Sociological Research

Question 1

applied sociology

Answer 1

the use of the discipline of sociology to yield practical applications for human behavior and organizations

Question 2

casual logic

Answer 2

the relationship between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one leading to the other

Question 3

code of ethics

Answer 3

the standards of acceptable behavior developed by and for members of a profession

Question 4

content analysis

Answer 4

the systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale

Question 5

control group

Answer 5

the subjects in an experiment who are not introduced to the independent variable by the researcher

Question 6

control variable

Answer 6

a factor that is held constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable

Question 7

correlation

Answer 7

a relationship between two variables in which a change in one coincides with a change in the other

Question 8

cross-tabulation

Answer 8

a table or matrix that shows the relationship between two or more variables

Question 9

dependent variable

Answer 9

the variable in a casual relationship that is subject to the influence of another variable

Question 10

ethnography

Answer 10

the study of an entire social setting through extended systematic fieldwork

Question 11

experiment

Answer 11

an artificially created situation that allows a researcher to manipulate variables

Question 12

experimental group

Answer 12

the subjects in an experiment who are exposed to an independent variable introduced by a researcher

Question 13

Hawthorne effect

Answer 13

the unintended influence that observers of experiments can have on their subjects

Question 14

hypothesis

Answer 14

a speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables

Question 15

independent variable

Answer 15

the variable in a casual relationship that causes or influences a change in another variable

Question 16

interview

Answer 16

a face-to-face, phone, or online questioning of a respondent to obtain desired information

Question 17

mean

Answer 17

a number calculated by adding a series of values and then dividing by the number of values

Question 18

median

Answer 18

the midpoint or number that divides a series of values into two groups of equal numbers

Question 19

mode

Answer 19

the single most common value in a series of scores

Question 20

observation

Answer 20

a research technique in which an investigator collects information through direct participation, by closely watching a group of community

Question 21

operational definition

Answer 21

an explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researcher to assess the concept

Question 22

percentage

Answer 22

a portion of 100

Question 23

qualitative research

Answer 23

research that relies on what is seen in field or naturalistic settings more than on statistical data

Question 24

quantitative research

Answer 24

research that collects and reports data primarily in numerical form

Question 25

questionnaire

Answer 25

a printed or written form used to obtain information from a respondent

Question 26

random sample

Answer 26

a sample for which every member of an entire population has the same chance of being selected

Question 27

reliability

Answer 27

the extent to which a measure produces consistent results

Question 28

research design

Answer 28

a detailed plan or method for obtaining data scientifically

Question 29

sample

Answer 29

a selection for a larger population that is statistically representative of that population

Question 30

scientific method

Answer 30

a systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem

Question 31

secondary analysis

Answer 31

a variety of research techniques that make use of previously collected and publicly accessible information and data

Question 32

survey

Answer 32

a study, generally in the form of an interview or questionnaire, that provides researchers with information about how people think and act

Question 33

validity

Answer 33

the degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study

Question 34

value neutrality

Answer 34

Max Weber’s term for objectivity of sociologists in the interpretation of data

Question 35

variable

Answer 35

a measurable trait or characteristic that is subject to change different conditions

Question 36

visual sociology

Answer 36

the use of photographs, film, and video to study society