Sociological Research

Question 1

Case Study:

Answer 1

In-depth analysis of a single event, situation, or individual.

Question 2

Code Of Ethics:

Answer 2

A set of guidelines that the American Sociological Association has established to foster ethical research and professionally responsible scholarship in sociology.

Question 3

Content Analysis:

Answer 3

Applying a systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it relates to the study at hand.

Question 4

Correlation:

Answer 4

When a change in one variable coincides with a change in another variable, but does not necessarily indicate causation.

Question 5

Dependent Variables:

Answer 5

A variable changed by other variables.

Question 6

Empirical Evidence:

Answer 6

Evidence that comes from direct experience, scientifically gathered data, or experimentation.

Question 7

Ethnography:

Answer 7

Observing a complete social setting and all that it entails.

Question 8

Experiment:

Answer 8

The testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions.

Question 9

Field Research:

Answer 9

Gathering data from a natural environment without doing a lab experiment or a survey.

Question 10

Hawthorne Effect:

Answer 10

When study subjects behave in a certain manner due to their awareness of being observed by a researcher.

Question 11

Independent Variables:

Answer 11

Variables that cause changes in dependent variables.

Question 12

Interpretive Framework:

Answer 12

A sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding of a topic or subject through observation or interaction; this approach is not based on hypothesis testing.

Question 13

Interview:

Answer 13

A one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the subject.

Question 14

Literature Review:

Answer 14

A scholarly research step that entails identifying and studying all existing studies on a topic to create a basis for new research.

Question 15

Meta-analysis:

Answer 15

A technique in which the results of virtually all previous studies on a specific subject are evaluated together.

Question 16

Nonreactive Research:

Answer 16

Using secondary data, does not include direct contact with subjects and will not alter or influence people’s behaviors.

Question 17

Operational Definitions:

Answer 17

Specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study.

Question 18

Participant Observation:

Answer 18

When a researcher immerses herself in a group or social setting in order to make observations from an insider perspective.

Question 19

Population:

Answer 19

A defined group serving as the subject of a study.

Question 20

Primary Data:

Answer 20

Data that are collected directly from firsthand experience.

Question 21

Qualitative Data:

Answer 21

Comprise information that is subjective and often based on what is seen in a natural setting.

Question 22

Quantitative Data:

Answer 22

Represent research collected in numerical form that can be counted.

Question 23

Random Sample:

Answer 23

A study’s participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population.

Question 24

Reliability:

Answer 24

A measure of a study’s consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced.

Question 25

Samples:

Answer 25

Small, manageable number of subjects that represent the population.

Question 26

Scientific Method:

Answer 26

An established scholarly research method that involves asking a question, researching existing sources, forming a hypothesis, designing and conducting a study, and drawing conclusions.

Question 27

Secondary Data Analysis:

Answer 27

Using data collected by others but applying new interpretations.

Question 28

Surveys:

Answer 28

Collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire.

Question 29

Validity:

Answer 29

The degree to which a sociological measure accurately reflects the topic of study.

Question 30

Value Neutrality:

Answer 30

A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgment during the course of a study and in publishing results.