ch. 2 study guide

Question 1

scientific method

Answer 1

system of prod. knowledge

Question 2

empirical evidence

Answer 2

evidence from direct observations, scientifically gathered data, or experimentation

Question 3

positivism

Answer 3

knowledge of reality is based on counting objective observations

Question 4

explain: expirement

Answer 4

testing one’s hypothesis

Question 5

explain: survey

Answer 5

collection of data from subjects who respond to a series of questions abt behaviors & opinions

Question 6

participant observation

Answer 6

a researcher is immersed in the day-to-day activities of the participants

Question 7

explain: ethnography

Answer 7

participating and observing thinking/behavior in a social setting

Question 8

explain: evaluation research

Answer 8

assess the effect of policies & programs on society

Question 9

explain: content analysis

Answer 9

measures cultural artifacts of what ppl write, say, see, & hear

Question 10

explain: historical research

Answer 10

examines sociological themes over time

Question 11

explain: secondary analysis

Answer 11

using data collected by others and applying a new pov

Question 12

theory

Answer 12

a proposed explanation about social interactions

Question 13

hypothesis

Answer 13

a testable educated guess abt predicted outcomes b/w 2/+ variables

Question 14

variable

Answer 14

anything that can be measured

Question 15

independent variable

Answer 15

the “cause”

Question 16

dependent variable

Answer 16

the “effect”
a variable changed by other variables

Question 17

population

Answer 17

a grp of ppl in a predefined criterion

Question 18

generalization

Answer 18

ability to draw conclusions from specific data and apply it to a broader population

Question 19

induction

Answer 19

findings are used as observations to explain one’s theory

Question 20

deduction

Answer 20

collecting evidence to test is the theory is true

Question 21

id & describe: steps of the scientific method

Answer 21

1. develop a research q
2. literature review
3. theory/hypothesis
4. research design
5. gathering data
6. data analysis
7. drawing conclusions
8. publishing

Question 22

is sociological research scientific? why & how?

Answer 22

yes because it stems from the scientific method’s several steps

Question 23

qualitative research vs. quantitative research

Answer 23

qual: subjective data that is based on experience
quant: data that can be collected

Question 24

i.d. statistical concepts used by sociologists

Question 25

correlation vs. causation

Answer 25

corr: relation b/w variables, but neither impacts the other
caus: one directly causes something else to happen

Question 26

i.d. diff tools of research used by sociologists

Answer 26

• surveys
• participant observation
• experiments (spec. cause/effect patterns)
• content analysis
• historical research
• evaluation research

Question 27

objectivity

Answer 27

researchers must not allow their bias to impact their research/findings/analysis

Question 28

subjectivity

Answer 28

opinions based on bias/prejudices

Question 29

is sociology value free?

Answer 29

it strives for objectivity but recognizes that the researcher’s values may have some influence on the work