Assessment Survey

PSC 302 Assessment Survey

Directions: Please use a Scantron form and a pencil to complete the survey. Do not write on the survey form.

1. A ____ is a testable statement about a relationship between two variables. a. theory b. paradigm c. empirical correlation d. hypothesis

2. In comparison to nonscientific inquiry, scientific inquiry a. takes special precaution to avoid error. b. is value driven. c. is an activity where we are less concerned about making mistakes. d. none of these choices.

3. Which of the following illustrates the use of the inductive method? a. hypothesis, observations, accept or reject hypothesis. b. observations, pattern finding, and generalizations. c. theory, hypothesis, observations, generalizations. d. theory, observations, and generalizations. e. generalizations, theory, and observations.

4. For a causal relationship to exist there must be evidence a. of an empirical correlation between the variables. b. that one variable precedes the other in time. c. that a third variable did not cause the changes observed in the first two variables. d. all of these choices must be evidenced.

5. Probability samples are advantageous to the researcher because a. the method by which they are selected limits conscious and unconscious sampling bias. b. the accuracy or representativeness of the sample can be estimated. c. they are perfectly representative of the population from which they are drawn. d. all of these choices indicate the advantages of probability sampling. e. the method by which they are selected limits conscious and unconscious sampling bias and the accuracy or representativeness of the sample can be estimated.

Please continue on the reverse. 6. Which of the following is TRUE of quantification? a. It often makes our observations more explicit. b. It can make it easier to aggregate data. c. It can make it easier to summarize data. d. It opens up the possibility of statistical analysis. e. All of these choices are TRUE.

7. Which of the following is FALSE regarding qualitative field research? a. Field research is well suited to studying social processes over time. b. Field research is well suited to studying behaviors within their natural setting. c. Field research is well suited to studying attitudes within their natural setting. d. Field research is well suited for quantitative analysis. e. All of these choices are TRUE.

8. A student meets two fraternity men at a party who talk about all the partying they do. She then concludes that all fraternity men party all the time. What error in understanding does this example reflect? a. Illogical reasoning. b. Selective observation. c. Overgeneralization. d. Overemphasis on authority.

9. ______theory has to do with what should be rather than what is. a. Empirical b. Critical c. Normative d. Cultural

10. Gender is an example of a variable measured at the ______level. a. nominal b. ordinal c. interval d. ratio

Thank you for your participation.