Political Science Research Methods Exam Questions with Complete Answers Latest Update 2024
(100% Pass)
interval measurement - Answers a measure for which a one unit difference in scores is the same
throughout the range of the measure
nominal measurement - Answers a measure for which different scores represent different, but not
ordered, categories
ordinal measurement - Answers a measure for which the scores represent ordered categories that are
not necessarily equidistant from each other
ratio measurement - Answers a measure for which the scores possess the full mathematical properties
of the numbers assigned
example of ordinal measurement - Answers highest level of education you have obtained; strongly agree
or disagree
example of nominal measurement - Answers what school did you go to
example of ratio measurement - Answers percentage of the class that likes chocolate ice cream
example of interval measurement - Answers levels of income
Why is political science a science? - Answers We follow the scientific method. We apply the principles of
the scientific method to the study of phenomena that are political in nature.
characteristics of a good research question - Answers specific relationship, generalizable, validity
(concepts are consistent with the measurement given), testable, plausible,
components of the scientific method - Answers falsifiable, empirically testable, non-normative,
cumulative, explanatory in nature, probabilistic expectation,
example of a normative research question - Answers Why is war bad?
example of an empirical research question - Answers Why do presidents issue recess appointments?
What is the difference between an empirical question and a normative question? - Answers Empirical
questions are testable with facts, normative questions are more opinionated, less testable.
What is the difference between a variable and a constant and why is the difference important in testing
hypotheses? - Answers Variables have variation, meaning they change. Constants don't. We don't
explain constants, we attempt to explain why variation happens. There's no point in explaining a
constant.
, What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis? - Answers A theory is broad and tries to
explain a broader phenomena. It should give rise to hypotheses. A hypothesis is more specific and
attempts to
Explain the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable. - Answers An
independent variable is the cause or the explanatory variable. The dependent variable varies. The value
of the independent variable depends on the value of the dependent variable.
Reliability - Answers the extent to which is it repeatedly measured and yields the same result
Validity - Answers the correspondence between a measure and the concept it is supposed to measure
What is the difference between correlation and causation? - Answers Correlation means that two things
co vary together. Causation means that one thing is causing the other. To know that causation exists, we
must determine that X precedes Y and we must have eliminated other explanations as to why they co
vary.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an experimental design with respect to internal and
external validity. - Answers Internal validity is the ability to show that manipulation or variation of the
independent variable actually causes the dependent variable to chance. External validity is the ability to
generalize from one set of of research findings to other situations.
political science - Answers the application of the methods of acquiring scientific knowledge to the study
of political phenomena
empirical research - Answers research based on actual, "objective" observation of phenomena
normative knowledge - Answers knowledge that is evaluative, value laden, and concerned with
prescribing what ought to be
probabilistic explanation - Answers an explanation that does not explain or predict events with 100%
accuracy
theory - Answers a statement or series of related statements that organize, explain, and predict
phenomena
hypothesis - Answers a tentative or provisional or unconfirmed statement that can (in principle) be
verified
empirical, general, plausible, specific, testable - Answers characteristics of a good hypothesis
falsifiability - Answers a property of a statement or hypothesis such that it can (in principle, at least) be
rejected in the face of contravening evidence
parsimony - Answers the principle that among explanations or theories with equal degrees of
confirmation, the simplest--the one based on the fewest assumptions and explanatory factors--is to be
preferred, sometimes know as Ockham's razor
(100% Pass)
interval measurement - Answers a measure for which a one unit difference in scores is the same
throughout the range of the measure
nominal measurement - Answers a measure for which different scores represent different, but not
ordered, categories
ordinal measurement - Answers a measure for which the scores represent ordered categories that are
not necessarily equidistant from each other
ratio measurement - Answers a measure for which the scores possess the full mathematical properties
of the numbers assigned
example of ordinal measurement - Answers highest level of education you have obtained; strongly agree
or disagree
example of nominal measurement - Answers what school did you go to
example of ratio measurement - Answers percentage of the class that likes chocolate ice cream
example of interval measurement - Answers levels of income
Why is political science a science? - Answers We follow the scientific method. We apply the principles of
the scientific method to the study of phenomena that are political in nature.
characteristics of a good research question - Answers specific relationship, generalizable, validity
(concepts are consistent with the measurement given), testable, plausible,
components of the scientific method - Answers falsifiable, empirically testable, non-normative,
cumulative, explanatory in nature, probabilistic expectation,
example of a normative research question - Answers Why is war bad?
example of an empirical research question - Answers Why do presidents issue recess appointments?
What is the difference between an empirical question and a normative question? - Answers Empirical
questions are testable with facts, normative questions are more opinionated, less testable.
What is the difference between a variable and a constant and why is the difference important in testing
hypotheses? - Answers Variables have variation, meaning they change. Constants don't. We don't
explain constants, we attempt to explain why variation happens. There's no point in explaining a
constant.
, What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis? - Answers A theory is broad and tries to
explain a broader phenomena. It should give rise to hypotheses. A hypothesis is more specific and
attempts to
Explain the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable. - Answers An
independent variable is the cause or the explanatory variable. The dependent variable varies. The value
of the independent variable depends on the value of the dependent variable.
Reliability - Answers the extent to which is it repeatedly measured and yields the same result
Validity - Answers the correspondence between a measure and the concept it is supposed to measure
What is the difference between correlation and causation? - Answers Correlation means that two things
co vary together. Causation means that one thing is causing the other. To know that causation exists, we
must determine that X precedes Y and we must have eliminated other explanations as to why they co
vary.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an experimental design with respect to internal and
external validity. - Answers Internal validity is the ability to show that manipulation or variation of the
independent variable actually causes the dependent variable to chance. External validity is the ability to
generalize from one set of of research findings to other situations.
political science - Answers the application of the methods of acquiring scientific knowledge to the study
of political phenomena
empirical research - Answers research based on actual, "objective" observation of phenomena
normative knowledge - Answers knowledge that is evaluative, value laden, and concerned with
prescribing what ought to be
probabilistic explanation - Answers an explanation that does not explain or predict events with 100%
accuracy
theory - Answers a statement or series of related statements that organize, explain, and predict
phenomena
hypothesis - Answers a tentative or provisional or unconfirmed statement that can (in principle) be
verified
empirical, general, plausible, specific, testable - Answers characteristics of a good hypothesis
falsifiability - Answers a property of a statement or hypothesis such that it can (in principle, at least) be
rejected in the face of contravening evidence
parsimony - Answers the principle that among explanations or theories with equal degrees of
confirmation, the simplest--the one based on the fewest assumptions and explanatory factors--is to be
preferred, sometimes know as Ockham's razor
