Chapter 2 - Sociological Research Flashcards
Case Study
In-depth analysis of a single event, situation, or individual
Code of Ethics
A set of guidelines that the American Sociological Association has established to foster ethical research and professionally responsible scholarship in sociology.
Content Analysis
Applying a systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it related to the study at hand
Correlation
When a change in one variable coincides with a change in another variable, but does not necessarily indicate causation
Dependent Variables
A variable changed by other variables
Empirical Evidence
Evidence that comes from direct experience, scientifically fathered data, or experimentation
Ethnography
Observing a complete social setting and all that it entails
Experiment
The testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions
Field Research
Gathering data from a natural environment without doing a lab experiment or a survey
Hawthorne Effect
When study subjects behave in a certain manner due to their awareness of being observed by a researcher
Hypothesis
A testable educated guess about predicted outcomes between two or more variables
Independent variables
Variables that cause change in dependent variables
Interpretive Framework
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
Interview
A one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the subject
Literature Review
A scholarly research step that entails identifying and studying all existing studies on a topic to create a basis for new research
Meta-analysis
A technique in which the results of virtually all previous studies on a specific subject are evaluated together
Non-Reactive Research
Using secondary data, does not include direct contact with subjects and will not alter or influence people’s behaviors
Operational Definitions
Specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study
Participant Observation
When a researcher immerses herself in a group or social setting in order to make observations from an “insider” perspective
Population
A defined group serving as the subject of a study
Primary Data
Data that are collected directly from firsthand experience
Qualitative data
Comprise information that is subjective and often based on what is seen in a natural setting
Quantitative Data
Represent research collected in numerical form that can be counted
Random Sample
A study’s participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population
Reliability
A measure of a study’s consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced.
Samples
Small, manageable number of subjects that represent the population.
Scientific Method
An established scholarly research method that involves asking a question, researching existing sources, forming a hypothesis, designing and conducting a study, and drawing conclusions.
Secondary Data Analysis
Using data collected by others but applying new interpretations
Surveys
Collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire
Validity
The degree to which a sociological measure accurately reflects the topic of study
Value Neutrality
A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgement during the course of a study in publishing results.
