POLS 3001 midterm Test Questions and Answers Fully Solved Latest Version 2025-2026
Normative Research - AnswersThe question of what ought to be
Empirical Research - AnswersResearch based on actual, "objective" observation of phenomena. (what
really is)
Interpretivist Approach - AnswersThe understanding of the world is based on who we are.
Positivist Approach - AnswersThe assumption that reality exists, reality is knowable, and reality is
orderly. Us viewing this cannot have any effect on what is.
Assumptions of Positivist Research - Answers1. Reality Exists
2. Reality is Knowable
3. Reality is Orderly (Cause-effect)
Purposes of empirical research - Answers1. Describe reality
a. How many, how much, how important
2. Explanation
a. Explains cause and effect
b. Explanatory factors
3. Predict what effects are caused by what
a. Can lead to prevention
Overview of Scientific Research - Answers1. Development of research idea or question
2. Hypothesis formulation
3. Research
4. Decision based analysis of evidence
5. Modification and extension
**familiarity with the overall process**
Grand theory - AnswersUniversal theory. Tries to explain a whole lot. Ex: Theory of History, there is an
evolutionary form to how things happen
, Middle-range theory - AnswersTheories that explain a large range of things without explaining a whole
lot. Ex: Democratic peace theory
Particularistic theory - AnswersTries to explain a very small chunk of the world. Ex: Analyze the 2004
election and say the Iraq war debate effected the outcome. Cannot be applied to any other election or
any other topic.
inductive theory - AnswersA theory that gets built up in the process of empirical study
deductive theory - AnswersA theory that begins with a principle and generalized knowledge that is used
to generate a hypothesis and that hypothesis is then tested against the empirical world
Research question - AnswersNeed a theory to answer the questions. Need to generate a hypothesis.
Need variables.
hypothesis - AnswersA testable statement of relationship, derived from a theory
variation and explanation - AnswersYou want your observations to be different. Everything you see
cannot be the same, or it becomes a constant. In order to have an explanation you must have variation.
Ex: trying to explain the differences between liberals and conservatives but everyone you observe is
conservative.
dependent variable - AnswersAn effect (being affected by other variables (x))
independent variable - AnswersCausal variables (affecting variable y)
control variable - AnswersA type of independent variable. No variable is inherently an independent
variable or a control variable, it depends on how the researcher chooses to use them. Do not care about
it as a causal variable but you still have to control for it. Not looking for its effect.
elements of causality - Answers1. Association
2. Time order
3. Non-spuriousness
4. Theory/ explanation
Association - AnswersEmpirical relationship- There is some connection between the variables we are
observing
Time order - AnswersThere is a clear time sequence to how causation work.
Y only changes when X is changed
Non-spuriousness - AnswersSee association but not causal (false association). Not all empirical
associations that you see are causal. Rule out other possible causes- Do this by controlling for other
variables- Rival hypothesis
Normative Research - AnswersThe question of what ought to be
Empirical Research - AnswersResearch based on actual, "objective" observation of phenomena. (what
really is)
Interpretivist Approach - AnswersThe understanding of the world is based on who we are.
Positivist Approach - AnswersThe assumption that reality exists, reality is knowable, and reality is
orderly. Us viewing this cannot have any effect on what is.
Assumptions of Positivist Research - Answers1. Reality Exists
2. Reality is Knowable
3. Reality is Orderly (Cause-effect)
Purposes of empirical research - Answers1. Describe reality
a. How many, how much, how important
2. Explanation
a. Explains cause and effect
b. Explanatory factors
3. Predict what effects are caused by what
a. Can lead to prevention
Overview of Scientific Research - Answers1. Development of research idea or question
2. Hypothesis formulation
3. Research
4. Decision based analysis of evidence
5. Modification and extension
**familiarity with the overall process**
Grand theory - AnswersUniversal theory. Tries to explain a whole lot. Ex: Theory of History, there is an
evolutionary form to how things happen
, Middle-range theory - AnswersTheories that explain a large range of things without explaining a whole
lot. Ex: Democratic peace theory
Particularistic theory - AnswersTries to explain a very small chunk of the world. Ex: Analyze the 2004
election and say the Iraq war debate effected the outcome. Cannot be applied to any other election or
any other topic.
inductive theory - AnswersA theory that gets built up in the process of empirical study
deductive theory - AnswersA theory that begins with a principle and generalized knowledge that is used
to generate a hypothesis and that hypothesis is then tested against the empirical world
Research question - AnswersNeed a theory to answer the questions. Need to generate a hypothesis.
Need variables.
hypothesis - AnswersA testable statement of relationship, derived from a theory
variation and explanation - AnswersYou want your observations to be different. Everything you see
cannot be the same, or it becomes a constant. In order to have an explanation you must have variation.
Ex: trying to explain the differences between liberals and conservatives but everyone you observe is
conservative.
dependent variable - AnswersAn effect (being affected by other variables (x))
independent variable - AnswersCausal variables (affecting variable y)
control variable - AnswersA type of independent variable. No variable is inherently an independent
variable or a control variable, it depends on how the researcher chooses to use them. Do not care about
it as a causal variable but you still have to control for it. Not looking for its effect.
elements of causality - Answers1. Association
2. Time order
3. Non-spuriousness
4. Theory/ explanation
Association - AnswersEmpirical relationship- There is some connection between the variables we are
observing
Time order - AnswersThere is a clear time sequence to how causation work.
Y only changes when X is changed
Non-spuriousness - AnswersSee association but not causal (false association). Not all empirical
associations that you see are causal. Rule out other possible causes- Do this by controlling for other
variables- Rival hypothesis
