Which of the projects would probably be more useful than the other for obtaining deeper insights into the processes associated with decisions to commit suicide? Which project is more representative of the experience of Americans with suicide decisions?

Question

A sociologist is interested in studying the causes of suicide in society. She begins her research by developing a project in which she asks suicide survivors to discuss their reasons for attempting suicide and the personal and social conditions that led to their decisions to attempt the act. In a second project, she examines another researcher's survey data from a national sample of U.S. citizens. She found that depression is associated with the desire to commit suicide but many people who think about committing suicide never make any attempt to do so. She also found that people who have experienced a stressful life event, such as a job loss or divorce, are more likely to report the desire to commit suicide.

A) project 1; project 2
B) project 2; project 1
C) Both projects are equally insightful and representative.
D) Neither project is terribly insightful nor representative.

Answer 1

Answer: A