Sociological Research Methods Quiz

Which of the following best defines a survey as a sociological research method?

• A detailed investigation of a single individual, group, or event.

• A data collection method that involves asking a standardized set of questions to a sample of individuals.

• A research method where variables are manipulated to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

• A form of in-depth conversation with participants to explore their perspectives.

What is a key strength of using interviews in sociological research?

• They always produce statistically generalizable data.

• They allow for in-depth exploration of individual experiences and perspectives.

• They are the most cost-effective method for collecting large amounts of data.

• They eliminate researcher bias completely.

A significant limitation of laboratory experiments in sociological research is that:

• They cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships.

• They often suffer from low levels of ecological validity.

• They are quick and easy to conduct with large groups.

• They do not allow for the control of variables.

Which of the following is an example of primary data in sociological research?

• Government census reports.

• Historical documents.

• Data collected through a researcher's own questionnaire.

• Academic journal articles.

Which of the following is an example of secondary data in sociological research?

• Transcripts from an interview conducted by the researcher.

• Observations made by the researcher in a field setting.

• Statistics published by a non-governmental organization.

• Responses to a survey distributed by the researcher.

What is the primary difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

• Qualitative data deals with numbers and statistics, while quantitative data deals with descriptions and meanings.

• Quantitative data is always more subjective than qualitative data.

• Qualitative data deals with descriptions and meanings, while quantitative data deals with numbers and statistics.

• Quantitative data is collected through interviews, while qualitative data is collected through surveys.

A sociologist wants to understand the lived experiences of immigrants in a new city. Which type of data would be most appropriate for this research?

• Quantitative data collected through a large-scale survey on income levels.

• Qualitative data gathered through in-depth, unstructured interviews.

• Secondary data consisting of crime statistics related to immigrant populations.

• Quantitative data obtained from official government immigration records.

A researcher aims to determine if there is a correlation between the number of hours students study and their exam scores. Which type of data would be most suitable for this study?

• Qualitative data from open-ended questionnaires about study habits.

• Quantitative data consisting of the recorded study hours and exam grades.

• Secondary data from previous research on student performance.

• Qualitative data from focus group discussions with students about their learning experiences.

Which ethical consideration requires researchers to ensure that participation in their study is voluntary and individuals have a clear understanding of the research?

• Confidentiality.

• Anonymity.

• Informed consent.

• Avoidance of harm.

Ensuring that the identities of research participants are not revealed, even to the researcher, is known as:

• Confidentiality.

• Anonymity.

• Debriefing.

• Right to withdraw.