Choosing a research method

Which sociological perspective argues that there is a measurable, objective social reality?

• Functionalism
• Marxism
• Positivism
• Interpretivism

Which research methods are favored by positivists for obtaining reliable and representative quantitative data?

• Ethnography
• Experimentation
• Survey
• Content analysis

According to interpretivists, what is the aim of research?

• To uncover social structures
• To understand subjective meanings
• To predict social behavior
• To establish causal relationships

What concept refers to how close the data is to the reality of a social situation?

• Reliability
• Validity
• Objectivity
• Generalizability

What are the three key concepts used by sociologists to judge the usefulness of a research method?

• Reliability, validity, and generalizability
• Objectivity, accuracy, and representativeness
• Subjectivity, significance, and practicality
• Precision, consistency, and applicability

What factors can restrict the sociologist's choice of research method?

• Availability of funding
• Time constraints
• Ethical considerations
• All of the above

Which ethical factor ensures that research subjects have the right to anonymity?

• Informed consent
• Confidentiality
• Deception
• Voluntary participation

What is the process of converting a concept into something measurable called?

• Operationalization
• Standardization
• Hypothesis testing
• Data collection

What is the purpose of a pilot study in research?

• To select a representative sample
• To gather preliminary data
• To test the research instrument
• To analyze the data

What term is used to describe a smaller part of the research population that the sociologist selects for study?

• Sample
• Target population
• Control group
• Research variable