INST 381: Research Methods Fall 2010

Midterm Exam Study Guide

The midterm exam is worth 20% of your final semester grade. The exam should take about 50 minutes.
You are allowed one 3x5 index card with notes (on both sides). I suggest spending no more than 15
minutes on the vocabulary section, another 15 minutes on the short answer, and the remaining time on the
analysis section. Each section is worth a third of the exam grade.

Vocabulary
This portion of the exam will ask you to correctly identity 10 terms using multiple choice, drawn from the
following list of vocabulary terms:
• concept • operationalization • paradigm
• variable • inverse relationship • nominal measure
• reliability • proxy variable • ordinal measure
• validity • dependent variable • interval measure
• hypothesis • independent variable • relational analysis
• theory • intervening variable • descriptive study

Short Answer
I will select two of the following questions for you to answer. Aim for about 2-3 paragraphs per essay.

1. Hoover & Donovan introduce four different “levels” of measurement: nominal, ordinal,
interval, and ratio (see Chapter 5). Briefly describe how you would measure one of the variables
in your thesis project using two different types of measures. In your answer, be sure to clearly
demonstrate how each type of measurement is different, and what types of questions (or relations
to other variables) each measure can or cannot help answer.

2. Baglione introduces us to two basic types of analysis (see Chapter 7): qualitative and
quantitative (and a third, “mixed” category). Briefly describe how you might use both types of
analysis for your thesis. In your answer, be sure to clearly demonstrate what kind of “data” you
would use for each type of analysis.

3. We discussed three types of comparative studies: large-N (many cases), “comparative” (few
cases), and single-case studies. Briefly describe how you might develop your thesis as two of
these types of studies. In your answer, be sure to clearly demonstrate how you would select cases
for each type of study.

Analysis
I will provide you with a brief research article. You will have to correctly answer the following:
• What is the research question?
• What is the theoretical framework or model?
• What is the hypothesis?
• What are the independent and dependent variables?