Deck 5: Inductive Generalizations

Question 1

Conclusions are the statements the researcher makes about the meaning and significance of the research data.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

When a finding is labeled statistically significant, it is probable that the reported effect will occur again in similar circumstances.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Control and experimental groups do not have to be representative of targeted populations in order to provide sufficient research for statistical generalizations.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A research organization may be biased if they have a vested interest
in the outcome of a study.

Question 5

When a finding is labeled statistically significant, it is probable that the reported effect will occur again in similar circumstances.

Question 6

Double-blind studies are considered more accurate in design than blind studies.

Question 7

Control groups allow researchers to gauge the significance of a study by being a point of comparison with the experimental group.

Question 8

Control and experimental groups do not have to be representative of targeted populations in order to provide sufficient research for statistical generalizations.

Question 9

A research organization may be biased by having a vested interest in the outcome of a study.

Question 10

If a small sample can suggest areas for further research, it can be accepted as factual and used for credible inductive generalizations.

Question 11

Control groups allow a researcher to gauge the significance of a study by being a point of comparison with the experimental group.

Question 12

Upon what is the strength of an inductive conclusion based?

A) The amount of evidence used to support the conclusion.
B) The balance of deductive and inductive reasoning.
C) The number of analogies utilized to support the conclusion.
D) The quality of evidence used to support the conclusion.
E) All of the above.

Question 13

When an inductive argument is based on strong evidence, it is called a

A) true argument.
B) syllogistic argument.
C) random argument.
D) cogent argument.

Question 14

Which is not an accurate statement about samples from controlled studies compared with samples from polling organizations?

A) Both samples need to be random.
B) Both samples need to be large in size.
C) Both samples need to be representative of the target group.
D) Both samples should be solicited by credible individuals or groups.
E) All of the above are accurate.

Question 15

Reasoning by analogy is used to

A) compare one policy to another.
B) compare one condition to another to justify changes in the condition.
C) compare a social system in one place to a system in another.
D) suggest that a specific law that works in one place will work in another.
E) All of the above.

Question 16

The two-step flow of information proceeds from

A) the media to busy individuals who then lead others.
B) individual groups to both media and opinion leaders.
C) opinion leaders to groups to media.
D) media to opinion leaders to individual decision makers.
E) back and forth between opinion leaders and media.

Question 17

When confronted with controversy in research findings, critical thinkers should do all of the following, except

A) assess the credibility of the sources.
B) consider the institutions which carried out the research.
C) check for similar studies on the same subject.
D) go to the source of the study and read about how it was conducted.
E) All of the above were suggested by the text.

Question 18

Which was not listed in the checklist on criteria for evaluating research studies?

A) Have all of the important factors of the data been considered?
B) Have the conclusions been listed systematically at the beginning of the study?
C) Have other researchers been able to duplicate the results?
D) Are the results statistically significant?
E) Does the researcher claim that the study proves more than it was designed to prove?

Question 19

Which is NOT a distinguishing factor of a genuine expert given in the text?

A) An expert has a following of students who are studying to become experts.
B) An expert has significant experience in a given field.
C) An expert has significant education in a given field.
D) An expert is recognized by others in the field as possessing expertise.

Question 20

Matching: Match the following list of problems with expert testimony with the most appropriate examples.

-A dentist is hired to testify on behalf of the prosecution in a criminal trial.

A) Use of experts in the wrong field of expertise.
B) Use of experts who are not recognized as experts.
C) Use of experts who are paid for their testimony.
D) Use of experts who are clearly biased.
E) Experts who do not realistically limit their own expertise.
F) Expert testimony contradicted by equally expert testimony.

Question 21

Matching: Match the following list of problems with expert testimony with the most appropriate examples.

-A televised cable interview features a representative of a particular candidate discussing why this candidate has the best policies.

A) Use of experts in the wrong field of expertise.
B) Use of experts who are not recognized as experts.
C) Use of experts who are paid for their testimony.
D) Use of experts who are clearly biased.
E) Experts who do not realistically limit their own expertise.
F) Expert testimony contradicted by equally expert testimony.

Question 22

Matching: Match the following list of problems with expert testimony with the most appropriate examples.

-A leading actress talks about the need for the federal government to lower interest rates.

A) Use of experts in the wrong field of expertise.
B) Use of experts who are not recognized as experts.
C) Use of experts who are paid for their testimony.
D) Use of experts who are clearly biased.
E) Experts who do not realistically limit their own expertise.
F) Expert testimony contradicted by equally expert testimony.

Question 23

Matching: Match the following list of problems with expert testimony with the most appropriate examples.

-A student writes an essay about the best cure for AIDS by referencing his doctor's comments on the subject from an article the doctor wrote in 1998.

A) Use of experts in the wrong field of expertise.
B) Use of experts who are not recognized as experts.
C) Use of experts who are paid for their testimony.
D) Use of experts who are clearly biased.
E) Experts who do not realistically limit their own expertise.
F) Expert testimony contradicted by equally expert testimony.

Question 24

Matching: Match the following list of problems with expert testimony with the most appropriate examples.

-A talk show features scientists promoting two different viewpoints on a debate about the best ways to deal with drug addiction.

A) Use of experts in the wrong field of expertise.
B) Use of experts who are not recognized as experts.
C) Use of experts who are paid for their testimony.
D) Use of experts who are clearly biased.
E) Experts who do not realistically limit their own expertise.
F) Expert testimony contradicted by equally expert testimony.

Question 25

Matching: Match the following list of problems with expert testimony with the most appropriate examples.

-A politician writes a book on healthy diets that prevent disease.

A) Use of experts in the wrong field of expertise.
B) Use of experts who are not recognized as experts.
C) Use of experts who are paid for their testimony.
D) Use of experts who are clearly biased.
E) Experts who do not realistically limit their own expertise.
F) Expert testimony contradicted by equally expert testimony.

Question 26

Matching

-Subjects exposed to a special treatment.

A) Question
B) Hypothesis
C) Control Group
D) Experimental Group
E) Data
F) Placebo

Question 27

Matching

-Observations compiled by researcher.

A) Question
B) Hypothesis
C) Control Group
D) Experimental Group
E) Data
F) Placebo

Question 28

Matching

-The characteristics of interest concerning a targeted population.

A) Question
B) Hypothesis
C) Control Group
D) Experimental Group
E) Data
F) Placebo

Question 29

Matching

-A sugar pill or other benign substance given to a control group when another group is given the treatment that the researcher wishes to explore.

A) Question
B) Hypothesis
C) Control Group
D) Experimental Group
E) Data
F) Placebo

Question 30

Matching

-Subjects who receive a placebo or no treatment.

A) Question
B) Hypothesis
C) Control Group
D) Experimental Group
E) Data
F) Placebo

Question 31

Matching

-Educated speculation about what will be discovered from the researcher.

A) Question
B) Hypothesis
C) Control Group
D) Experimental Group
E) Data
F) Placebo

Question 32

How does a sample from a controlled study differ from a sample from a poll? Use an example in your explanation.

Question 33

Define the following aspects of research design, using examples.
-Question

Question 34

Define the following aspects of research design, using examples.
-Conclusions

Question 35

How does a control group help us to evaluate the significance of the data gathered from a study? Be specific.

Question 36

What is a placebo? Give an example.

Question 37

Can celebrity endorsements ever be legitimate? Explain your answer.

Question 38

Give an example of how you or someone you know have used either research or expert testimony in making a personal (consumer, voting) decision.

Question 39

What can a critical thinker do when confronted with controversy in research findings?

Question 40

How are blind and double-blind studies used to guard against bias?

Question 41

What is the function of opinion leaders in the two-step flow of information described in Chapter 5?

Question 42

How is someone distinguished as a genuine expert in a given field?

Question 43

What is the criteria for an effective analogy?

Question 44

Discuss two or more ways that reasoning by analogy is useful.