Second Unit

Question 1

2 types of studies used by sociologists (3)

Answer 1

Descriptive:

• describe social reality or provides facts about a group, practice, or event
• gives who, what, where, or when

Explanatory:
-explains relationships and gives information on why certain events do/do not happen

Question 2

theory & research cycle (3)

Answer 2

• relationship between theory and research is a continuous cycle
• in the deductive approach: the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the theory
• in the inductive approach: the researcher collects information or data and then generates theory

Question 3

quantitative research

Answer 3

-Focus is on data that can be measured numerically

Question 4

research methods

Answer 4

-the strategies or techniques used to conduct research

Question 5

altruism

Answer 5

-behaviour intended to help others and is done without any expectation of personal benefit

Question 6

qualitative research (5)

Answer 6

• descriptions rather than numbers are used to analyze meanings and patterns in social relationships
• looks at a smaller number of cases and gives a more detailed picture of a social problem
• uses the same research process as the quantitative model
• usually gathers data in a natural setting
• in data analysis, use the language and perspective of the people being studied

Question 7

5 ways of knowing the world (8)

Answer 7

1) person experience:
- learn by doing
2) tradition:
- something is correct because it has always been done that way
3) authority:
- much what we know is based in what an authority told us
4) religion:
- except truths based on religious authority
5) science:
- uses an empirical approach -> scientific findings are based on an assumption that knowledge is best to gain by systematic, direct observation
- procedures used a recognized by other scientists, claims made are publicly verified
- has a mechanism for self correction
- is objectives scientists try to ensure that their biases and values do not affect the research

Question 8

hypothesis

Answer 8

-statement of the relationship between two or more concepts

Question 9

reliability

Answer 9

-the extent to which a study or research instrument gives consistent results

Question 10

validity

Answer 10

-the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure

Question 11

ethics in sociological research (4)

Answer 11

• participation must be voluntary
• researchers must not harm the research subject (physically, psychologically, etc)
• the research subjects have the right to anonymity and confidentiality
• not acceptable to use deception to obtain informed consent

Question 12

variables

Answer 12

-any concept with measurable traits that can change from one person, time, situation or society to another

Question 13

independent variable (3)

Answer 13

• causes a dependent variable to occur
• is the variable that the researcher manipulates
• age sex race

Question 14

dependent variable (2)

Answer 14

• depends on our is caused by the independent variable

- is the outcome or effect that is measured by the researcher

Question 15

steps in the research process (5)

Answer 15

step 1) select and define the research problem
-select a topic, ask: “what do I want to know?”
step 2) review previous research
-to see what others have learned about the
step 3) form a hypothesis
-a statement of the relationship between two or more ideas or concepts known as variables
step 4) develop the research design
-decide on methods to use
step 5) collect and analyze data
-must consider the reliability and validity of the data
step 6) draw conclusions and report findings
-relate the data to the hypothesis

Question 16

population

Answer 16

-consists of those persons about whom we want to be able to draw conclusions

Question 17

sample

Answer 17

-the people who are selected from the population to be studied

Question 18

representative sample

Answer 18

-a selection from a larger population that has the essential characteristics of the total population

Question 19

random sample

Answer 19

-chosen by chance, every member of an entire population being studied has the same chance of being selected