Test 1 (Ch. 6)

Question 1

Commonly required elements of a research proposal include: (9)

Answer 1

(1) problem or objective,
(2) conceptual framework,
(3) literature review,
(4) sampling procedures,
(5) measurement,
(6) design
and data-collection methods,
(7) data analysis plans,
(8) schedule, and
(9) budget

Question 2

A good research topic should: (5)

Answer 2

• pass the “So what?” test
• be specific
• capable of being answered by observable evidence
• feasible to study,
• open to doubt and thus answerable in more than one possible way

Question 3

Conducting the literature review is an important step in the problem-formulation process because:

Answer 3

a thorough grounding in the literature should precede, and provide a foundation for, the selection of an important topic

Question 4

Anticipating issues in the feasibility of a study is an important part of problem formulation. Essential things to consider when
planning a study include: (4)

Answer 4

Time constraints, fiscal costs, lack of cooperation, and ethical dilemmas

Question 5

Exploration in research is the attempt to:

Answer 5

develop an initial rough understanding of some phenomenon

Question 6

Description in research is the:

Answer 6

precise measurement and reporting of the characteristics of some population or
phenomenon under study

Question 7

Explanation in research is the:

Answer 7

discovery and reporting of relationships among different aspects of the phenomenon
under study

Question 8

These studies can be conducted with exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory purposes:

Answer 8

Evaluation studies

Question 9

Cross-sectional studies are:

Answer 9

based on observations made at one time

Question 10

Longitudinal studies are those in which:

Answer 10

• observations are made at many different times

Question 11

Observations for longitudinal studies can include different sample types:

Answer 11

- Samples drawn from general populations
(trend studies), 
- samples drawn from more specific
subpopulations (cohort studies)
- the same sample of people each time (panel studies)

Question 12

Units of analysis:

Answer 12

• the people or things whose
  characteristics social researchers observe, describe, and explain.
• Typically, the unit of analysis in social
  research is the individual person, but it may also be
  a social group or a social artifact