Test Bank for Social Problems 2nd Edition by Atkinson ISBN: 9781071851227
Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Social Problems (2nd) ISBN 9781071851227 | Chapter 1: Understanding and Solving Social Problems Total Questions: 85
Easy Multiple Choice (13) Q1. [Multiple Choice]
Which term describes the rules, values, beliefs, and material goods of a society? a) social structure b) social constructionism c) social problems d) culture ✓ correct Q2. [Multiple Choice]
______ is an example of a social institution. a) The government ✓ correct b) A home c) An apartment building d) A car Q3. [Multiple Choice]
What movement’s ideas, values, and beliefs emphasized reason and rationality? a) Renaissance b) Enlightenment ✓ correct c) Industrial Revolution d) French Revolution Q4. [Multiple Choice]
Which sociologist of the early 20th century used data to advocate for policies to address social problems? a) Daniel Engber b) Auguste Comte c) Jane Addams ✓ correct d) C. Wright Mills Q5. [Multiple Choice]
The Enlightenment and ______ were catalysts for the formation of sociology as an academic discipline. a) religion b) monarchy c) Renaissance d) Industrial Revolution ✓ correct Q6. [Multiple Choice]
______ was one of the first to argue that sociology could make sense of the social changes resulting from the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. a) Harriet Martineau b) W. E. B. Du Bois c) Auguste Comte ✓ correct d) Jane Addams
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Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q7. [Multiple Choice]
Which researcher inspired W. E. B. Du Bois’ data collection methods? a) Jane Addams ✓ correct b) August Comte c) Harriet Martineau d) Emile Durkheim Q8. [Multiple Choice]
People with the ______ have the most influence over what a society believes to be a social problem. a) most intelligence b) greatest passion c) most power ✓ correct d) most political connections Q9. [Multiple Choice]
If you are able to connect your personal experiences with public issues, and recognize the historical context in which individuals make choices about their lives, what ability have you gained? a) sociological perspective b) sociological eye c) sociological imagination ✓ correct d) social problems perspective Q10. [Multiple Choice]
The two obligations, or core commitments of sociology, include the ability to use a “sociological eye,” and ______. a) sociological perspective b) sociological imagination c) social activism ✓ correct d) social constructionism Q11. [Multiple Choice]
What must you include in your research report in order to ensure that your research can be replicated? a) description of sample and methodology ✓ correct b) bibliography c) qualitative research d) literature review Q12. [Multiple Choice]
By following the steps of the social science research process, researchers can protect against ______. a) objectivity b) generalizability c) bias ✓ correct d) replication Q13. [Multiple Choice]
Which type of information is evaluated by experts in the relevant subject matter and is revised by the author based on those comments prior to publication? a) think-tank articles b) news articles c) political dissertations d) peer-reviewed articles ✓ correct True/False (7) Page 2
Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q14. [True/False]
Social constructionists believe that what we perceive as a social problem is influenced by our culture. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q15. [True/False]
The Industrial Revolution led to a dramatic transformation in global economies. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q16. [True/False]
Social problems usually reflect the greatest threats to society. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q17. [True/False]
Social conditions that harm millions of people are the most likely to be considered social problems by a society. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q18. [True/False]
All successful social movements identify goals, form organized groups, and create effective strategies. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q19. [True/False]
The two core commitments of sociology are using your sociological imagination and recognizing social patterns. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q20. [True/False]
Untrustworthy sources lack information about how data were collected and who funded the research. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True
Medium Multiple Choice (16)
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Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q21. [Multiple Choice]
Which entity determines what constitutes a social problem? a) members of society ✓ correct b) legislation c) judges d) sociologists Q22. [Multiple Choice]
Jane Addams established one of the first settlement houses in the United States, Hull House, in order to ______. a) educate women b) house juvenile offenders c) promote Pan-African organizing efforts d) provide social services for low income immigrants ✓ correct Q23. [Multiple Choice]
Based on their life’s work, which sociologist can be described as a sociologistin action; using their sociological skills to convince people that social injustices are social problems to be addressed? a) Auguste Comte b) W. E. B. Du Bois ✓ correct c) Daniel Engber d) Virginia Wesleyan Q24. [Multiple Choice]
What did Jane Addams do with the research she conducted? a) She used the data to further her scientific career. b) She helped the military improve basic training programs. c) She advocated for policies to end racism in the United States. d) She convinced policy makers to address social problems. ✓ correct Q25. [Multiple Choice]
Which statement about social problems is true? a) Once social problems have been constructed, they cannot be deconstructed by culture or social institutions. b) Social problems are rational fears experienced by large segments of society. c) In order to determine whether something is a social problem, one must first ensure that many people are negatively impacted. d) Powerful individuals and groups can influence what society believes to be a social problem. ✓ correct Q26. [Multiple Choice]
What is a goal shared by all organized social movements? a) change society ✓ correct b) ensuring that people recognize social inequality c) furthering scientific research d) counteracting the influence of large corporations on public policy
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Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q27. [Multiple Choice]
Why did the same-sex marriage movement become successful? a) People generally become more accepting as time goes on. b) Legislation negated the tyranny of the majority. c) Fewer and fewer heterosexual people were marrying. d) Organizing efforts paired with media campaigns and legal strategies. ✓ correct Q28. [Multiple Choice]
If a social movement successfully garnered public support for their cause, then this suggests that the ______. a) cause involves a social issue impacting many individuals b) public will begin to join the movement c) movement is made up of high-status individuals d) public will be ready for society to address the social problem ✓ correct Q29. [Multiple Choice]
It is important for a social movement to form an organized group before planning a rally because ______. a) political parties are typically associated with rallies b) rallies are difficult to plan and require specialized resources c) effective action comes after people organize and come together ✓ correct d) rallies are not allowed in some cities unless an organized group is involved. Q30. [Multiple Choice]
Which statement is true of ordinary individuals without high status who wish to change society? a) They are unlikely to be involved with successful social movements. b) They can gain power to cause change if they organize with others. ✓ correct c) They can achieve change if they create an organized group along with high-status individuals. d) They can reach their goals if they hold boycotts. Q31. [Multiple Choice]
Bianca has developed her sociological imagination, and has begun to recognize all kinds of social patterns that she never realized existed in society. This skill is known as ______. a) the second core commitment b) political ideology c) the sociological perspective d) the sociological eye ✓ correct Q32. [Multiple Choice]
According to the social scientific research process, once you have collected and analyzed data relating to your social problem, what should you do next? a) describe the findings and propose how to solve it ✓ correct b) determine how to implement solutions c) publicize the findings d) conduct a literature review Q33. [Multiple Choice]
After conducting a literature review, what is the next step in the social scientific research process? a) publicize your findings b) collect and analyze data ✓ correct c) propose a solution d) describe your findings
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Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q34. [Multiple Choice]
What is one characteristic of a bad source of information to look out for when conducting a literature review? a) The organization publicizing the information has a slight political bias. b) The research was funded by a corporation. c) The researcher omits explaining data collection. ✓ correct d) The information is published on a.edu website. Q35. [Multiple Choice]
What is one characteristic of a good source of information for a literature review? a) The research is published on a.com website. b) The research is conducted by a right-leaning political organization. c) The research is funded by a for-profit organization. d) The researcher explains in detail how data were collected. ✓ correct Q36. [Multiple Choice]
Which factor indicates that a source is trustworthy? a) It is published on a.edu or.gov website. b) It includes information about who funded the research. ✓ correct c) It was funded by an organization with a left-leaning political bias. d) It was highly shared on social media. True/False (18) Q37. [True/False]
The issues defined as social problems differ from society to society and may change over time. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q38. [True/False]
Most people are capable of forming perceptions without being influenced by society or culture. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q39. [True/False]
Social problems are social conditions that are objectively problematic to large numbers of people. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q40. [True/False]
Jane Addams collected data on issues of social inequality for the purposes of lobbying policymakers to make structural changes to improve the lives of people in the community. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True
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Q41. [True/False]
Sociology emerged because of the need to understand and explain the dramatic cultural, political, and social changes resulting from the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q42. [True/False]
Jane Addams was known for applying her research to advocate for Black Americans who were victims of racism and institutional discrimination. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q43. [True/False]
W. E. B. Du Bois was among the first sociologists to suggest that science could be used to understand the dramatic social changes that took place after the Industrial Revolution. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q44. [True/False]
One factor that explains why some social conditions harm many people, yet are not considered to be social problems, is that they do not impact higher status individuals in society. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q45. [True/False]
The reason the same-sex marriage movement was successful was due to the support and influential power of high-status individuals within society. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q46. [True/False]
Successful social movements change public perception about social conditions so that these conditions are viewed as problematicandthat society needs structural change to address those problems. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q47. [True/False]
The same-sex marriage movement was successful because it utilized the power of organized groups working together. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True
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Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q48. [True/False]
If you recognize that people often live in poverty due to societal factors outside of an individuals’ control, then you have learned to apply your sociological imagination. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q49. [True/False]
Learning to address problems from a societal perspective is a key component of developing your sociological imagination. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q50. [True/False]
The second obligation or core commitment that comes from gaining a sociological perspective is to learn to recognize social patterns. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q51. [True/False]
The first step in the social scientific research process is to conduct a literature review. a) True b) False ✓ correct Correct answer: False Q52. [True/False]
If you want to ensure that others can replicate your research, you must include a detailed description of your sample and methodology when you publish your research. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q53. [True/False]
If research data were collected properly, then the sample should be similar in demographics to the population that the researcher is studying. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Q54. [True/False]
Knowing how the research was conducted is the most important factor in determining whether the research is credible. a) True ✓ correct b) False Correct answer: True Essay (14)
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Social Problems 2e Atkinson Test Bank
Q55. [Essay]
What are the benefits of understanding social problems from a sociological perspective? Suggested answer: Sample response: The sociological perspective helps us understand the historical context behind social problems as well as recognize current problems. It also gives us the ability to influence positive social change. Q56. [Essay]
Why are social problems considered to be social constructions? Suggested answer: Sample response: Because they are based on the social perceptions within a society, and those perceptions change over time and place. This is due to the process of construction and reconstruction of society that members of that society engage in every day. Q57. [Essay]
What major historical development inspired scientists to examine social life, ultimately leading to the creation of the academic discipline of sociology? Suggested answer: Sample response: The industrial revolution, which dramatically changed the economic structure of industrializing countries, led to rapid social change which created social upheaval. Researchers sought to understand this social change, which led people like Auguste Comte to develop the science of sociology. Q58. [Essay]
What innovative approach did Jane Addams utilize in applying the science of sociology? Suggested answer: Sample response: Addams did not simply conduct research to collect data, but used that data to define social problems and advocate for social change to address those problems. She was a sociologist in action. Q59. [Essay]
Describe the steps carried out by successful social movements. Suggested answer: Sample response: They identify a goal, form an organized group, create an effective strategy, mobilize enough resources, organize effective actions, and build power to reach their goals. The point is that by coming together, people can accomplish change. The Civil Rights Movement did not happen overnight. It took decades of activism and organization to change society. Q60. [Essay]
It is possible for social conditions that harm millions of people to not be considered a social problem. Why is this the case? Suggested answer: Sample response: Social problems are social constructions. Because social problems are about perception, not all harmful social conditions are seen as being problematic. This is the result of the influence that high-status people and groups have over what people believe due to their greater amount of power. Q61. [Essay]
Chronologically, list the steps sociologists follow when conducting social scientific research. Suggested answer: Sample response: (1) Pick a social problem; (2) Conduct a literature review; (3) Decide what new data would help you to better understand the social problem and how to address it; (4) Determine how to collect data; (5) Collect and analyze the data; (6) Describe your findings; (7) Determine how to implement your proposal; and (8) Publicize your findings and carry out your planned solution. Q62. [Essay]
Compare and contrast the characteristics of good and untrustworthy sources. Suggested answer: Sample response: Good sources should include information about who funded the research, should indicate if there are political biases in the organization publicizing the research, and should describe how the research collected their data. Unreliable sources lack this information or involve nonrepresentative samples.
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Q63. [Essay]
Why did intellectuals like Auguste Comte believe that the science of sociology was necessary? Suggested answer: Sample response: The Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution led to rapid and dramatic social changes and social upheaval. People like Auguste Comte noted that this social upheaval could be understood by studying the social world using what came to be recognized as sociological methods. Sociology’s goal was to take these lessons and use them to improve society and solve social problems. Jane Addams and W. E. B. Du Bois engaged in active, applied sociology by going further than basic research; both sociologists personally advocated for solutions to what they identified as social problems. Q64. [Essay]
How did W. E. B. Du Bois help us understand the role of race in the United States? Suggested answer: Sample response: Du Bois wanted to understand his experiences as a young Black man in the United States, so he conducted 5,000 interviews in a poor lack community in Philadelphia and examined U.S. census data. Du Bois illustrated the role of racial stereotypes in rates of poverty, unemployment, and crime within Black communities. This sparked his efforts for racial equality. Du Bois helped create organizations such as the NAACP, create literature about racism and its solutions, and lead social movements. Du Bois educated the public regarding the role of race in lived experience and advocated for change. Q65. [Essay]
How can ordinary people gain power to create social change? Suggested answer: Sample response: It is easier to create social change in a high-status position. However, ordinary individuals can influence social change through organization, strategy, and dedication. First, groups form around a central issue. Groups must find ways to gain more public and institutional support for their cause. Once groups have enough momentum and resources, they can engage in protests, boycotts, and so on. Continued action until the group’s goal is reached is necessary. Q66. [Essay]
Examine the concepts of the sociological eye and the sociological imagination. Explain the differences between these concepts, and describe how they are connected. Suggested answer: Sample response: The sociological eye is the first core commitment that comes with gaining a sociological perspective. It involves the ability to scratch beneath the surface and identify social patterns that exist in our world. This is only achievable by attaining a sociological imagination. The sociological imagination gives researchers the ability to recognize the patterns that exist between individuals and society by emphasizing the societal causes of social problems. Q67. [Essay]
Compare the individual and societal perspective of social problems. Provide an example to illustrate the difference. Suggested answer: Sample response: For example, the individual perspective of social problems often blames the individual and provides a limited scope of the problem. The societal perspective helps us move beyond personal experiences to understand how social problems affect wider society. For example, an individual may take out student loans to pay for college. If you look beyond the individual, you recognize massive student debt affects most college students. Q68. [Essay]
Explain how you can ensure a research study has a representative sample. Suggested answer: Sample response: To ensure findings are representative, additional research is required. Always verify who is funding the research and whether the publication was peer-reviewed. Dive deeper into how the research was conducted. How was data collected and analyzed? How did the research locate the sample population? Best answers will also address the importance of a representative sample. These are important questions to answer since a representative sample illustrates the generalizability of findings.
Hard Multiple Choice (11)
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Q69. [Multiple Choice]
Early in 2019, New York passed the “Reproductive Health Act,” which reduced restrictions on abortion in the state. A few short months later, Georgia became the first of several states to pass laws imposing strict restrictions on abortion, including in the cases of rape and incest. What sociological concept demonstrates why two states passed such dramatically different laws to address a social problem at roughly the same time? a) Northern states are more politically conservative than southern states. b) Social constructions of what is--and is not--a social problem vary from state to state. ✓ correct c) Abortion is a much more detrimental to society in Georgia than in New York. d) The social structures in Georgia are more concerned about public opinion than in New York. Q70. [Multiple Choice]
In 1960, Lois Rabinowitz was ejected from a New York traffic court for wearing pants, which was considered indecent. In 2019, a federal judge struck down a dress code at a charter school in North Carolina that required girls to wear skirts, claiming that it was unconstitutional and discriminatory toward females. What conclusion can be inferred from this change? a) The institution of the judiciary is becoming more responsive to public opinion. b) Federal judges are more likely to be politically liberal than in the past. c) Perceptions of social problems change over time. ✓ correct d) The constitution has changed since 1960 and now ensures equal protections under the law. Q71. [Multiple Choice]
What is an example of sociology in action? a) Collecting data on terrorist events and building a large dataset to study. b) Utilizing research to encourage universities to improve their response to sexual assault. ✓ correct c) Presenting a paper on social inequality at a conference. d) Publishing peer-reviewed research identifying the negative impact of social inequality. Q72. [Multiple Choice]
Prior to the 2000s, portrayals of LGBTQ individuals in the media were overwhelmingly negative and hyperbolic. In a 2006 study, Edward Schiappa, Peter Gregg and Dean Hewes found that the TV showWill and Grace, which included more positive and “normal” portrayals of LGBTQ individuals than seen in years past, was successful in reducing homophobia. What does this study illustrate? a) Society became less homophobic, which led to more positive portrayals in media. b) LGBTQ individuals changed the way they were portrayal by gaining power in the media. c) Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies. ✓ correct d) Homophobia has only recently impacted enough people to be considered a social problem. Q73. [Multiple Choice]
Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which social issue is most likely to be considered a social problem? a) Several gang-related burglaries occur in a gated community. ✓ correct b) Lead is discovered in the drinking water of the poor section of the town. c) A large corporation’s most popular product is found to cause cancer. d) Millions of people go bankrupt each year because they cannot afford health care.
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Q74. [Multiple Choice]
In 2006, a poll conducted by Langer Research Associates for ABC News found that 85% of people believed that climate change was caused by human activity. In 2018, the same poll found that the number had decreased to 81%. Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which explanation is the most likely cause for the decrease? a) Scientists have become less successful in communicating the causes of climate change to the public. b) In recent years, powerful corporations have worked harder to influence public opinion on climate change in a way that benefits the corporations. ✓ correct c) There has been a decrease in the number of organized social movements related to climate change. d) The media has reported on new scientific discoveries of other causes for climate change. Q75. [Multiple Choice]
Juanita is troubled by the rising number of shootings in her community. She lacks money and power but desperately wants to make a lasting structural difference. If she is to be successful, what is the next thing she should do? a) stage a boycott of gun shops in town b) march through town with a sign to raise awareness c) begin patrolling high-crime neighborhoods in her car to deter crime d) form an organized group of like-minded people ✓ correct Q76. [Multiple Choice]
Successful social movements will research the social problem and possible solutions to the problem, as well as identify individuals and groups who can help support their cause. What is the next step? a) identify a goal that others can rally around b) form an organized group c) mobilize resources ✓ correct d) organize effective actions Q77. [Multiple Choice]
Dwayne plans on becoming a social scientist after graduating from a PhD program. As a Black man, he recognizes that his academic choices would not have been available to him if he had been born in his great-grandparents’ generation. What sociological skill is he using when he draws this conclusion? a) sociological imagination ✓ correct b) sociological eye c) sociological perspective d) sociological constructionism Q78. [Multiple Choice]
In the early years of the opioid crisis, individuals struggling with addiction were perceived as lacking willpower, and their struggles were criminalized. In recent years, several states sued pharmaceutical companies for misleading doctors about the addictive potential of the opioids they manufactured. Being able to identify the opioid crisis as a “public health problem” with structural causes is an example of what sociological concept? a) sociological imagination b) sociological eye ✓ correct c) sociological perspective d) sociological constructionism
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Q79. [Multiple Choice]
You have identified a social problem you are interested in studying. According to the social scientific research process, what is your next step? a) plan to collect data b) collect and analyze data c) decide on the type of data to collect d) conduct a literature review ✓ correct Essay (6) Q80. [Essay]
Inaccurate media portrayals of the threat of quicksand led to widespread irrational fear among members of American society. Provide another example of irrational social panic masquerading as a social problem. Suggested answer: Sample response: Social problems are pervasive and measurable. Social problems can also be treated with social policies. Social problems are shared problems from the structure, rather than individual idiosyncrasy or sensational topic. One example is the “summer of the shark,” when media overhyped the danger of people dying or being injured by a shark attack. Q81. [Essay]
How do the core commitments of sociology lead to social change? Suggested answer: Sample response: Sociologists must use their sociological eye to identify social patterns. Once they have achieved this, they must use their sociological training to engage in social activism in an attempt to cause social change. The sociological imagination linking the personal to the political, may lead to developing a sociological eye. Q82. [Essay]
A core commitment of gaining a sociological perspective involves the development of a sociological eye by applying your sociological imagination. Identify a social problem and briefly discuss how you would use your sociological imagination to understand the causes and solutions of that problem. Suggested answer: Sample response: One should begin by identifying a social issue such as voter disenfranchisement, and then examine the way that personal concerns are connected to larger social issues. In the case of disenfranchisement, personal concerns such as being able to take off of work to vote or having access to transportation to the polling place are connected to larger issues like intentionally limiting access to voting locations and methods in order to gain a political advantage as part of larger political strategies or beliefs in the illegitimacy of certain groups to be responsible voters. Q83. [Essay]
How does social constructionism help us understand how social problems can change over time and place? Give an example. Suggested answer: Sample response: Social problems are social conditions perceived to be problematic by groups of people. The social constructionist perspective holds that individuals assign meaning to the world around them, and that meaning is influenced by society and culture. Social problems are defined based on perception, and that perception is shaped by culture and social structures within a given society. If one were to provide examples of social problems through a social constructionist lens, should compare social conditions that are seen as problematic by one society and not by another, or should compare social conditions that have become problematic (or deconstructed) over time. Q84. [Essay]
Women in the United States did not gain the right to vote until 1920 with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. However, this was not perceived as a social problem in the early years of America’s founding. Why? Suggested answer: Sample response: Culture has a huge impact on our perceptions of social problems. Men held a vast majority of the power in early society, and powerful groups historically have had more influence over what people believe. The women’s suffrage movement allowed women to organize and challenge male supremacy over political affairs through creating strategies, mobilizing resources, and ultimately changing society’s perceptions.
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Q85. [Essay]
Imagine that you plan on conducting research on climate change. Now that your social problem has been identified, explain how you would go about following the remaining steps in the social scientific research process, including how you would ensure unbiased, accurate research that can be replicated. Suggested answer: Sample response: One should start with Step 2 of the social scientific research process: (2) Conduct a literature review to understand what is already known. In order to do this, one must have good sources, and know how to distinguish good sources from untrustworthy sources. Next, one should decide what new data would help you to better understand the social problem and how to address it before determining how to collect data, which requires a researcher write clear descriptions of samples and the methodology to ensure that future researchers can replicate the research. Finally, one should (5) Collect and analyze the data; (6) Describe your findings; (7) Determine how to implement your proposal before (8) Publicizing your findings and carrying out your planned solution.
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