POLI 3000 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
Theory - Answers A well-substantiated, unifying explanation for a set of verified, proven hypotheses.
Based on evidence, verification, repeated testing, wide scientific consensus.
Hypothesis - Answers A suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon or prediction of a
possible causal correlation among multiple phenomena. Based on suggestion, possibility, projection,
or prediction, but the result is uncertain.
dependent variable - Answers The measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is
interested. (y)
independent variable - Answers The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose
effect is being studied. (x)
time-series data - Answers values that correspond to specific measurements taken over a range of
time periods
cross-sectional data - Answers data collected at the same or approximately the same point in time
conceptual definition - Answers the abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept being studied
Operational definition - Answers a statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research
variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test
measures.
Reliability - Answers the extent to which a test yields consistent results, as assessed by the
consistency of scores on two halves of the test, on alternate forms of the test, or on retesting
Validity - Answers The ability of a test to measure what it is intended to measure - accuracy
Causality Criteria - Answers 1) Consistency - observed consistently in multiple studies
2) Strength - statistically strong (e.g., high correlation)
3) Dose-response - increasing "doses" (amounts) of the predictor are associated with increasing rates
of change in the outcome
4) Plausibility - a plausible explanation for the relationship is known/documented
5) Temporality - the predictor precedes the outcome
4 hurdles of causality - Answers 1) Theory
2) Correlation
3) Reverse Causality
4) Spuriousness
nominal variable (categorical) - Answers variable with values that are categories or names. not
numerical values
ordinal variable - Answers a qualitative variable that incorporates an ordered position, or ranking
interval variable - Answers is a variable that has numbers as its values; the distance (or interval)
between pairs of consecutive numbers is assumed to be equal
descriptive statistics - Answers numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of
groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.
mean - Answers average
Median - Answers the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
Mode - Answers the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
range - Answers the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
Variance - Answers (n.) - a difference between what is expected and what actually occurs
Variance formula - Answers standard deviation squared
standard deviation - Answers a measure of variability that describes an average distance of every
score from the mean
standard deviation formula - Answers the square root of the variance
qualitative case study - Answers is to examine an individual case in depth, within its real-life context
Strengths of Qualitative Case Studies - Answers provides in-depth understanding of the case under
consideration
high internal validity: focus on few cases allows you to analyze each case in detail and show that our
IV caused DV
Criticism of Qualitative Case Studies - Answers low external validity: focus on one case doesn't allow
us to generalize to other cases
Do political leaders always tell the truth in their memoirs, interviews, and statements to the media?
Comparative Qualitative Case Study - Answers Compare two cases
Rule out alternative explanations through smart case selection
Theory - Answers A well-substantiated, unifying explanation for a set of verified, proven hypotheses.
Based on evidence, verification, repeated testing, wide scientific consensus.
Hypothesis - Answers A suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon or prediction of a
possible causal correlation among multiple phenomena. Based on suggestion, possibility, projection,
or prediction, but the result is uncertain.
dependent variable - Answers The measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is
interested. (y)
independent variable - Answers The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose
effect is being studied. (x)
time-series data - Answers values that correspond to specific measurements taken over a range of
time periods
cross-sectional data - Answers data collected at the same or approximately the same point in time
conceptual definition - Answers the abstract or theoretical meaning of a concept being studied
Operational definition - Answers a statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research
variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test
measures.
Reliability - Answers the extent to which a test yields consistent results, as assessed by the
consistency of scores on two halves of the test, on alternate forms of the test, or on retesting
Validity - Answers The ability of a test to measure what it is intended to measure - accuracy
Causality Criteria - Answers 1) Consistency - observed consistently in multiple studies
2) Strength - statistically strong (e.g., high correlation)
3) Dose-response - increasing "doses" (amounts) of the predictor are associated with increasing rates
of change in the outcome
4) Plausibility - a plausible explanation for the relationship is known/documented
5) Temporality - the predictor precedes the outcome
4 hurdles of causality - Answers 1) Theory
2) Correlation
3) Reverse Causality
4) Spuriousness
nominal variable (categorical) - Answers variable with values that are categories or names. not
numerical values
ordinal variable - Answers a qualitative variable that incorporates an ordered position, or ranking
interval variable - Answers is a variable that has numbers as its values; the distance (or interval)
between pairs of consecutive numbers is assumed to be equal
descriptive statistics - Answers numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of
groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.
mean - Answers average
Median - Answers the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
Mode - Answers the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
range - Answers the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
Variance - Answers (n.) - a difference between what is expected and what actually occurs
Variance formula - Answers standard deviation squared
standard deviation - Answers a measure of variability that describes an average distance of every
score from the mean
standard deviation formula - Answers the square root of the variance
qualitative case study - Answers is to examine an individual case in depth, within its real-life context
Strengths of Qualitative Case Studies - Answers provides in-depth understanding of the case under
consideration
high internal validity: focus on few cases allows you to analyze each case in detail and show that our
IV caused DV
Criticism of Qualitative Case Studies - Answers low external validity: focus on one case doesn't allow
us to generalize to other cases
Do political leaders always tell the truth in their memoirs, interviews, and statements to the media?
Comparative Qualitative Case Study - Answers Compare two cases
Rule out alternative explanations through smart case selection
