Research Methods Key Terms

Question 1

Empirical

Answer 1

Relating to observation or experiment rather than theory.

Question 2

Macro perspective

Answer 2

The overall movement of conforming or following rules.

Question 3

Micro perspective

Answer 3

The individual response to the macro scale.

Question 4

Natural Sciences

Answer 4

These include chemistry, biology and physics.

Question 5

Positivist

Answer 5

The belief that knowledge must be based on observation or experiment.

Question 6

Interpretivist

Answer 6

An approach in sociology that focuses on the meaning that social phenomena have for the people involved.

Question 7

Social Phenomena

Answer 7

A social fact or situation that observed to exist or happen.

Question 8

Social fact

Answer 8

External, objective and constraining.

Question 9

Value Free

Answer 9

Uninfluenced by the personal values of the researcher.

Question 10

Social Policy

Answer 10

Action taken by governments that has a direct effect on the welfare of the citizens of a country.

Question 11

Primary Data

Answer 11

Data collected by researcher.

Question 12

Triangulation

Answer 12

The use of multiple methods in research as a means of producing more reliable data than a single method could.

Question 13

Multiple Methods

Answer 13

Another term for triangulation.

Question 14

Reliability

Answer 14

A reliable method gives the same results when the research is repeated.

Question 15

Hypothesis

Answer 15

An untested theory or explanation, expressed as a statement.

Question 16

Operationalisation

Answer 16

The process of turning a sociological concept or theory into something measurable.

Question 17

Pilot Study

Answer 17

A small scale trial run, usually of a social survey, conducted before the main study.

Question 18

Representative

Answer 18

Typical, a cross section. A researcher may choose to study a sample of a larger group. If the sample is representative, those, those in it will be typical of the larger group.

Question 19

Response Rate

Answer 19

The proportion of those people included in a social survey who actually reply or respond to the questions asked. A high response rate is important to help ensure that findings are representative.

Question 20

Sample

Answer 20

A smaller group selected from a large survey population to take part in a study. It may be too costly or time consuming to study the whole population in which we are interested, so we choose a sample to study instead.

Question 21

Sampling

Answer 21

The process of selecting a sample. The aim of sampling is usually to select a sample that is representative of the eider survey population, so as to allow the study’s findings to be generalised. There are several types of sampling, e.g. random, stratified, quota and snowball sampling.

Question 22

Sampling Frame

Answer 22

The list of people from which a sample for a social survey is selected.

Question 23

Anthropology

Answer 23

Originally the study of the culture of a small pre-industrial societies, its methods are now used in may contexts.

Question 24

Validity

Answer 24

The capacity of the research method is measure what it sets out to measure; a true or genuine picture of what something is really like.

Question 25

Variables

Answer 25

Any factor that can change or vary, such as age, gender, occupation or income. Sociologists seek to discover correlations between variables; e.g. between social class and educational achievement.

Question 26

Quantitative Data

Answer 26

Research that concentrates on collecting statistical data.

Question 27

Qualitative Data

Answer 27

Research where the sociologist aims to understand the meaning of social action.

Question 28

Objective

Answer 28

This has two meanings. It can refer to ‘facts’ that exist independently of the observer, or to a researcher being free from basis.

Question 29

Replication

Answer 29

Where research is repeated and similar findings are produced.

Question 30

Discourse

Answer 30

A shared set assumptions and the way of thinking about a particular subject.

Question 31

Independent Variable

Answer 31

The variable that is controlled by the experimenter.

Question 32

Dependent Variable

Answer 32

The variable that changes as a result of the independent variable.

Question 33

Control Group

Answer 33

The group that is not subject to an independent variable.

Question 34

Case Study

Answer 34

The study of a single example of a phenomenon.

Question 35

Primary Data

Answer 35

Data collected by the researcher.

Question 36

Secondary Data

Answer 36

Refers to the data already available to the researcher.

Question 37

Gate-keeping:

Answer 37

When an individual or group controls access to goods and services but particularly to information and people with power.

Question 38

Operationalism of concepts:

Answer 38

the process through which social phenomena are selected as indicators of social concepts.

Question 39

Methodological pluralism:

Answer 39

More than one method is used, but there is one main/central method that dominates a project. the other methods are just checks on the main method being carried out.

Question 40

Longitudinal study:

Answer 40

To observe changes in life times or through generations.

Question 41

Aims:

Answer 41

A statement that identifies what a sociologist intends to find during a research.