Basics of Social Research 4th Canadian Edition By Neuman – Test Bank

1) Describe the following types of errors: premature closure, overgeneralization, selective observation, and halo effect.

Answer:

These are all errors of personal experience.

Premature closure—error that is made when a person feels she or he has the answers and does not need to listen, seek information, or raise questions any longer.

Overgeneralization—error that is made when some evidence supports a belief, but a person falsely assumes that it applies to many other situations as well.

Selective observation—error that is made when a person takes notice of certain people or events based on past experience or attitudes.

Halo effect: error that is made when a person overgeneralizes from what he or she accepts as being highly positive or prestigious and lets its favourable impression or prestige “rub off” onto other areas.

 

Diff: 4

Type: ES

Page Reference: 5-6

Skill: 02. Recognizes differences between science and non-scientific approaches to knowledge

Objective: 2. Explain five alternatives to social research.

 

2) Briefly describe each of the steps involved in conducting a research project. Discuss how “fixed” the steps are and the implications of this for a person undertaking research.

Answer:

The steps are: select topic → focus question → design study → collect data → analyze data → interpret data → inform others

The steps are not “fixed”; in practice, you rarely complete one step totally before moving on to the next one.

The process is an interactive one in which the steps blend into each other.

Implications: what you do in a later step may stimulate a reconsideration and slight adjustment about your thinking in a previous step.

 

Diff: 5

Type: ES

Page Reference: 8–9

Skill: 05. Shows an awareness of appropriate research procedures/processes for diverse situations

Objective: 4. Describe the general steps in the research process.

 

3) Explain how you would distinguish a qualitative from a quantitative social research study, and identify four quantitative and four qualitative date collection techniques.

Answer:

A quantitative study collects information in the form of numbers.

Techniques for quantitative data collection include experiments, surveys, content analysis, and existing statistics.

A qualitative study collects information in the form of words, pictures, sounds, visual images, or objects.

Techniques for qualitative data collection include qualitative interviews, focus groups, field research, and historical–comparative research.

 

Diff: 3

Type: ES

Page Reference: 15–17

Skill: 04. Expresses familiarity with the range of acceptable techniques/methods in social research

Objective: 8. Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches, and identify their main data collection techniques.

 

4) What is the difference between academic and applied social research?

Answer:

Academic research is research designed to advance fundamental knowledge about the social world.

Applied research is research that attempts to solve a concrete problem or address a specific policy question/issue and that has a direct, practical application.

 

Diff: 3

Type: ES

Page Reference: 9-10

Skill: 04. Expresses familiarity with the range of acceptable techniques/methods in social research

Objective: 5. Explain the difference between academic and applied research.

 

5) Identify and briefly explain what is entailed by two quantitative data collection techniques and two qualitative data collection techniques.

 

Answer:

Students may choose any two of the following quantitative data collection techniques:

Experimental research: Research in which one intervenes or does something to one group of people but not to another and then compares the results of the two groups.

Survey research: A quantitative social research technique in which one systematically asks many people the same questions and then records and analyzes their answers.

Content analysis: Research in which one examines patterns of symbolic meaning within written text, audio, visual, or other communication media.

Existing statistics research: Research in which one examines numerical information from

government documents or official reports to address new research questions.

Students may choose any two of the following qualitative data collection techniques:

Qualitative interview: A one-on-one interview between a researcher and an interviewee that is usually semi-structured and open-ended.

Focus group: A type of group interview in which an interviewer poses questions to the group and answers are given in an open discussion among the group members.

Field research: A type of qualitative research in which a researcher directly observes the people being studied in a natural setting for an extended period. Often, the researcher combines intense observation with participation in the people’s social activities.

Historical research: Research in which one examines different cultures or periods to better understand the social world.

 

Diff: 4

Type: ES

Page Reference: 15–17

Skill: 04. Expresses familiarity with the range of acceptable techniques/methods in social research

Objective: 8. Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches, and identify their main data collection techniques.