Chapter 2 - The sociological Investigation

Question 1

Concept

Answer 1

A mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form.

Question 2

Control

Answer 2

Holding constant all variables except one in order to see clearly the effect of that variable.

Question 3

Correlation

Answer 3

a relationship in which two (or more) variables change together.

Question 4

Critical Sociology

Answer 4

the study of society that focuses on the need for for social change.

Question 5

Deductive logical thought

Answer 5

reasoning that transforms general theory into specific hypotheses suitable for for testing.

Question 6

Dependent variable

Answer 6

the variable that changes.

Question 7

Empirical evidence

Answer 7

Information we can verify with our senses.

Question 8

Experiment

Answer 8

A research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions.

Question 9

Gender

Answer 9

The personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being male or female.

Question 10

Hawthorne effect

Answer 10

a change in subjects behaviour caused simply by the awareness of being studied.

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

A statement of a possible relationship between two (or more) variables.

Question 12

Independent variable

Answer 12

the variable that changes.

Question 13

Inductive logical thought

Answer 13

reasoning that transforms specific observations into general theory.

Question 14

Interpretive sociology

Answer 14

The study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world.

Question 15

Interview

Answer 15

A series of questions a researcher asks respondents in person.

Question 16

Measurement

Answer 16

A procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case.

Question 17

Objectivity

Answer 17

Personal neutrality in conducting research.

Question 18

Operationalize a variable

Answer 18

specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable.

Question 19

Participant observation

Answer 19

a research method in which investigators systematically observe people while joining them in their routine activities.

Question 20

Population

Answer 20

The people who are the focus of research.

Question 21

Questionnaire

Answer 21

a series of written questions that a researcher presents to subjects.

Question 22

Reliability

Answer 22

Consistency in measurement.

Question 23

Replication

Answer 23

consistency in measurement.

Question 24

Research method

Answer 24

a systematic plan for doing research.

Question 25

Sample

Answer 25

a part of a population that represents the whole.

Question 26

Science

Answer 26

A logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation.

Question 27

Scientific Sociology

Answer 27

The study of society based on systematic observation of social behaviour.

Question 28

Secondary anlysis

Answer 28

a research method in which a researcher uses data collected by others.

Question 29

Spurious correlation

Answer 29

an apparent but false relationship between two (or more) that is caused by some other variable.

Question 30

Survey

Answer 30

A research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions in a questionnaire or an interview.

Question 31

Validity

Answer 31

Actually measuring exactly what you intend to measure.

Question 32

Variable

Answer 32

A concept whose value changes from case to case.

Question 33

Cause and effect

Answer 33

a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another.