Fall, 2007 (Roos, Soc. 311)

Study Guide: Exam #2 (Date: Thursday, November 8th)

NOTE: These questions are broad study questions only; the actual test questions will be more specific. The second exam will focus on the material discussed since the last test [sections V and VI (A&B) on course outline section of the syllabus]. All lectures since the last exam, and all chapters in those sections, will be included on the test, even if we do not discuss them explicitly in class.

In addition, the test will include a problem on the elaboration paradigm, so review the elaboration paradigm (see the syllabus for extra Babbie reading on the elaboration paradigm).

You will be allowed to use your notes and books, and you will also need a calculator for this test!

Learn from your mistakes in Test 1: Watch for bold words. Make sure you demonstrate that you know what those words mean, and then apply them in the current context.

1. What are the components of the classic experimental design? the Solomon 4-group design? Why would you want to use the latter over the former? why is random assignment to groups important?

2. What is the difference between internal and external validity? of what use is a control group? what's the Hawthorne effect?

3. Why is the normal distribution such an important outgrowth of sampling theory? How do you compute a standard error? What is "p," "q," and "n?" What are the characteristics of standard errors (understand this substantively)?

4. Design a research project that could be investigated using the classic experimental design. Illustrate by assigning numbers to observations and describe your results.

5. What is a quasi-experimental design? Why would one use a quasi-experimental design over a pre-experimental design? a multiple time-series design over a time-series design? Know all the quasi-experimental designs we talked about in class. Choose one quasi-experimental design and describe a study you could do using this design.

6. What is the difference between nonprobability and probability sampling designs (give examples of each)? Why is representativeness important? What do we mean by generalizability, and why is it important? Compare and contrast what generalizability means in experimental design (via the Solomon 4-group design) vs. the generalizability you get from probability sampling.

7. What is the difference between anonymity and confidentiality in survey research? what are contingency questions? matrix questions? what is an acceptable response rate for mailed surveys, and why? what are the advantages and disadvantages of survey research?

8. What is the difference between a target population and a study population? between a population and a sample? between an observation unit and an analysis unit? between parameters and statistics? between descriptive and inferential statistics? what is a binomial variable?

9. Practice using the three different sampling strategies we discussed--simple random sample, systematic sample with a random start, and stratified sample. What is a multi-stage cluster sample? What is a sampling frame? Of what use is a random number table?