Research Methods Flashcards
building blocks of social research
decide what to ask
decide how to ask it
figure out the best tools and methods
collect and analyze data
what makes a feasible research question
can be studied given the limits of time and resources
lead to thinking more specifically about a topic
help to turn ideas about a topic into a working hypothesis
hypothesis
testable statement linking two or more variables together in a relationship
independent variable
causes a change
dependent variable
the thing that changes because of the independent variable
what is and why use the scientific method
standard for acquiring and verifying empirical knowledge
correlation
a relationship between two variables
causation
a relationship in which one variable causes another variable to change
qualitative methods
uses nonnumerical data like texts, interviews, photos, and recordings to help us understand social life
quantitative methods
translates the social world into numbers that can be studied mathematically
ethnography
direct observation research
mixed-method approach
research that uses qualitative and quantitative methods
random sampling
each person has an equal chance in being chosen to participate
used to more accurately represent the population as a whole
data analysis
stage of research process in which the researcher identifies patterns in collected data
empirical generalizability
conclusions from findings applied to a larger popular population
value-free sociology
Weber
researchers identify facts without allowing their own personal beliefs or biases to interfere
ASA code of ethics
help researchers avoid bias, adhere to professional standards, and protect respondents from harm
informed consent
voluntary consent when participant knows all possible risks and benefits
data coding
organizing data according to key categories and concepts
data displays
visual images of the patterns forming in the data–tables, charts, etc
research memos
extended versions of research notes, usually organized analytically, that allow researches to work through their findings and the evidence they have to support those findings
reliability
would produce same results in similar studies
validity
measures what it intends to
cross sectional data
research collected at one point in time
longitudinal data
data collected over a long period of time
theoretical generalizability
conclusions from findings applied to larger sociological processes
confidentiality
researches must adhere to standards that ensure the confidentiality of their subjects
IRB
group of scholars within a university who meet regularly to review and approve research proposals, and make recommendations for how to protect human subjects
tea room trade study
violated peoples privacy by taking down license plates and visiting peoples homes
