QUIZ 1: Social Research Methods and Statistics

What is the term for characteristics that differ or vary from one individual to another?

Variable

A statement of a relationship between two or more variables is known as a(n) __.

Hypothesis

Which variable is defined as the presumed cause or influence affecting an outcome?

Independent variable

The presumed outcome or effect resulting from a specific treatment is called the __.

Dependent variable

What type of research involves the researcher manipulating one or more independent variables?

Experiment

In an experiment, which group is the one being manipulated?

Experimental (or treatment) group

In an experiment, which group receives no manipulation or treatment?

Control group

What research method utilizes questionnaires and interviews to conduct retrospective research?

Survey

What is one primary benefit of survey research regarding its scope?

The ability to investigate numerous independent variables at once.

What is a significant limitation of survey research regarding experimental control?

Lack of tight control over variables and cause-and-effect relationships.

The method used to describe the content of previously produced messages (e.g., books, films, music) is called __.

Content analysis

What is a major limitation of content analysis regarding the labor required?

It is often time-consuming and tedious.

In what research method does the researcher participate in the daily life of the subjects under study?

Participant observation

What is a key benefit of participant observation regarding the researcher's viewpoint?

It provides an insider perspective and contextual depth.

What is the primary limitation of participant observation regarding ethics?

Ethical concerns regarding the researcher participating openly or covertly.

Research conducted using data previously collected by another researcher is called __.

Secondary analysis

What is a limitation of secondary analysis regarding data control?

The researcher has no control over what was asked, how, or why.

What is the first stage of social research according to the standard workflow?

Converting a problem into a testable hypothesis.

What is the final stage of the social research process?

Interpreting results and sharing them with an audience.

Which level of measurement involves only naming or labeling categories (e.g., gender or political party)?

Nominal level

Which level of measurement involves the ordering of categories without exact distances between them?

Ordinal level

The level of measurement that involves both ordering and exact distance between categories is the __.

Interval level

Variables that consist of separate and distinct specific values, such as the number of dependents, are __ variables.

Discrete

Variables that have an infinite range of possible values, such as age or body weight, are __ variables.

Continuous

What tool do researchers use to describe data via frequency distributions, tables, and graphs?

Statistics

Making generalizations about a total population based on sample data is known as making __.

Inferences

How is a frequency distribution of nominal data typically organized in a table?

Characteristics are in the left column and frequencies (f) are in the right column.

What is the formula for calculating a proportion (P)?

P = f/N

What is the formula for calculating a percentage (%)?

% = 100 · (f/N)

What statistical method is used to compare one category directly to another category?

Ratio

What is the formula for a ratio?

Ratio = f₁/f₂

What is the general formula for calculating a rate?

Rate = 1,000 · (actual cases / potential cases)

How must ordinal and interval level distributions be presented in a frequency table?

They must be listed in sequence order.

The categories or groups created to summarize interval data in a table are called __.

Class intervals

What are the upper and lower limits of a class interval called?

Class limits

What is the formula for the size of a class interval (i)?

i = U - L

What is the formula for the midpoint (m) of a class interval?

m = (lowest score value + highest score value) / 2

In constructing class intervals, why must categories be mutually exclusive?

To ensure each case falls into only one specific category.

What is the term for the total number of cases having a given score or a score that is lower?

Cumulative frequency (cf)

What is the formula for calculating a cumulative percentage (c%)?

c% = 100 · (cf/N)

What term refers to the percentage of cases falling at or below a given score?

Percentile rank

Which points divide a distribution into ten equal portions?

Deciles

Which points divide a distribution into quarters?

Quartiles

What table format allows researchers to consider two or more dimensions of data simultaneously?

Cross-tabulations (or cross-tabs)

In a cross-tabulation table, what are the row totals and column totals called?

Marginals

When using a cross-tabulation, if the independent variable is on the rows, which percentages should be used?

Row percentages

When using a cross-tabulation, if the independent variable is on the columns, which percentages should be used?

Column percentages

Which type of chart is a circular graphic whose pieces add up to 100%?

Pie chart

Which graphic presentation is used primarily for discrete variables?

Bar graphs

Which graphic presentation is used to show continuity along a scale rather than discrete categories?

Histograms

Which type of graph is best suited to emphasize the shape and continuity of a distribution?

Frequency polygon

What term describes a frequency distribution that is particularly peaked?

Leptokurtic

What term describes a frequency distribution that is relatively flat?

Platykurtic

What term describes a symmetrical distribution that is neither peaked nor flat?

Mesokurtic

A distribution that has a tail extending toward the higher values is called __.

Positively skewed

A distribution that has a tail extending toward the lower values is called __.

Negatively skewed

Which graphic is customarily used to depict time trend data?

Line charts

Which graphic tool is commonly used in government publications for hot spot crime analysis?

Maps

What is the formula for row percentages in a cross-tabulation?

Row % = 100 · (f / N_row)

What is the formula for column percentages in a cross-tabulation?

Col % = 100 · (f / N_column)