Ch.2 - Sociological Research Flashcards
(27 cards)
Research
process of systematically collecting info for the purpose of testing + extending theories
The two types of research
1) Qualitative
2) Quantitative
Quantitative Research
data measured numerically, objectivity
Qualitative Research
underlying meanings, patterns
deductive science
starts w/ theories + KNOWLEDGE
- then goes to hypotheses, observations, generalization
inductive science
starts w/ NO KNOWLEDGE, just observations
- then goes to generalizations, theories, and hypotheses
validity
ACCURACY
is the study accurately measuring what it’s supposed to measure
reliability
CONSISTENCY
can the instrument used provide consistent results when applied to different subjects
hypothesis
statement of the expected relationship b/t two variables (IV + DV)
operational definition / operationalization
measuring something that is not quantified, deeply explaining and defining it
variables
measurable traits / characteristics that changes, varies person-person
- Independent Variable
- Dependent Variable
Independent Variable
THE CAUSE
- cause of influential factor of relationship b/t variables
Dependent Variable
THE EFFECT
- what results from the IV being applied
- what is being measured
Correlation / Causation
- relationship between IV and DV is strictly correlation unless experiment occurs which proves causation
positively correlated
dog walking increases
health increases
negatively correlated
social integration decreases
suicide risk increases
research methods
specific strategies, techniques for systematically conducting research
survey
poll where researchers gather facts to determine relationships
- can gather both quantitative + qualitative data
-researcher can offer INCENTIVE to get more people to answer the survey
population
focus of the study
sample
number of subjects who represent a larger population
interview
1-1 or group conversation b/t the researcher and subject
- can be used for surveys + quantitative data collection
secondary data analysis
use of existing material + analyze data - originally collected by others
field research
study of social life in its natural setting
ethnography
period of years - OBSERVING
- more intense (more times w/ subjects)