumptions of Science, pp. 6-8, Answer: a9.The fundamental assumptions of science:a.have been proven to be absolutely correct.b.are necessary prerequisites for the conduct of scientific inquiry.c.are based on the notion that nature is always imperfect.d.are absolute truths.Topic: Basic Assumptions of Science, pp. 6-8, Answer: b10.Which statement reflects afundamental assumption of the scientific approach?a.There are logically compelling reasons for the regularity and order of nature.b.Knowledge should not be pursued for its own sake, but rather for perfecting humanconditions.c.A prioriknowledge is independent of the human experience.d.Noneof these answers are correct.Topic: Basic Assumptions of Science, pp. 6-8, Answer: d

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11.The ultimate goal of the social sciences is to produce an accumulating body of reliableknowledge enabling us to:a.predict, understand, and control.b.explain, manipulate, and dominate.c.explain, predict, and understand.d.predict, understand, and manipulate.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 8, Answer: c12.In a deductive explanation, when a conclusionlogicallyfollowsfromthe various premisesof the explanation andone or morepremisesisnottrue, the explanation is:a.deductively valid.b.deductively sound.c.a posteriori.d.apriori.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, pp. 9-10, Answer:a13.Inductive explanations are distinguished from deductive explanations on the basis of:a.logic.b.empirical evidence.c.universal laws.d.probabilistic judgments.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, pp. 8-9, Answer:d14.An abductive (retroductive) explanation:a.utilizes universal laws to derive an explanation.b.has minimal risk of being invalidated by factors outside the purview of the scientist.c.is common in axiomatic (or formal) theory.d.can provide a more empathetic understanding of social phenomena.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 10, Answer: d15.A deductive explanation:a.expressesan arithmetical ratio between phenomena.b.is based on probabilistic generalizations.c.cannot be generalized.d.is based on universal laws.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 8, Answer: d

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16.A scientific explanation that is based uponprobabilistic generalization is a(n) _____explanation.a.probabilisticb.deductivec.inductived.supernaturalTopic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 8, Answer:c17.A probabilistic (inductive) explanation:a.expressesan arithmetical ratio between phenomena.b.is based on intuition.c.cannot be generalized.d.is based on universal laws.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 8, Answer: a18. The chief limitation of probabilistic (inductive) generalizations is that:a.they are not as accurate as deductive explanations.b.such generalizations cannot be verified empirically.c.certain conclusions cannot be drawn from specific cases.d.they are frequently unscientific.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 8, Answer: c18.Logically speaking, the process of prediction is:a.identical to the process of explanation.b.not an integral ingredient in the scientific approach.c.always accurate as long as antecedent conditions have been verified.d.the reverse of the process of explanation.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, pp. 10-11, Answer: d19.According to the text, the meaning of the termunderstanding:a.is not agreed upon.b.suggests that thesocial and natural sciencespotentially compriseseparate bodies ofknowledge.c.is rooted in theVerstehentradition.d.all of theseanswers are correct.Topic: Aims of the SocialSciences, pp. 11-12, Answer: d

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20.According to theVerstehentradition:a.the natural and social sciences are logically identical in their subject matter.b.the natural and social sciences are distinctive bodies of knowledge.c.social scientists can obtain objective knowledge about the natural as well as the socialworld.d.empathetic understanding isnotessentialtothe production of knowledge.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, pp. 11-12, Answer: b21.According to the interpretive approach, which emerged as an offspring of theVerstehentradition:a.both the subject matter of the social sciences and the credibility of the findings arelessenduring than those attributed to the naturalsciences.b.there is no difference between the naturaland socialsciences.c.the structure of the scientific method in the naturalandsocialsciences is identical.d.social scientists deal in absolute truth.Topic: Aims of theSocial Sciences, p. 12 Answer: a22.Logical empiricists take the position that:a.social scientists can attain objective knowledge in the studyof the natural as well asthesocial world.b. the natural and social sciences are distinctive bodies of knowledge with divergentsubjectmatters.c.knowledge claims are justified by sensory experiences alone.d.none of these answers are correct.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 12, Answer: a23.Scientific methodology is a system of explicit rules and procedures that is:a.closed and infallible.b.logically completesuchthat new methods are unnecessary.c.self-correcting.d.immune to criticism.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 12,Answer: c

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24. During the evolution of the methodology of the social sciences, a system of rules andprocedures has emerged, representinga__________ framework of scientific methodology.a. positiveb. relationalc. normatived. probabilisticTopic: The Roles of Methodology, pp. 12-13, Answer: c25.According to the text, replication in science:a.is unnecessary.b.takes place only when it is suspected that another investigator proceeded under falseassumptions.c.typicallyreveals that other investigators failed to report their findings correctly.d.serves as a safeguard against unintentional error.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 13, Answer: d26.Constructive criticismimplies that:a. certain probing questions should be askedaboutthe proceduresused.b. claims for knowledge cannotbe refuted.c. most scientistsreject real criticism.d.scientific studiesarenever flawed.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 13, Answer: a27. The system of reasoning that permits drawing reliable inferences from factual observationsis:a. logic.b. tautology.c.philosophy.d. methodology.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 13, Answer: a28. The essential tool of the scientific approach, along with empirical observation is:a.criticism.b. observation.c. logic.d.none of these answers arecorrectTopic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 13, Answer:c

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29.Conclusionsindeductive or probabilistic explanations:a.areestablished on the basis of purely logical principles.b.must be established withempiricalevidence.c.follow strictly from the verification of general laws on whichsuchconclusions arebased.d.arenonsensical.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 14, Answer: b30.In order to be intersubjective, knowledge in general and scientific methodology in particularmust be:a.transmissible.b.indisputable in scientific terms.c.forever valid.d.all of these answers are correctTopic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 14, Answer: a31.According to Kuhn, normalscience:a.is viewed as the routine verification of the dominant theory in any historical period.b.is similar to revolutionary science.c.challengescontemporary paradigms and replacesthem as necessary.d.is pursued by objective scientists that have no allegiance to a particular paradigm.Topic: Scientific Revolutions, p.15, Answer: a32. According to Kuhn, achievements that are sufficiently unprecedented to attract an enduringgroup of adherents away from competing modes of scientific activity are termed:a. paradigms.b. tautologies.c. methodologies.d. revolutions.Topic: Scientific Revolutions, p. 15, Answer: a34.According to Kuhn:a.revolutionary science is the development of rival paradigmsthatareacceptedgradually bythescientific communityb.normal science involvesroutineverification and testing as part of a puzzle-solvingactivityc.paradigm transformationcharacterizes revolutionary science

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d.allof these answers are correctTopic: Scientific Revolutions, pp. 15-16, Answer: d35.According to Karl Popper's prescriptive theory:a.one dominant paradigm must eventually emerge in science.b.the scientific community ought to be an open society in which no dominant paradigmis eversacred.c.the "normal scientist" has been properly taught.d.the scientific community ought to be a closed societycharacterized by a single,dominant paradigm.Topic: Scientific Revolutions, pp. 16-17, Answer: b36. The activities of scientists as they attempt to validate claims for knowledge are referred to asthe:a. research process.b. art of insight.c. context of justification.d. context of discovery.Topic: Scientific Revolutions, p. 16, Answer: c37. The activities of the scientist within the context of ____________ are not constrained bymethodology.a.justificationb. discoveryc.scienced. verificationTopic: Scientific Revolutions, pp. 16-17, Answer: b38. Which of the following is NOT one of the fundamental stages of the research process?a. measurementb. speculationc. data collectiond. generalizationTopic: The Research Process, pp. 17-18, Answer: b39. The most characteristic feature of the research process is:a.its cyclic nature.b.measurement by design.

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c.hypothesizing.d.theory building.Topic: The Research Process, p. 17, Answer: a40.The research process:a.involvesgoing through the fifteendistinct stages of the process.b.beginsat the same point in the process in order to facilitate replication andverification.c.isan overall strategy of scientific activities that scientists engage in to produceknowledge.d.is purely a logical exercise.Topic: The Research Process, pp. 17-18,Answer: cTrue/False SectionTF1. What makes knowledge scientific is the methodology used to obtain it.Topic:What Is Science?, p. 4, Answer: TrueTF2.Claims to propositional knowledgerequirea set ofbeliefs that are bothtrueand justified.Topic: Approaches to Knowledge, p. 5, Answer: TrueTF3. One of thebasic assumptions of science is that knowledge is self-evident.Topic:Assumptions of Science, p. 7, Answer: FalseTF4.Deductively sound explanations are valid but not necessarily true.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p. 9, Answer: FalseTF5.Abductive explanations are not commonly employed by those in the socialsciences, but are preferred in the natural sciences.

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Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, p.10, Answer: FalseTF6.TheVerstehentradition is based on empathicunderstanding ofsocialphenomena.Topic: Aims of the Social Sciences, pp.11-12, Answer: TrueTF7. Replication and constructive criticism areimportant safeguardsagainstunintendederrorand ensurequality research.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p. 13, Answer: TrueTF8. Knowledge that is communicable and mutually agreed upon by members of thescientific community is known as deductive.Topic: The Roles of Methodology, p.14, Answer: FalseTF9.A paradigm is unprecedented enough to attract an enduring group of adherentsaway from other commonly held scientific beliefs.Topic:Normal Science, p. 15, Answer: TrueTF10.Generalizations derived from a tested hypothesis that is true cannot berefuted.Topic:The Research Process, p.18, Answer: FalseEssay Section1.Compare and contrastrationalist and empiricist modes ofthought regarding claims toknowledge, and discuss the contribution ofImmanuel Kant.2.What arethebasic assumptions of science? Use three of theseassumptions to invalidatecommonly held beliefs about natural phenomena that are not rooted in science.

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3.Compare and contrastdeductive, inductive, and abductive explanations of therelationship between two or more phenomena.Detail a situation where only an abductiveexplanation would suffice, and explain why neither deductive nor inductive explanationscould adequately explain said phenomenon.4.Explain how rules communication, reasoning, and intersubjectivity are important inscientific methodology, and how constructive criticism from other scientists is vitalforscientific researchand ultimately knowledge claims.5.Define a scientific paradigmin the context of “normal science.”Give an example of arevolutionary scientific paradigm that was (or still is) commonly rejected within thescientific community.

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Multiple Choice Section1.“Social status,” “role,” “power,” “bureaucracy,” and “cohort” are all examples of:a.norms.b.values.c.concepts.d.beliefs.Topic:Concepts, p.24, Answer:c2.According to the text,concepts:a.areabstractrepresentations of phenomena.b.areparticularto social(versus natural)science.c.can only be defined by other concepts.d.arenot essential to research design.Topic:Concepts,p.24, Answer: a3.Whichstatementis NOT a function of concepts in social science research?a. concepts are the foundation of communicationb. concepts introduce a way of looking at empirical phenomenac. concepts serve as components oftheoryd. all ofthetheseanswers are correctTopic:Concepts, p.25, Answer: d4.WhichstatementdoesNOTreflecta function of concepts?a. to separate the social sciences from the other sciencesb. to serve as the components oftheoryc. to serve asameans for classification and generalizationd. to introduce a point of viewTopic:Concepts, p. 25, Answer: a5.The error in science of regarding abstractions as actual(real)phenomena is termedthe:a. error ofostensive definition.b. fallacy of reification.c. misconceptualization of generalities.d. error of progressive ordering.Topic:Definitions, p. 27, Answer: b6.Speaking or writing aboutthe concept of “liberty”as ifliberty somehow exists in the worldas a thing itselfis an example of the fallacy of:a. objectification.

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b. dramatization.c. reification.d. generalization.Topic:Operational Definitions,p.27, Answer: c7.In which set of terms do allofthe members NOT display a generic resemblance to theconcept that is listed first?a. tree: oak, spruce, palmb. occupation: plumber, teacher, nursec. power: electricity, individualism, legitimacyd. conflict: argument, war, riotTopic:Concepts, p.24,Answer: c8.Compared with scientific definitions,everyday language:a. is too vague, ambiguous, and imprecise.b. is completely arbitrary.c. makes communication with nonscientists impossible.d.offends all scientists.Topic:Definitions, p.26, Answer: a9.Concepts that cannot be defined by other concepts are called:a. unique definitions.b. relative concepts.c. derived terms.d. primitive terms.Topic: Definitions,p.26,Answer: d10.Colors, sounds, smells, and tastes are all examples of __________ terms.a. relativeb. derivedc. primitived. uniqueTopic: Definitions, p. 26, Answer: c11.Conceptsthataredefinedusingprimitive terms aresaid to be definedusing:a. ostensive definitions.b. derived terms.c. relative terms.

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d. operational terms.Topic: Definitions, p. 26, Answer: b12.If we agree on the meaning of the terms “individual,” “interact,” and “regularly,” then theconcept “group” can be defined as two or more individuals who interact regularly. In thisinstance, “group” is a __________ term.a. primitiveb. derivedc. relatived. uniqueTopic: Definitions, p. 26, Answer: b13.According to the text, conceptual definitions:a. consist of primitive and derived terms.b. are defined using everyday language.c. must be true.d. identify a set ofprocedures.Topic: Definitions,p. 26, Answer: a14.Whichtermis NOT an example of a primitive term for the concept ofa group?a.individualsb.interactc.collectived.regularlyTopic: Definitions, p.26,Answer: c15.To which of the following does this definition apply? "A set of procedures that describesthe activities one should perform in order to establish empirically the existence or degree ofexistence of a phenomenon described by a concept."a. conceptual definitionb. ostensive definitionc. operational definitiond. scientific definitionTopic: Definitions, p. 27, Answer: c16.If we define male attractiveness as the rating of any given male on a subjective scale ofoneto tenonapopular website, thenthis definition is a(n)_____ definition.a. conceptualb. operationalc. ostensive

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d. scientificTopic: Definitions, p. 27, Answer: b17.If we define intelligence as reflected by scores on an intelligence test,then this definition isa(n)____________ definition.a. conceptualb. ostensivec. operationald. scientificTopic: Definitions, p. 27, Answer: c18.According to Melvin Seeman, which of the following is NOTpart of hisconceptualdefinition of alienation?a. self-identityb. powerlessnessc. meaninglessnessd. normlessnessTopic:The Definition of Alienation, pp.27-28, Answer: a19.According to the text's discussion ofcongruence,:a. congruence between conceptual definitionandoperational definitionscannot beevaluated.b.conceptual and operational definitions need not overlap.c.congruence refers to the degree of agreement between conceptual and operationaldefintions.d.congruenceis only significant withinspecific theoretical contexts.Topic:Bridging the Conceptual and Operational Divide,p. 29, Answer: c20.According to the orthodox operational approach:a. a concept that cannot be operationally defined (at least in principle) should not be usedin scientific research.b. non-operationally defined concepts lead to meaningless research.c. the scientific meaning of a concept can be established only byspecifyinga set ofoperations.d. all of these answers are correctTopic: Definitions, p. 29, Answer: d21.According tothetext, if a concept cannot be operationally defined, then it:a. is useless to the scientist.

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