C2

Question 1

Quantitative research

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Qualitative research

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Scientific method

Answer 3

A procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting data through observation and experiment

Question 4

Literature review

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A theoretical statement explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena

Question 6

Variables

Answer 6

Two or more phenomena that a researcher believes are related will be examined in the experiment

Question 7

Operational definition

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Replicability

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Correlation

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Causation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Intervening variable

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Spurious correlation

Answer 12

The appearance of causation produced by an intervening variable

Question 13

Deductive approach

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Inductive approach

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Ethnography

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Participant observation

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Rapport

Answer 17

A positive relationship often characterized by mutual trust or sympathy

Question 18

Field notes

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Autoethnogrphy

Answer 19

A form of participant observation in which the feelings and actions of the researcher become a focal point of the ethnographic study

Question 20

Thick description

Answer 20

The presentation of detailed data on interactions and meaning within a cultural context, from the perspective of its member

Question 21

Reflexivity

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Grounded theory

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Representativeness

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Validity

Answer 24

The accuracy of a question or measurement tool, the degree to which a researcher is measuring what they think they are measuring

Question 25

Interviews

Answer 25

Person-to-person conversations for the purpose of gathering information by means of questions posed to respondents

Question 26

Respondent

Answer 26

A participant in a study from whom the researcher seeks to gather information

Question 27

Target population

Answer 27

The entire group about which a researcher would like to be able to generalize

Question 28

Sample

Answer 28

The members of the target population who will actually be studied

Question 29

Focus group

Answer 29

A process for interviewing a number of participants together that also allows for interaction among group members

Question 30

Informed consent

Answer 30

A safeguard through which the researcher makes sure that respondents are freely participating and understand the nature of the research

Question 31

Surveys

Answer 31

Research method based on questionnaires that are administered to a sample of respondents selected from a target population

Question 32

Likert scale

Answer 32

A way of formatting a survey questionnaire so that the respondent can choose an answer along a continuum

Question 33

Probability sampling

Answer 33

Any sampling procedure that users randomization

Question 34

Simple random sample

Answer 34

A particular type of probability sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected

Question 35

Existing source

Answer 35

Materials that have been produced for some other reason but that can be used as data for social research

Question 36

Unobtrusive measures

Answer 36

Research methods that rely on existing sources and whereby the researcher does not intrude upon or disturb the social setting or its subjects

Question 37

Comparative historical research

Answer 37

Research that uses existing sources to study relationships among elements of society in various regions and time periods

Question 38

Content analysis

Answer 38

A method in which researchers identify and study specific variables or themes that appear in a text, image, or media message

Question 39

Experiments

Answer 39

Formal tests of specific variables and effects, performed in a setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled

Question 40

Experimental group

Answer 40

The members of a test group who receive the experimental treatment

Question 41

Control group

Answer 41

The members of a test group who are allowed to continue without intervention so that they can be compared with the experimental group

Question 42

Independent variable

Answer 42

The factor that is predicted to cause change

Question 43

Dependent variable

Answer 43

The factor that is changed ( or not ) by the independent variable

Question 44

Basis research

Answer 44

The search for knowledge without an agenda or practical goal in mind

Question 45

Applied research

Answer 45

The search for knowledge that can be used to create social change

Question 46

Objectivity

Answer 46

Impartiality: the ability to allow the facts to speak for themselves

Question 47

Reactivity

Answer 47

The tendency of people and events to reacts to the process of being studied

Question 48

Hawthorne effect

Answer 48

A specific example of reactivity, in which the desired effect is the result not of the independent variable but of the research itself

Question 49

Deception

Answer 49

The extent to which the participants in a research project are unaware of the project or its goals

Question 50

Confidentiality

Answer 50

The assurance that no one other than the researcher will know the identity of a respondent

Question 51

Code of ethics

Answer 51

Ethical guidelines for researchers to consult as they design a project

Question 52

Institutional review board

Answer 52

A group of scholars within a university who meet regularly to review and approve the research proposals of their colleagues and make recommendations for how to protect human subjects