Research Methods in Social Sciences

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a primary characteristic of participant observation in research?

The researcher only uses data previously collected by others.

The researcher analyzes numerical data from surveys.

The researcher takes part in the daily life of the subjects. (correct)

The researcher remains completely detached from the subjects.

Which of the following is a limitation of secondary analysis in research?

It is generally too expensive to conduct.

It relies on data that may not adequately address the research question. (correct)

The researcher has complete control over the data collection process.

It always includes a large sample size.

What does meta-analysis primarily focus on in research?

Conducting new experimental studies.

Combining results from previous studies to assess overall trends. (correct)

Using qualitative data from interviews.

Analysing individual case studies in detail.

What is one benefit of conducting secondary analysis?

It is cost effective as it uses pre-existing data. Signup and view all the answers

Why do social researchers test hypotheses?

To explore potential relationships and validate theories. Signup and view all the answers

What is the equation used to calculate the size of a class interval?

i = U - L Signup and view all the answers

How is the midpoint of a class interval calculated?

m = (lowest score + highest score) / 2 Signup and view all the answers

What does cumulative frequency represent?

The total number of cases having a given score or lower Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating cumulative percentage?

c % = (cf / N) * 100 Signup and view all the answers

What does the notation cf stand for in statistics?

Cumulative frequency Signup and view all the answers

What percentage is represented by the cumulative percentage for the class interval of 75-79 in the referenced data?

16.90% Signup and view all the answers

What is the upper limit of the class interval 60-64?

64 Signup and view all the answers

If the total frequency of students is 71, what percentage of students scored in the class interval 90-94?

2.82% Signup and view all the answers

What does the standard deviation measure in a distribution?

The average variability in the distribution Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the value of the standard deviation when variability increases?

It increases Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for the coefficient of variation (CV)?

CV = 100 * (s / X) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the coefficient of variation useful?

It compares variability between measurements in different units Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a characteristic of the normal curve?

It is bell-shaped and symmetrical Signup and view all the answers

What does the multiplication rule of probability indicate?

It calculates the likelihood of independent events occurring together Signup and view all the answers

What does a probability of P=0 imply?

The event is impossible to occur Signup and view all the answers

Which rule provides the probability of one of several different outcomes occurring?

Addition Rule Signup and view all the answers

What is the area under the normal curve?

100% of the total probability Signup and view all the answers

Who are typically considered the producers of social research?

Academics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a variable in social research?

A characteristic that varies among individuals or over time Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent variable in social research?

The presumed cause in a causal relationship Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of a control group in an experiment?

To compare against the experimental group Signup and view all the answers

What is the probability of getting heads on one flip after flipping a coin twice?

0.5 Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research involves recording effects after independent variables have occurred?

Retrospective Research Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an experimental group from a control group?

The experimental group is manipulated while the control group is not. Signup and view all the answers

If you flip a coin twice, what is the probability of getting heads on both flips?

0.25 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the normal curve?

Unimodal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of conducting surveys?

Establishment of cause and effect relationships Signup and view all the answers

What does content analysis primarily focus on?

Describing and analyzing existing messages Signup and view all the answers

What does a z score indicate in statistics?

The distance from the mean Signup and view all the answers

What is the area under the normal curve equal to?

100% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a constant?

A factor that does not vary among individuals or time Signup and view all the answers

When calculating a z score, what formula is used?

$z = \frac{X - \mu}{\sigma}$ Signup and view all the answers

Who among the following is typically considered a consumer of social research?

Policymakers Signup and view all the answers

What type of distribution do some variables exhibit instead of the normal curve?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What does the mean, median, and mode represent in a normal distribution?

They are all identical. Signup and view all the answers

How can you determine the probability of obtaining any raw score in a distribution?

Combining z scores with the normal curve. Signup and view all the answers

What is one negative consequence of assuming normality in data that is not normally distributed?

Impact on the validity of conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mode of the following data set: 15, 15, 17, 18, 18, 18, 20?

18 Signup and view all the answers

Which measure of central tendency is appropriate for nominal-level variables?

Mode Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate the position of the median in a dataset with an odd number of cases?

N / 2 + 1 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about quartiles?

They divide a distribution into 4 equal parts. Signup and view all the answers

When should you use column percents in a cross-tabulation?

When the independent variable is on the columns. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a bimodal distribution?

A dataset with exactly two modes. Signup and view all the answers

In the formula for calculating the mean, what does X represent?

The sum of the scores. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding deviations from the mean?

The sum of deviations above and below the mean is zero. Signup and view all the answers

What is the median of the sorted data set: 3, 1, 4, 2, 5?

3 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the mean?

The average value of the scores. Signup and view all the answers

If a dataset has the scores 10, 20, 30, 40, what is the mean?

25 Signup and view all the answers

In a distribution with five values, how do you ascertain the position of the median?

N + 1 / 2 Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from a data set where the mode, median, and mean are all equal?

The distribution is symmetric. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social research utilizes statistics to organize raw data and test hypotheses. Raw data can be difficult to synthesize, while frequency tables simplify understanding.
The consumers and producers of social research include the general public, agency administrators, policymakers, academics, private sector investigators, and government agencies.
The chapter discusses various types of research, such as experiments, surveys, content analysis, participant observation, secondary analysis, and meta-analysis. Each method has unique features and benefits, and limitations.
Experiments manipulate one or more independent variables to observe their impact. Experimental and control groups are randomly assigned to eliminate initial differences.
Surveys collect data by recording the effects of independent variables on dependent variables. They are flexible and can examine multiple variables. Establishing cause-and-effect relationships is not as straightforward as in experiments.
Content analysis examines previously produced messages by objectively describing the content of books, magazines, newspapers, films, and other media.
Participant observation involves the researcher participating in the daily lives of the people being studied, either openly or covertly.
Secondary analysis uses data previously collected by other researchers, offering cost-effectiveness but potentially limited scope.
Meta-analysis combines results from multiple prior studies to provide a comprehensive understanding, often using effect sizes to quantify the strength of relationships.

Chapter 2: Organizing the Data

Formulas and statistical techniques organize raw data to test hypotheses. Frequency tables systematically present data.
Frequency distributions of nominal data consist of a title displaying data along with its frequency.
Comparisons clarify results. Researchers use various data organization methods, including calculating frequency distributions, proportions, percentages, ratios, and rates.
Proportions calculate the number of cases relative to the total distribution size, while percentages account for the occurrence of each category per 100.
Ratios compare frequencies between different categories. Rates quantify the proportion between actual and potential cases.
Simple frequency and grouped frequency distributions simplify interval data's presentation for easier comprehension.
Cross-tabulations display how two categorical variables relate through frequency counts and percentages.
Different types of graphs, like pie charts and histograms, visually interpret data.

Chapter 3: Measures of Central Tendency

Researchers utilize measures of central tendency, such as mode, median, and mean, to identify typical or average values within a data set. Mode represents the most frequent value, and it is suitable for nominal data.
The median is the middle data point in an organized data set, appropriate for ordinal and interval data.
The mean is the arithmetic average, representing the overall center of gravity in a data set, suitable for interval level data.
Weighted mean calculates a comprehensive mean across multiple groups.

Chapter 4: Measures of Variability

Measures of variability, such as range, interquartile range, variance, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation, provide information on how data points diverge from the central tendency.
The range is the difference between the highest and lowest scores.
The interquartile range (IQR) displays the spread of the middle 50% of data.
The variance and standard deviation quantify the dispersion of scores around the mean, with the standard deviation showing the average spread.
Box plots are visual tools for illustrating data distribution, including quartiles, median, and outliers.

Chapter 5: Probability and the Normal Curve

Probability describes the likelihood of an event or outcome occurring.
Probability distribution, analog to frequency distributions, describes probabilities of different outcomes.
The normal curve represents a theoretical distribution. It is symmetrical, unimodal, and has a specific mean and standard deviation.
The area under the normal curve represents 100% of the data. Specific proportions are associated with various sigma distances from the mean.
Z-scores enable researchers to translate raw scores into standard deviations from the mean, allowing for comparison to a standardized normal distribution.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores key concepts in social research methods, including participant observation, secondary analysis, and meta-analysis. Test your understanding of the advantages and limitations of various research techniques used in social sciences.