Midterm 1

Question 1

Conformation Bias

Answer 1

Favoring information that confirms previously
existing beliefs or biases.

Question 2

Multiple Causation

Answer 2

More than one cause explain

Question 3

Nominal Measure

Answer 3

Offer names for labels for characteristics (gender, birthplace).

Question 4

Dependent Variable

Answer 4

Result or outcomes

Question 5

Null Hypotheses

Answer 5

when there is no relationship
between the dependent and independent variables.

Question 6

Conceptual Definition

Answer 6

An agreed upon
meaning of a concept [among professionals,
politicians or academics]

Question 7

Ratio Measure

Answer 7

Attributes composing a variable are based on a true
zero point (age, income).

Question 8

Misinformation

Answer 8

False information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead.

Question 9

Macrotheory

Answer 9

A large-scale theory dealing with a broad range of phenomena on an abstract leve

Question 10

Tautology

Answer 10

is avoid stating something that is True by Definition

Question 11

Discrete Measure

Answer 11

Have a finite number of
distinct and separate categories such as gender, race, household size…(nominal or ordinal measures)

Question 12

Variable

Answer 12

Level of confidence in the executive branch of the federal government
(high or low)

Question 13

Inductive

Answer 13

Start With Data and Analysis Identify the Pattern Generate a Theory to Explain Pattern

Question 14

Normative Statement

Answer 14

statements based on explicit values and opinions. While it is difficult to have a “value free” statement or
research, we attempt to get as close to an “objective” statement as possible.

Question 15

Aggregates

Question 16

Qualitative

Answer 16

Non-numerical data in order to gain an understanding of individuals’ social reality

Question 17

Operational Definitions

Answer 17

Survey question: “How much confidence do you have in the executive branch of the federal government?

Question 18

Interval Measure

Answer 18

Distances separating variables (temperature
scale)

Question 19

Exhaustive

Answer 19

Variable should include all possible responses or
characteristics

Question 20

Disinformation

Answer 20

Deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda.

Question 21

Falsification

Answer 21

It must be possible to identify an outcome of the test or observation that conflicts with predictions of a given theory

Question 22

Systematic Error

Answer 22

Caused by any factors that
systematically affect measurement of the variable across the sample (first target)

Question 23

Independent Variable

Answer 23

Cause or influence

Question 24

Deductive

Answer 24

Start with a Theory and Question Generate a Hypothesis
Data Analysis/Test

Question 25

Non-Normative Statement

Answer 25

Statement explains what is occurring (or
observed) rather than what should be occurring.

Question 26

Validity

Answer 26

Measures, samples and designs don’t have “validity” – only our definition can be said to be valid.

Question 27

Random Error

Answer 27

Caused by any factors that randomly affect measurement of the variable across the sample (second ‘target’)

Question 28

Concepts

Answer 28

labels we put on phenomenon
that enables us to link separate observations and make a generalization

Question 29

Ordinal Measure

Answer 29

Variables with attributes we can logically rank
and order

Question 30

Mutually Exclusive

Answer 30

Each variable characteristic should fit into one and only
one category

Question 31

Reliability

Answer 31

In research, the term reliability means “repeatability” or “consistency”

Question 32

Quantitative

Answer 32

Measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality

Question 33

Continuous Measure

Answer 33

can take on an infinite
number of values such as income, age, grade point average…(ratio measures)

Question 34

Identify a negatively skewed distribution by evaluating the mean and median.

Answer 34

Mean < Median: negatively skewed

Question 35

Identify a positively skewed distribution by evaluating the mean and median.

Answer 35

Mean > Median: positively skewed

Question 36

What are three measures for the variable occupation?

Question 37

What is the logic of the deductive model?

Answer 37

(1) Staring with a general theory and explanation
(2) creating a hypothesis
(3) test the hypothesis through observations and
experiments—does the observed pattern/relationship fit the theory?

Question 38

What is the logic of the Inductive model?

Answer 38

(1) Starting with information evaluation and analysis
(2) identifying the pattern
(3) create a theory to explain the pattern or relationship.

Question 39

Define and indicate how inductive theory differs from deductive theory

Answer 39

Deductive is a bottom down approach
Inductive is a top down approach

Question 40

What are the four points that make a good theory?

Answer 40

Parsimony: This is a simple is the explanation, and a theory that incorporates a relatively small number of variables and makes few assumptions is considered a parsimonious theory.

Generalizability: The theory can explain a broad range of similar cases or phenomena outside the context of the study. That it, it can explain the same issue across different conditions, such as in other communities, countries or historical time periods.

Observable implications: We should observe be able to observe the expected relationships and test the theory in the real world such as observing the cause before the effect.

Falsifiability: It must be liable to refutation when tested in the real world. It must be possible to identify a possible outcome of test or observation that conflicts with predictions of a given theory

Question 41

What is the function of the research question?

Answer 41

We are looking at cause and effect: a causal study. Or we are examining positive or negative relationships correlation. We are interested in the relationships between variables.

Question 42

How can a measure be reliable, but not valid? Give at least one example.

Answer 42

If you are getting a consistent result but not where you thought it would be for example poor villagers being asked if they think the economy is good and saying no because they were referencing Nacional and researchers were referencing local. Not measuring what you think you are measuring.

Question 43

How would you measure the variables Gender, Age and Education?

Answer 43

Gender Nominal
Age Ratio
Education Ordinal

Question 44

What is the 68%–95%–99.7% rule?

Answer 44

+- 1Standard deviation away from the mean contains each of these

Question 45

What are the two key types of validity?

Answer 45

Content Validity: Check the operational definition against the relevant content of the concept definition.
Does the measure cover the range of meaning included with in a concept.

Predictive Validity: Check the performance of your operational definition against the expected relationship
The ability to predict something it should
theoretically be able to predict

Question 46

Given the Hypothesis, countries that have reached a level of development where they have McDonalds restaurants do not go to war with each other. (1) Identify the dependent and independent variable, (2) write the research question and (3) write out the Null Hypothesis.

Question 47

Provide an ordinal measure of Annual Income that is exhaustive and mutually exclusive.

Question 48

Identify the three purposes of a Literature Review.

Answer 48

(1) it provides overall knowledge of your stated research topic. This is a brief, but general background of the topic and research question.
(2) provides an analysis of previous research approaches and results. This includes identifying the relevant (and/or competing) theories and approaches (methods) related to your research question.
(3) to develop an argument regarding the theory and
research question. Here you decide which theory you plan to examine and why as well as the method you will use to address the research question and test the theory

Question 49

Identify a common error when stating hypotheses

Question 50

What is the main problem with conspiracy theories (compared to what we consider good theories)?

Answer 50

Parsimony: This is a simple is the explanation, and a theory that incorporates a relatively small number of variables and makes few assumptions is considered a parsimonious theory.

Generalizability: The theory can explain a broad range of similar cases or phenomena outside the context of the study. That it, it can explain the same issue across different conditions, such as in other communities, countries or historical time periods.

Observable implications: We should observe be able to observe the expected relationships and test the theory in the real world such as observing the cause before the effect.

Falsifiability: It must be liable to refutation when tested in the real world. It must be possible to identify a possible outcome of test or observation that conflicts with predictions of a given theory

Question 51

What is the difference between a normative and non-normative statement?