,Test Bank For The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
New to this Edition
• Updated “Statistics in Everyday Life” boxed inserts
• Added “Statistics in Everyday Life: Push Polls”
• Reduced “Becoming a Critical Consumer” by about 200 words
• Divided “A Journey Through the Research Process” into more obvious sub-sections
• Added Table 1.1 to provide examples of nominal-level variables
• Added Table 1.2 to clarify criteria for stating categories of variables
• Added Table 1.4 to clarify categories for ordinal-level variables
Learning Objectives: By the end of this chapter, students will be able to
1. Describe the limited but crucial role of statistics in social research
2. Distinguish between three applications of statistics (univariate descriptive, bivariate
descriptive, and inferential) and identify situations in which each is appropriate
3. Identify and describe three levels of measurement and cite examples of variables from
each.
Chapter Summary
The text begins by explaining the role of statistics in the research process. The discussion is
guided by the "Wheel of Science" as conceptualized by Walter Wallace (Figure 1.1). The text
always presents statistics in the context of the research enterprise. That is, statistics are
presented as useful tools for answering sociological questions and testing social science theories,
never as ends in themselves.
The chapter also distinguishes between descriptive and inferential statistics and univariate,
bivariate, and multivariate statistics. The concept of level of measurement is presented in this
chapter and is stressed throughout the text as the major criterion for selecting statistics
appropriately. Exercises are provided at the end of the chapter for reviewing the characteristics
of the three levels of measurement used in this text.
1
,Test Bank For The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research
Chapter 1
Multiple Choice Questions
1. 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
Answer: c Page: 2
2. Without statistics, _____________ research would be impossible.
a. meaningful
b. important
c. qualitative
d. quantitative
Answer: d Page: 2
3. Data is the same thing as
a. information collected in numerical form
b. information collected in any form
c. statistics
d. proof
Answer: a Page: 2
4. 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
Answer: d Page: 2
5. 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. is an attempt to explain the relationship between phenomenon
Answer: d Page: 3
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
Answer: a Page: 4
2
, Test Bank For The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research
Chapter 1
7. In time, the ____________ variable precedes the _____________ variable.
a. hypothetical, theoretical
b. empirical, quantitative
c. independent, dependent
d. dependent, independent
Answer: c Page: 4
8. 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
Answer: c Page: 4
9. 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
Answer: a Page: 4
10. 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
Answer: d Page: 4
11. 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
Answer: a Page: 4
12. 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
Answer: b Page: 4
3
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
New to this Edition
• Updated “Statistics in Everyday Life” boxed inserts
• Added “Statistics in Everyday Life: Push Polls”
• Reduced “Becoming a Critical Consumer” by about 200 words
• Divided “A Journey Through the Research Process” into more obvious sub-sections
• Added Table 1.1 to provide examples of nominal-level variables
• Added Table 1.2 to clarify criteria for stating categories of variables
• Added Table 1.4 to clarify categories for ordinal-level variables
Learning Objectives: By the end of this chapter, students will be able to
1. Describe the limited but crucial role of statistics in social research
2. Distinguish between three applications of statistics (univariate descriptive, bivariate
descriptive, and inferential) and identify situations in which each is appropriate
3. Identify and describe three levels of measurement and cite examples of variables from
each.
Chapter Summary
The text begins by explaining the role of statistics in the research process. The discussion is
guided by the "Wheel of Science" as conceptualized by Walter Wallace (Figure 1.1). The text
always presents statistics in the context of the research enterprise. That is, statistics are
presented as useful tools for answering sociological questions and testing social science theories,
never as ends in themselves.
The chapter also distinguishes between descriptive and inferential statistics and univariate,
bivariate, and multivariate statistics. The concept of level of measurement is presented in this
chapter and is stressed throughout the text as the major criterion for selecting statistics
appropriately. Exercises are provided at the end of the chapter for reviewing the characteristics
of the three levels of measurement used in this text.
1
,Test Bank For The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research
Chapter 1
Multiple Choice Questions
1. 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
Answer: c Page: 2
2. Without statistics, _____________ research would be impossible.
a. meaningful
b. important
c. qualitative
d. quantitative
Answer: d Page: 2
3. Data is the same thing as
a. information collected in numerical form
b. information collected in any form
c. statistics
d. proof
Answer: a Page: 2
4. 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
Answer: d Page: 2
5. 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. is an attempt to explain the relationship between phenomenon
Answer: d Page: 3
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
Answer: a Page: 4
2
, Test Bank For The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research
Chapter 1
7. In time, the ____________ variable precedes the _____________ variable.
a. hypothetical, theoretical
b. empirical, quantitative
c. independent, dependent
d. dependent, independent
Answer: c Page: 4
8. 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
Answer: c Page: 4
9. 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
Answer: a Page: 4
10. 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
Answer: d Page: 4
11. 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
Answer: a Page: 4
12. 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
Answer: b Page: 4
3
