Chapter 2: Sociological Research

Question 1

What processes are in the scientific method?

2.1

Answer 1

1. Question
2. Research
3. Hypothesis
4. Experiment
5. Conclusions

2.1

Question 2

What is literature review? What is its purpose?

2.1

Answer 2

• Review of existing studies
• To identify gaps, and familiarize w/ previous theories & data

2.1

Question 3

What is the independent variable? (IV)

2.1

Answer 3

The cause. The variable we change to affect the dependent variable

2.1

Question 4

What is the dependent variable?

2.1

Answer 4

The effect. The variable that is affected by our indendent variable.

Question 5

What is reliability?

2.1

Answer 5

How likely an experiment is to replicate

2.1

Question 6

What is validity?

2.1

Answer 6

How well the study measures what it’s trying to measure.

2.1

Question 7

What is an operational definition?

2.1

Answer 7

Precise definition of concepts and variable

EX: “good” –> B+

Question 8

What is interpretive framework/perspective?

2.1

Answer 8

Symbolic interactionists meet the scientific method.

2.1

Question 9

What is critical sociology?

2.1

Answer 9

Frankfurt school: Everything can’t be completely objective b/c relationships. Views throries as rationalizing systems of power, or liberating human restriction.

2.1

Question 10

What is primary source data collection?

2.2

Answer 10

Doing surveys, participant observation, observation, case studies, and experiments. First hand data collection.

2.2

Question 11

What is secondary data analysis?

2.2

Answer 11

Use of existing data

2.2

Question 12

What is nonreactive research?

2.2

Answer 12

Research that doesn’t alter people’s behaviors. Non-intrusive

2.2

Question 13

What is content analysis?

2.2

Answer 13

Systematic approach to find valuable information related to study. Research, basically.

2.2

Question 14

What does field research collect?

2.2

Answer 14

Collects behaviors in settings, the why, the how. Finds SIMPLY correlation

2.2

Question 15

What is participant observation?

2.2

Answer 15

Undercover observation by being in plain sight

2.2

Question 16

Ethnography

Answer 16

Commit to a way of life for observation. Understanding relation of self into group. Focuses on views of people

2.2

Question 17

Institutional Ethnography

Answer 17

Ethnography but focuses on everday concrete social relationships

2.2 EX: feminism

Question 18

Hawthorne effect

2.2

Answer 18

Reactivity but specific to being a part of a study

2.2

Question 19

Value neutrality

2.3

Answer 19

Remaining impartial during study and conclusions

2.3

Question 20

Identify the Code of ethics (ASA, 1997)

2.3

Answer 20

1. Remain impartial
2. Respect subject’s privacy & dignity
3. Protect subject from personal harm
4. Preserve confidentiality
5. Seek informed consent
6. Acknowledge collaboration
7. Disclose financial support sources

2.3

Question 21

What is the Tuskegee Experiment?

2.3

Answer 21

(1932) Alabama: objective: to see “how untrated syphillis would affect the African American male” … participants were told they had “bad blood” and were not given penicillin.

Question 22

What is the Milgram Experiment

2.3

Answer 22

(1961): psychologist Stanley Milgram @ Yale: Objective: willingness to obey authority. Participants = “teachers” who THOUGHT they were administering shocks to “students” answering questions wrong (not real)

2.3

Question 23

Standford Prison Experiment

2.3

Answer 23

(1971): psychologist Phillip Zimbardo: Students in role of “prisoners” and “guards” … prisoners treated terribly… intended 2 weeks: lasted 6 days

2.3

Question 24

Who was Laud Humphreys?

2.3

Answer 24

(1960s): experiment in restroom where same-sex sexual encounters occurred… Objective: understand motivations & background identity of same-sex relationships… Misrepresented his identity and intent in observation.

2.3

Question 25

Who was Hanrietta Lacks?

2.3

Answer 25

(1951): “immortal” cells (reproduce rapidly, indefinitely)… doctors collected & shared cells w/out consent… “HeLa” cells
Used for experiments and treatments (polio vaccine)

2.3