Chapter 8 Multiple choice questions

. An operational definition is:

one that bears no relation to the underlying concept.

an abstract, theoretical definition of a concept.

a definition of a concept in terms of specific, empirical measures.

one that refers to opera singers and their work.

. The importance of measurement in quantitative research is that:

it allows for exact estimates of the degree of relationship between concepts.

it provides a consistent device or yardstick.

it allows us to delineate fine differences between people or cases.

all of the above.

. The difference between a measure and an indicator is that:

measures are unambiguous quantities, whereas indicators are devised from common sense understandings.

indicators have a more direct relationship to the underlying concept than measures.

indicators are unmistakable quantities, whereas measures are subjective and value-laden.

measures are devised and then applied as if they were direct indicators of a concept.

. The split-half method is used as a test of:

External validity

Internal reliability

Inter-observer consistency

Constancy

. Which of the following is not a form of measurement validity?

Concurrent validity

Face validity

Conductive validity

Convergent validity

. Quantitative social researchers rarely claim to have established causality because:

they are more concerned with publishing the results of their reliability tests.

they do not believe that this is an appropriate goal to be striving for.

they keep forgetting which of the variables they have manipulated.

they tend to use cross-sectional designs, which produce only correlations.

. One of the preoccupations of quantitative researchers is with generalization, which is an indicator of:

External validity

Internal reliability

External reliability

Internal validity and reliability

. Quantitative research has been criticized because:

the measurement process suggests a false and artificial sense of accuracy

the reliance on instruments and procedures makes it high in validity

it underestimates the similarities between objects in the natural and social worlds

it underestimates the similarities between objects in other worlds

. The term 'reverse operationism' means that:

the theories we devise will often hinder our attempts to measure concepts.

the measurements we devise can sometimes help to develop a theory.

techniques such as factor analysis have no place in social research.

driving instructors always make you practice the most difficult manoeuvre.

. Written accounts of quantitative research rarely include the results of reliability and validity tests because:

researchers are more interested in reporting their operational definitions.

researchers don't really think that these tests are important.

journal editors have banned these kinds of articles.

researchers are more interested in reporting their substantive findings.

Chapter 8 Multiple choice questions

Quiz Content