Fall, 2001 (Roos, Soc. 311)

Study Guide: Exam #1 (Date: Tuesday, October 9th)

NOTE: These are broad study questions only; the actual test questions will be more explicit. The first exam will cover sections I through IV on the syllabus. The GSS (used for Assignment 1) and SAS material (used for Assignment 2) will not be included on the test. The test will be open book/notes; however, bear in mind that the exam will take the entire class period to complete, so you want to avoid relying on your notes. The exam will consist of short answer questions and several problems/essays

1) What is the difference between the following levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio?

2) What is meant by the elaboration model? What is the difference between replication, explanation, interpretation, and specification? How are suppressor and distorter variables an extension of the elaboration paradigm? Recognize suppressor and distorter variables. Make sure you know how to make a table from raw data, and label and title it. Know how to interpret and write about data.

3) Give examples of social regularities. What are the three purposes of research?

4) Describe what is meant by deductive and inductive models of science. What is the difference between conceptualization and operationalization (and real, nominal, and operational definitions)? What is the problem with the traditional model of science? What is reification? interchangeability of indicators? Modes of data collection?

5) How are variables and attributes related? constants and variables? What is the difference between an independent variable, a dependent variable, and a test variable?

6) What is the difference between association and causality? What are the three conditions for causality? What is the difference between a necessary cause and a sufficient cause? What is meant by the ecological fallacy? How is this related to "units of analysis?" Know your units of analysis! What is meant by "determinism" in the context of "cause" and "effect"?

7) What is the difference between reliability and validity? What role does bias play? What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal data collection, and when would you choose one or the other? What differentiates trend, cohort, and panel studies?

8) Why is it important that a set of indicator responses be exhaustive and mutually exclusive? What is the advantage of using a larger range of variation? What are the guidelines for developing questionnaires? Know how to use them in evaluating questions/responses.

9) Design a research project that could be investigated using field research. What are the advantages of using this research design? the disadvantages? Describe the different observer roles that a researcher can play in a field setting.

10) Give examples of unobtrusive research? Develop a proposal for research using one of these methods.

11) What is meant by statistical interaction? How would you show statistical interaction in a table (additivity)? What is a 3D table?