RSC2601 Exam Preparation _Questions and answers.

RSC2601 Exam Preparation _Questions and answers. Which of the following behavioural norms would mainly regulate your response, from an ethical point of view, to the following request? The Department of Education requests you, as a teacher, to forward a detailed record of your learners' reactions to specific outcomes-based educational tasks, over a period of nine months. 1) respect for privacy 2) organised scepticism 3) disinterestedness 4) universalism The correct answer is (1) SG p12 Organised scepticism. Scientists should not accept new ideas or evidence in a carefree, uncritical manner. Instead, all evidence should be challenged and questioned. Each research study is subjected to intense criticism and scrutiny. The purpose of the criticism is Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 37 not to attack the individual; rather, it is to ensure that the research can stand up to close examination. Disinterestedness. Scientists must be neutral, impartial, receptive and open to unexpected observations or new ideas. Scientists should not be rigidly wedded to a particular idea or point of view. They should accept, even look for, evidence that runs against their positions and should honestly accept all findings based on high-quality research. Universalism. Irrespective of who conducts the research and regardless of where it was conducted, the research is to be judged only on the basis of scientific merit. QUESTION 90 (2-13) Which of the following behavioural norms would mainly regulate your response, from an ethical point of view, to the following request? A local newspaper is conducting research for an in-depth story about the emotional impact of outcomes based education. The reporter requests you, as a teacher, to forward a detailed record of your learners' reactions to specific outcomes-based educational tasks, over a period of nine months. 1) respect for privacy 2) organised scepticism 3) disinterestedness 4) universalism The correct answer is (1) SG p12 Organised scepticism. Scientists should not accept new ideas or evidence in a carefree, uncritical manner. Instead, all evidence should be challenged and questioned. Each research study is subjected to intense criticism and scrutiny. The purpose of the criticism is not to attack the individual; rather, it is to ensure that the research can stand up to close examination. Disinterestedness. Scientists must be neutral, impartial, receptive and open to unexpected observations or new ideas. Scientists should not be rigidly wedded to a particular idea or point of view. They should accept, even look for, evidence that runs against their positions and should honestly accept all findings based on high-quality research. Universalism. Irrespective of who conducts the research and regardless of where it was conducted, the research is to be judged only on the basis of scientific merit. QUESTION 91 (2-11) Select factors that can impose a risk on subjects' right to privacy, when conducting research. a) the researcher's gender b) the sensitivity of the information c) obtaining prior informed consent d) the researcher's language preference e) the setting where the research is conducted f) how widely the findings are published g) conducting a debriefing interview Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 38 1) (a) (b) (e) 2) (f) (g) 3) (b) (e) (f) 4) (c) (d) The correct answer is (3) SG p114 However, unlike obtaining a loan or applying for credit facilities, our goal (collecting and analysing information about people as human beings) may be in conflict with people’s right to privacy. We can deal with this potential conflict by considering: 1. the sensitivity of the information 2. the place where the research is conducted 3. how public we are going to make our research findings QUESTION 92 (2-11) Ensuring that participants in field research are not harmed, their consent has been obtained and their privacy ensured, are ethical issue that relate to: 1) behavioural norms of disinterestedness 2) the accurate reporting of findings 3) the personal motives of the researcher 4) basic human rights The correct answer is (4) SG 111 Ethical issues in research relating to human rights One of the primary responsibilities that we have towards the people whom we research is that we must not harm them in any way. This is why — in certain instances — we may need to obtain their permission to involve them in our research; this is also why we need to take measures to ensure their privacy. These three ethical issues (do no harm; obtaining consent; and ensuring privacy) are the focus QUESTION 93 (2-11) The aim of the research design is to: 1) provide fixed guidelines 2) select the subjects for the study 3) ensure valid conclusions 4) explain why something is happening The correct answer is (3) A design needs to be preferably flexible in order to accommodate any new information. Only quantitative research may require fixed guidelines. Therefore (1) is incorrect. Option 2 refers to sampling and option 4 refers to explanatory research. QUESTION 94 (2-11) If the steps in the research process are executed in a sequential manner with little change to the original research design, the main aim of the study would probably be to: 1) determine the relationship between variables 2) interpret the meaning of social phenomena 3) measure different dependent and independent variables Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 39 4) provide a rich description of subjective experiences The correct answer is (1) SG p64 “In quantitative research we intend to establish causal connections between things. Our hypotheses are therefore constructed so as to be able to reflect such connections. Causal explanations identify a cause and effect relationship between phenomena.” Options 2) and 4) refer to qualitative research, which is nonsequential and flexible, therefore are incorrect. QUESTION 95 (2-11) A quantitative research design involving treatment of two groups, where the respondents decide to which group they want to belong, is called a/an ___ design. 1) post-test only control group 2) quasi-experimental 3) voluntary 4) experimental The correct answer is (2) SG p146 With a comparison group used in a quasi-experimental design, there is no randomization. Since they decided which group they want to belong to, this is a quasi-experimental design. QUESTION 96 (2-11) How are the research question and the method addressed in the following scenario? A researcher asks a group of outpatients suffering from depression to keep a diary in which they write once a week. After three months, the researcher analyses the content of the diaries to try and identify common themes. The findings are presented in a report to the staff at the hospital who are involved with these patients. 1) The research question is specified, but the method is adaptable. 2) The method is described, but the research question is fairly open 3) Both the research question and the method are clearly specified 4) Nether the research question, nor the method is specified The correct answer is (2) The method is clearly specified, the outpatients are asked to keep a diary – in which they write once a week. The research question is not clearly defined, since it can ask “how outpatients suffering from depression experience medication”or “how outpatients suffering from depression cope in a family setting”. QUESTION 97 (2-11) Selecting the first 100 people crossing a street, is an example of: 1) convenience 2) purposive 3) theoretical 4) snowball The correct answer is (1) SG p161 Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 40 Convenience sampling (or accidental sampling) is when the researcher selects those elements that he or she can access easily until the sample reaches the desired size. Convenience sampling is also referred to as accidental or availability sampling. The researcher may choose, for instance, the first twenty people turning up for an interview, or the people available in the library at a specific time, or a lecturer may use the students in his or her class. QUESTION 98 (2-11) Using smoking prevalence data, the first 20 male and the first 20 female smokers entering a hall, are selected to participate in a research study. This is an example of ___ sampling. 1) snowball 2) quota 3) purposive 4) theoretical The correct answer is (2) SG p161 Quota sampling is a nonprobability sampling technique similar to stratified sampling, except that the final selection of elements is not random. Quota sampling generally requires that each stratum be represented in the sample in the same proportion as in the total population. However, the sampling procedure in quota sampling relies on convenience or accidental choice instead of random choice from a sample frame. Purposive and theoretical sampling is synonymous, therefore, since only one answer is required, can be excluded as possible correct option. Snowball sampling refers to respondents obtaining more possible respondents. QUESTION 99 (2-11) Which of the following statements with regard to sampling is true? 1) A random sample is one in which 50% of the elements of a population have an equal chance of being sampled 2) When hourly observations are made, you are in fact using a random sampling method 3) Random sampling in social sciences is the least expensive and most time-consuming strategy for selecting a sample 4) If a sample is representative, it yields valid data for making generalisations about the population from which it was drawn The correct answer is (4) SG p164 A sample is representative when it resembles the population and enables the researcher to accurately generalise results. Random samples offer participants an equal chance (100%) of being selected. Therefore option 1 is incorrect. Random samples are expensive and time consuming – therefore option 3 is incorrect. QUESTION 100 (2-15) Which of the following statements regarding sampling is true? 1) In quota sampling the researcher hand-picks persons to be included in a study 2) Random selection is used in all types of probability sampling designs Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 41 3) Stratified random sampling involves the selection of the most accessible elements of the population 4) A random sample is one in which 50% of the elements of a population have an equal chance of being selected The correct answer is (2) SG p155, 156 Probability sampling or random sampling refers to an approach whereby each person (element) has an equal chance of being chosen in the sample. Gilbert (1993:71) refers to an equal chance as a known, non-zero chance of selection. In other words, random selection takes place when each element in the population has an equal, independent chance of being selected for the sample (De Vos et al 2005:196). The selection of elements from the population is based on some form of random procedure. The most commonly used probability sampling techniques are: simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified random sampling and cluster sampling. Probability sampling or random sampling refers to an approach whereby each person (and not only 50%) has an equal chance of being chosen in the sample. Therefore option (4) is incorrect. QUESTION 101 (2-11) Of which method of sampling is the following an example? If a researcher wishes to study all cancer patients in the country, she may identify groups of hospitals that have cancer wards in the different provinces of the country. A sample of these hospitals could then be drawn, from which a sample of patients could ultimately be selected. 1) snowball sampling 2) cluster sampling 3) simple random sampling 4) convenience sampling The correct answer is (2) SG p159 Cluster sampling requires that the population be divided into groups or clusters. Unlike stratified sampling, the elements of the population are grouped in heterogeneous clusters instead of homogeneous strata. Cluster sampling is used when a complete list of elements (sampling frame) is not available. Using the same example of factory workers, we could choose a sample that includes all workers (regardless of rank) in several divisions of the factory. Rather than selecting individuals, we randomly select divisions. This method can be used when the researcher does not have the time or money to get all the individuals’ names, but does have a list of all the divisions in the factory. The sample is therefore randomly selected from the list of clusters (divisions of the factory). The researcher can sample all the workers in the chosen clusters or randomly select the same number of workers from each chosen cluster. Cluster sampling is less costly if the clusters are geographically defined. It requires listing only the elements in the selected clusters. QUESTION 102 (2-11) A non-random sample that is proportionately selected according to pre-specified characteristics, such as gender or ethnicity, is called a ___ sample. 1) cluster 2) stratified random 3) quota Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 42 4) purposive The correct answer is (3) SG p161 Quota sampling is a nonprobability sampling technique similar to stratified sampling, except that the final selection of elements is not random. Quota sampling generally requires that each stratum be represented in the sample in the same proportion as in the total population. However, the sampling procedure in quota sampling relies on convenience or accidental choice instead of random choice from a sample frame. Stratified random sampling is a sampling technique where the population is divided into different groups or subgroups called strata, so that each element of the population belongs to one and only one stratum. Random sampling is then done within each stratum, using either simple random sampling or systematic sampling. The question refers to a non-random sample, therefore qoption 2 is incorrect. Purposive or judgmental sampling (also referred to as theoretical sampling) is when the researcher selects a sample that can be judged to be representative of the total population. This judgment is made on the basis of available information or the researcher’s knowledge about the population. This knowledge is used to hand-pick the elements for the sample. This means that this is a non-random sample. Cluster sampling requires that the population be divided into groups or clusters. Unlike stratified sampling, the elements of the population are grouped in heterogeneous clusters instead of homogeneous strata. Cluster sampling is used when a complete list of elements (sampling frame) is not available. Using the same example of factory workers as above, we could choose a sample that includes all workers (regardless of rank) in several divisions of the factory. Rather than selecting individuals, we randomly select divisions. This is therefore also a random technique. Option 1 is thus incorrect. QUESTION 103 (2-11) A unit from a specific population about which information is obtained is a/an: 1) sample 2) element 3) parameter 4) subset The correct answer is (2) SG p85, 151 In qualitative research, the point of departure is to study the element, namely man, within unique and meaningful human situations or interactions. An element is the unit or case about which information is obtained. The elements may be people who share certain characteristics (eg the same profession). Elements may also be objects, events, social groups, organisations, documents or provinces. All elements together constitute the population. An element is sometimes referred to as a unit of analysis. QUESTION 104 (2-11) The item below is to be used in a self-administered questionnaire. However, it contains a problem which should be avoided. What do you think about your local community newspaper? The above item is problematic because of the following reason: 1) an open question is not appropriate Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 43 2) options, such as a scale must be used 3) only one logical answer can be given 4) the question is vague The correct answer is (4) SG p187 References to vague agents of action must also be avoided, because they result in vague responses. In the last example above, it is not clear who or which institution is represented by “we”. Vague and imprecise responses also occur if the questions or statements are incomplete or ambiguous. For example, “What do you think about the day care facilities?” This question does not specify “what” aspect of the day care facilities we are being asked about or whether we are being asked about day care facilities on a national, provincial or local level. The question does not even tell us what type of day care facilities it means — for babies and children? Street children? People who are mentally retarded? People who are physically disabled? QUESTION 105 (1-16) Evaluate the following item frorn a self-administered questionnaire. What do you think about your local community newspaper? The item is problematic because: 1) here an open question is not appropriate. 2) it contains a vague agent of action. 3) only one logical answer can be given 4) the question is vague. The correct answer is (2) SG p187 References to vague agents of action must also be avoided, because they result in vague responses. In the last example above, it is not clear who or which institution is represented by “we”. Vague and imprecise responses also occur if the questions or statements are incomplete or ambiguous. For example, “What do you think about the day care facilities?” This question does not specify “what” aspect of the day care facilities we are being asked about or whether we are being asked about day care facilities on a national, provincial or local level. The question does not even tell us what type of day care facilities it means — for babies and children? Street children? People who are mentally retarded? People who are physically disabled? QUESTION 106 (2-11) When using a Likert scale to evaluate respondents' opinions about a health issue, which level of measurement are you applying? 1) nominal 2) ordinal 3) interval 4) ratio The correct answer is (2) SG p194 Both the Likert scales and semantic differential scales rely on an ordinal level of measurement. Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 44 QUESTION 107 (2-11) Which type of question is illustrated in the following scenario? You are the corporate communication manager of a large company and you want to establish how management can improve its communication with employees about the affirmative action policy. You ask one of the respondents the following question, "Pretend that you stand in the shoes of a member of management of this company. What changes would you make to improve communication between management and employees regarding the affirmative action policy?" The above scenario contains a/an ___ question 1) filter 2) open 3) contingency 4) follow-up The correct answer is (2) SG p181 The purpose of open questions (in interviews and in questionnaires) is to encourage respondents to express their attitudes, emotions, ideas, sentiments, suggestions or opinions in their own words. This type of question is particularly useful if we are unsure of the type of responses we may obtain. QUESTION 108 (2-11) Which method would you use to evaluate whether the questionnaire used in the following scenario is reliable? You have compiled a questionnaire which you want to use to determine the opinions of patients regarding services received at a local hospital. You present the questionnaire to every 10th patient that leaves the hospital. You would use the ___ method. 1) intercoder 2) concurrent 3) test-retest 4) split-half Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 45 The correct answer is (2) SG p196 Concurrent validity is very similar to predictive validity, except for one important difference in the procedure followed. Unlike predictive validity, concurrent validity is estimated by administering the attitude scale and criterion measure at approximately the same time (when they leave the hospital). QUESTION 109 (2-11) An advantage of using telephonic interviews is that: 1) diverse opinions can be obtained whilst pretesting a measuring instrument 2) a sensitive topic can be researched 3) the time it takes to collect data is short 4) an interpersonal rapport can be established between interviewer and respondents The correct answer is (3) SG p184 Telephone interviews also have definite advantages, such as: • No expensive traveling, accommodation, duplication or postage costs are involved. • Data can be collected quickly. • Responses may actually be more accurate, because respondents do not have time to re-think their answers. • Also, interviewers can be monitored (and this easier than in the case of face-to-face interviewing). QUESTION 110 (2-11) The item below is to be used in a self-administered questionnaire. However, it contains a problem which should be avoided. Four basic types of religious groups are recognised in society. Do you also agree with this statement? The above item is problematic because it: 1) is a double-barrelled statement 2) contains loaded language 3) is a negative statement 4) contains an incomplete question The correct answer is (2) SG p187 Avoid using a question or statement which conveys a position for or against the topic being investigated (called loaded language). For example: “Do you also prefer working flexi-hours because you can plan your workday according to your personal needs?” The use of “also” and reference to an advantage, loads a “yes” justification onto this question. QUESTION 111 (2-13) The item below is to be used in a self-administered questionnaire. However, it contains a problem which should be avoided. Four basic types of religious groups are recognised in society. Do you also agree with this statement? Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences The above item is problematic because it: 46 1) is a double-barrelled statement 2) contains loaded language 3) is a leading question 4) contains an incomplete question The correct answer is (2) SG p187 • Avoid using a question or statement which conveys a position for or against the topic being investigated (called loaded language). For example: “Do you also prefer working flexi-hours because you can plan your workday according to your personal needs?” The use of “also” and reference to an advantage, loads a “yes” justification onto this question. • Loaded language, in which phrases such as “Do you also prefer ...”; “Do you agree with ...”; or “Do you support the view that ...” are used also result in leading questions or statements. This type of question or statement must be avoided, because a respondent may feel pressurised to agree, and this will give the researcher a biased response. QUESTION 112 (2-11) The procedures used to make generalisations about the population, based on the results of a sample, are referred to as: 1) generalisations 2) descriptive statistics 3) inferential statistics 4) coding The correct answer is (3) SG p235 We use the results based on a sample to make inferences about the attributes of the population and the methods used to do this are called inferential statistics (3). We have seen that descriptive statistics (2) are used to organise the data based on a sample. Option 2 – descriptive statistics organizes and summarizes quantitative data (mean, mode and median). Option 3 – inferential statistics makes generalisations about the population (standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and t-score) QUESTION 113 (2-11) Which best describes the cumulative frequency distribution of the age of readers of a magazine? 1) a table of the number of readers 18 and younger, 19 to 22, etcetera 2) a graph of the ages of readers arranged from young to old 3) the total of all ages divided by the number of readers 4) the standard deviation indicating the spread of the age distribution The correct answer is (1) SG p220 The cumulative frequency (cf) of a class interval is the number of cases in the specified interval plus all the cases in the previous intervals. In other words, the cumulative frequency (cf) of a class interval is the number of cases that fall below the lower limit of the next interval. Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences QUESTION 114 (2-11) 47 The following set of data represents the ages of a group in a research project. Which measure of central tendency would be the most appropriate for this set of data where some of the scores differ a great deal from the other scores? 1) mean 2) median 3) mode 4) typical value The correct answer is (2) SG p224, 225, 226 • mode: score in a sample of scores that occurs with the greatest frequency • median: value or score such that half the observations fall above it and half below it. If the number of scores is an odd number, the median is simply the score in the middle of the list. When the number of scores is an even number, the middle of the list falls between two values and the median is the average of these two scores. • mean: sum of a sample of scores divided by the number of scores in the sample However, if there are one or two scores that differ a great deal from the rest of the scores, this will influence the mean and the median is then preferred. QUESTION 115 (2-11) Which measure(s) of central tendency is/are the smallest for the following set of data? 4 6 8 16 16 1) mode 2) median 3) mean 4) all three measures are equal The correct answer is (2) SG p224, 225, 226 • mode: score in a sample of scores that occurs with the greatest frequency – therefore 16 • median: value or score such that half the observations fall above it and half below it. If the number of scores is an odd number, the median is simply the score in the middle of the list. When the number of scores is an even number, the middle of the list falls between two values and the median is the average of these two scores.- therefore 8 • mean: sum of a sample of scores divided by the number of scores in the sample - therefore 50/5=10 QUESTION 116 (2-11) You are one of the lecturers for a research methodology course. A student asks you for tips that will assist reading through all the transcribed interviews successfully. Which of the following tips would you share with the student? Downloaded by: mosa123 | Distribution of this document is illegal Downloaded by: ResourceCentre9 | Distribution of this document is illegal S - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material S - The study-notes marketplace RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences 48 a) "the transcripts are too extensive, do not attempt to read them all at once b) When your mind starts to wander, or you become impatient, or start feeling uninterested, ~ it’s lime to pause. c) Refrain from reading the transcripts from the beginning of the document. If you always confine your energy to the first section of your data, you are more likely to exclude or overlook valuable information from later sections 1) (a) (b) 2) (c) 3) (b) (c) 4) (a) (b) (c) The correct answer is (4) SG p244 Pointers to keep in mind when reading through all the transcriptions • If the transcripts are too extensive, do not attempt to read them all at once. • When your mind starts to wander or you become impatient or start feeling uninterested, it is time to pause. • Refrain from reading the transcripts from the beginning of the document. When you start out you are in peak form. If you always confine this energy to the first section of your data, you are more likely to exclude or overlook valuable information from later sections. Reading the last third of the interview before the first portion is one technique that may help you to shed new light on each interview (Tutty et al 1996:98).