Question 1

"Ninety percent of dorm residents approved a proposed ban on smoking." This statement is an example of the use of
A)inferential statistics.
B)univariate descriptive statistics.
C)multivariate descriptive statistics.
D)inductive statistics.

Accepted Answer

The statement provides a simple summary about a single variable (the percentage of dorm residents who approved a ban on smoking), which is characteristic of univariate descriptive statistics. It describes a single characteristic of a data set without making inferences or predictions.

Question 2

In terms of the "Great Wheel of Science," statistics are central to the research process
A)only between the theory phase and the hypothesis phase.
B)only between the hypothesis phase and the observation phase.
C)only between the observation phase and the empirical generalization phase.
D)only between the empirical generalization phase and the theory phase.

Accepted Answer

Statistics are used to analyze the data collected during the observation phase and draw empirical generalizations, which are then used to inform the development or refinement of theories in the subsequent phases. Therefore, statistics are central to the research process between the observation phase and the empirical generalization phase.

Question 3

According to the "Wheel of Science," research projects begin
A)with theory.
B)with data.
C)with an hypothesis.
D)at any stage on the Wheel.

Accepted Answer

Research projects can begin at any stage on the Wheel of Science, depending on the specific project or research question being pursued. Some projects may start with theory, others with data, and still others with a hypothesis. Ultimately, the path that researchers take will be determined by the goals and objectives of their research project.

Question 4

If people who eat at fast food restaurants become obese,obesity is
A)an independent variable.
B)a causal variable.
C)a dependent variable.
D)none of the above.

Accepted Answer

Obesity is a dependent variable because it is the outcome that may be influenced by eating at fast food restaurants, which would be the independent variable.

Question 5

In the research process,the role of statistics is limited because
A)numbers don't prove anything.
B)of possible flaws in research design or method.
C)the researcher may not be a mathematician.
D)people lie when answering questionnaires.

Accepted Answer

While statistics can provide valuable insights and help identify patterns and trends, their role is limited by possible flaws in research design or method. Statistics can only analyze data that has been collected, and if the data has been collected in a biased or flawed way, the resulting statistics may not be accurate. Additionally, statistics cannot fully capture the complexity and nuances of human behavior and experiences, which can limit their usefulness in certain research areas.

Question 6

In the language of science,a variable that is thought to be causal is called
A)an independent variable.
B)a hypothetical variable.
C)a primary variable.
D)a dependent variable.

Accepted Answer

An independent variable is the factor or condition that is purposely manipulated in an experiment to observe its effects on the dependent variable. It is called the independent variable because it is not affected by any other variable in the experiment. In research, this variable is thought to cause changes or effects on the dependent variable.

Question 7

An hypothesis differs from a theory in that
A)it is "testable."
B)it is true.
C)it is more speculative.
D)it is more abstract.

Accepted Answer

An hypothesis is testable, meaning it can be verified or falsified through observable evidence. A theory, on the other hand, is based on a large body of evidence and is widely accepted in the scientific community as a well-substantiated explanation of a phenomenon.

Question 8

The data reduction process of descriptive statistics
A)allows a few meaningful numbers to summarize a large amount of datA.
B)eliminates incorrect data.
C)simply lists all available information in order.
D)is rarely useD.

Accepted Answer

The data reduction process of descriptive statistics allows a few meaningful numbers, such as measures of central tendency and dispersion, to summarize a large amount of data efficiently. This makes it easier to interpret and communicate the data.

Question 9

As we move up the left-hand side of the "Great Wheel of Science" we become more
A)specific.
B)general.
C)empirical.
D)quantitative.

Accepted Answer

Moving up the left-hand side of the "Great Wheel of Science" means moving from the more specific and narrow fields towards the broader and more general areas of research. Therefore, option B, general, is the best choice.

Question 10

As we move down the right-hand side of the "Great Wheel of Science" we become more
A)general.
B)abstract.
C)dependent.
D)specific.

Accepted Answer

Moving down the right-hand side of the "Great Wheel of Science" represents increasing specificity, moving from general concepts and ideas to more specific applications and details.

Question 11

In social research,the purpose of statistics is to
A)prove that the research theory is correct.
B)validate the research project design.
C)manipulate and analyze data.
D)ensure acceptance by the scientific community.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of statistics in social research is to manipulate and analyze data in order to draw meaningful conclusions and make predictions about the population being studied. It is not designed to prove theories, validate project designs, or ensure acceptance by the scientific community.

Question 12

A theory differs from an hypothesis in that it is more
A)testable.
B)specific.
C)general.
D)concrete.

Accepted Answer

A theory is more general than an hypothesis, as it encompasses a broader range of observations and evidence. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a specific phenomenon, while a theory is a well-supported and widely accepted explanation that can account for numerous observations across a variety of related phenomena.

Question 13

In time,the ____ variable precedes the ____ variable.
A)hypothetical,theoretical
B)discrete,continuous
C)independent,dependent
D)dependent,independent

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or changed first, and the dependent variable is the one that is measured or observed as a result.

Question 14

An hypothesis states,in part,that "income increases as education increases." In this statement,education is
A)the dependent variable.
B)the independent variable.
C)the hypothetical variable.
D)the secondary variable.

Accepted Answer

In this statement, income is being influenced by education, making education the independent variable.

Question 15

An hypothesis states,in part,that "income increases as education increases." In this statement,income is
A)the dependent variable.
B)the independent variable.
C)the hypothetical variable.
D)the secondary variable.

Accepted Answer

Income is the variable that is being impacted or affected by education, meaning it is the dependent variable. Education is the variable that is being changed or manipulated, meaning it is the independent variable.

Question 16

Data is the same thing as
A)information collected in numerical form.
B)information collected in any form.
C)statistics.
D)proof.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Data is the same thing as
A)information collected...

Question 17

In terms of the Wheel of Science,an hypothesis is derived from ____ and leads to ____.
A)statistics,observation
B)theory,generalizations
C)observation,generalizations
D)theory,observation

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is derived from observation and leads to further observation in order to either support or reject the hypothesis. The observation is the first step in the scientific process, and a theory is the result of many observations and experiments that have been conducted and consistently support a hypothesis. Therefore, it is the theory that leads to generalizations.

Question 18

In the research process,theory
A)is unnecessary.
B)is always fully developed before any data is gathered.
C)is developed only after the data have been completely analyzed.
D)attempts to explain the relationship between phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

Theory attempts to explain the relationship between phenomenon. It is not unnecessary and is not always fully developed before data is gathered. It may be developed during or after data analysis, but it is essential to the research process.

Question 19

If people who habitually drive over the speed limit have more fatal accidents,then speed is
A)an independent variable.
B)the dependent variable.
C)an effect or result variable.
D)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Speed is the independent variable because it is the factor that is being manipulated or considered as the cause of the increase in fatal accidents, which would be the dependent variable.

Question 20

Without statistics,____ research would be impossible.
A)meaningful
B)important
C)qualitative
D)quantitative

Accepted Answer

Without statistics, quantitative research would be impossible because statistical analysis is an essential tool for analyzing numerical data and making inferences about populations based on samples.

Quiz 1: Introduction

"Ninety percent of dorm residents approved a proposed ban on smoking." This statement is an example of the use of

In terms of the "Great Wheel of Science," statistics are central to the research process

According to the "Wheel of Science," research projects begin

If people who eat at fast food restaurants become obese,obesity is

In the research process,the role of statistics is limited because

In the language of science,a variable that is thought to be causal is called

An hypothesis differs from a theory in that

The data reduction process of descriptive statistics

As we move up the left-hand side of the "Great Wheel of Science" we become more

As we move down the right-hand side of the "Great Wheel of Science" we become more

In social research,the purpose of statistics is to

A theory differs from an hypothesis in that it is more

In time,the variable precedes the variable.

An hypothesis states,in part,that "income increases as education increases." In this statement,education is

An hypothesis states,in part,that "income increases as education increases." In this statement,income is

Data is the same thing as

In terms of the Wheel of Science,an hypothesis is derived from and leads to .

In the research process,theory

If people who habitually drive over the speed limit have more fatal accidents,then speed is

Without statistics,____ research would be impossible.