Chapter 1-Research Methods

Question 1

Define:

Case Study

Answer 1

A detailed analysis of a person or group especially as a model for medical, sociological or psychological phenomena.

Question 2

Define:

Causation

Answer 2

The action of causing something.

Question 3

Define:

Comparative Study

Answer 3

A research that aims to make comparison across different cultures, etc.

Question 4

Define:

Conflict

Answer 4

A disagreement or argument.

Question 5

Define:

Consensus

Answer 5

A general agreement

Question 6

Define:

Content Analysis

Answer 6

A research technique to analysis social life through interpretation of i.e. Documents, art

Question 7

Define:

Correlation

Answer 7

The strength between two connections of two things.

Question 8

Define:

Covert Participant Observation

Answer 8

Research done undercover by taking part in group activities.

Question 9

Define:

Ethical Issues

Answer 9

A problem or situation that requires a person or a group to choose between alternatives that are ethical or unethical.

Question 10

Define:

Field Experiments

Answer 10

To examine an intervention in the real world rather than in a lab.

Question 11

Define:

Focus Group

Answer 11

A small group sampled from a wider population for opinions about or emotional response to a particular subject.

Question 12

Define:

Generalization

Answer 12

An assumption made on a something specific and applying it broadly.

Question 13

Define:

Group Interview

Answer 13

A session of q&a between an interviewer and a group.

Question 14

Define:

Hawthorne/Observer Effect

Answer 14

The alteration of behavior by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.

Question 15

Define:

Historical Documents

Answer 15

Documents that contain important information about a person, place or event from a time period.

Question 16

Define:

Hypothesis

Answer 16

An assumption made on limited evidence prior to an investigation.

Question 17

Define:

Identity

Answer 17

The fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

Question 18

Define:

Individualism

Answer 18

A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Question 19

Define:

Interview Bias

Answer 19

Biases that appear in research findings because of the social nature of the interview i.e. Phrasing

Question 20

Define:

Interview effect

Answer 20

The influence an interviewer has over the response of the interviewee or results.

Question 21

Define:

Laboratory Experiments

Answer 21

Research conducted inside a controlled, artificial environment.

Question 22

Define:

Longitudinal Survey

Answer 22

Research done over a period of time.

Question 23

Define:

Macro/micro approaches.

Answer 23

An approach to sociology which emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on large/small scale.

Question 24

Define:

Non-participant Observation

Answer 24

Observing a person or a group to obtain results without participating.

Question 25

Define: | Objectivity

Answer 25

To approach something with an open mind.

Question 26

Official/non-official statistics.

Answer 26

Results obtained from published by government agencies or other public bodies/or not.

Question 27

Define: Open Closed Pre-coded Questions

Answer 27

Open: where any response or opinion is applicable Closed: where a set of choices have been given for the person to select Pre-Coded: questions that have been written in such a way that the categories for answers have been decided.

Question 28

Define: | Bias

Answer 28

Prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person or group compared to another.

Question 29

Define: | Overt Participant Observation

Answer 29

Involves the researcher being open with the group they are going to a study.

Question 30

Define: | Perspectives

Answer 30

A particular outlook towards something or a way of regarding something.

Question 31

Define: | Pilot Study

Answer 31

Short pre-study of a few people. Done to see for any changes to the research.

Question 32

Define: | Positivism

Answer 32

Researching sociology as a science using scientific methodology.

Question 33

Define: | Primary Data

Answer 33

Data collected by the researcher, first hand, probably more reliable.

Question 34

Define: | Qualitative Data/Researcher

Answer 34

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. Qualitative Data is descriptive, in depth.

Question 35

Define: | Quantitative Research/Data

Answer 35

Quantitative Research is 'Explaining phenomena by collection numerical data that are analyses using mathematically based methods.' Quantitative Data is numerical data.

Question 36

Define: | Questionnaires

Answer 36

A written survey with questions on a particular subject.

Question 37

Define: | Reliability

Answer 37

How much you can justify whether this information is true and whether is from a valid source.

Question 38

Define: | Representativeness

Answer 38

The level of how well or how accurately something reflect upon a sample; a good indication of what the whole population believes.

Question 39

Define: | Respondent

Answer 39

A person who replies to something, supplying information for a survey or questionnaire.

Question 40

Define: | Response Rate

Answer 40

How much or how quickly people have responded to a survey.

Question 41

``` Sampling Methods: Random Snowballing Quota Stratified ```

Answer 41

* Randomly selecting individuals * Ask the last person to suggest other people. * Selecting people who fit into categories. * Choosing a representative random sampling.

Question 42

Define: | Sampling Frame

Answer 42

The population we take the sample from to answer the survey.

Question 43

Define: | Secondary Data

Answer 43

Information that has been collected by someone other than the user.

Question 44

Define: | Semi-structured Interview

Answer 44

Takes a flexible approach and permits question to arise in response to the dialog. Needs to cover certain topics.

Question 45

Define: | Social Survey

Answer 45

A survey in which people are asked a number of question on the aspect of behavior which the sociologist is interested in.

Question 46

Define: | Structured Interview

Answer 46

An interview where there is a set list of questions to be asked.

Question 47

Define: | Subjectivity

Answer 47

Approaching something with preconceived ideas and opinions.

Question 48

Define: | Survey Population

Answer 48

The sample which is going to be taking the survey.

Question 49

Define: | Trend

Answer 49

A recurring pattern in something that is expected to continue for some time.

Question 50

Define: | Triangulation

Answer 50

Using more than one (usually 3) research methods.

Question 51

Define: | Unstructured Interview

Answer 51

An interview in which there is not specific set of predetermined questions, although they may have certain topics they may want to cover.

Question 52

Define: | Validity

Answer 52

Whether the information is useful to what you're looking for.