Methods

Question 1

Procedures that social scientists follow when trying to establish answers to research questions

Answer 1

Research methods

Question 2

Seek to obtain information about the social world that is in or can be converted to numeric form

Answer 2

Quantitative methods

Question 3

Attempt to collect information about the social world that cannot be readily converted to numeric form

Answer 3

Qualitative methods

Question 4

Starts with a theory, develops a hypothesis, makes empirical observations, analyzes data collected through observation to confirm, reflect or modify the original theory

Answer 4

Deductive approach

Question 5

Starts with empirical observation, works to form a theory, determines if a correlation exists by noticing if a change is observed in two things simultaneously

Answer 5

Inductive approach

Question 6

Idea that a change in one factor results in corresponding change in another factor

Answer 6

Causality

Question 7

Idea that two things occur at the same time

Answer 7

Correlation

Question 8

Situation in which the researcher believes that A results in change B, but B, in fact is causing A

Answer 8

Reverse causality

Question 9

Outcome that a researcher us trying to explain

Answer 9

Dependent variable

Question 10

Measured factor that the researcher believes has a casual impact on the dependent variable

Answer 10

Independent variable

Question 11

Proposed relationship between two variables represented by either the null hypothesis or an alternative hypothesis

Answer 11

Hypothesis

Question 12

Choosing how to define your variables and particular or precise methods of measurement

Answer 12

Operationalization

Question 13

Extent to which an instrument measures what it is intended to measure

Answer 13

Validity

Question 14

Likelihood of obtain consistent results using the same measure

Answer 14

Reliability

Question 15

Extent to which we can claim our findings inform us about a group larger than one we studied

Answer 15

Generalizability

Question 16

Analyzing and critically considering our own role in, and effect on, our research

Answer 16

Reflexivity

Question 17

Set of systems that treat women’s experiences as legitimate empirical and theoretical resources, that promote social science for women, and that take into account the researcher as much as the overt subject matter

Answer 17

Feminist methodology

Question 18

Entire group of interests which samples are drawn

Answer 18

Population

Question 19

Subgroup of the larger group being studied

Answer 19

Sample

Question 20

Individual or group in which implications of results only refer to that case

Answer 20

Case study

Question 21

Qualitative research method that seeks to uncover the meanings people give their social actions by observing their behavior in practice

Answer 21

Participant observation

Question 22

Ordered series of questions intended to elicit information from respondents

Answer 22

Survey

Question 23

Research that collects data from written reports, newspaper articles, journals, transcripts, television programs, diaries, artworks, and other artifacts that date back to that period under study

Answer 23

Historical research

Question 24

Methodology by which two or more entities such as countries which are similar in many dimensions but differ on one in question, are compared to learn about the dimension that differs between them

Answer 24

Comparative research

Question 25

Systematic analysis of the content rather than the structure of the communication, such as richen work, speech, or film

Answer 25

Content analysis

Question 26

Methods that seek to alter the social landscape in a very specific way for a given sample of individuals then track what results that change yields; often involve comparisons to control group that did not experience such an intervention

Answer 26

Experimental methods

Question 27

Practice of using sociological research, training, and service to reach a wider audience and to influence society

Answer 27

Public sociology