UIUC CMN 102 UNIT 1 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026
Why do social scientists perform research? - Answers To Explain
Predict
Make a difference
Variable - Answers Any concept that can have two or more values
Hypothesis - Answers prediction; educated guess; idea of how variables relate
Research Question - Answers an exploration; don't know how variables relate to each other
Confounding variables - Answers those that are not assessed but obscure the relationship between
two measured variables
another variable that skews, bolsters, or mitigates the relationship between the variables being
studied.
Two common designs used in social scientific research - Answers Experimental research
Descriptive research
Experimental research - Answers Characterized as a controlled test of a cause-and-effect relationship
between variables
Independent variables and dependent variables
Research Symbols - Answers O= measurement (survey)
X= message
R= random assignment
One Shot Case Study - Answers X O1
Group of individuals watch a message and then there's observation right after (horrible test design)
Pros? Immediate feedback, cheap
Cons? Can't see long lasting effects, no comparison group, no randomization
Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design - Answers Group 1 R O1 X O2
Group 2 R O1 O2
Two groups; pretest and posttest for each group; group 1 watches message, group 2 doesn't; test
their increased knowledge
Pros? comparison, randomization
Cons? roles of pretest (primes group and activates thoughts)
Posttest-Only Control Group Design - Answers Group 1 R X O1
Group 2 R O2
Pros? 2 groups, R, no-pretest
Cons? Can't tell if both groups were at the same level to begin with---your defense: randomization
Solomon Four Design - Answers Perfect Design
Group 1 R O1 X O2
Group 2 R O1 O2
Group 3 R X O1
Group 4 R O1
Combines last two designs; need a lot of participants (300+); Feasibility?
Operational Definition - Answers A statement that describes a concept in terms of its observable
characteristics or behaviors
Licher Scale - Answers 1-7 Scale
Descriptive Research - Answers Research occurring within a naturalistic setting
Quantitative Research - Answers Methods include surveys, content analysis
Qualitative Research - Answers Methods include interviews, observation, focus groups
Ethnography - Answers Involves a researcher living with community under study and learning the
language and culture of the community
Why do social scientists perform research? - Answers To Explain
Predict
Make a difference
Variable - Answers Any concept that can have two or more values
Hypothesis - Answers prediction; educated guess; idea of how variables relate
Research Question - Answers an exploration; don't know how variables relate to each other
Confounding variables - Answers those that are not assessed but obscure the relationship between
two measured variables
another variable that skews, bolsters, or mitigates the relationship between the variables being
studied.
Two common designs used in social scientific research - Answers Experimental research
Descriptive research
Experimental research - Answers Characterized as a controlled test of a cause-and-effect relationship
between variables
Independent variables and dependent variables
Research Symbols - Answers O= measurement (survey)
X= message
R= random assignment
One Shot Case Study - Answers X O1
Group of individuals watch a message and then there's observation right after (horrible test design)
Pros? Immediate feedback, cheap
Cons? Can't see long lasting effects, no comparison group, no randomization
Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design - Answers Group 1 R O1 X O2
Group 2 R O1 O2
Two groups; pretest and posttest for each group; group 1 watches message, group 2 doesn't; test
their increased knowledge
Pros? comparison, randomization
Cons? roles of pretest (primes group and activates thoughts)
Posttest-Only Control Group Design - Answers Group 1 R X O1
Group 2 R O2
Pros? 2 groups, R, no-pretest
Cons? Can't tell if both groups were at the same level to begin with---your defense: randomization
Solomon Four Design - Answers Perfect Design
Group 1 R O1 X O2
Group 2 R O1 O2
Group 3 R X O1
Group 4 R O1
Combines last two designs; need a lot of participants (300+); Feasibility?
Operational Definition - Answers A statement that describes a concept in terms of its observable
characteristics or behaviors
Licher Scale - Answers 1-7 Scale
Descriptive Research - Answers Research occurring within a naturalistic setting
Quantitative Research - Answers Methods include surveys, content analysis
Qualitative Research - Answers Methods include interviews, observation, focus groups
Ethnography - Answers Involves a researcher living with community under study and learning the
language and culture of the community
