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Sociology > Chapter 2 Vocab > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

Quantitative Research

A

Research that translates the social world into numbers that can be treated mathematically; this type of research often tries to find cause‐and‐effect relationships (39)

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2
Q

Qualitative Research

A

Research that works with nonnumerical data such as texts, field notes, interview transcripts, photographs, and tape recordings; this type of research more often tries to understand how people make sense of their world (39)

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3
Q

Scientific Method

A

A procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting concrete data through observation and experimentation (39)

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4
Q

Literature Review

A

A thorough search through previously published studies relevant to a particular topic (39)

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5
Q

Hypothesis

A

A theoretical statement explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena (40)

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6
Q

Variables

A

Two or more phenomena that a researcher believes are related; these will be examined in the experiment (40)

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7
Q

Operational Definition

A

A clear and precise definition of a variable that facilitates its measurement (40)

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8
Q

Replicability

A

The ability of research to be repeated and, thus, later verified by other researchers (41)

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9
Q

Correlation

A

A relationship between variables in which they change together and may or may not be causal (41)

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10
Q

Causation

A

A relationship between variables in which a change in one directly produces a change in the other (41)

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11
Q

Intervening Variable

A

A third variable, sometimes overlooked, that explains the relationship between two other variables (41)

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12
Q

Spurious Correlation

A

The appearance of causation produced by an intervening variable (41)

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13
Q

Ethnography

A

A naturalistic method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities; also, the written work that results from the study (43)

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14
Q

Participant Observation

A

A methodology associated with ethnography whereby the researcher both observes and becomes a member in a social setting (43)

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15
Q

Rapport

A

A positive relationship often characterized by mutual trust or sympathy (43)

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16
Q

Field Notes

A

Detailed notes taken by an ethnographer describing their activities and interactions, which later become the basis of the analysis (43)

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17
Q

Autoethnography

A

A form of participant observation where the feelings and actions of the researcher become a focal point of the ethnographic study (43)

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18
Q

Thick Description

A

The presentation of detailed data on interactions and meaning within a cultural context, from the perspective of its members (43)

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19
Q

Reflexivity

A

How the identity and activities of the researcher influence what is going on in the field setting (44)

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20
Q

Deductive Approach

A

An approach whereby the researcher formulates a hypothesis first and then gathers data to test that hypothesis (44)

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21
Q

Inductive Approach

A

An approach whereby the researcher gathers data first, then formulates a theory to fit the data (44)

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22
Q

Grounded Theory

A

An inductive method of generating theory from data by creating categories in which to place data and then looking for relationships among categories (44)

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23
Q

Validity

A

The accuracy of a question or measurement tool; the degree to which a researcher is measuring what they think they are measuring (44)

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24
Q

Representativeness

A

The degree to which a particular studied group is similar to, or represents, any part of the larger society (44)

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25
Bias
An opinion held by the researcher that might affect the research or analysis (44)
26
Interviews
Person‐to‐person conversations for the purpose of gathering information by means of questions posed to respondents (47)
27
Respondent
A participant in a study from whom the researcher seeks to gather information (47)
28
Target Population
The entire group about which a researcher would like to be able to generalize (47)
29
Sample
The members of the target population who will actually be studied (47)
30
Focus Group
A process for interviewing a number of participants together that also allows for interaction among group members (47)
31
Informed Consent
A safeguard through which the researcher makes sure that respondents are freely participating and understand the nature of the research (47)
32
Closed-Ended Question
A question asked of a respondent that imposes a limit on the possible responses (47)
33
Open-Ended Question
A question asked of a respondent that allows the answer to take whatever form the respondent chooses (48)
34
Leading Questions
Questions that predispose a respondent to answer in a certain way (48)
35
Double-Barreled Questions
Questions that attempt to get at multiple issues at once, and so tend to receive incomplete or confusing answers (48)
36
Life History
An approach to interviewing that asks for a chronological account of the respondent’s entire life or some portion of it (48)
37
Surveys
Research method based on questionnaires that are administered to a sample of respondents selected from a target population (50)
38
Likert Scale
A way of formatting a survey questionnaire so that the respondent can choose an answer along a continuum (50)
39
Negative Questions
Survey questions that ask respondents what they don’t think instead of what they do think (50)
40
Pilot Study
A small‐scale study carried out to test the feasibility of conducting a study on a larger scale (50)
41
Probability Sampling
Any sampling procedure that uses randomization (50)
42
Simple Random Sample
A particular type of probability sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected (50)
43
Response Rate
The number or percentage of surveys completed by respondents and returned to researchers (50)
44
Reliability
The consistency of a question or measurement tool; the degree to which the same questions will produce similar answers (50)
45
Existing Sources
Materials that have been produced for some other reason but that can be used as data for social research (53)
46
Unobtrusive Measures
Research methods that rely on existing sources and where the researcher does not intrude upon or disturb the social setting or its subjects (53)
47
Comparative Historical Research
Research that uses existing sources to study relationships among elements of society in various regions and time periods (53)
48
Content Analysis
A method in which researchers identify and study specific variables or themes that appear in a text, image, or media message (53)
49
Experiments
Formal tests of specific variables and effects, performed in a setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled (54)
50
Experimental Group
The members of a test group who receive the experimental treatment (54)
51
Control Group
The members of a test group who are allowed to continue without intervention so that they can be compared with the experimental group (54)
52
Independent Variable
The factor that is predicted to cause change (54)
53
Dependent Variable
The factor that is changed (or not) by the independent variable (54)
54
Basic Research
The search for knowledge without an agenda or practical goal in mind (59)
55
Applied Research
The search for knowledge that can be used to create social change (59)
56
Objectivity
Impartiality; the ability to allow the facts to speak for themselves (59)
57
Reactivity
The tendency of people and events to react to the process of being studied (60)
58
Hawthorne Effect
A specific example of reactivity, in which the desired effect is the result not of the independent variable but of the research itself (60)
59
Deception
The extent to which the participants in a research project are unaware of the project or its goals (60)
60
Confidentiality
The assurance that no one other than the researcher will know the identity of a respondent (60)
61
Code of Ethics
Ethical guidelines for researchers to consult as they design a project (62)

Sociology (9 decks)

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