Research Methods in Social Science Flashcards
7 cards from real BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Research Methods in Social Science flashcards as text
Which research design is most appropriate when a researcher wants to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables?
Answer: Experimental design
Experimental design involves manipulation of an independent variable and random assignment, allowing researchers to infer causal relationships.
What does 'operationalization' mean in social science research?
Answer: Defining a concept in terms of how it will be measured
Operationalization translates an abstract concept into a concrete, measurable variable for empirical study.
A researcher studies the same group of people at multiple points over ten years. This is an example of which research design?
Answer: Longitudinal
A longitudinal design tracks the same participants across time, enabling the study of change and development.
Which sampling method gives every member of a population an equal chance of being selected?
Answer: Simple random sampling
Simple random sampling assigns equal probability of selection to every population member, minimizing selection bias.
In qualitative research, what is 'theoretical saturation'?
Answer: The point at which new data no longer yields new insights or themes
Theoretical saturation occurs when additional data collection and analysis produce no new categories or themes, signaling sufficient depth.
Which of the following is a primary source of data?
Answer: An interview conducted by the researcher
Primary data is collected directly by the researcher from original sources, such as through interviews, surveys, or observation.
What is the main purpose of a literature review in social science research?
Answer: To map existing knowledge and identify research gaps
A literature review synthesizes existing scholarship to contextualize the study and justify the research question.