STUDY QUESTIONS: SOC. 481 MIDTERM (Fall, 2011)
PART I: INTRODUCTION
A FOREST-TYPE REVIEW OF METHODS, STATISTICS, THEORY
1.
Draw a path model with Life Satisfaction as the dependent variable, and two independent variables of your choice. Be sure
to have an arrow between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Indicate if the relation is positive or
negative.
2.
Most generally, what is meant by “research method”? That is, what are some central themes of a research method
in the social sciences?
3.
Explain how a central theme of research methods is expressed in ONE of the following research methods:
a. Experiment
b. Sample Survey
c. Field Work
4.
There is a difference between a descriptive and an inferential statistic.
A descriptive statistic __________________________________
An inferential statistic __________________________________
5.
An orienting strategy or perspective is ______________________________________________
6.
A unit theory or middle range theory is _____________________________________________
7.
Explain how a unit theory may reflect one or more orienting strategies
8.
How may theory be related to methods and statistics?
PART II: DATA, VARAIBLES, BASIC STATISTICS
DATA AND DATA SOURCES
II.
ON DATA AND DATA SOURCES
9.
What is “data”? What are some major characteristics of scientific data?
10.
How does an experiment illustrate the major characteristics of scientific data?
11.
What is a dependent variable? What is an independent variable?
12.
List at least four different levels of analysis.
13.
Using “violent crime” as the dependent variable and household income as the independent variable, explain
how social class may be related to crime at one level of analysis. THEN, shift to a second level of analysis and
explain how income may be related to crime at that level.
14.
Fill in the following chart to identify four levels of measurement (1-4), and the characteristic of each of the
four levels of measurement (A-D). Be sure to check the appropriate cells for each level of measurement (e.g, 1A,
1B, 1C, 1D) .
MEASUREMENT LEVEL
CHARACTERISTIC OF DATA_______
A
B
C
D
_______ _______ _______
________
1
__________
2
__________
3
__________
4
__________
15.
Why is it important to know the level of measurement of data you wish to examine?
16.
Can one change a categorical variable into a continuous variable? Briefly explain.
DESCRIBING VARIABLES AND VARIATION
17.
The values of most variables “vary.” Explain and give an example.
18.
Provide two common measures of variation for continuous variables. Briefly explain each measure.
19.
Provide two common measures of the center of the distribution for continuous variables.
20.
Explain how the variation of two variables is part of the explanation of how they are associated.
21.
Draw a simple path model with one dependent variable and two independent variables. Place a plus sign or a
minus sign on each of the two lines. Explain what the plus or minus means in terms of the variation of each
variable.
THE ORGANIZATIONAL LOGIC OF RESEARCH REPORTS
22.
Aside from and Introduction and a Conclusion, explain three other possible components of a research report.
23.
Provide a description of at least four tables and/or graphs that might appear in a simple research report
regarding “Gang Activity in Cities in New Mexico.” The description is most easily done by providing a title for
each of the four tables or graphs.
PART III: THE INTERPLAY OF IDEAS AND DATA IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
ELEMENTS AND FORMS OF SOCIAL THEORY
Part II focused on “data”: Information that is associated with a specific time and place.
24.
Explain why “social class” is a concept.
25.
Name five major concepts in social science.
26.
Provide three measures for the concept of social class.
27.
“Years in school” can serve as an indicator for several concepts. Provide two concepts that may have “years in
school” as a measure.
28.
In what way may a “perspective” be different from a “unit theory” (aka middle range theory)?
MODEL BUILDING & TESTING: INDUCTION AND DEDUCTION
MODEL BUILDING: THE IMPORTANCE OF MECHANISMS
33.
Induction refers to ______________________________
34.
Deduction refers to ______________________________
35.
A mechanism is _________________________________
36.
Explain at least one or more mechanisms through which low income may be associated with higher levels of
theft.
37.
Explain one or more mechanisms through which high income may be associated with higher levels of white
collar crime.