Chapter 2 - Sociological Research

Question 1

Altruism (p. 27)

Answer 1

behaviour intended to help others and done without any expectation of personal benefit.

Question 2

Analysis (p. 34)

Answer 2

is the process through which data are organized so that comparisons can be made and conclusions.

Question 3

Complete Observation (p. 43)

Answer 3

the researcher systematically observes a social process but does not take part in it.

Question 4

Content Analysis (p. 48)

Answer 4

is the systematic examination of cultural artifacts or various forms of communication to extract thematic data and draw conclusions about social life.

Question 5

Control Group (p. 36)

Answer 5

contains the subjects who are not exposed to the independent variable.

Question 6

Cultural Artifacts (p. 48

Answer 6

are products of individual activity; social organizations, technology, and cultural patterns.

Question 7

Deductive Approach (p. 31)

Answer 7

the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the theory.

Question 8

Dependent Variable (p. 32)

Answer 8

is assumed to depend on or be caused by the independent variable(s).

Question 9

Descriptive Studies (p. 31)

Answer 9

attempt to describe social reality or provide facts about some group, practice, of event.

Question 10

Empirical Approach (p. 29)

Answer 10

scientific findings are based on the assumption that knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation.

Question 11

Ethnography (p. 45)

Answer 11

is a detailed study of the life and activities of a group of people by researchers who may live with that group over a period of years.

Question 12

Experiment (p. 36)

Answer 12

is a carefully designed situation in which the researcher studies the impact of certain variables on subjects’ attitudes or behaviour.

create “real life” situations in a controlled environment.

Question 13

Experimental Group (p. 36)

Answer 13

contains the subjects who are exposed to an independent variable to study its effects on them.

Question 14

Explanatory Studies (p. 31)

Answer 14

attempt to explain relationships and to provide information on why certain events do or do not occur.

Question 15

Field of Research (p. 43)

Answer 15

is the study of social life in its natural setting: observing and interviewing people where they live, work, and play.

Question 16

Hypothesis (p. 29)

Answer 16

tentative statements of the relationship between two or more concepts or variables.

Question 17

Independent Variable (p. 32)

Answer 17

is presumed cause or determine a dependent variable.

Question 18

Inductive Approach (p. 31)

Answer 18

the researcher collects information or data (facts and evidence) and then generates theories from the analysis of those data.
Process (1) specific observation suggest generalization (2) generalizations produce a tentative theory (3) the theory is tested through the formation of hypotheses (4) hypotheses may provide suggestions for additional observations

Question 19

Interview (p. 40)

Answer 19

in which interviewer asks the respondent question and records the answer.

Question 20

Normative Approach (p. 29)

Answer 20

uses religion, tradition, or authority to answer important questions.

Question 21

Objective (p. 30)

Answer 21

scientists try to ensure that their biases and values do not affect their research.

Question 22

Operational Definition (p. 33)

Answer 22

is an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features that are specific enough measure the variable.

Question 23

Participant Observation (p. 43)

Answer 23

collecting systematic observation while being part of the activities of the group they are studying.

Question 24

Population (p. 40)

Answer 24

consists of those persons about whom we want to be able to draw conclusions.

Question 25

Questionnaire (p. 40)

Answer 25

is a research instrument containing a series of items to which subjects respond.

Question 26

Random Sample (p. 41)

Answer 26

is chosen by chance;

Question 27

Reactivity (p. 39)

Answer 27

which is the tendency of participants to change their behaviour in response to the presence of the researcher or to the fact that they know they are bing studied.

Question 28

Reliability (p. 34)

Answer 28

is the extent to which a study or research instruments yields consistent results

Question 29

Replication (p. 34)

Answer 29

the repetition of the investigation in substantially the same way it originally was conducted.

Question 30

Representative sample (p. 40)

Answer 30

is a selection from a larger population that has the essential characteristics of the total population.

Question 31

Research methods (p. 36)

Answer 31

are specific strategies or techniques for conducting research.

Question 32

Respondent (p. 40)

Answer 32

are persons who provide data of analysis through interviews or questionnaires.

Question 33

Sample (p. 40)

Answer 33

is the people who are selected from the population to be studied.

Question 34

Secondary analysis (p. 46)

Answer 34

researchers use existing material and analyze data originally collected by others.

Question 35

Survey (p. 39)

Answer 35

a number of respondents are asked identical questions through a systematic questionnaire or interview.

Question 36

Triangulation (p. 48)

Answer 36

refers not only to research methods but also to multiple data sources.

Question 37

Unstructured Interview (p. 45)

Answer 37

is an extended, open-ended interaction between an interviewer and an interviewee.

Question 38

Validity (p. 34)

Answer 38

is the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is suppose to measure.

Question 39

Variable (p. 32)

Answer 39

is any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can change or vary from one person, time, situation, or society to another.