Question

Sociologists generally do not use experiments to prove or disprove relationships between two factors since ______ is seldom possible.

1) Random sampling
2) Causal inference
3) Statistical analysis
4) Control over variables

Answer 1

Sociologists struggle with establishing experiments because control over variables is difficult to achieve, especially in ethical and realistic settings where human behavior is complex and diverse.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sociologists generally do not use experiments to prove or disprove relationships between two factors since control over variables is seldom possible. In social experiments involving humans, creating a sufficiently controlled environment to eliminate unwanted variables can be extremely challenging, if not unethical in certain cases. For example, to study the impact of tutoring on students' academic performance, a sociologist might set up an experiment with a tutoring group (experimental group) and a non-tutoring group (control group), and then assess the performance differences between these groups. However, the ethical considerations and the diversity in human behavior often make this control difficult to achieve in practice.

Moreover, observational studies and surveys are frequently employed when direct manipulation of the independent variable is not possible or ethical. Sociological research deals with real-life situations where the nuances of human interactions come into play, which often cannot be captured accurately through rigid experimental setups.