120 Questions
What is one of the main goals of using research methods in sociological inquiry?
Enumeration and description
Which goal involves showing that popular belief or common sense is wrong?
Debunking
What does the goal of explanation in sociological research methods focus on?
Creating theories about the world
Which goal involves seeking to understand the experiences of marginalized and oppressed social groups?
Social justice
What is an example of a goal that involves determining how well one strategy will achieve its goal and at what cost?
Prediction
Which type of research method focuses on finding out how much one variable affects another?
Experimental research
What is the primary reason sociologists aim to uncover and remove inequalities?
Contribute to social justice
Why is it essential for researchers to conduct a literature review before starting a study?
To understand previous studies in the area
What is the significance of identifying a research gap in sociological inquiry?
To highlight areas where more research is needed
Why is it particularly important for researchers to explain how their study will contribute to knowledge?
To justify the time and resources invested
Where can researchers find resources for conducting a literature review?
Academic library catalogues
Why is it crucial for a researcher to gain an understanding of previous studies before starting their own project?
To identify research gaps and formulate meaningful questions
What is a hypothesis in quantitative research?
A prediction or assumption about the relationship between variables
What type of approach is the quantitative research method based on?
Deductive
In a positive correlation, how do variables behave?
Increase together
What are the two mandates of public sociology?
Studying public questions and engaging with the public
What is the primary focus of reliability in research?
Consistency and reproducibility of findings
Why is the unequal distribution of knowledge resources a challenge for some sociologists?
It limits the ability to contribute to scholarly discourse
Why is it important to establish validity in research?
To ensure accurate representation of concepts or measures
How do open educational resources benefit sociologists in underserviced regions?
By providing unlimited access to a variety of learning materials
What does a negative correlation indicate?
Decrease in one variable when the other increases
What role does social media play in the context of public sociology?
Facilitating engagement with a global audience
What does a high level of reliability suggest about research findings?
The findings can be consistently reproduced
What is the purpose of statistics in quantitative research?
Analyze, interpret, and present numerical data
What does a strong positive correlation between two variables suggest?
As one variable increases, the other consistently increases
How do initiatives such as open educational resources contribute to global public sociology?
By promoting knowledge equity and accessibility
Which aspect of reliability is important for researchers to ensure their findings are dependable?
Consistency of results across different studies
What is one of the guiding principles important in the formulation of a research question?
Feasibility
What does the research design define?
The study type, research question, variables, data collection methods, and analysis plan
Why do sociologists find operationalizing abstract theoretical concepts challenging?
Because operationalization involves measuring and comparing abstract concepts which are difficult to define precisely
Why is it important for researchers to carefully justify their decisions on data collection methods?
To ensure ethical considerations and a good fit with the research problem
What differentiates quantitative approaches from qualitative ones in terms of data obtained?
Quantitative approaches use numerical values from surveys, while qualitative approaches rely on images and videos.
What is primarily used by researchers to measure variables like the number of doctors in a community?
Operationalization
Why is clarity important in formulating a research question?
To facilitate clear communication and understanding of the research question
What distinguishes a good research design?
Integrated components including study type, variables, data collection methods, and analysis plan
What is the rationale for using a mixed methods approach in research?
To combine strengths of different data collection and analysis approaches
What is identified as the single-most important merit of data triangulation in mixed methods research?
Determining the validity of findings
According to Creswell (2013), when are mixed methods designs called for?
When quantitative work alone cannot provide insights into a research problem
Why is it challenging to conduct mixed methods research?
Due to the time-consuming nature and drawing on different methods
What is the aim of the peer review process in academia?
To evaluate the merits of the research question, design, and provide feedback
What are some challenges of mixed methods research?
Having extensive notes to formalize before sharing findings
What makes public sociology unique?
It concerns itself with how sociology can impact society both locally and globally
What is the critical importance of public sociology according to Herbert Gans?
Creating linkages between academia and the public
What are some popular venues for sociologists to present their work according to the text?
The International Sociological Association, American Sociological Association, and Canadian Sociological Association
What alternative forms do scholarly communications take today?
From blog posts to tweets and more, there are various alternative forms
What is one concern highlighted by Walter and Andersen (2013) regarding the use of quantitative research in policy-making?
It focuses on broad macrolevel patterns, missing the complexity of everyday life.
What is a policy recommendation based on statistical data to reduce alcohol consumption?
Increasing alcohol pricing based on alcohol content.
Why do qualitative researchers use triangulation in their studies?
To compare and contrast data from different sources for a better understanding.
What is the purpose of qualitative research according to the text?
To develop new theories from gathered data.
What is saturation in qualitative research?
The point when no new insights are gained from additional data analysis.
Which method does qualitative research often use instead of relying on numbers and graphs?
Interviews and narratives
What do Walter and Andersen (2013) criticize about the way quantitative methods understand Indigenous Peoples?
'Documentation of difference, deficit, and dysfunction'
Why do qualitative researchers use triangulation in their studies?
To compare and contrast data from different sources for a better understanding.
What is a key difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches in research?
Cross-sectional approaches focus on one point in time, while longitudinal approaches consider change over time.
Why is conflict theory highlighted as using methods that uncover inequalities and conflict among social groups?
To address the role of power imbalances and social injustices.
How does feminism's standpoint theory contribute to understanding how different positions influence our perception of the world?
By examining how individuals' social locations shape their perspectives.
What is the primary focus of functionalism when investigating structural change over time?
Studying how institutions evolve and contribute to stability.
Why do researchers practicing conflict theory critically reflect and question their own role in the research process?
To acknowledge potential biases that may influence their findings.
What method did Rankin and Campbell (2009) use to investigate the social organization of health care in Canada?
Ethnographic observation
How do functionalists primarily describe changes in institutions like families over time?
Quantitative data analysis
Which sociological perspective focuses on how meanings are created and contested through social interaction?
Symbolic interactionism
How did Garfinkel's ethnomethodology approach focus on understanding social situations?
By studying people's everyday explanations
What is the primary goal of survey research as described in the text?
To gather systematic information on a topic
What is the main focus of participant observation as a qualitative research method?
Observing and participating in social interactions
How do symbolic interactionists primarily study how people understand the world around them?
Both B and C
What is the primary focus of symbolic interactionism?
Exploring the role of symbols in society
Which sociological perspective aims to better understand inequalities related to access to resources, power, and privilege?
Conflict theory
How did Dorothy E. Smith's work originate?
From her participation in the women's movement
What does standpoint theory propose?
To view the world from different social locations
How does conflict theory influence research methodologies?
By encouraging critical reflection on the research process
What do large-scale feminist studies often reveal?
Gendered imbalances in pay
What was the main goal behind Marx's 'A Workers' Inquiry' 100 questions?
To serve as a way to document worker exploitation
'Institutional ethnography' aims to uncover what within an institution?
The daily experiences of individuals interacting with it
'Standpoint theory' proposes that individuals view the world differently based on what factors?
Their ethnic background, social status, and class
What is a key feature of methods drawing from conflict theory perspective?
Emphasizing lived experiences of marginalized groups
What is the primary strength of survey research mentioned in the text?
Standardized questions
Why do researchers often opt for alternative sampling strategies instead of the ideal stratified random sample?
Cost considerations
What is a major weakness of survey research according to the text?
Limited participant opinions
How are self-administered questionnaires typically designed in survey research?
Pre-written set of questions with no researcher present
What advantage do online surveys have over paper and telephone surveys?
Both A and B
What is a common drawback associated with online surveys according to the text?
Participants completing surveys multiple times
What is the primary purpose of the Census of Population in Canada?
Planning services for Canadians and Indigenous people
Why is validity of findings directly linked to the sampling strategy in survey research?
To draw accurate conclusions about the population
What differentiates ethnography from survey research as a data collection method?
Observing behaviors in a natural setting
What is the primary focus of Statistics Canada's efforts as described in Box 2.3?
Ensuring full enumeration of Indigenous people in Canada
What is the purpose of the National Household Survey which is part of the census program described in the text?
Collecting basic demographic information
Why does Statistics Canada use a combination of online, paper, and telephone surveys according to the text?
To ensure data accuracy across different populations
What challenges do Indigenous people living in urban areas face in participating in census activities according to the text?
Historical distrust of the government
What makes Statistics Canada's dataset unique compared to other surveys according to the text?
The size of the sample from which data is collected
How does Statistics Canada aim to involve Indigenous communities that are off-reserve or outside northern/Inuit communities in the census?
By using the long-form census questionnaire administered in person
What distinguishes the first part of the census from the National Household Survey?
The level of detail in the information gathered
What role do trained researchers play in researcher-administered questionnaires according to the text?
They act as intermediaries between respondents and interviewers
What is the advantage of field research, as mentioned in the text?
High validity from observing people in natural settings
In what scenario can field research's advantages turn into detriments?
When researchers have preconceived notions
How does the combination of an interview guide and flexibility contribute to the quality of qualitative data?
Facilitates reliable and comparable qualitative data
Why is it noted that field research is not restrictive?
Because it aims to collect data from multiple sources
What is the primary advantage of using a computer to analyze survey responses?
Enhances accuracy and simplifies data analysis
Why must human interviewers be chosen and trained carefully?
To avoid unintentionally influencing respondents' answers
What is a key disadvantage of in-person surveys compared to other methods?
They can be more expensive due to interviewer costs
Why do interviews differ from questionnaires as data collection methods?
Interviews allow participants to provide opinions in their own words
What distinguishes semistructured interviews from unstructured interviews?
Semistructured interviews integrate structured benefits and allow new leads
What was the goal of the study involving aging Canadians and walking routines?
To understand how walking spaces influence seniors' activity levels
How do semistructured interviews benefit researchers compared to unstructured interviews?
They allow for tailoring questions based on participant responses
What role does coding play in the context of open-ended survey questions?
It helps in categorizing responses for data analysis
Why are semistructured interviews deemed efficient for exploring specific topics?
They allow researchers to follow new leads based on responses
What is the main difference between participant observation and ethnography?
The time frame of the research
What is the term used to describe the situation where participants modify their behavior because they know they are being observed?
Reactivity
What distinguishes ethnographers from researchers using other approaches?
The depth of immersion in the setting
Which of the following is a key aspect of gaining insight in ethnographic research?
Field notes
What is the primary purpose of participant observation?
To understand and become familiar with customs and practices
How do ethnographers ensure a personal understanding of the setting they are studying?
By immersing themselves in the setting
What was the main focus of Alice Goffman's ethnographic work in Chicago?
Exploring the impact of mass incarceration and policing on low-income African American inner-city communities
What did critics find controversial about Alice Goffman's research strategy?
Her lack of validation of facts by including perspectives from all sides
What was one of the disadvantages associated with taking a covert role in research?
The potential for deception and feelings of betrayal among participants
How did Alice Goffman obscure her role as a researcher in her ethnographic work?
By adopting various behaviors associated with the community
What did critics believe about Alice Goffman's willingness to be a passive witness or coparticipant in crimes committed by those she studied?
It blurred ethical lines and boundaries of research conduct
What was the critical aspect that researchers need to consider in negotiating access to different social groups for research purposes?
The cultural sensitivities of the community being studied
Why is it important for researchers to establish a relationship with the community they are studying?
To conduct ethical research and understand cultural sensitivities
How did Alice Goffman's research strategy differ from traditional ethnographic approaches?
By befriending and immersing herself in the community she studied
What was the central concern raised by critics regarding Alice Goffman's lack of validation of facts in her research?
The credibility of possible rumors or myths becoming accepted as truth
Explore the concept of mixed methods research in policing and its growing interest among researchers. Learn about how police use Twitter for interactive communication and challenge traditional assumptions about their work.
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