115 Questions
What distinguishes scientific knowledge from other forms of knowledge?
It involves a communal aspect of peer review and self-correction.
What does the author consider a valuable piece to understand in sociology?
Research methods
What does the scientific approach produce?
Knowledge
What concept does the author introduce related to knowing what we know?
Epistemology
What does the author claim to have learned by understanding research methods?
How to stay objective
Which form of knowledge relies on supernatural, knowledgeable authorities such as sacred texts or religious figures?
Revelation
What is a key characteristic of the scientific approach mentioned in the text?
It allows for self-correction through peer evaluation.
Which way of knowing as described as just adhering to basic logic?
Rationality
What is a significant aspect of knowledge transmission through authority as discussed in the text?
It relies on qualified individuals to impart knowledge.
Which characteristic distinguishes rationality as a way of knowing?
It can lead to inaccurate results despite logical reasoning.
Which category of knowledge mentioned in the text is described as relying on what has been traditionally transmitted within a culture?
Tradition
What sets revelation apart from other ways of knowing according to the text?
'Revelation' draws on mystical sources like sacred texts.
What type of factors are described as contributing factors in sociology?
Factors that provide a partial explanation
In the context of weight gain, which factor is described as absolutely necessary?
Consuming calories through food
What distinguishes necessary factors from sufficient factors?
Necessary factors must be present, while sufficient factors guarantee an outcome
Which factor in the text is described as not being a sufficient cause for weight gain?
Consuming calories through food
Why are sufficient causes considered rare in the world of social sciences?
Because it's uncommon to find a single factor that guarantees an outcome
How do people generally know that the earth is round, according to the text?
By trusting authoritative figures who taught them
What is a way of knowing mentioned in the text that is based on unknown inner sources?
Intuition
What is an example of common sense provided in the text?
Many hands make light work
What is the main reason why science has gained much power in our cultural context?
It is the only form of knowing that is routinely and habitually tested
How do people typically know about traditions, according to the text?
Being transmitted from generation to generation
Which error in accurate description involves accepting facts that only support one's argument?
Selective observation
Which phrase best represents a common misconception about traditions?
'Women are more natural parents than men'
What leads people to believe in certain traditions even when observations may contradict them?
'Internalizing' traditional beliefs
What does the text suggest about the limitations of science?
Science cannot speak to metaphors
How do people often know when something is wrong with someone close to them, even if they can't explain it?
'Quick ready insight based on unknown sources'
Which error in accurate description involves making things up?
Fabricated information
Why is overgeneralizing considered an error in accurate description?
It extrapolates from a small sample size
Which form of knowing cannot be empirically tested according to the text?
Metaphors
What is the main issue with ego involvement in understanding, as discussed in the text?
It skews perception and willingness to accept new information
'Based on your feelings' is associated with which way of knowing mentioned in the text?
Intuition
Which type of reasoning involves expecting a different outcome based on past failures?
Illogical reasoning
What does the author suggest about gender stereotypes in the context of competitiveness in sport and appearance?
They vary depending on cultural influences.
Why have men started to care more about their appearance in recent years?
Because of a rise in capitalist market targeting men.
What is the author trying to emphasize by discussing the capitalist market's influence on men's appearance?
The impact of economic factors on individual behavior.
In the context of sociological research, why does the author mention 'theorizing'?
To explain the underlying reasons for observed phenomena.
How does the text contrast natural sciences with sociology in terms of studying causation?
Natural sciences aim for deterministic outcomes, while sociology deals with human variability.
Why does the author mention Botox and breast augmentation in the context of changing trends related to appearance?
To demonstrate how women conform to societal pressures.
What conclusion can be drawn about the competitive nature of men and women based on the text?
Women and men exhibit varying levels of competitiveness influenced by societal changes.
What role does theorizing play in understanding societal changes regarding gender stereotypes?
To provide explanations for observed phenomena.
Why does the author mention penis enlargement surgeries in relation to changing perceptions of male appearance?
To highlight a prediction based on changing societal dynamics.
What is one of the assumptions of science mentioned in the text?
Knowledge is always superior to ignorance.
Which concept is associated with 'Mystification' as explained in the text?
Personal revelation
What is one way in which science gathers knowledge according to the text?
By setting up empirical studies
Which statement about science does the text NOT support?
Natural phenomena can have supernatural causes.
In what way does science differ from common sense based on the text?
Common sense needs to be tested.
What is a core aspect of sociology's approach to knowledge gathering discussed in the text?
Asking and exploring questions
Why does the author mention Oppenheimer in the context of knowledge superiority?
To emphasize the complexity of ethical considerations
How does science view self-evident truths according to the text?
'Self-evident' concepts need to be empirically tested.
'Empirical' knowledge in science primarily comes from:
'Setting up surveys'
What does the text imply about the oversimplified example of fire trucks causing fires?
It showcases a strong correlation between events
Why is proving the correct time sequence crucial in establishing causation?
To differentiate correlation from causation
Which of the following best describes the relationship between correlation and causation as discussed in the text?
Correlation can suggest causation but does not prove it
How does understanding the correlation between variables help in determining causation?
It provides clues but doesn't confirm causation
What is the key concept discussed regarding correlation and the presence of a third variable?
Correlation must not be explainable by a third variable.
In the example provided about ice cream sales and drownings, what is highlighted as the more logical correlation?
Temperature and drowning rates
What is a characteristic of variables in research?
Variables are measured aspects of objects or people
Which method is suggested in the text to improve the accuracy of studying correlations?
Having peers review your work
How does the author explain the relationship between temperature, ice cream sales, and drowning rates?
Temperature affects both ice cream sales and drowning rates independently
What does the text suggest about the relationship between overcrowding, poverty, and delinquency?
Poverty leads to overcrowding, which causes delinquency
'Spurious variables' are mentioned in the text as:
False or misleading variables.
What does the author mean by the dependent variable?
The variable being explained or predicted
Why does the author mention the control group in research?
To remove potential alternate causes of the observed effect
What is the role of the independent variable in a research study?
It causes changes in the dependent variable
In the context of lung cancer research, why is it important to have a control group?
To isolate the effect of smoking versus nonsmoking on lung cancer rates
What is the purpose of formulating a hypothesis in a research study?
To guide the research process and predict outcomes
How does removing individuals with a family history of cancer contribute to the validity of a study on smoking and lung cancer?
It eliminates potential genetic factors that could confound the results
What distinguishes a dependent variable from an independent variable in a research study?
The dependent variable is explained or predicted, while the independent variable causes change.
What does excluding individuals with a history of cancer or exposure to secondhand smoke help achieve?
Minimizing potential confounding factors for more accurate results
Which type of question is characterized by having a predetermined answer, as explained in the text?
Loaded question
What is the main problem with double-barreled questions, according to the text?
They confuse respondents by asking unrelated questions.
Why should threatening questions be avoided in surveys, as stated in the text?
To prevent uncomfortable or threatened responses.
What is the danger of using leading questions in surveys, according to the text?
They may bias respondents towards a specific response.
How do negative questions impact respondent clarity, based on the text?
They introduce ambiguity and confusion.
In social science research, what method involves providing respondents with fixed, forced, or closed questions?
Both A and C
What type of question would be used if respondents were asked to pick their favorite food from a list of categories?
Ranking question
Why is it crucial to avoid bias in constructing survey questions for social science research?
To ensure the questions accurately capture participants' views.
What distinguishes a rating question from a ranking question in social science research?
Rating questions involve assigning ratings while ranking questions involve ordering items by preference.
What is the main purpose of sampling in research studies?
To gather data from a small number of cases to infer about all cases
Why is it important for a sample to be representative in a research study?
To generalize findings to the larger population
What is a key advantage of using probability sampling over nonprobability sampling in research?
Increased confidence in generalizing findings
What is a disadvantage of using nonprobability sampling in research studies?
Difficulty in estimating accuracy of findings
In which situation would using nonprobability sampling be considered acceptable?
When conducting a study with a limited budget
What is one advantage of using table of random numbers in probability sampling?
Improved representation of various demographics in the sample
Why does probability sampling help avoid bias in research studies?
Because it prevents conscious or unconscious bias from influencing sample selection
What is a key characteristic of probability sampling that makes it valuable for researchers?
It ensures that each unit in the population has a known, nonzero chance of being selected
What concept in the principles of science refers to the extent to which a study or research instrument measures what it's supposed to be measuring?
Validity
What does reliability, as mentioned in the text, refer to in the context of research instruments?
Consistency in yielding results
When evaluating the reliability of a study, what does consistency in results among different studies indicate?
High reliability but no indicator of validity
What does the term 'reliability' imply about the results of a study according to the text?
Consistency and repeatability
What is the primary concern when discussing the reliability of research instruments?
Ensuring accurate data collection methods
In the context of a study's reliability, what does it mean if multiple studies yield vastly different results?
The studies are neither valid nor reliable
What is the purpose of conducting a pretest on both the control and experimental groups in the classic experimental design discussed?
To measure aggression levels before the experiment.
Which characteristic distinguishes experimental designs from surveys or field research?
Manipulation of independent variables.
Why is conscious or unconscious bias considered undesirable in sampling for research studies?
It affects the representation of results.
What is the primary reason for using a control group in an experimental design?
To provide a baseline for comparison.
Why would approaching people based on their location, like those in study areas or at a bison game, not lead to a representative sample?
They belong to specific demographics.
What is the purpose of comparing pretest and post-test aggression levels in an experimental design?
To determine if violent videos affect aggression levels.
What distinguishes field research from other types of research mentioned in the text?
Field research observes life in its natural habitat.
What ethical dilemma is raised in the text regarding covertly studying a street gang?
All of the above
In sociological research, what is the observer's role when taking the 'complete participant' approach?
To act as a member of the group being observed.
What characterizes the 'participant as observer' research role in the context of a street gang study?
Observer role with full transparency
How do qualitative and quantitative research methods complement each other, as described in the text?
Both are equally valuable in social sciences
Which aspect of field research aligns with the qualitative nature of this approach?
Generating descriptions and interpretations through observation.
What is the primary distinction between a 'participant as observer' and an 'undisclosed observer' in studying a street gang?
Transparency about being a researcher
How does being a 'complete participant' observer impact the dynamics of a group like a street gang?
It allows for an authentic view of group interactions.
Why does anthropology traditionally lean towards qualitative research, according to the text?
Qualitative methods align better with anthropological goals
How does a researcher studying a street gang in the 'participant as observer' role differ from an 'undisclosed observer'?
Transparency about research objectives
What method does the speaker suggest for getting a good description of the observation that men seem more competitive than women?
Surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews
What does the text suggest is changing in terms of competitiveness between men and women?
Women are becoming more competitive in traditionally male-dominated areas
According to the speaker's interpretation, why might men start feeling the need to surgically alter their bodies?
Shift in capitalist market pressures
What does the speaker predict about men based on the interpretation of the data gathered?
Men will feel the need to alter their bodies surgically
How does the speaker conclude the initial statement that 'men are more competitive than women'?
The statement is too simplistic and lacks nuance
In what areas are women more competitive according to the text?
Appearance
Study Notes
Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
- Scientific knowledge is distinguished from other forms of knowledge by its reliance on empirical evidence and its ability to produce testable and falsifiable theories.
- It involves a systematic approach to understanding the world, and its results are publicly verifiable.
Ways of Knowing
- Revelation: relies on supernatural, knowledgeable authorities such as sacred texts or religious figures.
- Rationality: relies on logic and reason.
- Tradition: relies on what has been traditionally transmitted within a culture.
- Authority: relies on the transmission of knowledge from one person or group to another.
- Common Sense: based on unknown inner sources and often relies on intuition.
- Science: based on empirical evidence and systematic observation.
Scientific Approach
- Key characteristic: involves the formulation of hypotheses and the testing of these hypotheses through systematic observation and experimentation.
- ** Produces**: testable and falsifiable theories that can be publicly verified.
Errors in Accurate Description
- Selective observation: accepting facts that only support one's argument.
- Making things up: inventing facts or information that do not exist.
- Overgeneralizing: drawing broad conclusions based on limited evidence.
- Ego involvement: allowing personal biases and emotions to influence one's understanding of the world.
Understanding Causation
- Necessary factors: factors that are required for a particular outcome to occur.
- Sufficient factors: factors that are enough to cause a particular outcome.
- Contributing factors: factors that may influence the outcome but are not sufficient to cause it.
- Correlation: the relationship between two or more variables, but it does not necessarily imply causation.
- Spurious variables: variables that appear to be related but are not causally connected.
Research Methods
- Hypothesis: a proposed explanation for a particular phenomenon.
- Independent variable: the variable that is intentionally changed or manipulated by the researcher.
- Dependent variable: the variable that is being measured or observed in response to the independent variable.
- Control group: a group that is not exposed to the independent variable, used for comparison.
- Sampling: selecting a subset of individuals from a larger population to represent the population as a whole.
- Probability sampling: a method of selecting a sample that ensures every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected.
- Nonprobability sampling: a method of selecting a sample that does not ensure every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected.
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Question types:
- Open-ended: allows respondents to provide their own answers.
- Closed-ended: provides respondents with fixed options.
- Rating: asks respondents to rate their opinions on a scale.
- Ranking: asks respondents to rank their opinions in order of preference.
Reliability and Validity
- Reliability: the extent to which a study or research instrument measures what it's supposed to be measuring.
- Validity: the extent to which a study accurately measures what it claims to measure.
- Consistency: consistency in results among different studies indicates reliability.
- Bias: conscious or unconscious bias in sampling or research design can lead to inaccurate results.
Learn about the significance of research methods in sociology and how they help in evaluating the legitimacy of studies. Explore concepts like objectivity, funding sources, and sample size, as well as the scientific approach as a methodology for collecting knowledge.
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