Key Terms

Question 1

Interpretive Sociology

Answer 1

Focuses on understanding the meanings and experiences individuals attach to their actions; often uses qualitative methods.

Question 2

Marxist or Critical Sociology

Answer 2

A perspective that analyzes society through class conflict and power, focusing on inequality and how institutions maintain capitalist dominance.

Question 3

Patriarchy

Answer 3

A social system where men hold primary power, dominating roles in leadership, moral authority, and control of property.

Question 4

Positivism

Answer 4

The belief that society can be studied scientifically and objectively, often through quantitative methods.

Question 5

Qualitative Methods

Answer 5

Research methods that collect non-numerical data, such as interviews or observations, to explore meanings and experiences.

Question 6

Quantitative Methods

Answer 6

Research methods that gather numerical data, often using surveys or experiments, for statistical analysis.

Question 7

Top-Down Theories

Answer 7

Theories (like functionalism or Marxism) that view society as shaping individuals’ behavior through social structures.

Question 8

Triangulation

Answer 8

Using more than one method or source of data in research to increase reliability and validity.

Question 9

Case Study

Answer 9

An in-depth investigation of a single case (individual, group, institution) over time.

Question 10

Cluster Sampling

Answer 10

Dividing the population into clusters, then randomly selecting entire clusters to study.

Question 11

Comparative Method

Answer 11

Comparing two or more societies or groups to identify similarities and differences.

Question 12

Cross-Sectional Survey

Answer 12

Data collected at one point in time from a sample to represent a larger population.

Question 13

Experiment

Answer 13

A controlled method of research used to test hypotheses by manipulating variables.

Question 14

Field Experiment

Answer 14

An experiment conducted in a natural setting rather than a laboratory.

Question 15

Longitudinal Survey

Answer 15

A study that collects data from the same subjects over a long period of time.

Question 16

Pilot Survey

Answer 16

A small-scale trial run of a study to test its design before full-scale research.

Question 17

Quota Sampling

Answer 17

A non-random sample where researchers select participants to reflect certain characteristics of the population.

Question 18

Random Sampling

Answer 18

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 19

Representative

Answer 19

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population.

Question 20

Sampling Frame

Answer 20

A list of all the people in the population from which a sample is drawn.

Question 21

Snowball Sampling

Answer 21

A sampling method where existing participants help recruit more participants.

Question 22

Stratified Sampling

Answer 22

The population is divided into subgroups (strata), and random samples are taken from each.

Question 23

Survey

Answer 23

A method of collecting data from a large group, typically using a questionnaire.

Question 24

Systematic Sampling

Answer 24

Selecting every nth person from a list or population.

Question 25

Theoretical Sampling

Answer 25

Selecting new cases based on emerging theory during qualitative research.

Question 26

Covert Observation

Answer 26

The researcher observes without the participants knowing.

Question 27

Ethnography

Answer 27

The detailed study of a culture or group through immersion and observation.

Question 28

Field Diary

Answer 28

Notes kept by a researcher to record observations and reflections during fieldwork.

Question 29

Gatekeeper

Answer 29

A person who gives a researcher access to a research setting or group.

Question 30

Non-Participant Observation

Answer 30

Observing a group without becoming actively involved.

Question 31

Open Questions

Answer 31

Questions that allow for detailed, descriptive answers.

Question 32

Participant Observation

Answer 32

The researcher actively takes part in the group being studied.

Question 33

Qualitative Research

Answer 33

Research focused on meanings, experiences, and descriptions.

Question 34

Overt Observation

Answer 34

Participants know they are being observed.

Question 35

Closed Questions

Answer 35

Questions that offer a set range of responses (e.g., yes/no, multiple choice).

Question 36

Coding

Answer 36

Categorizing data for analysis, often used in qualitative research.

Question 37

Indicator

Answer 37

A sign or measure used to assess a concept that may not be directly measurable.

Question 38

Interview Bias

Answer 38

When the interviewer influences the participant’s responses.

Question 39

Operationalising Concepts

Answer 39

Turning abstract concepts into measurable variables.

Question 40

Reliability

Answer 40

The consistency of a research method or its results.

Question 41

Response Rate

Answer 41

The percentage of people who respond to a survey or questionnaire.

Question 42

Structured Interview

Answer 42

A formal interview with pre-set questions.

Question 43

Transcribing

Answer 43

Writing out recorded interviews or conversations for analysis.

Question 44

Unstructured Interview

Answer 44

A flexible, open-ended interview without fixed questions.

Question 45

Validity

Answer 45

The extent to which research truly measures what it claims to measure.

Question 46

Content Analysis

Answer 46

A method of analyzing media or text content for patterns and themes.

Question 47

Literature Search

Answer 47

Reviewing existing research and academic literature on a topic.

Question 48

Meta-Study (Meta-Analysis)

Answer 48

Combining results from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions.

Question 49

Secondary Data

Answer 49

Data that was collected by someone else, such as government stats, documents, or previous studies.

Question 50

Bias

Answer 50

The tendency to prefer one person or thing to another, and to favour that person or thing

Question 51

Casual Relationship

Answer 51

Connection between two people where one person causes a change in another

Question 52

Correlation

Answer 52

A statistical measurement that describes the relationship between two

Question 53

Data

Answer 53

Information that’s collected, observed or measured to gain knowledge about a subject or phenomenon

Question 54

Methodology

Answer 54

Study of research methods, including the tools, techniques and procedures used to gather, analyse and interpret data

Question 55

Objectivity

Answer 55

Practice of conducting research without allowing personal bias, values or opinions to influence the results

Question 56

Primary Data

Answer 56

New data produced by the researcher

Question 57

Qualitative Data

Answer 57

Data that is not numeric

Question 58

Representativeness

Answer 58

The degree to which a sample reflects the characteristics

Question 59

Sociological Theory

Answer 59

Set of ideas and statements that explain the social world

Question 60

Bottom-up Theories

Answer 60

A perspective that focuses on individuals and the meanings they give to their experiences

Question 61

Ethical Issues

Answer 61

Moral concerns that arise in research and relate to the right and wrong ways of conducting research

Question 62

Feminist Sociology

Answer 62

Branch of sociology that examines gender and power in society from a woman’s perspective

Question 63

Functionalism

Answer 63

A theory about the nature of mental states