SOC 3900 Final Exam 2025/2026 Graded A+ – Pass
with Confidence!
What is Sociology? - the systematic study of human society
What is sociological imagination? - Thinking outside of yourself. Not having your personal beliefs
effect the way you view others.
What is sociological research? - The systematic process in which people use specific principles and
techniques to collect and analyze empirical data in order to create knowledge about the social world.
Difference between basic and applied research? - Applied research is research that seeks to answer a
question in the real world and to solve a problem.
Basic research is research that fills in the knowledge we don't have; it tries to learn things that aren't
always directly applicable or useful immediately.
Understand the parameters of sociological research. - Must be available to our senses (empirical
information)
What are the steps in the research topic? - Select a topic, Focus Question, Design Study, Collect Data,
Analyze Data, Interpret Data, Inform others, and disseminate the question.
What are the two different approaches to sociological research? What are the differences between
the two approaches? - Deductive Research- Develops a theory (a hypothesis) and conducts research
to support or disprove that theory (hypothesis).
Inductive Research- Begins research by using guiding questions and develops theory from the
information gathered through the research.
What are two forms of data? - Qualitative and Quantitative
What are the differences between the steps in the research process for inductive and deductive? -
, What is the difference between the four types of research? - Descriptive- Describes a social
phenomenon.
Evaluative- Evaluates a policy or program.
Exploratory- Used to explore something or gather more information.
Explanatory- Used to explain a social phenomenon.
What is the difference between guiding questions and hypothesis? - GUIDING QUESTION: A question
that will take you down a specific path. HYPOTHESIS: A broad question seeking answers
What is the difference between hypothesis and sensitizing? - Sensitizing: A concept that is central to
a guiding question; it is used to sensitize the researcher
to the general social phenomena related to the study. Appears in the Research Design when
explaining observational strategies as well as justifying interview questions.
What are the two components of the literature review process? - (1) figuring out how to find
good, credible scientific research
(2) figuring out how to read scientific research.
What are the purposes of conducting a literature review? - To see if the sources are credible or not.
Finding and reading good research.
What are the purposes of writing a literature review? - You have to also convey to your audience that
you have, in fact, reviewed and have a thorough understanding of previous research.
Narrows your topic, and supports your theory. If you don't believe me here's the proof.
Identify strategies for:
Identifying credible research
Finding credible research online - a. Use Google Scholar
with Confidence!
What is Sociology? - the systematic study of human society
What is sociological imagination? - Thinking outside of yourself. Not having your personal beliefs
effect the way you view others.
What is sociological research? - The systematic process in which people use specific principles and
techniques to collect and analyze empirical data in order to create knowledge about the social world.
Difference between basic and applied research? - Applied research is research that seeks to answer a
question in the real world and to solve a problem.
Basic research is research that fills in the knowledge we don't have; it tries to learn things that aren't
always directly applicable or useful immediately.
Understand the parameters of sociological research. - Must be available to our senses (empirical
information)
What are the steps in the research topic? - Select a topic, Focus Question, Design Study, Collect Data,
Analyze Data, Interpret Data, Inform others, and disseminate the question.
What are the two different approaches to sociological research? What are the differences between
the two approaches? - Deductive Research- Develops a theory (a hypothesis) and conducts research
to support or disprove that theory (hypothesis).
Inductive Research- Begins research by using guiding questions and develops theory from the
information gathered through the research.
What are two forms of data? - Qualitative and Quantitative
What are the differences between the steps in the research process for inductive and deductive? -
, What is the difference between the four types of research? - Descriptive- Describes a social
phenomenon.
Evaluative- Evaluates a policy or program.
Exploratory- Used to explore something or gather more information.
Explanatory- Used to explain a social phenomenon.
What is the difference between guiding questions and hypothesis? - GUIDING QUESTION: A question
that will take you down a specific path. HYPOTHESIS: A broad question seeking answers
What is the difference between hypothesis and sensitizing? - Sensitizing: A concept that is central to
a guiding question; it is used to sensitize the researcher
to the general social phenomena related to the study. Appears in the Research Design when
explaining observational strategies as well as justifying interview questions.
What are the two components of the literature review process? - (1) figuring out how to find
good, credible scientific research
(2) figuring out how to read scientific research.
What are the purposes of conducting a literature review? - To see if the sources are credible or not.
Finding and reading good research.
What are the purposes of writing a literature review? - You have to also convey to your audience that
you have, in fact, reviewed and have a thorough understanding of previous research.
Narrows your topic, and supports your theory. If you don't believe me here's the proof.
Identify strategies for:
Identifying credible research
Finding credible research online - a. Use Google Scholar
