Chapter 1 How Sociologists View Social Problems: The ...



Chapter 1 How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Professor Fuentes encourages her students to consider how laws, education, religion, and the media influence how people think, feel, and act. As such, Professor Fuentes, wants her students to use:

a. The Sociological Imagination

b. Reinforcement Theory

c. Common Sense

d. Historical And Biographical Analysis

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3

2. Nirant’s research focuses on relationships that people share with family, friends, or coworkers. As such, Nirant’s research is concerned with:

a. Broad Social Context

b. Narrow Social Context

c. Intimate Social Context

d. All of the Above

Answer:c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 4

3. When Michael considers how his race, age, marital status, and income compares to that of other Americans, he is considering his:

a. Personal Troubles

b. Common Sense

c. Social Problems

d. Social Location

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 5

4. Whether or not marijuana is legal, who obtains it, and under what circumstances it is obtained are examples of the ________ associated with a social problem.

a. Objective Conditions

b. Subjective Concerns

c. Social Solutions

d. Moral Dilemmas

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6

5. A significant number of people worry about the conditions of public schools in urban areas. Such unease illustrates the ________ associated with a social problem.

a. Subjective Concerns

b. Objective Conditions

c. Moral Decay

d. Value Neutrality

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 6

6. Which of the following Supreme Court rulings legalized abortion in the U.S.?

a. Webster vs. Reproductive Services

b. Roe vs. Wade

c. Casey vs. Planned Parenthood

d. Brown vs. the Board of Education

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 7

7. Which of the following explains why sons are preferred to daughters in India?

a. A son can continue the family name.

b. A son can take care of aged parents

c. A son can perform funeral rights.

d. All of the above

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 7

8. The teenagers who participate in a weekly bible-study class believe that abortion is bad. Their shared belief is an example of a(n):

a. Value

b. Social Problem

c. Personal Trouble

d. Experiment

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 8

9. When Rhonda arrived at the abortion clinic, she was surprised to find dozens of protestors blocking her way. Rhonda pushed her way through the crowd and was able to see a physician at the clinic. Rhonda was able to get what she wanted, despite resistance. This is an example of Rhonda’s:

a. Values

b. Power

c. Sociological Imagination

d. Subjective Concern

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 8

10. Today, Professor Lennox will be lecturing on how we learn, from the various groups that we are a part of, to look at the world. As such, the professor will be discussing:

a. The Natural History of Social Problems

b. The Scientific Study of Sociology

c. The Experience of Personal Troubles

d. The Process of Becoming Socialized

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9

11. Connie believes that a fetus is a human being. Connie is:

a. A Proabortionist

b. An Antiabortionist

c. Value Free

d. Generalized

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9

12. Monica believes that a fetus has the potential to become a human being. Monica is:

a. A Proabortionist

b. An Antiabortionist

c. Value Free

d. Generalized

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 9

13. With global capitalism, many American companies export jobs to countries in which workers earn only one dollar per day. The United Auto Workers Local recently held a protest march to voice opposition to the loss of American jobs. This reflects which stage of the natural development of social problems?

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 10

14. With global capitalism, many American companies export jobs to countries in which workers earn only one dollar per day. After much protest from U.S. workers who fear losing their jobs, the U.S. government proposed raising taxes for companies that export jobs and lowering taxes for companies that create jobs in the U.S. This reflects which stage of the natural development of social problems?

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 10

15. With global capitalism, many American companies export jobs to countries in which workers earn only one dollar per day. After much protest from U.S. workers who fear unemployment, the U.S. government raised taxes for companies that export jobs and lowered taxes for companies that create jobs in the U.S. In response, companies who export jobs are banning together to oppose the new federal regulations. This reflects which stage of the natural development of social problems?

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11

16. Rosita works as a counselor at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. It is Rosita’s job to:

a. Urge pregnant women to have abortions.

b. Provide pregnant women with abortion services.

c. Encourage pregnant women to give birth.

d. All of the above

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11

17. Antiabortionists have banned together to promote state-level legislation to limit the impact of Roe vs. Wade. This illustrates the ________ stage in the natural history of a social problem.

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11

18. In an effort to express their opposition to abortion, the members of a sorority set up a table and provided antiabortion literature, placed an ad in the student newspaper, and encouraged all of their friends to write their state representatives a letter. These sorority members are:

a. Moderate

b. Radical

c. Alternative

d. All of the Above

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 11

19. In an effort to express their opposition to abortion, the members of a fundamental religious organization threw blood on the outer walls of a local abortion clinic and jammed the clinic doors with Super Glue. This group can be described as:

a. Moderate

b. Alternatives

c. All of the Above

d. Radical

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 13

20. In Webster v. Reproductive Services, the Supreme Court ruled that:

a. Individual states have no obligation to finance abortion.

b. A woman under the age of 18 must have parental consent for an abortion.

c. Picketers and other demonstrators must remain 300 feet away from the entrances to abortion clinics.

d. All of the Above

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 14

21. In Casey v. Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court ruled that:

a. A woman under the age of 18 must have parental consent for an abortion.

b. Materials on fetal development and a list of adoption agencies must be provided to all women seeking abortion services.

c. A 24 hour waiting period must be observed before an abortion can be performed.

d. All of the Above

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 14

22. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act states that:

a. Individual states have no obligation to finance abortion.

b. A woman under the age of 18 must have parental consent for an abortion.

c. Picketers and other demonstrators must remain 300 feet away from the entrances to abortion clinics.

d. All of the Above

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 14

23. Shaniqua is 4 weeks pregnant. She plans to take an oral drug to terminate her pregnancy. Shaniqua plans to use:

a. RU486

b. Mifeprex

c. Both a & b

d. None of the Above

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 14

24. The team of sociologists at Florida State University are gathering information on the number of homeless people in the southern region of the U.S. These researchers are:

a. Measuring Objective Conditions

b. Measuring Subjective Concerns

c. Using Common Sense

d. Engaging in Case Studies

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 15

25. The team of sociologists at Iowa State University are gathering information on student attitudes toward homelessness. These researchers are:

a. Measuring Objective Conditions

b. Measuring Subjective Concerns

c. Using Common Sense

d. Engaged in Case Studies

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 15

26. Ibrahim, like many people in our society, believes as people age they become less interested in sexual activity. This idea that is held by a large percentage of the population is an example of:

a. A Value

b. Power

c. Personal Troubles

d. Common Sense

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 15

27. Which of the following is a principle that underlies sociological research?

a. The use of scientific methods to provide objective findings.

b. Conclusions that are not based on emotions or personal values.

c. Use of the sociological imagination.

d. All of the Above

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 17

28. Ami wants to gain in-depth information about how women experience homelessness. Ami should use:

a. Field Studies

b. Case Studies

c. Experiments

d. Surveys

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 18

29. Ricardo wants to generalize his findings on wife-battering to a larger population. Ricardo should use:

a. Surveys

b. Experiments

c. Case Studies

d. Field Studies

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 18

30. Yoshimi wants to know how watching a video on racial relations impacts attitudes toward Asian Americans. She takes a group of students who have expressed prejudice towards Asian Americans and divides them into two groups. She shows Group A the video on racial relations, while Group B does not view the video. Afterwards, she measures each group’s level of prejudice towards Asian Americans. The group that viewed the video on racial relations is called the:

a. Sample

b. Population

c. Experimental Group

d. Control Group

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 18

31. Yoshimi wants to know how watching a video on racial relations impacts attitudes toward Asian Americans. She takes a group of students who have expressed prejudice towards Asian Americans and divides them into two groups. She shows Group A the video on racial relations, while Group B does not view the video. Afterwards, she measures each groups levels of prejudice towards Asian Americans. The group that did not view the video on racial relations is called the:

a. Sample

b. Population

c. Experimental Group

d. Control Group

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 18

32. Vanessa wants to know about the safe-sex practices of the 4,000 students enrolled at her small, liberal arts college. She obtains a complete list of the names and contact information of the 4,000 students from the campus Registration Office and selects 500 people from the list to participate in her study. Because every student at the college has an equal chance of being selected for this study, Vanessa has a(n):

a. Experimental Group

b. Random Sample

c. Population

d. Field Study

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 18

33. Mayda wants to learn more about battered women who live in shelters with their children. After Mayda obtained permission to conduct her research at the local shelter, she began to make observations. This is an example of a(n):

a. Experiment

b. Survey

c. Field Study

d. Case Studies

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 18

34. Jamaal is interested in learning more about the victims of violent crime. To gather information, Jamaal asks people questions about their experience with violent crime. Jamaal is using:

a. Interviews

b. Experiments

c. Documents

d. Observation

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 19

35. Jason is conducting a study on gambling. He allows each participant in his study to talk in-depth about their experiences with gambling. Jason is using ______________ to gather information.

a. Structured Interviews

b. Unstructured Interviews

c. Paper-Pencil Questionnaires

d. Observation

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 19

36. Thomasina is conducting a study on date-rape. She asks women who have been raped to answer written questions. Thomasina is using ______________ to gather information.

a. Structured Interviews

b. Unstructured Interviews

c. Paper-Pencil Questionnaires

d. Observation

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 19

37. Janki used the hospital records of babies born with heroin addictions to gather information for her research project. Janki used:

a. Observation

b. Interviews

c. Questionnaires

d. Documents

Answer: d

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 19

38. Phoebe is conducting a study on youth violence that occurs in suburban playgrounds. She watches and listens to what is taking place and records the actions and statements that the youth make. This is an example of:

a. Observation

b. Interviews

c. Questionnaires

d. Documents

Answer: a

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 19

39. Lou is a researcher who wants to understand the physical abuse of prisoners at a local jail. Lou gets a job at the jail as a security card. Lou secretly records his observations without revealing that he is a researcher. Lou’s observations are:

a. Overt

b. Covert

c. Structured

d. Unstructured

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 19

FILL-IN-THE BLANK

40. The concept of the sociological imagination was developed by ________________________.

a. Emile Durkheim

b. Max Weber

c. Karl Marx.

d. C. Wright Mills

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3

41. Using ______________________ involves looking at people’s behavior and attitudes in the context of the social forces that shape them.

a. Reinforcement Theory

b. The Sociological Imagination

c. Scientific Sociology

d. Historical And Biographical Analysis

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 3

42. The phenomena in which large-scale events of history bring difficulty into people’s lives is called __________.

a. Social Location

b. Personal Troubles

c. Scientific Sociology

d. The Sociological Imagination

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 4

43. The sociological imagination is also called _________________.

a. Reinforcement Theory

b. Scientific Sociology

c. Historical And Biographical Analysis

d. The Sociological Perspective

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 4

44. The social context that involves historical events is called ____________________.

a. Narrow Social Context

b. Intimate Social Context

c. Broad Social Context

d. All of the Above

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 4

45. The term ______________ describes the process of becoming aware of ourselves by evaluating our own identity in relation to other people.

a. Sociological Imagination

b. Social Location

c. Scientific Sociology

d. Personal Troubles

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 5

46. A _____________ is some aspect of society that people are concerned about and would like changed.

a. Social Problem

b. Personal Trouble

c. Sociological Perspective

d. Social Context

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 6

47. An aspect of society that can be measured or experienced is called a(n) ______________________.

a. Objective Condition

b. Social Problem

c. Personal Problem

d. Subjective Concern

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 6

48. The concern that a significant number of people have about an aspect of society that can be measured is called a(n) ______________________.

a. Objective Condition

b. Social Problem

c. Personal Problem

d. Subjective Concern

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 6

49. The killing of newborn baby girls is called ____________________.

a. Female Infanticide

b. RU486

c. Amniocentesis

d. Case Study

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 7

50. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in _________.

a. 1963

b. 1969

c. 1973

d. 1979

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 7

51. A shared belief about whether something is good or bad is a ___________________.

a. Value

b. Document

c. Social Problem

d. Personal Trouble

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 8

52. The ability to get one’s way despite resistance is called _____________.

a. Values

b. Social Problem

c. Power

d. Subjective Concern

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 8

53. Opposition to the legal right to abortion is called ___________.

a. Value Free

b. Antiabortion

c. Proabortion

d. Generalizers

Answer: b

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 8

54. Support for the legal right to abortion is called ____________________.

a. Value Free

b. Antiabortion

c. Proabortion

d. Generalizers

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 8

55. There are _______ stages in the natural history of social problems.

a. Two

b. Three

c. Four

d. Five

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 9

56. _________ was the first state to legalize abortion.

a. Hawaii

b. Alaska

c. California

d. New York

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10

57. Crafting an official response occurs during the _______ stage in the natural history of social problems.

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10

58. The emergence of leaders occurs during the _______ stage in the natural history of social problems.

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10

59. Reaction to the official response occurs during the _______ stage in the natural history of social problems.

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 11

60. The development of alternative strategies occurs during the _______ stage in the natural history of social problems.

a. First

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 11

61. In the U.S., _____________ hold(s) the power to decide whether abortion is legal.

a. Women

b. The Supreme Court

c. The President

d. Physicians

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 13

62. __________________is an oral drug that is used as an abortion agent to terminate pregnancy in women up to the 7th week of pregnancy.

a. RU486

b. Mifeprex

c. Both a & b

d. None of the above

Answer: c

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 14

63. The systematic and objective study of human society is called ___________________.

a. Sociology

b. Sociological Imagination

c. Research Methods

d. Case Study

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 15

64. ______________________ refer(s) to the ideas common to our society or to some group within our society.

a. Power

b. Values

c. Personal Troubles

d. Common Sense

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 15

65. _______ are ways of doing research.

a. Documents

b. Methods

c. Values

d. Personal Troubles

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 17

66. Case studies, surveys, experiments, and field studies are _______________________.

a. Values

b. Social Problems

c. Research Designs

d. Samples

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

67. _______________ are used to gather in-depth information on some specific situation.

a. Experiments

b. Surveys

c. Field Studies

d. Case Studies

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

68. With _____________________, researchers are able to generalize their findings.

a. Experiments

b. Surveys

c. Field Studies

d. Case Studies

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

69. ___________________are used in survey research to represent the entire group that is being studied.

a. Experimental Groups

b. Populations

c. Samples

d. Control Groups

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

70. The target group of a survey is referred to as the __________________________.

a. Population

b. Sample

c. Control Group

d. Experimental Group

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

71. To _____________________ is to apply research findings to people who belong to the target group, but who are not in the sample.

a. Experiment

b. Survey

c. Generalize

d. Interview

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

72. With a(n) ____________, everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being included in the study.

a. Control Group

b. Experimental Group

c. Field Study

d. Random Sample

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

73. In an experiment, those people that are exposed to a particular experience are called the __________.

a. Control Group

b. Experimental Group

c. Field Study

d. Random Sample

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

74. In an experiment, those people that are not exposed to a particular experience are called the __________.

a. Control Group

b. Experimental Group

c. Field Study

d. Random Sample

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

75. In ______________________, researchers go into a setting that they want to learn more about.

a. Experiments

b. Surveys

c. Field Studies

d. Case Studies

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 18

76. _______________________ involve(s) asking people questions on the topics that you want to explore.

a. Experiments

b. Observation

c. Field Studies

d. Interviews

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 19

77. When interviewers allow people to talk in-depth about their experiences, they are using ______________.

a. Structured Interviews

b. Unstructured Interviews

c. Paper-Pencil Questionnaires

d. Observation

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 19

78. The technique in which an interviewer asks people to answer written questions is called ____________.

a. Structured Interviews

b. Unstructured Interviews

c. Paper-Pencil Questionnaires

d. Observation

Answer: c

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 19

79. With ___________ questions, people answer in their own words.

a. Closed Ended

b. Open Ended

c. Unstructured

d. Structured

Answer: b

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 19

80. With ___________ questions, people choose to answer questions from a list of prepared answers

a. Closed-Ended

b. Open-Ended

c. Unstructured

d. Structured

Answer: a

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 19

81. Written sources or records are called __________.

a. Case Studies

b. Field Studies

c. Questionnaires

d. Documents

Answer: d

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 19

TRUE-FALSE

82. Abortion is the least common medical procedure for women aged 15-44 in the U.S.

Answer: False

Diff: 1 Page Ref:4

83. African American women are more likely than white women to have an abortion.

Answer: True

Diff: 1 Page Ref:6

84. Social location determines a person’s actions.

Answer: False

Diff: 1 Page Ref:6

85. A social problem for some is often a solution for others.

Answer: True

Diff: 1 Page Ref:8

86. There are 6 stages in the natural history of social problems.

Answer: False

Diff: 1 Page Ref:9

87. An RU486-induced abortion typically involves only one visit to the doctor.

Answer: False

Diff: 1 Page Ref:14

88. Sociologists do not base their conclusions on emotions or personal values.

Answer: True

Diff: 1 Page Ref:17

89. Sociology provides a basis for making value decisions.

Answer: False

Diff: 1 Page Ref:17

90. Experiments are rare in the study of social problems.

Answer: True

Diff: 1 Page Ref:18

ESSAY

91. Compare and contrast the three levels of social context that shapes the way that we look at life. Give an example of each.

Answer: The social context occurs on three levels: broad, narrow, and intimate. Broad social context may include historical events such as war and terrorism. Narrow social context may include gender, race–ethnicity, religion, and social class. Intimate social context would describe the relationships we share with family, friends, or coworkers.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 4

92. Define the two key components of a social problem. Give an example of each for a particular social problem.

Answer: The first is an objective condition, some aspect of society that can be measured or experienced. The second key component of a social problem is subjective concern, the concern that a significant number of people (or a number of significant people) have about the objective condition.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 6

93. Explain why sons are preferred over daughters in India.

Answer: A son continues the family name, preserves wealth and property within the family, takes care of aged parents (the elderly have no social security), and performs the parents’ funeral rites. Hinduism even teaches that a man without a son cannot achieve salvation. A daughter, in contrast, is a liability. Men want to marry only virgins, and the parents of a daughter bear the burden of having to be constantly on guard to protect her virginity. For their daughter to marry, the parents must also pay a dowry to her husband.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 7

94. Outline the four stages in the natural history of a social problem.

Answer: There are four stages in the natural history of a social problem. They include 1) Defining the problem, the emergence of leaders, and beginning to organize; 2) Crafting an official response; 3) Reacting to the official response; and 4) Developing alternative strategies.

Diff: 1 Page Ref: 10-11

95. Explain four significant legal rulings on abortion since Roe. Vs. Wade.

Answer: 1) In Webster v. Reproductive Services (1989), the Supreme Court concluded that individual states have no obligation to finance abortion. Individual states can decide whether or not to ban abortions at state hospitals and whether or not to provide state-funded counseling services for those considering abortion. 2) In Casey v. Planned Parenthood (1992), the Supreme Court ruled that a woman under the age of 18 must prove that she has garnered the consent of at least one parent to have an abortion. Also, the ruling demanded that a waiting period of 24 hours must be obeyed before an abortion can be performed. During this waiting period, the woman seeking the abortion must be given materials on fetal development, as well as a list of adoption agencies in the area. The Court also ruled that a wife has no obligation to inform her husband of her intention to have an abortion. 3) In 1993, Congress passed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. This law requires picketers and other demonstrators to remain 300 feet away from the entrances to abortion clinics. If demonstrators do not comply, they can face up to 3 years in prison. 4) In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval of RU486 (Mifeprex), an oral drug used both as “a morning-after pill”/emergency contraceptive to prevent attachment of a fertilized ovum to the uterine wall and as an abortion agent to terminate pregnancy in women up to the 7th week of pregnancy.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 14

96. Discuss the five ways in which sociology can contribute to an understanding of a social problem.

Answer: The five contributions of sociology to understanding a social problems include: 1) Sociologists can measure objective conditions. 2) Sociologists can measure subjective concerns. 3) Sociologists can apply the sociological imagination. 4) Sociologists can identify different ways to intervene in a social problem. 5) Sociologists can evaluate likely consequences of social policies.

Diff:1 Page Ref: 15

97. Compare and contrast common sense and sociological approaches to understanding social problems.

Answer: Common sense is based on a "gut feeling" about the world, which also includes our experiences. We use our common sense to develop an opinion about social problems and all of us have different ideas or perspectives about what should be done to solve social problems. The principles underlying sociological research gives more information than just common sense. 1) Rather than basing conclusions on personal experience, hunches, assumptions, or opinions, sociologists use scientific methods to provide objective, systematic research findings. 2) Sociologists do not base their conclusions on emotions or personal values. Even if sociologists discover things that contradict their own values, they are obligated ethically to report those findings. 3) Sociologists use the sociological imagination to discover the underlying causes of social problems; sociologists interpret them within the framework of the larger picture. While common sense leads one to perceive matters on a personal level, the sociological imagination places them in the context of larger social patterns

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 15-17

98. Explain the four basic types of research designs used by sociologist. Demonstrate your understanding by briefly outlining how you could use each to study some social problem other than abortion.

Answer: The four basic types of research designs are: 1) Case Studies: used to gather in-depth information on some specific situation. 2) Surveys: focuses on a sample group that is being studied to represent the population. 3) Experiments: involves dividing people who have certain characteristics into two groups. One group will be exposed to some experience. 4) Field Studies: researchers go into a setting that they want to learn more about.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 18

99. Identify the four main techniques which sociologists use to gather data. Demonstrate your understanding by briefly explaining how you could use each to study some social problem other than abortion.

Answer: The four main techniques used by sociologists to gather data includes: 1) Interviews involve asking people questions on topics that the sociologists want to explore; 2) Questionnaires involve asking people to answer written questions; (3) Documents involve the examination of official records; and 4) Observation involves observing what is occurring in a specific setting.

Diff: 3 Page Ref: 19

100. Discuss the controversy among sociologists concerning the issue of neutrality versus value commitment in approaching social problems.

Answer: Those who champion neutrality stress the position that sociologists enjoy no superior vantage point from which to make moral judgments. Sociologists do have knowledge and skills to offer, they say, but not morality. In their study of social problems, sociologists can indicate the potential consequences of different social policies, but they should not promote any particular policy or solution. To do so would be to hide a moral or value position under the guise of sociology. On the other side of this issue, some sociologists are convinced that they have a moral obligation to take a stand. “If sociology is not useful for helping to reform society,” they ask, “of what value is it?” They stress that sociologists are in a strategic position to relate the surface manifestations of a social problem to deeper social causes. They say that sociologists should do their research objectively—and always side with those who are being hurt and exploited. Those on this extreme end of the debate also say that sociologists have a moral obligation to make the oppressed aware of their condition and to organize them to do battle against those who oppress them.

Diff: 2 Page Ref: 21-22

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