Research Methods Flashcards
A study design that allows us to systematically investigate the world and be relatively certain that we arrive at accurate conclusions
Method
The tendency we all have to look for and accept information that reinforces what we already believe
Confirmation bias
Outlined basic ethical principles for research on people
Nuremberg Code
An experiment conducted in rural Alabama on poor Black people from 1932 to 1972 that looked at how symptoms of syphilis developed over time if left untreated. (highly unethical)
Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment
All human subjects must be informed about the research project, including any likely risks, before they agree to participate
Informed consent
Data in the form of numbers and reflect quantities or amounts
Quantitative data
Data that usually reflects general themes and might include transcripts from interviews, survey questions that ask people to explain something in their own words, or detailed notes from visiting a particular place to observe it
Qualitative data
A research method in which characteristics or behaviors are carefully controlled
Experiment
Sets of questions that subjects answer
Surveys
In this method, the researcher spends time among a group, directly observing and participating in that social world
Participant observation
Analysis of existing historical records
Historical analysis
Analysis of existing sources, focusing on key themes and patterns
Content analysis
A question about a research topic that we can reasonably answer
Research question
Item observed in a study (ex: individual people, cities, neighborhoods, apartment complexes, nations)
Unit of analysis
A factor or characteristic that has more than one possible value
Variable
Relationship between variables
Covariation
Variable that causes a change in another
Independent variable
Variable that changes in response to another
Dependent variable
A statement about how variables are expected relate to one another
Hypothesis
The entire group of interest in a study
Population
Defining variables into measurable items
Operationalization
Selecting representatives of the population to study
Sampling
An in-depth qualitative study of a social group and the group’s culture
ethnography
Method for choosing which members of a population will be in a sample
Sampling frame
A representative sample in which every member of the population has some chance of being selected
Random sample
Applying conclusions to a larger population outside of the group you studied
Generalize
A sample where some members of the population don’t have any chance of being selected
Non-random sample
Non-representativeness in a sample caused by patterns in who does and doesn’t respond
Nonresponse bias
A relationship between variables
Correlation
One variable causes a change in another variable
Causation
Which variable is affecting the other when a relationship exists
Direction of the relationship
Relationship that includes causation between variables
Casual relationship
When a third variable actually explains the apparent connection between two variables
Spurious relationship
Whether questions accurately measure the intended characteristic
Validity
The tendency for subjects to give answers that they think are socially acceptable
Social desirability bias
The consistency of measurements
Reliability
