DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY: SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS
Class Exercise 6
1. Write a brief account of the following, giving examples where appropriate:
(a) Sampling frame; (b) Suppressor Variable; (c) Chi-square statistic; (d) First-order partial
relationship; (e) Measurement
2. The following variables are frequently encountered in social research. Identify the level of
measurement associated with each:
(a) Gender; (b) Race; (c) Partisanship; (d) Social Class; (e) Area of residence
3. In response to government concerns about the growth in cigarette smoking among young
women, a survey was done to assess gender differences in smoking among teenagers.
Researchers drew a sample of 30 female and 29 male teenagers. It was found that, among
males, 10 were smokers and 19 were non-smokers. Among females, 18 were smokers and 12
were non-smokers.
a) Identify the independent and dependent variable.
b) Please represent this data graphically.
c) Present the data in tabular form.
d) What can you say about the data?
e) State the null hypothesis
f) Calculating the appropriate measure of association, what conclusions can you draw from
the data?
4. A survey was done to assess differences in union membership within the medical
profession. Researchers drew a sample of 500 nurses and 500 doctors. It was found that,
among nurses, 400 were members of a union and 100 were not. In the sample of doctors, the
equivalent figures were 200 (member of union) and 300 (not a member of a union).
a) Identify the independent and dependent variable.
b) Present the data in tabular form.
c) What can you say about the data?
d) What is the best statistic for measuring the association of the two variables?
e) State the null hypothesis
f) Calculating the appropriate measure of association, what conclusions can you draw from
the data?
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