Chapter 4 Self-test questions

. Which of the following are considerations when we think about validity? (Select all that apply.)

The methods we use to obtain knowledge

The relevancy of official government statistics

How knowledge can be used to inform the criminological knowledge base

The use of specific research methods

. 'Knowledge and fact are the same thing.' True or false?

True

False

. What is epistemology?

A tool used to study criminology

A branch of philosophy which examines the concept of knowledge

Another word for subjectivity

The study of hard facts to produce knowledge

. Which of the following are the main epistemologies associated with criminology? (Select all that apply.)

Empiricism

Realism

Interpretivism

Positivism

. What are the three elements of criminological knowledge creation?

Fact, supposition, study

Subjectivity, supposition, study

Subjectivity, epistemology, study

Fact, epistemology, supposition

. What is classicism?

The study of historical criminological theories

A perspective which explains criminal behaviour as based on an individual's free will and rational choices

The first criminological theory based on empirical results

A school of thought which examines how crime and criminals are portrayed in classic books and films

. 'Positivism emerged in response to classicism.' True or false?

True

False

. 'Critical criminology argues that criminology should be focusing on ________.' What is the missing phrase?

who has the power to label

where blame for crime lies

what causes crime

hard, measurable evidence

. Which viewpoints does androcentricism privilege in knowledge creation?

Male viewpoints

White, Westernised viewpoints

Female viewpoints

Heteronormative viewpoints

. Media misrepresentation of crime can lead to… (Select all that apply.)

Misunderstanding

Exaggeration

Stereotyping

Extrapolation

. 'Personal experiences can be used as supporting evidence for empirical research.' True or false?

True

False

. What is supposition?

Using hard facts to work out the answer to a problem

Using assumptions and hypotheses to fill a knowledge gap

The act of undertaking positivist research

Studying objects and issues to understand them

. 'Students of criminology tend to under-value supposition.' True or false?

True

False

. Which of the following are ways through which we can study criminology? (Select all that apply.)

By hearing about it

By reading about it

By conducting empirical research

By observing it

. In terms of research strategy, empirical research methods…

Can only be quantitative

Can only be qualitative

Can be quantitative or qualitative, or a mixture of both

Are neither quantitative or qualitative

. 'Inductive research is used to generate brand new knowledge and understandings.' True or false?

True

False

. What is reflexivity?

A process that enables researchers to consider their position and influence during the study

The stance or position that a researcher has chosen to adopt within a specific study

Confirmation that the right methods and approach are being used in a study

The ability to stay flexible about the methods and approach used in a study, so that you can respond to unforeseen developments

. 'The independent variable (IV) is the environment, characteristic, or experience that is manipulated in an experiment.' True or false?

True

False

. Which of these research methods could you use if you want to avoid issues of supposition and subjectivity?

Surveys

Questionnaires

Visual methods

None of them