Key Concepts Flashcards
Hypothesis
A testable statement, when you predict the results you will produce
Primary data
New data that the sociologist has created themselves by conducting new research
Secondary data
Data that already exists, sociologist use this to do their research.
Quantitative Data
Numerical and statistical data that can often be operationalised in some way.
Qualitative Data
Descriptive data (words) often concerned with people’s feelings and the reasons why.
Reliable Data
Wen research can b repeated by a different researcher using the same methods and getting the same results.
Valid Data
When research gives a true idea of what is happening.
The Survey Population
Everyone - the larger population that a researcher aims to generalise their results on
Sampling Frame
A list of people in the desired larger population (in the survey population).
Sample
A smaller representative group of people the sociologist will research.
Smapling Technique
The way the sociologist picks their sample
Sampling Unit
1 Person in the sample
Sample Attrition
The number of people who drop out of the research.
Random Sampling
People are picked without a system from a list of names - often numbered
Systematic Sampling
Names are selected from a sampling frame at regular intervals (e.g. every 10th name)
Stratified Random Sampling
Sample tries to reflect the characteristics of the survey population - divided in to sub-groups and the number of names picked depends on that sub-gropus proportions in the survey population.
Quota Sampling
Interviews find people to fill pre-set categories - may be according to their proportion in the survey population.
Multi-stage Sampling
A samle selected and then a smaller sample is chosen from that sample.
Snowball Sampling
Used if it’s difficult to find people for a sample - research finds one suitable person and then asks for an introduction to others
Volunteer Sample
The research is advertised and participants put themselves forward - participants are self-selected.
Non-representative Sample
A group is selected for a particular purpose, which is not representative because it has the particular characteristics that the researcher wants to study.
Positivists
Interested in studying in aspects of society which can be objectively observed.
Less interested in the thoughts + feelings of individuals and more interested in ‘social facts’
Interpretivists
Focus on the meanings behind the behaviour of individuals.
Social Desirability Effect
Participants respond in the way that they think is socially acceptable/ expected to respond.
Operationalise
When a concept is made measurable
Close question
Limited answers the participants can give e.g. multiple choice
Open question
The participants are given no suggested answers and requires the participants to answer in their own words.
Standardised
When all the variables are the same for every participant e.g. all received the same questionnaire.
Produces reliable data
Pilot study
Trial run
Check to see if anything needs to be altered
Interview schedule
List of pre-set questions written by the interviewer prior to the structured interview.
Interviewer bias
Interview characteristics can influence results + their view of people - if they share the same characteristics they might build a better rapport.
Rapport
A good relationship between the participants and the researcher based on trust and a mutual level of respect.
Verstehen
Gaining an understanding and empathy towards the participants
(German).
Overt observations
Observations carried out openly - the participants know that they are being observed.
Covert observations
Undercover observations - the participants don’t know that they are being observed.
Structured observations
Researcher uses a list of the types of behaviour that they’re interested in as a checklist, whilst observing the subject(s).
Unstructured observations
No pre-determined list of behaviours to look for. The researcher simply takes notes of what they see and what interests them.
Hawthorne effect
When the presence of the researcher changes the behaviour of the group being observed, effecting the validity.
Gate keeper
The power of some groups/ people/ organisations who can limit/ allow access to the group being observed.
Field diary
Any notes taken by the researcher whilst the observation is taking place.
Going native
When the researcher over identifies with the subject and becomes bias - they are no longer objective.
Closed setting
Environments which are difficult for a researcher to access, they might require permission from a gate keeper e.g. hospitals, schools, prisons etc.
