Ch 2 What Do Sociologists Do? Flashcards
Why isn’t common sense adequate?
Because it isn’t necessarily right
Sociological research results are accurate
What is a valid topic in sociology?
Anything
*How do we now the world?
Religion, tradition, authority, science
How do sociologists choose a particular method?
Interests, sources of funding, access to subjects, type of training
What are the eight basic steps of scientific research?
Choose a topic, define the prob, read the lit, form a hypothesis, choose a method, collect data, analysis of results, and share the results
What is the relationship between theory and research?
Research without theory is just a series of unrelated facts, theory without research is abstract and empty, and doesn’t necessarily reflect real life
*What are the 6 types of research?
Surveys Observation (naturalistic) unobtrusive measures Field work Interviews Secondary analysis Content analysis
*Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of surveys
Easy to administer
Doesn’t include all ideas from a participant
*Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of fieldwork
Very descriptive, like a story
Lack of generalizability
*Identify one disadvantage of interviews
The interviewers personal characteristics are influential
*What does qualitative mean when referring to research?
Essence of something, words, not numbers
What are operational definitions?
Precise ways to measure variables
Eg, how often do you attend church or pray?
*What are variables?
Factors with measurable traits that change or vary from one person or situation to another
*Would gender be an independent variable? Could it be independent or dependent?
It can be independent or dependent in different contexts.
*What is triangulation?
Research strategy that includes Various sources and data gathering techniques to investigate a single thing
