WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test

A social science researcher conducting a content analysis would likely examine which of the following topics?

1. The effectiveness of educational reforms

2. How did popular attitudes toward the Vietnam War change between 1965 and 1975?

3. The impact of economic policies on poverty levels

4. Trends in immigration patterns over the last century

The correct answer is: How did popular attitudes toward the Vietnam War change between 1965 and 1975?

A social science researcher conducting a content analysis would focus on examining topics that involve the interpretation of written, spoken, or visual content to identify patterns, themes, or trends. The selected topic regarding how popular attitudes toward the Vietnam War changed between 1965 and 1975 fits well with this method, as it requires analyzing various forms of content, such as newspaper articles, public opinion polls, media coverage, and cultural representations of the war during that timeframe. This analysis can reveal shifts in societal perspectives and the influence of historical events on public sentiment. In contrast, while the other choices involve significant social science inquiries, they typically rely more on quantitative data or causal relationships. The effectiveness of educational reforms would require evaluation through empirical data and outcomes, making it less suited to content analysis. The impact of economic policies on poverty levels generally involves economic indicators and statistics, which do not fall under content analysis. Studying trends in immigration patterns may utilize demographic studies and spatial data analysis, rather than content interpretation, thus making it inappropriate for a content analysis approach.