Research Methods

Question 1

A study design that allows us to systematically investigate the world and be relatively certain that we arrive at accurate conclusions

Answer 1

Method

Question 2

The tendency we all have to look for and accept information that reinforces what we already believe

Answer 2

Confirmation bias

Question 3

Outlined basic ethical principles for research on people

Answer 3

Nuremberg Code

Question 4

An experiment conducted in rural Alabama on poor Black people from 1932 to 1972 that looked at how symptoms of syphilis developed over time if left untreated. (highly unethical)

Answer 4

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

Question 5

All human subjects must be informed about the research project, including any likely risks, before they agree to participate

Answer 5

Informed consent

Question 6

Data in the form of numbers and reflect quantities or amounts

Answer 6

Quantitative data

Question 7

Data that usually reflects general themes and might include transcripts from interviews, survey questions that ask people to explain something in their own words, or detailed notes from visiting a particular place to observe it

Answer 7

Qualitative data

Question 8

A research method in which characteristics or behaviors are carefully controlled

Answer 8

Experiment

Question 9

Sets of questions that subjects answer

Answer 9

Surveys

Question 10

In this method, the researcher spends time among a group, directly observing and participating in that social world

Answer 10

Participant observation

Question 11

Analysis of existing historical records

Answer 11

Historical analysis

Question 12

Analysis of existing sources, focusing on key themes and patterns

Answer 12

Content analysis

Question 13

A question about a research topic that we can reasonably answer

Answer 13

Research question

Question 14

Item observed in a study (ex: individual people, cities, neighborhoods, apartment complexes, nations)

Answer 14

Unit of analysis

Question 15

A factor or characteristic that has more than one possible value

Answer 15

Variable

Question 16

Relationship between variables

Answer 16

Covariation

Question 17

Variable that causes a change in another

Answer 17

Independent variable

Question 18

Variable that changes in response to another

Answer 18

Dependent variable

Question 19

A statement about how variables are expected relate to one another

Answer 19

Hypothesis

Question 20

The entire group of interest in a study

Answer 20

Population

Question 21

Defining variables into measurable items

Answer 21

Operationalization

Question 22

Selecting representatives of the population to study

Answer 22

Sampling

Question 23

An in-depth qualitative study of a social group and the group’s culture

Answer 23

ethnography

Question 24

Method for choosing which members of a population will be in a sample

Answer 24

Sampling frame

Question 25

A representative sample in which every member of the population has some chance of being selected

Answer 25

Random sample

Question 26

Applying conclusions to a larger population outside of the group you studied

Answer 26

Generalize

Question 27

A sample where some members of the population don't have any chance of being selected

Answer 27

Non-random sample

Question 28

Non-representativeness in a sample caused by patterns in who does and doesn't respond

Answer 28

Nonresponse bias

Question 29

A relationship between variables

Answer 29

Correlation

Question 30

One variable causes a change in another variable

Answer 30

Causation

Question 31

Which variable is affecting the other when a relationship exists

Answer 31

Direction of the relationship

Question 32

Relationship that includes causation between variables

Answer 32

Casual relationship

Question 33

When a third variable actually explains the apparent connection between two variables

Answer 33

Spurious relationship

Question 34

Whether questions accurately measure the intended characteristic

Answer 34

Validity

Question 35

The tendency for subjects to give answers that they think are socially acceptable

Answer 35

Social desirability bias

Question 36

The consistency of measurements

Answer 36

Reliability