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Research Methods in Practice: Strategies for Description and Causation Second Edition Test Bank

Research Methods in Practice: Strategies for Description and Causation Second Edition Test Bank is a comprehensive exam guide designed to help you master key topics with detailed explanations and practice questions.

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    Chapter One 1. Simply put, research methods refer to *A. The techniques and procedures that produce evidence B. Using internet sources to uncover why research studies are conducted C. Identifying who sponsors research projects D. All of the above 2. Which of the following represents a way research has become a part of modern public policy and management ? A. Performance measure B. Program evaluation C. Evidence - based policy * D. All of the above 3. A way that evidence can mislead audiences if not done properly is through: A. Misleading Measurements B. Misleading Samples C. Misleading Correlations * D. All of the above * 4. Primary research includes: A. Research that can be conducted at the library B. Research that can be done by collecting original data C. Research done with original analysis of existing data *D. B and C only E. None of the above 5. Secondary research includes: *A. Research that can be conducted at the library B. Research that can be done by collecting original data C. Research done with original analysis of existing data D. B and C only E. None of the above 6. The following is an example of a causal research question: A. What is the unemployment rate in Iceland? B. Do college graduates earn more than high school graduates? *C. Will free after - school tutoring raise graduation rates? D. B and C only E. All of the above

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    7. Key features of research include: A . It comes in various shapes and sizes B . It is never perfect C . It aims to generalize * D . All of the above 8. The following is an example of a descriptive research question: A. What is the unemployment rate in Iceland? B. Will free after - school tutoring raise graduation rates? C. Do college graduates earn more than high school graduates? *D. B and C only 9. Practitioners consume research in the following forms: A. Reports of government agencies B. Reports by advocacy organizations C. Summaries in the media D. Journal articles *E. All of the above 10. A reading test that shows an improvement in reading, when in fact no such improvement has occurred, is an example of a misleading ________________ * a. measurement 11. A poll that aims to describe the movie - going habits of all US adults, taken of people coming out of movie theaters, is an example of a misleading _________________. * a. sample 12. A study of grade school children found that shoe size is related to reading ability (children with bigger feet read better). But the study forgot to take account of the children’s ages. This is an example of a misleading _____________. * a. correlation 13. Original data that are collected by the researcher him/herself is called ______________ data, whereas data that collected by others is called _____________ data. * a. primary; secondary 14. Because social and policy research is difficult to pin down, researchers often employ

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    multiple methods to confirm their findings, an approach called _______________. * a. triangulation 15. ____________ research is based on a practical need to know, whereas _____________ research refers to the pu rsuit of one’s own knowledge. * a. applied; basic 16. The process of research involves competition and cri ticism, such that most research journals and funding programs use a ________________ process to render a judgment on the w orth of the paper or proposal. * a. peer - review 17. Descriptive research addresses the question ______________, whereas, causal research addresses the question ______________. * a. what is; what if 18. Philosophers refer to the many ways of knowing about the world as __________________. * a. epistemologies 19. A researcher who makes observations and then develops a logical explanation is using the ____________ approach to employ the scie ntific method. * a. inductive 20. A research who begins with a logical explanation and then gathers evidence to support this explanation is utilizing the ______________ approach to employ the scientific method. a. deductive 21. _________ is the ability to take the results of research and apply them in situations other than the exact one in which the research was carried out. * a. generalizability 22. Discuss how evidence can be misleading, if not embarrassing, if it is not done according to proper methods @ (S ee page 6) * a. Answers will vary

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    23. Identify and describe the key components of the scientific method. Why is it important to adhere to this method when conducting research studies? @ (See page 13) * a. Answers will vary 24. What does the statement mean, “Social phenomena are more complex and varied than biological phenomena.” How does this impact the use of the scientific method? @ (See pages 13 - 14) * a. Answers will vary 25. Why do researchers need to be concerned about ethics in conducting research? How can this impact the findings of the study? @ (See page 17) * a. Answers will vary 26. In an area of interest to you, give an example of a descriptive research question. In the same area, give an example of a causal research question * a. Answers will vary 27. In an area of interest to you, discuss how research would help you to solve a problem or issue. * a. Answers will vary

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    Chapter Two 1. A theory has observable implications. In other words, it generates A. Abstractions B. Replications C. Findings *D. Hypotheses 2. Theories: A. Identify key variables B. Tell causal stories C. Explain variation *D. All of the above 3. Hypotheses are: * A. predictions of what will happen if your theory is correct B. true statements based upon our research C. not subject to falsification D. vague and uncertain 4. The path diagram X → Y represents a causal theory. An explanation of how change in X produces change in Y is also an important part of the theory; it is called the *A. Causal mechanism B. Causal model C. Causal information D. Causal influence 5. In the statement “ Raising taxes stifles economic growth” which of the following are true: A. Taxes is the dependent variable *B. Taxes is the independent variable C. Economic growth is the independent variable D. Economic growth and taxes are positively related E. Both A and C 6. Logic models … A. communicate an underlying theory B. show the causal mechanisms of how a program is thought to work C. may include activities needed to implement the program D. are often required by funding agencies *E. All of the above

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    7. Officials at a public housing agency wanted to know whether supportive housing, which combines affordable housing with social services, helps low - income single mothers recover from substance abuse and maintain employment. A research study showed that length of residence in supportive housing was negatively correlated with substance abuse but was not significantly related to employment. Which of the following is the dependent variable in this study? A. Length of residence in supportive housing B. Substance abuse C. Employment D. Social services * E. Both B and C 8. A study looked at World Bank data on the political stability and economic growth of countries in the world. It found that more politically stable countries experienced more economic growth. Which of the following is the unit of analysis in this study? A. Political stability B. Economic growth * C. Countries D. World Bank data E. None of the above 9. Many cities have created non - emergency phone numbers that citizens can call with questions or comments about public services. However, complaints about government services may rise just because complaining is easier. In cities with very low service quality, that relationship may not be as strong because citizens were already making a lot of complaints through other means. On the other hand, citizens often appreciate the non - emergency phone number service, which can improve local government’s reputation, and in turn, decrease the number of complaints about government. Other factors, of course, affect the number of complaints besides the non - emergency phone number. For example, news coverage of local government affairs may raise awareness of particular issues and generate additional complaints. A foundation interested in local government affairs developed a logic model and research design to test these hypotheses. The foundation wanted to find out whether the rate of citizen complaints about local government was higher in cities with non - emergency lines, and whether the number of complaints increased after cities adopted non - emergency phone numbers.

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    What is the unit of analysis in this model? * A. Cities B. Individuals C. Complaints D. Quantitative 10. Many cities have created non - emergency phone numbers that citizens can call with questions or comments about public services. However, complaints about government services may rise just because complaining is easier. In cities with very low service quality, that relationship may not be as strong because citizens were already making a lot of complaints through other means. On the other hand, citizens often appreciate the non - emergency phone number service, which can improve local government’s reputation, and in turn, decrease the number of complaints about government. Other factors, of course, affect the number of complaints besides the non - emergency phone number. For example, news coverage of local government affairs may raise awareness of particular issues and generate additional complaints. A foundation interested in local government affairs developed a logic model and research design to test these hypotheses. The foundation wanted to find out whether the rate of citizen complaints about local government was higher in cities with non - emergency lines, and whether the number of complaints increased after cities adopted non - emergency phone numbers. Service quality Adopting a non - emergency city phone number Number of complaints per 100,000 people Media coverage of local government affairs Perceived reputation of government +

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    Which of the following is NOT an independent variable in the model? A. Perceived reputation of government B. Media coverage of local government affairs * C. Complaints D. Both A and C 11. Many cities have created non - emergency phone numbers that citizens can call with questions or comments about public services. However, complaints about government services may rise just because complaining is easier. In cities with very low service quality, that relationship may not be as strong because citizens were already making a lot of complaints through other means. On the other hand, citizens often appreciate the non - emergency phone number service, which can improve local government’s reputation, and in turn, decrease the number of complaints about government. Other factors, of course, affect the number of complaints besides the non - emergency phone number. For example, news coverage of local government affairs may raise awareness of particular issues and generate additional complaints. A foundation interested in local government affairs developed a logic model and research design to test these hypotheses. The foundation wanted to find out whether the rate of citizen complaints about local government was higher in cities with non - emergency lines, and whether the number of complaints increased after cities adopted non - emergency phone numbers. Service quality Adopting a non - emergency city phone number Number of complaints per 100,000 people Media coverage of local government affairs Perceived reputation of government +

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    Which of the following is NOT a dependent variable in this model? A. Complaints B. Adopting a non - emergency city phone number C. Media coverage * D. Both B and C 12. Many cities have created non - emergency phone numbers that citizens can call with questions or comments about public services. However, complaints about government services may rise just because complaining is easier. In cities with very low service quality, that relationship may not be as strong because citizens were already making a lot of complaints through other means. On the other hand, citizens often appreciate the non - emergency phone number service, which can improve local government’s reputation, and in turn, decrease the number of complaints about government. Other factors, of course, affect the number of complaints besides the non - emergency phone number. For example, news coverage of local government affairs may raise awareness of particular issues and generate additional complaints. A foundation interested in local government affairs developed a logic model and research design to test these hypotheses. The foundation wanted to find out whether the rate of citizen complaints about local government was higher in cities with non - emergency lines, and whether the number of complaints increased after cities adopted non - emergency phone numbers. Service quality Adopting a non - emergency city phone number Number of complaints per 100,000 people Media coverage of local government affairs Perceived reputation of government +

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    Which of the following is a moderator variable in this model? A. Perceived reputation of government B. Media coverage of local government affairs * C. Service quality D. Adopting a non - emergency city phone number 13. Many cities have created non - emergency phone numbers that citizens can call with questions or comments about public services. However, complaints about government services may rise just because complaining is easier. In cities with very low service quality, that relationship may not be as strong because citizens were already making a lot of complaints through other means. On the other hand, citizens often appreciate the non - emergency phone number service, which can improve local government’s reputation, and in turn, decrease the number of complaints about government. Other factors, of course, affect the number of complaints besides the non - emergency phone number. For example, news coverage of local government affairs may raise awareness of particular issues and generate additional complaints. A foundation interested in local government affairs developed a logic model and research design to test these hypotheses. The foundation wanted to find out whether the rate of citizen complaints about local government was higher in cities with non - emergency lines, and whether the number of complaints increased after cities adopted non - emergency phone numbers. Service quality Adopting a non - emergency city phone number Number of complaints per 100,000 people Media coverage of local government affairs Perceived reputation of government +

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    Which of the following is a mediator (intervening) variable in this model? * A. Perceived reputation of government B. Media coverage of local government affairs C. Service quality D. Adopting a non - emergency city phone number 14. Many cities have created non - emergency phone numbers that citizens can call with questions or comments about public services. However, complaints about government services may rise just because complaining is easier. In cities with very low service quality, that relationship may not be as strong because citizens were already making a lot of complaints through other means. On the other hand, citizens often appreciate the non - emergency phone number service, which can improve local government’s reputation, and in turn, decrease the number of complaints about government. Other factors, of course, affect the number of complaints besides the non - emergency phone number. For example, news coverage of local government affairs may raise awareness of particular issues and generate additional complaints. A foundation interested in local government affairs developed a logic model and research design to test these hypotheses. The foundation wanted to find out whether the rate of citizen complaints about local government was higher in cities with non - emergency lines, and whether the number of complaints increased after cities adopted non - emergency phone numbers. Service quality Adopting a non - emergency city phone number Number of complaints per 100,000 people Media coverage of local government affairs Perceived reputation of government +

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    Which of the following is true? A. The causal arrow from perceived reputation to complaints should have a + sign, indicating a positive relationship B. The causal arrow from perceived reputation to complaints should have a - sign, indicating a negative relationship C. The causal arrow from media coverage to complaints should have a + sign, indicating a positive relationship D. A and C *E. B and C 15. Theories are created from a number of sources, including: A. Grand theories B. Academic disciplines C. Induction and deduction * D . All of the above 16. A __________ ____ is a graphical or mathematical representation that serves to articulate and communicate a theory. A. paradigm B. empirical function *C. model D. descriptive Service quality Adopting a non - emergency city phone number Number of complaints per 100,000 people Media coverage of local government affairs Perceived reputation of government +

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    17. In the statement, disorder causes crime, disorder is the ____________ variable, and crime is the _______________ variable. * A. independent, dependent B. intervening, uncertain C. dependent, independent D. first, second 18. ________________ variables represent steps in the causal process leading from the independent to the dependent variable. A. disjointed B. unregulated *C. intervening D. none of the above 19. A _____________ represents the objects or things described by the variables in a model, and can also be thought of as the level of aggregation or disaggregation. *A. u nit of analysis B. unit of function C. unit of ratio D. unit of idea 20. W hich is most clearly an example of a positive (not normative) question? A. Why doesn’t the government provide more money for childcare? B. Who deserves childcare vouchers more — single working mothers or parents of children with disabilities? C. Should childcare vouchers cover only licensed day care or also care by a family member? *D. Does receiving a childcare voucher lead to increased family income? 21 . Over the last few decades, data shows that fertility rates have been falling steadily in Asia. This statement refers to _______________ variation. * a. longitudinal 22 . In 2009, fertility rates were lower in European countries and higher in Latin American countries. This statement refers to _______________ variation. * a. cross - sectional 23 . Age is a major risk factor for heart disease, yet researchers often choose to study factors that people have control over, such as diet and exercise. In this example, age is a _____________ variab le while diet and exercise are _____________ variables.

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    * a. nonmodifiable; modifiable 24 . A path diagram is composed of circles and arrows. The circles represent ___________ and the ar rows represent _____________. * a. variables; relationships 25 . Densely populated cities tend to have lower rates of obesity but higher rates of asthma. With respect to their direction , density → obesity is a __________ relationship, and density → ashma is a __________ relationship. * a. negative; positive 26. Please discuss several specific tips for creating a logic model. Why are these in particular important to the process? * a. Answers will vary 27. Please discuss the importance of identifying inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes as part of developing a logic model. * a. Answers will vary 28. An environmental advocacy group is interested in whether a tax on companies that pollute the air based on CO2 emissions would decrease the firms’ emissions. However, members of the group are concerned that while small businesses might decrease emissions as much as possible to avoid the tax, large corporations might be able to afford the tax and just continue polluting. Based on the group’s theory, write in the names of the independent, dependent, and moderator variables, and add signs to indicate the directions of the relationships.

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    * a. Answers will vary 29. A human resources department wanted to increase job satisfaction among employees by offering more health benefits. But there are many factors that may affect job satisfaction besides benefits, including organization characteristics such as leadership, job characteristics such as interesting work, and individual characteristics such as level of experience. Further, better health benefits may lead to improvements in employees’ general health and wellbeing, which has also been found to affect job satisfaction. Finally, increasing benefits may send a message to employees that they are valued contributors to the organization, which could also increase their job satisfaction. Create a path model showing the hypothesized relationship between benefits and job satisfaction and including other causes and intervening variables. * a. Answers will vary 30. Please discuss one example of an applied research question that you may be interested in examining specific to your field of study. * a. Answers will vary

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