Question 1

According to Box 10.1, the decennial census of the U.S. population is a good example of big data.

Accepted Answer

The decennial census of the U.S. population, while extensive, is typically not considered an example of big data because it is structured and not characterized by the high velocity, variety, and volume that define big data.

Question 2

According to Box 10.1, the varied and complex structure of big data make them a challenge to analyze.

Accepted Answer

Box 10.1 states that the varied and complex structure of big data presents challenges for analysis, including issues with storage, processing, and interpretation.

Question 3

One advantage of the analysis of existing statistics is that it often provides direct, easily validated measures of concepts.

Accepted Answer

Analysis of existing statistics often involves using data that was collected for other purposes, which can make it challenging to directly measure specific concepts of interest, potentially requiring interpretation or proxy measures.

Question 4

In content analysis, the recording unit is always the same as the sampling unit.

Accepted Answer

In content analysis, the recording unit refers to the unit of analysis or the portion of the text that is being coded, while the sampling unit refers to the portion of the population that is selected for analysis. These units may or may not be the same, depending on the research question and design. For example, if the research question is about the portrayal of women in advertising, the recording unit could be individual advertisements, while the sampling unit could be a random sample of advertisements from different media outlets.

Question 5

Checking the reliability of a coding scheme in manual content analysis requires two or more coders.

Accepted Answer

Two or more coders are required to check the reliability of a coding scheme in manual content analysis because their independent coding can be compared and intercoder agreement can be calculated.

Question 6

Comparative historical research usually involves the analysis of a large number of cases.

Accepted Answer

Comparative historical research typically involves the in-depth analysis of a few cases to understand complex historical, social, or political phenomena, rather than the analysis of a large number of cases.

Question 7

Case selection in comparative historical research is usually random.

Accepted Answer

Case selection in comparative historical research is typically not random, but rather purposeful and strategic. Researchers choose cases that are likely to provide insights into the causal mechanisms they are investigating, based on theoretical frameworks and hypotheses. Random selection of cases could potentially lead to unrepresentative or irrelevant examples that do not illuminate the research question.

Question 8

Comparative historical research involves both within-case and cross-case analyses.

Accepted Answer

Comparative historical research involves analyzing multiple cases and comparing them to identify patterns and similarities/differences. This involves both within-case analysis, examining the details and context of each individual case, and cross-case analysis, comparing and contrasting the cases to draw broader conclusions.

Question 9

Comparative historical researchers often analyze existing historical narratives rather than conduct their own case studies.

Accepted Answer

Comparative historical researchers often analyze existing historical narratives to identify patterns and make comparisons between different cases. This approach allows them to cover a broader range of cases and to draw on the expertise of other historians, but it also requires careful consideration of the reliability and biases of the sources being used.

Question 10

Comparative historical research emphasizes the deductive logic of inquiry.

Accepted Answer

Comparative historical research emphasizes the inductive logic of inquiry, rather than deductive logic.

Question 11

Boolean algebra and truth tables are used to identify which combinations of causes produces a particular outcome.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as Boolean algebra and truth tables can help identify the causal relationships between different variables and their impact on an outcome.

Question 12

Compare the three types of existing data analysis described in this chapter: analysis of existing statistics, content analysis, and comparative historical analysis. (a) What kinds of research questions does each tend to address? (b) What are the sources and kinds of data that each approach uses?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare the three types of existing data...

Question 13

Using the research on 16 and Pregnant and mass incarceration as examples, explain how the analysis of existing statistics uses a different mode of inquiry-deductive or inductive-than comparative historical analysis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the research on 16 and Pregnant...

Question 14

Communications involve a sender, a message, and an audience. Which of these three elements were the focus of Lindner's study of news reports on the Iraq War? Which of these elements did his research ignore? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Communications involve a sender, a message, and...

Question 15

How does the analysis of existing data differ from experiments and surveys in terms of (a) units of analysis and (b) reactive measurement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the analysis of existing data...

Quiz 10: Existing Data Analysis: Using Data from Secondhand Sources