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PLS 209 Research Methods
Homework #1 Concepts, Hypotheses, Theories, &
Variables
Print the following multiple choice questions, circle the letter identifying the
correct alternative and submit in class on the due date.
1. According to the text, scientific knowledge:
A) once established, is indisputable
B) is knowledge provable using reason only
C) is knowledge provable by both reason and the evidence of the senses (experience)
D) a and c above
2. Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the scientific approach?
A) some natural phenomena have supernatural causes.
B) knowledge is superior to ignorance.
C) nature is orderly and regular.
D) nothing is self‑evident.
3. A deductive explanation:
A) makes use of generalizations that express an arithmetical ratio between phenomena or generalizations that express tendencies
B) annot be deduced from an established universal law
C) cannot be generalized
D) calls for a universal generalization, a statement of the conditions under
which the generalization holds true,
an event to be explained, and the rules of formal logic
4. Epistemology refers to:
A) scientific methodologies
B) the scientific investigation of philosophical issues
C) the study of the foundations of knowledge
D) the study of primitive societies T
5. The activities of the scientist within the context of ____________ are not constrained by methodology.
A) justification
B) discovery
C) science
D) methodology
6. Which of the following is NOT a function of concepts?
A)
to separate the social sciences from the other sciences
B)
to serve as the components of theories
C)
to serve as means for classification and generalization
D)
to introduce a point of view
7. Colors, sounds, smells, and tastes are all examples of
__________ terms.
A)
relative
B)
derived
C)
primitive
D)
unique
8. According to the text, concepts:
A) are abstractions representing objects, properties of objects, or certain phenomena
B) are peculiar to social science and are usually not developed in the natural and physical sciences
C) are among the most significant symbols in language
D) a and c above
9. To which of the following does this definition apply?
"A set of procedures that describes the activities one should
perform in order to establish empirically the
existence or degree of existence of a phenomenon described by a concept.
A)
conceptual definition
B)
ostensive definition
C)
operational definition
D)
scientific definition
10. If we define male attractiveness as the average rating of any
given male on a subjective scale of, say, one to ten,
by a particular number of college students, then
we are dealing with a definition that is:
A)
conceptual
B)
operational
C)
ostensive
D)
scientific
11. According to the text, theory:
A)
plays a vital role in the research process
B)
generates problems and hypotheses
C)
provides the context for interpreting the meaning and significance of key
concepts
D)
all of the above
12. Durkheim's theory of suicide provides a classic example of
a/an:
A)
ad-hoc classificatory system
B)
conceptual framework
C)
theoretical system
D)
taxonomy
13. Which of the following is NOT a specified advantage of
axiomatic theory?
A)
Concepts must be clearly defined.
B)
It provides a parsimonious summary of actual and anticipated research.
C)
It allows the researcher to examine all the consequences of specified axioms.
D)
Substantive theory need not be specified.
14. Which of the following is an appropriate issue for empirical
investigation?
A)
"Is blue a nicer color than green?"
B)
"Is individual preference for the color blue related to socioeconomic
status?"
C)
"Is Impressionism the most advanced form of art?"
D)
"Will Western civilization disappear?"
15. A dependent variable is one that:
A)
the researcher wishes to explain
B)
must be controlled in the interest of validity
C)
explains change in other variables
D)
the researcher depends upon
16. An independent variable is one that:
A)
the researcher wishes to explain
B)
can never be a dependent variable in any investigation
C)
explains change in the dependent variable
D)
researchers remove their values from
17. When we say that variable X and variable Y are related, we
mean that:
A)
there is something common to both variables
B)
the values of X are the same as the values of Y
C)
changes in the values of one may systematically bring changes in the values of
the other
D)
a and c above
18. A negative relation indicates that:
A)
as values of one variable increase, values of the other decrease
B)
the variables are not, in fact, related
C)
as values of one variable decrease, values of the other decrease
D)
none of the above
19. The magnitude of a relation is the extent to which:
A)
the relation is spurious
B)
systematic covariation exists between the variables
C)
control variables are necessary to empirically verify the causal direction of
the relation
D)
all of the above
20. The number of children in a family is a:
A) control variable
B) continuous variable
C) discrete variable
D) spurious variable
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