Social Science Research Methods Quiz

What does quantitative research focus on in social science?

• Understanding how people make sense of their world

• Working with nonnumerical data such as texts and photographs

• Translating the social world into numbers for mathematical treatment

• Collecting field notes and interview transcripts

What is the primary data type used in qualitative research?

• Numerical data that can be mathematically analyzed

• Nonnumerical data such as texts, photographs, and recordings

• Statistical data for finding correlations

• Biological samples for laboratory analysis

What is the scientific method?

• A set of instructions for performing experiments only

• A procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting data through observation and experiment

• A theory that explains scientific observations

• A hypothesis that needs to be tested

Does the scientific method provide a plan for conducting research?

• No, it is just a collection of random experiments

• Yes, but it does not emphasize a systematic approach

• No, it only provides guidelines for writing research papers

• Yes, it provides a general plan for conducting research in a systematic way

What is the first step of the Scientific Method according to the diagram?

• Conduct a literature review

• Identify a problem or ask a question

• Choose a research design or method

• Analyze data

Which step comes immediately after conducting a literature review in the Scientific Method?

• Disseminate findings

• Collect data

• Form a hypothesis; give operational definitions to variables

• Analyze data

What is a literature review in the context of the scientific method?

• A summary of one's own opinions on a topic.

• A thorough search through previously published studies relevant to a particular topic.

• A list of books and articles one intends to read.

• A peer review of a scientific article before publication.

What is a hypothesis?

• A proven fact about a phenomenon.

• A question posed at the beginning of a study.

• A theoretical statement explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena.

• A detailed description of an experiment.

What are variables in a scientific experiment?

• The constants that remain unchanged throughout the experiment.

• The results of the experiment.

• The group that does not receive the treatment in an experiment.

• Two or more phenomena that a researcher believes are related and will be examined in the experiment.

What is the hypothesis in the given scientific method example?

• Aggression in young children is not related to the violence they see on TV.

• There is a relationship between aggression in young children and violence they watched on TV.

• Watching violence on TV has no effect on children's behavior.

• The amount of time children spend watching TV does not influence their aggression levels.