1 | Page
SOCI301 Exam 1 Questions and Correct
Answers
4 Everyday errors in reasoning Ans: Overgeneralization (based on
limited observeation , occurs when some evidence supports a
belief, but a person falsely assumes it applies to many other
situations, too)
Selective Observation (choosing to look only at things that are in
line with our preferences or beliefs)
Illogical Reasoning (the premature jumping to conclusions or
arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions)
Resistance to Change (Failure of new information to change
perceptions)
How to reduce everyday reasoning errors Ans:
Overgeneralization- The likelihood of overgeneralization is
reduced when we base our conclusions on multiple observations.
Selective observation-The risk of selective or inaccurate
observation is reduced by setting aside preconceived opinions and
use scientific methods when making observations.
Illogical reasoning and resistance to change can be reduced when
we avoid!
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
-Ego-based commitments; by allowing our observations to conform
to what we see and not to our needs.
Excessive devotion to tradition or emotion; by not allowing our
perceptions to be distorted by traditional beliefs about social
phenomena.
Uncritical agreement with authority/celebrity; by critically
evaluating what they tell us to be true.
Define science in way that helps us avoid these errors Ans: Social
Science is about examining how people interact with one another.
Specifically:
Social Science is the use of scientific methods to investigate
individuals, societies, and social processes; the knowledge
produced by these investigations
The outline of research Ans: Construct the Research Question(s)
Determine the Research Strategy
Assure that the Research is Ethical
What is theory? Ans: Set of Testable Propositions about Empirical
Reality
All elements of this definition are essential, but the ability to test
the ideas is what distinguishes theory from philosophy or
Pseudoscience
Philosophy Ans: Ideas that cannot be tested by research
(empirical observation).
We use a cost/benefit national on our decision making
Types of criminological research Ans: Descriptive research
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Exploratory research
Explanatory research
Evaluation research
Descriptive Research Ans: Attempts to define, describe, or count
observed social phenomena
Descriptive researcher seeks to answer questions such as :
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
How many?
(used in case studies, surveys and observations)
Exploratory research Ans: Seeks to find out:
how people get along in specific settings and situations
meanings behind people's actions
what issues concern people
Goal is to answer the question: What is really going on here?
(collected through interviews and focus groups)
Explanatory research Ans: Seeks to identify the causes and effects
behind social phenomena
© 2025 All rights reserved
SOCI301 Exam 1 Questions and Correct
Answers
4 Everyday errors in reasoning Ans: Overgeneralization (based on
limited observeation , occurs when some evidence supports a
belief, but a person falsely assumes it applies to many other
situations, too)
Selective Observation (choosing to look only at things that are in
line with our preferences or beliefs)
Illogical Reasoning (the premature jumping to conclusions or
arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions)
Resistance to Change (Failure of new information to change
perceptions)
How to reduce everyday reasoning errors Ans:
Overgeneralization- The likelihood of overgeneralization is
reduced when we base our conclusions on multiple observations.
Selective observation-The risk of selective or inaccurate
observation is reduced by setting aside preconceived opinions and
use scientific methods when making observations.
Illogical reasoning and resistance to change can be reduced when
we avoid!
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
-Ego-based commitments; by allowing our observations to conform
to what we see and not to our needs.
Excessive devotion to tradition or emotion; by not allowing our
perceptions to be distorted by traditional beliefs about social
phenomena.
Uncritical agreement with authority/celebrity; by critically
evaluating what they tell us to be true.
Define science in way that helps us avoid these errors Ans: Social
Science is about examining how people interact with one another.
Specifically:
Social Science is the use of scientific methods to investigate
individuals, societies, and social processes; the knowledge
produced by these investigations
The outline of research Ans: Construct the Research Question(s)
Determine the Research Strategy
Assure that the Research is Ethical
What is theory? Ans: Set of Testable Propositions about Empirical
Reality
All elements of this definition are essential, but the ability to test
the ideas is what distinguishes theory from philosophy or
Pseudoscience
Philosophy Ans: Ideas that cannot be tested by research
(empirical observation).
We use a cost/benefit national on our decision making
Types of criminological research Ans: Descriptive research
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Exploratory research
Explanatory research
Evaluation research
Descriptive Research Ans: Attempts to define, describe, or count
observed social phenomena
Descriptive researcher seeks to answer questions such as :
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
How many?
(used in case studies, surveys and observations)
Exploratory research Ans: Seeks to find out:
how people get along in specific settings and situations
meanings behind people's actions
what issues concern people
Goal is to answer the question: What is really going on here?
(collected through interviews and focus groups)
Explanatory research Ans: Seeks to identify the causes and effects
behind social phenomena
© 2025 All rights reserved
