Question 1

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?
A)quantitative
B)deductive
C)inductive
D)testable hypotheses

Accepted Answer

The term that fits least well is "inductive." Inductive research involves developing theories or hypotheses based on observations and patterns found in the data, whereas quantitative research often involves testing pre-existing hypotheses or theories through the collection and analysis of numerical data. Deductive reasoning involves using a general theory to make specific predictions, and testable hypotheses are a key aspect of scientific research. Therefore, all of the other answer choices are more closely related to either quantitative or scientific research in general.

Question 2

According to the textbook, this type of technique allowed researchers to learn more about Mexican American experiences with police gang enforcement.
A)correlational research
B)ethnography
C)case study
D)survey research

Accepted Answer

Ethnography involves researchers immersing themselves in the culture and community they are studying, allowing them to gain a deep understanding of the experiences and perspectives of the people being studied. This method would be particularly useful in learning about the experiences of Mexican Americans with police gang enforcement.

Question 3

For a project in your research methods class, you conducted a correlational research method.You know that this method does not allow you to determine cause and effect.Thus, you must ask yourself which of the following question s) when you are looking at the results?
A)Is X causing Y?
B)Is Y causing X?
C)Is there a third variable causing both X and Y to be related?
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Since correlational research does not allow for determination of cause and effect, it is important to consider all of the potential explanations for the relationship observed. This includes whether X is causing Y, if Y is causing X, or if there is a third variable causing both X and Y to be related. Therefore, all of the options presented in choices A, B, and C should be considered when interpreting correlational research results.

Question 4

The field of __________ is typically associated with the research method of ethnography.
A)psychology
B)anthropology
C)sociology
D)astronomy

Accepted Answer

Ethnography is a research method used in anthropology to study human cultures, so the field associated with this method is anthropology.

Question 5

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?
A)inductive
B)qualitative
C)deductive
D)in-depth collection of information

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning is more aligned with quantitative research, which starts with a hypothesis and tests it through the collection of numerical data. In contrast, qualitative research often uses inductive reasoning, focusing on generating theories from observed data, and involves in-depth collection of non-numerical information.

Question 6

Gazdzinski and colleagues found that as weight increased for individuals, neuronal health decreased.These results indicate what type of correlation?
A)a positive correlation
B)a weak correlation
C)a negative correlation
D)a spurious correlation

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases. In this case, as weight increased, neuronal health decreased, indicating a negative correlation.

Question 7

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center conducted a study to examine the relationship between weight in children and tooth decay.This was an example of which of the following?
A)correlational research
B)archival research
C)case study
D)survey research

Accepted Answer

The study in question aims to examine the relationship between two variables, namely weight in children and tooth decay. Correlational research is designed to discover relationships between variables and therefore, best fits the description of the study being conducted. Archival research utilizes previous records to answer research questions, case studies are a detailed analysis of a specific person or group, and survey research involves gathering data through questionnaires or interviews.

Question 8

with a conversation on how websites such as ratemyprofessors.com can be used for research purposes.If a researcher used the existing data available from this website, what type of research design would it be?
A)naturalistic observation
B)archival research
C)case study
D)survey research

Accepted Answer

The use of existing data from ratemyprofessors.com would fall under archival research, as the researcher is analyzing pre-existing data instead of collecting new data through direct observation, interviews, or surveys.

Question 9

Which sentence below does not accurately describe correlations?
A)a positive correlation occurs when variables vary in the same direction
B)a negative correlation occurs when variables vary in opposite directions
C)a positive correlation occurs when one variable increases and the second variable decreases
D)a correlation evaluates the relationship among variables

Accepted Answer

A positive correlation occurs when both variables increase or both decrease together. In a negative correlation, one variable increases while the other decreases. Therefore, choice C is not an accurate description of correlations.

Question 10

What type of research evaluates the relationship among variables?
A)correlational research
B)archival research
C)case study
D)survey research

Accepted Answer

Correlational research is specifically designed to investigate the relationships or associations among variables. The goal of this type of research is to determine the extent to which one variable is related to another variable or variables.

Question 11

Gazdzinski and colleagues examined the relationship between weight of individuals and biochemical deficiencies.This was an example of what type of research?
A)correlational research
B)archival research
C)case study
D)survey research

Accepted Answer

Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables. In this case, the researchers are examining the relationship between weight and biochemical deficiencies, which are likely to be continuous variables.

Question 12

Which of the following reasons would not be a disadvantage to conducting an ethnography?
A)detailed information
B)lack of testable hypotheses
C)inability to infer cause and effect
D)little ability to generalize findings

Accepted Answer

Detailed information is a benefit to conducting an ethnography, not a disadvantage.

Question 13

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that as weight in children increased, the risk of tooth decay decreased.These results indicate what type of correlation?
A)a positive correlation
B)a weak correlation
C)a negative correlation
D)a spurious correlation

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. In this case, as weight increased, the risk of tooth decay decreased, indicating a negative correlation.

Question 14

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?
A)qualitative
B)subjectivity
C)emerging hypotheses
D)quantitative

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research is characterized by the use of structured methods such as surveys, questionnaires, and statistical analysis to collect data that can be quantified and used to identify patterns and predict outcomes. This contrasts with qualitative research, which focuses on understanding concepts, thoughts, or experiences through methods that can include interviews, observations, and analysis of text or media, often associated with subjectivity and emerging hypotheses. Therefore, "quantitative" fits least well with the other terms that are more aligned with qualitative research methodologies.

Question 15

Research has found that as ice cream sales increase, so too do murder rates.What most likely explains these findings?
A)eating ice cream causes you to commit murder
B)as ice cream sales and murder rates increase, the temperature decreases
C)committing murder causes you to eat ice cream
D)as ice cream sales and murder rates increase, the temperature increases

Accepted Answer

Ice cream sales and murder rates both tend to increase during the summer months, when temperatures are higher, rather than being directly related to each other.

Question 16

Bonds-Raacke and Raacke 2007) used existing records from ratemyprofessors.com to better understand the link between a professor's level of attractiveness and students' ratings of effectiveness.What type of research design was this?
A)naturalistic observation
B)archival research
C)case study
D)survey research

Accepted Answer

The researchers used existing records from ratemyprofessors.com, which is a form of archival research that involves using pre-existing data or records. This study did not involve direct observation, a case study, or a survey.

Question 17

Jason and Kelly are trying to decide on which research method they should employ for a project in their research methods class.They have decided to use a correlational research method.Of the reasons below, what is the best reason why Jason and Kelly selected this method?
A)It will allow them to make predictions.
B)It will show cause and effect.
C)It is not ethical.
D)It eliminates alternative explanations.

Accepted Answer

Correlational research allows for the prediction of one variable based on the strength and direction of its relationship with another variable. It does not establish causality or eliminate alternative explanations, but it is an appropriate method for making predictions.

Question 18

Which example below best illustrates a negative correlation?
A)the more years of education a person has, the higher his or her salary
B)the more time spent studying for a test, the better the performance on the test
C)the more food a person consumes, the more the person weighs
D)the more satisfied a couple is in their relationship, the less likely they are to get a divorce

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases. In option D, as satisfaction in a relationship increases, the likelihood of getting a divorce decreases, illustrating a negative correlation.

Question 19

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?
A)emerging hypotheses
B)testable hypotheses
C)generalized results
D)use of statistics to draw inferences

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research often involves emerging hypotheses as it is more exploratory and open-ended, whereas quantitative research focuses on testable hypotheses, generalized results, and the use of statistics to draw inferences.

Question 20

Jason and Kelly are trying to decide on which research method they should employ for a project in their research methods class.They have decided to use a correlational research method.Of the reasons listed below, what is the best reason why Jason and Kelly selected this method?
A)It will allow them to investigate a topic with fewer ethical restrictions.
B)It will show cause and effect.
C)It is not ethical.
D)It eliminates alternative explanations.

Accepted Answer

Correlational research methods are often chosen because they allow researchers to investigate relationships between variables without the ethical concerns that might arise from manipulating variables, as is done in experimental research. This method does not show cause and effect (B), it is ethical when conducted properly (C), and it does not eliminate alternative explanations for the observed relationships (D).

Quiz 4: Nonexperimental Research Methods

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?

According to the textbook, this type of technique allowed researchers to learn more about Mexican American experiences with police gang enforcement.

For a project in your research methods class, you conducted a correlational research method.You know that this method does not allow you to determine cause and effect.Thus, you must ask yourself which of the following question s) when you are looking at the results?

The field of __________ is typically associated with the research method of ethnography.

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?

Gazdzinski and colleagues found that as weight increased for individuals, neuronal health decreased.These results indicate what type of correlation?

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center conducted a study to examine the relationship between weight in children and tooth decay.This was an example of which of the following?

with a conversation on how websites such as ratemyprofessors.com can be used for research purposes.If a researcher used the existing data available from this website, what type of research design would it be?

Which sentence below does not accurately describe correlations?

What type of research evaluates the relationship among variables?

Gazdzinski and colleagues examined the relationship between weight of individuals and biochemical deficiencies.This was an example of what type of research?

Which of the following reasons would not be a disadvantage to conducting an ethnography?

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that as weight in children increased, the risk of tooth decay decreased.These results indicate what type of correlation?

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?

Research has found that as ice cream sales increase, so too do murder rates.What most likely explains these findings?

Bonds-Raacke and Raacke 2007) used existing records from ratemyprofessors.com to better understand the link between a professor's level of attractiveness and students' ratings of effectiveness.What type of research design was this?

Jason and Kelly are trying to decide on which research method they should employ for a project in their research methods class.They have decided to use a correlational research method.Of the reasons below, what is the best reason why Jason and Kelly selected this method?

Which example below best illustrates a negative correlation?

Think about the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.Of the following terms, which term below fits least well?

Jason and Kelly are trying to decide on which research method they should employ for a project in their research methods class.They have decided to use a correlational research method.Of the reasons listed below, what is the best reason why Jason and Kelly selected this method?