Chapter 2 - Sociological Research

Question 1

Case Study

Answer 1

In-depth analysis of a single event, situation, or individual

Question 2

Code of Ethics

Answer 2

A set of guidelines that the American Sociological Association has established to foster ethical research and professionally responsible scholarship in sociology.

Question 3

Content Analysis

Answer 3

Applying a systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it related to the study at hand

Question 4

Correlation

Answer 4

When a change in one variable coincides with a change in another variable, but does not necessarily indicate causation

Question 5

Dependent Variables

Answer 5

A variable changed by other variables

Question 6

Empirical Evidence

Answer 6

Evidence that comes from direct experience, scientifically fathered data, or experimentation

Question 7

Ethnography

Answer 7

Observing a complete social setting and all that it entails

Question 8

Experiment

Answer 8

The testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions

Question 9

Field Research

Answer 9

Gathering data from a natural environment without doing a lab experiment or a survey

Question 10

Hawthorne Effect

Answer 10

When study subjects behave in a certain manner due to their awareness of being observed by a researcher

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

A testable educated guess about predicted outcomes between two or more variables

Question 12

Independent variables

Answer 12

Variables that cause change in dependent variables

Question 13

Interpretive Framework

Answer 13

A sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding of a topic or subject through observation or interaction; this approach is not basis on hypothesis testing

Question 14

Interview

Answer 14

A one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the subject

Question 15

Literature Review

Answer 15

A scholarly research step that entails identifying and studying all existing studies on a topic to create a basis for new research

Question 16

Meta-analysis

Answer 16

A technique in which the results of virtually all previous studies on a specific subject are evaluated together

Question 17

Non-Reactive Research

Answer 17

Using secondary data, does not include direct contact with subjects and will not alter or influence people’s behaviors

Question 18

Operational Definitions

Answer 18

Specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study

Question 19

Participant Observation

Answer 19

When a researcher immerses herself in a group or social setting in order to make observations from an “insider” perspective

Question 20

Population

Answer 20

A defined group serving as the subject of a study

Question 21

Primary Data

Answer 21

Data that are collected directly from firsthand experience

Question 22

Qualitative data

Answer 22

Comprise information that is subjective and often based on what is seen in a natural setting

Question 23

Quantitative Data

Answer 23

Represent research collected in numerical form that can be counted

Question 24

Random Sample

Answer 24

A study’s participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population

Question 25

Reliability

Answer 25

A measure of a study’s consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced.

Question 26

Samples

Answer 26

Small, manageable number of subjects that represent the population.

Question 27

Scientific Method

Answer 27

An established scholarly research method that involves asking a question, researching existing sources, forming a hypothesis, designing and conducting a study, and drawing conclusions.

Question 28

Secondary Data Analysis

Answer 28

Using data collected by others but applying new interpretations

Question 29

Surveys

Answer 29

Collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire

Question 30

Validity

Answer 30

The degree to which a sociological measure accurately reflects the topic of study

Question 31

Value Neutrality

Answer 31

A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgement during the course of a study in publishing results.