Chapter 2

Question 1

Case Study

Answer 1

An in-depth investigation of a particular event in order to understand it as fully as possible.

Question 2

Control Group

Answer 2

A group, similar to the experimental group, that doesn’t undergo treatment; used for comparison.

Question 3

Correlation

Answer 3

a significant statistical relationship

Question 4

Deductive reasoning

Answer 4

to infer from a general theory to a particular case.

Question 5

Empirical

Answer 5

referring to observable facts and events; what is

Question 6

Ethnography

Answer 6

systematic description of a society’s customary behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes.

Question 7

Experiment

Answer 7

A scientific test controlled by the researcher to observe effects of a specific program or treatment.

Question 8

Experimental Group

Answer 8

The group that will participate in the program or undergo the treatment under study.

Question 9

Field Search

Answer 9

Directly observing social behavior

Question 10

Halo Effect

Answer 10

the tendency of respondents to give “good citizen” responses to pollsters.

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

a tentative statement about a relationship between observable facts or events.

Question 12

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 12

to observe one phenomenon or series of phenomena and make general assertions based on that observation.

Question 13

Normative

Answer 13

referring to values or norms; what should be

Question 14

null hypothesis

Answer 14

a statement that the program or treatment has no effect.

Question 15

participant observation

Answer 15

researchers both observe and participate in the behavior being studied.

Question 16

Probabilistic Statment

Answer 16

Statement that applies to some proportion of circumstances.

Question 17

Public Opinion

Answer 17

The aggregate of opinions of individuals on topics in survey research.

Question 18

Push Poll

Answer 18

A survey that asks leading questions in order to sway opinion for a particular candidate or position.

Question 19

Random Sample

Answer 19

A subset of the population in which there is an equal chance of each person in the universe being selected in the sample for interviewing.

Question 20

Silent Issue

Answer 20

An issue about which most people have thoughts about and hold strong and stable opinions

Question 21

Sample

Answer 21

In survey research, the people chosen to represent the opinions of a larger group.

Question 22

Sampling Error

Answer 22

The range of responses in which a 95% chance still exists that the sample reflects the universe.

Question 23

Science

Answer 23

Broadly defined, any organized body of knowledge

Question 24

Scientific Attitude

Answer 24

doubt or skepticism about theories until they have been scientifically tested.

Question 25

Scientific Method

Answer 25

a method of explanation that develops and tests about how observable or events are related.

Question 26

Significant

Answer 26

Not likely to have occurred by chance.

Question 27

Theory

Answer 27

Verifiable statements relationships between facts or events.

Question 28

Universe

Answer 28

The whole group about which information is desired.