Below is a full practice exam set, split per topic (1–4), following the structure, difficulty, and
style of the previous years’ open-ended exam questions you provided.
These mirror exactly the level of explanation, application, and reasoning the instructor
emphasizes.
All questions are open-ended, application-focused, and require clear, concise reasoning—
just like the real exam.
Each question includes point values (so you can practice writing proportionate answers).
Contents
TOPIC 1: .............................................................................................................. 2
TOPIC 2: .............................................................................................................. 4
TOPIC 4 ............................................................................................................... 6
Answers TOPIC 1 .................................................................................................. 7
Answers TOPIC 2 .................................................................................................. 9
Answers TOPIC 3 ................................................................................................ 11
Answers TOPIC 4 ................................................................................................ 13
, TOPIC 1: Foundations, Measurement, Conceptualization, Surveys (Total: ~10 pts)
1. Primary vs Secondary Data Application (1 pt)
You are hired by a government agency to understand why people are not using public
transportation even though it is cheap and convenient.
a. Explain whether primary or secondary data is more appropriate here and why, using
concepts from class.
2. Conceptualization vs Operationalization Error (1 pt)
A researcher wants to study “environmental concern” but measures it using only “recycling
frequency.”
Explain which error(s) this introduces and why.
3. Survey Question Design (1 pt)
A city wants to measure citizens’ satisfaction and asks:
“How satisfied are you with the excellent public services of our city?”
a. Identify the specific type of question wording problem.
b. Explain why this affects measurement validity.
4. Coverage, Sampling, and Nonresponse (1 pt)
A health researcher sends a survey about “general well-being” to people who visited a medical
clinic in the past month.
Identify two different errors this design risks and explain why.
5. Response Scale Effects (1 pt)
A researcher asks: “How often do you eat sweets?”
Scale A: “0–1 times per week / 2––+”
Scale B: “0–10 per week / 11––+”
Explain how and why the scale structure affects the answers, using Schwarz’s conversational
norms.
6. Attitudes vs Behavioral Reports (1 pt)
Explain why self-reported behaviors (e.g., “How often do you exercise?”) are often biased
compared to attitudes, using Schwarz (1999).
7. Measurement Reliability (1 pt)
Explain what internal consistency is and why low internal consistency harms power and validity.
style of the previous years’ open-ended exam questions you provided.
These mirror exactly the level of explanation, application, and reasoning the instructor
emphasizes.
All questions are open-ended, application-focused, and require clear, concise reasoning—
just like the real exam.
Each question includes point values (so you can practice writing proportionate answers).
Contents
TOPIC 1: .............................................................................................................. 2
TOPIC 2: .............................................................................................................. 4
TOPIC 4 ............................................................................................................... 6
Answers TOPIC 1 .................................................................................................. 7
Answers TOPIC 2 .................................................................................................. 9
Answers TOPIC 3 ................................................................................................ 11
Answers TOPIC 4 ................................................................................................ 13
, TOPIC 1: Foundations, Measurement, Conceptualization, Surveys (Total: ~10 pts)
1. Primary vs Secondary Data Application (1 pt)
You are hired by a government agency to understand why people are not using public
transportation even though it is cheap and convenient.
a. Explain whether primary or secondary data is more appropriate here and why, using
concepts from class.
2. Conceptualization vs Operationalization Error (1 pt)
A researcher wants to study “environmental concern” but measures it using only “recycling
frequency.”
Explain which error(s) this introduces and why.
3. Survey Question Design (1 pt)
A city wants to measure citizens’ satisfaction and asks:
“How satisfied are you with the excellent public services of our city?”
a. Identify the specific type of question wording problem.
b. Explain why this affects measurement validity.
4. Coverage, Sampling, and Nonresponse (1 pt)
A health researcher sends a survey about “general well-being” to people who visited a medical
clinic in the past month.
Identify two different errors this design risks and explain why.
5. Response Scale Effects (1 pt)
A researcher asks: “How often do you eat sweets?”
Scale A: “0–1 times per week / 2––+”
Scale B: “0–10 per week / 11––+”
Explain how and why the scale structure affects the answers, using Schwarz’s conversational
norms.
6. Attitudes vs Behavioral Reports (1 pt)
Explain why self-reported behaviors (e.g., “How often do you exercise?”) are often biased
compared to attitudes, using Schwarz (1999).
7. Measurement Reliability (1 pt)
Explain what internal consistency is and why low internal consistency harms power and validity.
