Chapter 1-Research Methods Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 1-Research Methods Deck (52)
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1
Q

Define:

Case Study

A

A detailed analysis of a person or group especially as a model for medical, sociological or psychological phenomena.

2
Q

Define:

Causation

A

The action of causing something.

3
Q

Define:

Comparative Study

A

A research that aims to make comparison across different cultures, etc.

4
Q

Define:

Conflict

A

A disagreement or argument.

5
Q

Define:

Consensus

A

A general agreement

6
Q

Define:

Content Analysis

A

A research technique to analysis social life through interpretation of i.e. Documents, art

7
Q

Define:

Correlation

A

The strength between two connections of two things.

8
Q

Define:

Covert Participant Observation

A

Research done undercover by taking part in group activities.

9
Q

Define:

Ethical Issues

A

A problem or situation that requires a person or a group to choose between alternatives that are ethical or unethical.

10
Q

Define:

Field Experiments

A

To examine an intervention in the real world rather than in a lab.

11
Q

Define:

Focus Group

A

A small group sampled from a wider population for opinions about or emotional response to a particular subject.

12
Q

Define:

Generalization

A

An assumption made on a something specific and applying it broadly.

13
Q

Define:

Group Interview

A

A session of q&a between an interviewer and a group.

14
Q

Define:

Hawthorne/Observer Effect

A

The alteration of behavior by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.

15
Q

Define:

Historical Documents

A

Documents that contain important information about a person, place or event from a time period.

16
Q

Define:

Hypothesis

A

An assumption made on limited evidence prior to an investigation.

17
Q

Define:

Identity

A

The fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

18
Q

Define:

Individualism

A

A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

19
Q

Define:

Interview Bias

A

Biases that appear in research findings because of the social nature of the interview i.e. Phrasing

20
Q

Define:

Interview effect

A

The influence an interviewer has over the response of the interviewee or results.

21
Q

Define:

Laboratory Experiments

A

Research conducted inside a controlled, artificial environment.

22
Q

Define:

Longitudinal Survey

A

Research done over a period of time.

23
Q

Define:

Macro/micro approaches.

A

An approach to sociology which emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on large/small scale.

24
Q

Define:

Non-participant Observation

A

Observing a person or a group to obtain results without participating.

25
Q

Define:

Objectivity

A

To approach something with an open mind.

26
Q

Official/non-official statistics.

A

Results obtained from published by government agencies or other public bodies/or not.

27
Q

Define:
Open
Closed
Pre-coded Questions

A

Open: where any response or opinion is applicable
Closed: where a set of choices have been given for the person to select
Pre-Coded: questions that have been written in such a way that the categories for answers have been decided.

28
Q

Define:

Bias

A

Prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person or group compared to another.

29
Q

Define:

Overt Participant Observation

A

Involves the researcher being open with the group they are going to a study.

30
Q

Define:

Perspectives

A

A particular outlook towards something or a way of regarding something.

31
Q

Define:

Pilot Study

A

Short pre-study of a few people. Done to see for any changes to the research.

32
Q

Define:

Positivism

A

Researching sociology as a science using scientific methodology.

33
Q

Define:

Primary Data

A

Data collected by the researcher, first hand, probably more reliable.

34
Q

Define:

Qualitative Data/Researcher

A

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. Qualitative Data is descriptive, in depth.

35
Q

Define:

Quantitative Research/Data

A

Quantitative Research is ‘Explaining phenomena by collection numerical data that are analyses using mathematically based methods.’
Quantitative Data is numerical data.

36
Q

Define:

Questionnaires

A

A written survey with questions on a particular subject.

37
Q

Define:

Reliability

A

How much you can justify whether this information is true and whether is from a valid source.

38
Q

Define:

Representativeness

A

The level of how well or how accurately something reflect upon a sample; a good indication of what the whole population believes.

39
Q

Define:

Respondent

A

A person who replies to something, supplying information for a survey or questionnaire.

40
Q

Define:

Response Rate

A

How much or how quickly people have responded to a survey.

41
Q
Sampling Methods:
Random
Snowballing
Quota
Stratified
A
  • Randomly selecting individuals
  • Ask the last person to suggest other people.
  • Selecting people who fit into categories.
  • Choosing a representative random sampling.
42
Q

Define:

Sampling Frame

A

The population we take the sample from to answer the survey.

43
Q

Define:

Secondary Data

A

Information that has been collected by someone other than the user.

44
Q

Define:

Semi-structured Interview

A

Takes a flexible approach and permits question to arise in response to the dialog. Needs to cover certain topics.

45
Q

Define:

Social Survey

A

A survey in which people are asked a number of question on the aspect of behavior which the sociologist is interested in.

46
Q

Define:

Structured Interview

A

An interview where there is a set list of questions to be asked.

47
Q

Define:

Subjectivity

A

Approaching something with preconceived ideas and opinions.

48
Q

Define:

Survey Population

A

The sample which is going to be taking the survey.

49
Q

Define:

Trend

A

A recurring pattern in something that is expected to continue for some time.

50
Q

Define:

Triangulation

A

Using more than one (usually 3) research methods.

51
Q

Define:

Unstructured Interview

A

An interview in which there is not specific set of predetermined questions, although they may have certain topics they may want to cover.

52
Q

Define:

Validity

A

Whether the information is useful to what you’re looking for.