Second Unit Flashcards
2 types of studies used by sociologists (3)
Descriptive:
- describe social reality or provides facts about a group, practice, or event
- gives who, what, where, or when
Explanatory:
-explains relationships and gives information on why certain events do/do not happen
theory & research cycle (3)
- relationship between theory and research is a continuous cycle
- in the deductive approach: the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the theory
- in the inductive approach: the researcher collects information or data and then generates theory
quantitative research
-Focus is on data that can be measured numerically
research methods
-the strategies or techniques used to conduct research
altruism
-behaviour intended to help others and is done without any expectation of personal benefit
qualitative research (5)
- descriptions rather than numbers are used to analyze meanings and patterns in social relationships
- looks at a smaller number of cases and gives a more detailed picture of a social problem
- uses the same research process as the quantitative model
- usually gathers data in a natural setting
- in data analysis, use the language and perspective of the people being studied
5 ways of knowing the world (8)
1) person experience:
- learn by doing
2) tradition:
- something is correct because it has always been done that way
3) authority:
- much what we know is based in what an authority told us
4) religion:
- except truths based on religious authority
5) science:
- uses an empirical approach -> scientific findings are based on an assumption that knowledge is best to gain by systematic, direct observation
- procedures used a recognized by other scientists, claims made are publicly verified
- has a mechanism for self correction
- is objectives scientists try to ensure that their biases and values do not affect the research
hypothesis
-statement of the relationship between two or more concepts
reliability
-the extent to which a study or research instrument gives consistent results
validity
-the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure
ethics in sociological research (4)
- participation must be voluntary
- researchers must not harm the research subject (physically, psychologically, etc)
- the research subjects have the right to anonymity and confidentiality
- not acceptable to use deception to obtain informed consent
variables
-any concept with measurable traits that can change from one person, time, situation or society to another
independent variable (3)
- causes a dependent variable to occur
- is the variable that the researcher manipulates
- age sex race
dependent variable (2)
- depends on our is caused by the independent variable
- is the outcome or effect that is measured by the researcher
steps in the research process (5)
step 1) select and define the research problem
-select a topic, ask: “what do I want to know?”
step 2) review previous research
-to see what others have learned about the
step 3) form a hypothesis
-a statement of the relationship between two or more ideas or concepts known as variables
step 4) develop the research design
-decide on methods to use
step 5) collect and analyze data
-must consider the reliability and validity of the data
step 6) draw conclusions and report findings
-relate the data to the hypothesis
