SMPA 2151 MIDTERM EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Quantitative research methods (5) - ANS surveys, polls, content analysis, field experiments,
lab experiments
qualitative research methods (8) - ANS ethnography, overt participant observation, covert
participant observation, cultural studies, cultural/legal/material studies, historiography
which research method can be considered both quantitative and qualitative? - ANS focus
groups
operationalization - ANS the process by which a concept becomes a variable
operational definition - ANS a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a
research study
conceptual definition - ANS a researcher's definition of a variable at the theoretical level
all research in hard and social sciences has to _________ - ANS happen in relation to
something else
digetic - ANS in the world of the created landscape. e.g. sound that could logically be heard
by the characters in the film.
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, empirical - ANS based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic
epistomology - ANS study of knowledge itself. derives from the enlightenment.
heuristics - ANS mental shortcuts; tools/techniques we use to generate, extend, or interpret
knowledge
positionality - ANS we don't leave ourselves at the door of the lab. we are the product of our
own identities. researchers can strive for "objectivity," but we are subjects not objects.
presentism - ANS interpreting and evaluating historical events in terms of contemporary
knowledge and standards
positivism - ANS using scientific methods to study the real world. can be overly restrictive by
relying solely on measurable data.
tautology - ANS unnecessary repetition, circular reasoning
social desirability effect - ANS people give the answer they think researchers want to hear
observer effect - ANS answers may change depending on if subject is aware of observation
open-ended comparison - ANS
etic vs emic - ANS etic- outsiders point of view, emic- cultural insider point of view
self-reported information - ANS always vulnerable to bias. surveys, polls are self-reported.
2 Copyright ©2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Quantitative research methods (5) - ANS surveys, polls, content analysis, field experiments,
lab experiments
qualitative research methods (8) - ANS ethnography, overt participant observation, covert
participant observation, cultural studies, cultural/legal/material studies, historiography
which research method can be considered both quantitative and qualitative? - ANS focus
groups
operationalization - ANS the process by which a concept becomes a variable
operational definition - ANS a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a
research study
conceptual definition - ANS a researcher's definition of a variable at the theoretical level
all research in hard and social sciences has to _________ - ANS happen in relation to
something else
digetic - ANS in the world of the created landscape. e.g. sound that could logically be heard
by the characters in the film.
1 Copyright ©2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, empirical - ANS based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic
epistomology - ANS study of knowledge itself. derives from the enlightenment.
heuristics - ANS mental shortcuts; tools/techniques we use to generate, extend, or interpret
knowledge
positionality - ANS we don't leave ourselves at the door of the lab. we are the product of our
own identities. researchers can strive for "objectivity," but we are subjects not objects.
presentism - ANS interpreting and evaluating historical events in terms of contemporary
knowledge and standards
positivism - ANS using scientific methods to study the real world. can be overly restrictive by
relying solely on measurable data.
tautology - ANS unnecessary repetition, circular reasoning
social desirability effect - ANS people give the answer they think researchers want to hear
observer effect - ANS answers may change depending on if subject is aware of observation
open-ended comparison - ANS
etic vs emic - ANS etic- outsiders point of view, emic- cultural insider point of view
self-reported information - ANS always vulnerable to bias. surveys, polls are self-reported.
2 Copyright ©2025 THESTAR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
