CSP Research Methods & Data Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher uses data collected for tax purposes to study income inequality. This is an example of:
- Primary data collection
- Secondary data analysis (Correct answer)
- Ethnographic research
- Experimental design
Correct answer: Secondary data analysis
Secondary data analysis involves analyzing data originally collected for a different purpose.
Question 2: Which sampling technique ensures every nth person on a list is selected?
- Simple random sampling
- Stratified sampling
- Systematic sampling (Correct answer)
- Cluster sampling
Correct answer: Systematic sampling
Systematic sampling selects every nth element from a sampling frame after a random start.
Question 3: In a regression analysis, a beta coefficient of 0 indicates:
- A perfect positive relationship
- A perfect negative relationship
- No linear relationship between variables (Correct answer)
- A non-linear relationship
Correct answer: No linear relationship between variables
A beta coefficient of 0 means the independent variable has no linear predictive value for the dependent variable.
Question 4: Which type of validity assesses whether a measure covers all dimensions of a concept?
- Criterion validity
- Construct validity
- Content validity (Correct answer)
- Face validity
Correct answer: Content validity
Content validity evaluates whether a measure adequately covers all aspects of the theoretical concept being measured.
Question 5: A sociologist studies gang behavior by joining the gang without disclosing their researcher role. This is:
- Overt participant observation
- Covert participant observation (Correct answer)
- Structured observation
- Non-participant observation
Correct answer: Covert participant observation
Covert participant observation involves the researcher concealing their identity and research purpose from subjects.
Question 6: In survey research, acquiescence bias refers to:
- Respondents skipping sensitive questions
- Respondents agreeing with statements regardless of content (Correct answer)
- Interviewers influencing responses
- Non-response from certain groups
Correct answer: Respondents agreeing with statements regardless of content
Acquiescence bias (yea-saying) occurs when respondents tend to agree with items regardless of their actual views.
Question 7: Which measure of central tendency is most resistant to outliers?
- Mean
- Mode
- Median (Correct answer)
- Range
Correct answer: Median
The median is resistant to outliers because it reflects the middle value, not the magnitude of extreme scores.
CSP Research Methods & Data Analysis 2
A researcher uses data collected for tax purposes to study income inequality.
This is an example of: