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1 Dale Story POLS 3310 REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR TEST ONE (Note: All data are hypothetical) I. Define and identify each of the following. Cite examples if possible. A. four characteristics of behavioralism (and caveats) B. four distinct operations in explanations C. two alternatives for defining concepts D. three criteria of a good/elegant theory Example of a multiple-choice question: Which of the following is most associated with explanation and prediction: (a) cause and effect; (b) spurious relationship; (c) necessary and sufficient relationship; (d) history does not repeat itself; or (e) measurement error. II. Voter Participation Voter Participation Year (in %) Year (in %) 1945 55 1975 73 1950 58 1980 75 1955 60 1985 72 1960 63 1990 68 1965 65 1995 66 1970 65 2000 61 Graph the “relationship” (year is along the X-axis and voter participation is along the Y-axis). Is/are there any “trends” across time in voter participation? If so, what direction(s)? Is it linear? Curvilinear? III. Electoral district Level of voter participation (%) Level of urbanization (%) Percent of independent voters 1 40 50 10 2 58 45 28 3 47 60 18 4 70 70 50 5 60 75 36 6 55 30 25 7 68 35 47 8 62 55 45 9 42 40 14 10 53 65 20 Hypothesis 1: Voter participation is determined partly by the level of urbanization. Identify the independent and dependent variables. Graph the relationship. Conclusion: The hypothesis is confirmed. (If so, is the relation positive or negative) The hypothesis is disconfirmed. The hypothesis should be refined. (If so, briefly explain) Hypothesis 2: Voter participation is determined partly by the percent of “independent” voters. Identify the independent and dependent variables. Graph the relationship.2 Conclusion: The hypothesis is confirmed. (If so, is the relation positive or negative) The hypothesis is disconfirmed. The hypothesis should be refined. (If so, briefly explain) IV. Units of Analysis X Y 1 76 50 2 36 70 3 96 44 4 20 82 5 50 64 6 44 66 7 16 84 8 60 58 9 24 78 10 86 48 X is the independent variable and Y is the dependent variable. Graph the relationship very accurately. From your graph, devise a prediction equation (estimate the y intercept and the slope, or “rise over run”). Use your equation to produce predicted values of Y from the given values of X. Finally, calculate the differences between predicted Y and the given values of Y (showing the negative and positive signs). V. Party A 38 398 Party B 162 352 Minority Population Majority Population The values in cells can be illustrated in four options: absolute count, total %, row %, and column %. The table above has the absolute counts. Produce four additional tables: • One will be the same table (absolute count) but with all marginals (also absolute counts). • The second will show total percentages in each cell (show all work, e.g., 20/200=10%). • The third will show row percentages (show all work). • And the fourth will show column percentages (show all work). Which number demonstrates the strongest relationship between ethnicity and party vote? VI. Education and Presidential Vote (in percentages) Education Presidential Vote Elementary Secondary College Goldwater 17 23 43 Johnson 55 57 46 Missing values 28 20 11 TOTAL 100 100 100 Ignore the “Missing values” category. Recall that Johnson won the election handily. Identify the dependent and independent variables. What are the greatest differences shown in the table? What basic hypotheses might the table be intended to test? What is the conclusion to be drawn from this table? What causal inferences can you make on the3 basis of this table? VII. Explain, describe, give examples, and otherwise demonstrate that you understand the following aspects of experimental research designs: • Manipulation • Comparison (Concomitant Variation) • Internal Validity (intrinsic and extrinsic factors) • External Validity VIII. Devise and describe an experimental research design to evaluate the impact of introducing legalized gambling on government revenues in a Texas municipality. Do not aim for a “perfect” design, but rather a “realistic” design. Describe the extent to which you are assuring (or not—again, be realistic) the internal validity (extrinsic and instrinsic


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UT Arlington POLS 3310 - REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR TEST ONE

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