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BESC 3020 Study Guide Test 1
Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Question: Identify the major sources of knowledge.
Answer: 1. Personal experience (small portion of knowledge)
2. Tradition or existing knowledge (don't need to start from scratch with
inherited knowledge)
3. Authority or experts (trust the judgement of the experts)
Question:
What kind of truth are we looking for in science and social research?
Answer: Relative truth because things can change
Question:
What are the major causes of errors and biases?
Answer: -Inaccurate observations (human or equipment error)
-Over-generalization (internal vs. external validity, ex: unrepresented sample,
small samples, jumping to conclusions on few observations)
-Selective observation (major source of bias, only see what we want to see)
-Illogical reasoning (off the mark to absurd)
Bias is intentional, error is unintentional
Question:
Differentiate between continuous and discrete variables.
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Answer: Continuous: Can have many values and increases continually in tiny
fractions ex: age, income, height, shoe size, etc.
Discrete: Two or more logically related attributes or categories. Ex:
Occupation can be professor, plumber, farmer, etc. or traditional
students/non-traditional
Question:
Define and find examples of independent and dependent variables.
Answer: Independent: Cause
Dependent: Effect
Explain why something happens. Ex: Babies and accidents, drinking and
drunkenness
Question:
How many values does a constant have?
Answer: One
Question:
What does a theory refer to?
Answer: What is and why they happen, not what should be. (No values,
imagination, beliefs or speculation. Just facts and logic)
Question:
What does social science research attempt to address?
Answer: Find a theory, social regularities (patterns). Why something happens
(groups, not individuals).
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Question:
Define and find examples of over-generalization.
Answer: Over-generalization (internal vs. external validity, ex: unrepresented
sample, small samples, jumping to conclusions on few observations)
Question:
Define and find examples of idiographic and nomothetic explanations.
Answer: -Idiographic: explains a single situation peculiar to an individual in
great detail. Case studies, comparative and historical research, and field
research typically follow this approach.
-Nomothetic: seeks to explain a class of situations or events rather than a
single one, using one or just a few explanatory factors (or variables), and
seeking a partial rather than full explanation. This is the approach social
sciences use the most.
Question:
Define and find examples of induction and deduction.
Answer: -Induction: moves from the particular to the general, from a set of
specific observations to the discovery of regular patterns. In this type of logical
reasoning, general principles (theories or findings) are developed from specific
observations. Ex: Snow is white; global warming and rising sea level.
-Deduction: just the opposite way. Deduction or deductive reasoning moves
from the general to the particular (specific), or start from general conclusions
(or statements) and predict specific observations. Examples: White Christmas;
10% of U.S. coastal areas will no longer be habitable in 100 years.
Question:
BESC 3020 Study Guide Test 1
Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Question: Identify the major sources of knowledge.
Answer: 1. Personal experience (small portion of knowledge)
2. Tradition or existing knowledge (don't need to start from scratch with
inherited knowledge)
3. Authority or experts (trust the judgement of the experts)
Question:
What kind of truth are we looking for in science and social research?
Answer: Relative truth because things can change
Question:
What are the major causes of errors and biases?
Answer: -Inaccurate observations (human or equipment error)
-Over-generalization (internal vs. external validity, ex: unrepresented sample,
small samples, jumping to conclusions on few observations)
-Selective observation (major source of bias, only see what we want to see)
-Illogical reasoning (off the mark to absurd)
Bias is intentional, error is unintentional
Question:
Differentiate between continuous and discrete variables.
, Page | 2
Answer: Continuous: Can have many values and increases continually in tiny
fractions ex: age, income, height, shoe size, etc.
Discrete: Two or more logically related attributes or categories. Ex:
Occupation can be professor, plumber, farmer, etc. or traditional
students/non-traditional
Question:
Define and find examples of independent and dependent variables.
Answer: Independent: Cause
Dependent: Effect
Explain why something happens. Ex: Babies and accidents, drinking and
drunkenness
Question:
How many values does a constant have?
Answer: One
Question:
What does a theory refer to?
Answer: What is and why they happen, not what should be. (No values,
imagination, beliefs or speculation. Just facts and logic)
Question:
What does social science research attempt to address?
Answer: Find a theory, social regularities (patterns). Why something happens
(groups, not individuals).
, Page | 3
Question:
Define and find examples of over-generalization.
Answer: Over-generalization (internal vs. external validity, ex: unrepresented
sample, small samples, jumping to conclusions on few observations)
Question:
Define and find examples of idiographic and nomothetic explanations.
Answer: -Idiographic: explains a single situation peculiar to an individual in
great detail. Case studies, comparative and historical research, and field
research typically follow this approach.
-Nomothetic: seeks to explain a class of situations or events rather than a
single one, using one or just a few explanatory factors (or variables), and
seeking a partial rather than full explanation. This is the approach social
sciences use the most.
Question:
Define and find examples of induction and deduction.
Answer: -Induction: moves from the particular to the general, from a set of
specific observations to the discovery of regular patterns. In this type of logical
reasoning, general principles (theories or findings) are developed from specific
observations. Ex: Snow is white; global warming and rising sea level.
-Deduction: just the opposite way. Deduction or deductive reasoning moves
from the general to the particular (specific), or start from general conclusions
(or statements) and predict specific observations. Examples: White Christmas;
10% of U.S. coastal areas will no longer be habitable in 100 years.
Question:
