Page | 1
Research Methods BESC 3020
Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Question: Major Sources of Knowledge (3)
Answer: Personal Experience, Tradition or existing knowledge, Authority or
experts.
Question:
What truths are we looking for in science and social research? (2)
Answer: Absolute Truth & Relative Truth
Question:
What are the major causes of errors and biases? (4)
Answer: Inaccurate observations, Over generalization, Selective Observation,
& Illogical Reasoning.
Question:
Discrete and Continuous Variables
Answer: A discrete variable has two or more logically related attributes or
categories. For example, "occupation" is a discrete variable that includes
categories like professor, plumber, farmer, etc.
A continuous variable can have many values. Its value increases "continuously"
in tiny fractions. "Age" and "Income" are examples of continuous variable.
Question:
, Page | 2
Define and find examples of independent and dependent variables
Answer: The cause is the independent variable, and the affected variable is
the dependent.
Example: Drinking alcohol makes you drunk, (babies and accidents)
Question:
How many values does a constant have?
Answer: One
Question:
What does social science research attempt to address?
Answer: Why something happens
Question:
Define and find examples of overgeneralization.
Answer: An issue internal validity vs. external validity
Example: "Anyone seen in a bus over the age of 30 has been a failure in life."
Question:
Define and find examples of idiographic and nomothetic explanations.
Answer: Idiographic: Explains a single situation in great details. Case studies,
comparative, historical research.
Nomothetic: Explains a class of situations or events rather than a single one,
using one for just a few explanatory factors and seeking a partial explanation.
Question:
Research Methods BESC 3020
Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Question: Major Sources of Knowledge (3)
Answer: Personal Experience, Tradition or existing knowledge, Authority or
experts.
Question:
What truths are we looking for in science and social research? (2)
Answer: Absolute Truth & Relative Truth
Question:
What are the major causes of errors and biases? (4)
Answer: Inaccurate observations, Over generalization, Selective Observation,
& Illogical Reasoning.
Question:
Discrete and Continuous Variables
Answer: A discrete variable has two or more logically related attributes or
categories. For example, "occupation" is a discrete variable that includes
categories like professor, plumber, farmer, etc.
A continuous variable can have many values. Its value increases "continuously"
in tiny fractions. "Age" and "Income" are examples of continuous variable.
Question:
, Page | 2
Define and find examples of independent and dependent variables
Answer: The cause is the independent variable, and the affected variable is
the dependent.
Example: Drinking alcohol makes you drunk, (babies and accidents)
Question:
How many values does a constant have?
Answer: One
Question:
What does social science research attempt to address?
Answer: Why something happens
Question:
Define and find examples of overgeneralization.
Answer: An issue internal validity vs. external validity
Example: "Anyone seen in a bus over the age of 30 has been a failure in life."
Question:
Define and find examples of idiographic and nomothetic explanations.
Answer: Idiographic: Explains a single situation in great details. Case studies,
comparative, historical research.
Nomothetic: Explains a class of situations or events rather than a single one,
using one for just a few explanatory factors and seeking a partial explanation.
Question:
