Chapter 2 Flashcards
(26 cards)
Empirical evidence
Information we can verify with our senses
Science
A logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation
Positivist sociology
The study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior
Concept
Mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form
Variable
Concept whose valise changes from case to case
Measurement
Procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case
Operationalize a variable
Specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable
Reliability
Consistency in measurement
Validity
Actually measuring exactly what you intend to measure
Cause and effect
Relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another
Independent variable
The variable that causes change
Dependent variable
The variable that changes
Correlation
Relationship in which two or more variables Change together
Spurious correlation
An apparent but false relationship between two or more variables that is caused by some other variable
Control
Holding constant all variables except one in order to see clearly the effect of that variable
Objectify
Personal neutrality in conducting research
Replication
Repetition of research by other investigators
Interpretive sociology
The study of society thy focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world
Critical sociology
The study of society that focuses on the need for social change
Gender
The personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male
Research method
A systematic plan for doing research
Experiment
Research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions
Hypothesis
A statement of a possible relationship between two or more variables
Hawthorne effect
Change in a subjects behavior caused simply by the awareness of being studied
