SCC Research Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sampling method gives every member of a population an equal chance of being selected?
- Convenience sampling
- Purposive sampling
- Simple random sampling (Correct answer)
- Snowball sampling
Correct answer: Simple random sampling
Simple random sampling ensures every population member has an equal and independent probability of selection.
Question 2: A researcher observes factory workers without their knowledge to study informal interactions. This is an example of:
- Covert participant observation (Correct answer)
- Overt non-participant observation
- Structured interviewing
- Survey research
Correct answer: Covert participant observation
Covert participant observation involves the researcher being present and active without subjects knowing they are being studied.
Question 3: What does 'operationalization' mean in sociological research?
- Gaining access to a research site
- Defining how an abstract concept will be measured (Correct answer)
- Writing the literature review
- Selecting the research population
Correct answer: Defining how an abstract concept will be measured
Operationalization is the process of defining how an abstract concept (like 'social class') will be concretely measured in a study.
Question 4: Which type of validity refers to whether a test appears to measure what it claims to measure on the surface?
- Construct validity
- Predictive validity
- Face validity (Correct answer)
- Concurrent validity
Correct answer: Face validity
Face validity is a subjective assessment of whether the measure looks appropriate at first glance.
Question 5: A study finds that ice cream sales and drowning rates rise together in summer. This illustrates:
- Causation
- Spurious correlation (Correct answer)
- Negative correlation
- Experimental validity
Correct answer: Spurious correlation
A spurious correlation exists when two variables appear related but are both caused by a third variable (hot weather in this case).
Question 6: Which research design involves collecting data from the same group of people at multiple points in time?
- Cross-sectional study
- Longitudinal study (Correct answer)
- Case study
- Meta-analysis
Correct answer: Longitudinal study
Longitudinal studies track the same subjects over time to observe changes and developments.
Question 7: Informed consent in sociological research requires that participants:
- Be paid for their participation
- Understand the study's purpose and agree to participate voluntarily (Correct answer)
- Remain anonymous to the researcher
- Complete all portions of the study once enrolled
Correct answer: Understand the study's purpose and agree to participate voluntarily
Informed consent means participants receive adequate information about the research and voluntarily agree to take part.
SCC Research Methods 2
Which sampling method gives every member of a population an equal chance of being selected?