Question 1

Which measure of central tendency is most appropriate to use when a dataset contains significant outliers, such as in a sociological study of housing market data?

Accepted Answer

Median

Question 2

A sociologist collects the following data on the number of hours students spend studying per week: 5, 7, 7, 8, 10, 12, 50. Which measure of central tendency would best represent the typical student in this group?

Accepted Answer

Median

Question 3

Given the dataset: 85, 85, 95, 95, 115, 115, 115, 130, 175, what is the mode?

Accepted Answer

$$115$$

Question 4

Which of the following correlation coefficients indicates the strongest relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

$$r = -0.75$$

Question 5

If a sociologist finds a correlation coefficient of $$r = 0.00$$ between two variables, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is no linear relationship between the variables.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about correlation and causation is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not imply causation.

Question 7

A researcher finds a strong, positive correlation between hours spent playing video games and aggressive behavior. Which of the following is a possible explanation for this finding?

Accepted Answer

A third variable, such as exposure to violent media, may influence both.

Question 8

Which measure of central tendency is calculated by adding all values and dividing by the number of values?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Question 9

A sociologist finds that as income increases, the amount of time spent volunteering decreases. What type of correlation is this?

Accepted Answer

Negative correlation

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the median?

Accepted Answer

The value that falls in the middle when all values are ordered.

Question 11

A study finds a correlation coefficient of $$r = 0.60$$ between education level and income. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a moderate to strong positive relationship between education and income.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a possible explanation for a correlation between two variables?

Accepted Answer

The variables are always causally related.

Question 13

If a dataset has the values 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, what is the mean?

Accepted Answer

$$4.29$$

Question 14

Which of the following best illustrates a spurious correlation?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream sales and drowning rates both increase in summer due to a third variable (temperature).

Question 15

A sociologist finds a correlation coefficient of $$r = -0.85$$ between age and hours spent on social media. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

As age increases, hours spent on social media strongly decrease.

Understanding Research Findings in Sociology: Measures of Central Tendency and Correlation

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