Chapter 2- Sociological Research

Question 1

What are the five steps in doing sociological research?

Answer 1

1. Find the problem
2. Research available information
3. Formulate a hypothesis
4. Collect Data and determine data method
5. Reflect and develop a conclusion

Question 2

Define Operational Definition

Answer 2

A definition a sociologist uses to narrow a abstract concept of research

Question 3

Define a Hypothesis

Answer 3

A speculative statement on the relationship between two variables

Question 4

What is a snowball / convenience sample?

Answer 4

A sample collected by word of mouth / volunteers

Question 5

Define Reliability

Answer 5

The degree to which a subject produces consistent results

Question 6

What is something that must be considered when writing a survey?

Answer 6

Open ended questions and wording can limit/effect outcomes

Question 7

Define Ethnography

Answer 7

The study of a social setting through active fieldwork

Question 8

Define the Hawthorne effect

Answer 8

The unintended effects researcher can have over their subjects

Question 9

Define Secondary Analysis

Answer 9

Using previously collected data to form new research

Question 10

What are the 6 basic principles to the ASA code of ethics

Answer 10

1. Maintain Objectivity
2. Respect people’s rights
3. Protect subject from harm
4. Informed consent when data collecting
5. Acknowledge collaborators
6. Disclose Financial Support

Question 11

What term is used to describe a systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem?

Answer 11

Scientific method

Question 12

Sociologists conduct reviews of literature to do what?

Answer 12

Refine the problem under study

Question 13

An operational definition is;

Answer 13

An explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to measure the concept.

Question 14

What is the second step of the scientific method?

Answer 14

Reviewing the literature

Question 15

The use of photographic and video documentation in sociological study is known as

Answer 15

Visual sociology

Question 16

A speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables is known as;

Answer 16

Hypothesis

Question 17

Income, religion, race, gender, and marital status can all be examples of

Answer 17

Varibles

Question 18

Researchers find that pet owners live longer, healthier lives. Within this study, pet ownership is the

Answer 18

Independent Variable

Question 19

The race of a criminal offender is found to determine the frequency with which capital punishment is administered. In this example, the frequency with which capital punishment is administered would be considered the;

Answer 19

Dependent Variable

Question 20

Which of the following relationships best shows causal logic?

-Being more involved in extracurricular activities may be directly related to, or produce a lower likelihood of, college admission.
-Being less integrated into society may be directly related to, or produce a lower likelihood of, suicide.
-The time spent tending to one’s vegetable garden may be directly related to, or produce a greater likelihood of, overgrowth.
-The time spent reviewing for a test may be directly related to, or produce a greater likelihood of, getting a high score.

Answer 20

The time spent reviewing for a test may be directly related to, or produce a greater likelihood of, getting a high score.

Question 21

A sociologist sets up an experiment on the effects of television violence on children. The set of children that are shown the violent cartoons are considered to be the;

Answer 21

Experimental Group

Question 22

The relationship between a condition or a variable and a particular consequence, with one event leading to the other, is known as

Answer 22

Casual Logic

Question 23

The relationship between two variables whereby a change in one coincides with a change in the other is known as a(n);

Answer 23

Correlation

Question 24

A study, generally in the form of an interview or a questionnaire, that provides sociologists with information concerning how people think or act is known as

Answer 24

Survey

Question 25

When a researcher collects information about a group through direct involvement and inspection, this is known as;

Answer 25

Observation

Question 26

A sociologist attends meetings at all the schools and churches in his community over several years, and meets as many residents as he can for the purpose of exploring all facets of the community’s social life. He then compiles a detailed description of the community. He is conducting

Answer 26

Ethnographic Research

Question 27

When conducting ethnographic research as a participant observer, the investigator must;

Answer 27

Maintain some degree of detachment

Question 28

What term do sociologists use to describe the phenomenon whereby subjects deviate from their typical behavior because they realize they are under observation?

Answer 28

The Hawthorne effect

Question 29

Secondary analysis includes a variety of research techniques that use;

Answer 29

publicly accessible information and data, or data collected by another.

Question 30

An inherent problem in using secondary sources of data is that;

Answer 30

the researcher may not find the exact data needed for his or her own research.