T F 1. Selective observation occurs when people conclude that what is true for
some cases is true for all cases.
T F 2. Illogical reasoning occurs when researchers prematurely jump to
conclusions on the basis of invalid assumptions.
T F 3. Social science is defined as the use of scientific methods to investigate
individuals, societies, and social processes.
T F 4. If we allow new research to call into question our preexisting beliefs, we are
practicing an excessive devotion to tradition.
T F 5. Exploratory research identifies the causes and effects of social phenomena.
T F 6. Unlike in natural sciences, social sciences face special issues in data
collection because the subjects can intentionally mislead the researcher.
T F 7. Descriptive research tests a relationship between variables.
,T F 8. The belief that there is an objective reality that exists apart from our
perception of it, and that we can and should study it, is called Positivism.
T F 9. The belief that reality is socially constructed and that social science's goal is
to understand what meanings people give that reality is known as the
Constructivist paradigm.
T F 10. The belief that there is an empirical reality, but that our understanding of it
is limited by its complexity and by the biases and limitations of researchers
is called Postpositivism.
T F 11. Basic science is the effort to figure out what the world is like and why it
works as it does.
T F 12. Descriptive research is evaluation research and other social research which
is motivated by practical concerns.
T F 13. Quantitative methods use numerical data which is presented as
percentages and other statistics in order to summarize relationships among
different variables.
,T F 14. A researcher who conducts a survey with 200 participants and then does
in-depth interviews with 40 of these participants is using mixed methods
research.
T F 15. The term triangulation refers to a researcher choosing a specific research
method to use as opposed to others.
T F 16. In order to decrease the likelihood of overgeneralizing, a researcher should
have a clear definition of the population of interest in his or her study.
T F 17. Most social science research is motivated by personal gains only.
T F 18. In-depth interviews with each participant with the same set of questions
helps reduce the risk for selective or inaccurate observation.
T F 19. Qualitative methodology is most often driven by exploratory research.
T F 20. Pseudoscience claims are often easily identifiable, making these
statements unbelievable to the general public.
, 21. The everyday error that involves choosing to look at things that are in line
with our own preferences or beliefs is called:
A) Overgeneralization
B) Selective observation
C) Inaccurate observation
D) Illogical reasoning
E) Resistance to change
22. The everyday error that involves the reluctance to reevaluate ideas in light
of new information comes from all of the following sources EXCEPT:
A) Excessive devotion to tradition
B) Ego-based commitments
C) Inability to admit earlier conclusions were made in error
D) Thinking we have seen something that is not true
E) Uncritical agreement with authority
23. Legitimate motives for social research may include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A) To assist in making government decisions
B) To test academic theories
C) For personal reasons
D) To assist in planning programs or policies
E) All of the above are legitimate motives for social research
some cases is true for all cases.
T F 2. Illogical reasoning occurs when researchers prematurely jump to
conclusions on the basis of invalid assumptions.
T F 3. Social science is defined as the use of scientific methods to investigate
individuals, societies, and social processes.
T F 4. If we allow new research to call into question our preexisting beliefs, we are
practicing an excessive devotion to tradition.
T F 5. Exploratory research identifies the causes and effects of social phenomena.
T F 6. Unlike in natural sciences, social sciences face special issues in data
collection because the subjects can intentionally mislead the researcher.
T F 7. Descriptive research tests a relationship between variables.
,T F 8. The belief that there is an objective reality that exists apart from our
perception of it, and that we can and should study it, is called Positivism.
T F 9. The belief that reality is socially constructed and that social science's goal is
to understand what meanings people give that reality is known as the
Constructivist paradigm.
T F 10. The belief that there is an empirical reality, but that our understanding of it
is limited by its complexity and by the biases and limitations of researchers
is called Postpositivism.
T F 11. Basic science is the effort to figure out what the world is like and why it
works as it does.
T F 12. Descriptive research is evaluation research and other social research which
is motivated by practical concerns.
T F 13. Quantitative methods use numerical data which is presented as
percentages and other statistics in order to summarize relationships among
different variables.
,T F 14. A researcher who conducts a survey with 200 participants and then does
in-depth interviews with 40 of these participants is using mixed methods
research.
T F 15. The term triangulation refers to a researcher choosing a specific research
method to use as opposed to others.
T F 16. In order to decrease the likelihood of overgeneralizing, a researcher should
have a clear definition of the population of interest in his or her study.
T F 17. Most social science research is motivated by personal gains only.
T F 18. In-depth interviews with each participant with the same set of questions
helps reduce the risk for selective or inaccurate observation.
T F 19. Qualitative methodology is most often driven by exploratory research.
T F 20. Pseudoscience claims are often easily identifiable, making these
statements unbelievable to the general public.
, 21. The everyday error that involves choosing to look at things that are in line
with our own preferences or beliefs is called:
A) Overgeneralization
B) Selective observation
C) Inaccurate observation
D) Illogical reasoning
E) Resistance to change
22. The everyday error that involves the reluctance to reevaluate ideas in light
of new information comes from all of the following sources EXCEPT:
A) Excessive devotion to tradition
B) Ego-based commitments
C) Inability to admit earlier conclusions were made in error
D) Thinking we have seen something that is not true
E) Uncritical agreement with authority
23. Legitimate motives for social research may include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A) To assist in making government decisions
B) To test academic theories
C) For personal reasons
D) To assist in planning programs or policies
E) All of the above are legitimate motives for social research
