Sociological Research

Question 1

case study

Answer 1

a study that relies on a single case rather than a population or sample and allows for detailed observations that can extend for a longer time period (research method)

Question 2

cause and effect

Answer 2

a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another; also referred to as causation

Question 3

concept

Answer 3

a mental construct that identifies a part of our social world in a basic form; i.e. family, gender, social class, race

Question 4

control

Answer 4

the holding constant of all variables except the one to be investigated in order to get a clear picture of a variable’s role in a study

Question 5

correlation

Answer 5

a relationship in which two (or more) variables change together

Question 6

critical sociology

Answer 6

an activist research orientation that focuses on the need for social change

Question 7

cross-sectional research

Answer 7

a study of a sample population of different ages who have the same trait/characteristic of interest at a single time (research design)

Question 8

cross-sequential research

Answer 8

a study of a cross-sectional sample population more than once over a specified period of time- combines the cross-sectional with the longitudinal (research design)

Question 9

deductive logical thought

Answer 9

reasoning that transforms general theory into specific hypotheses suitable for testing

Question 10

dependent variable

Answer 10

the variable in a study that changes as a result of manipulation of the independent variable by the researcher

Question 11

empirical evidence

Answer 11

a source of knowledge acquired by means of observation or experimentation; information we can verify with our senses

Question 12

experiment

Answer 12

a test, trial or tentative procedure done for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle or supposition under highly controlled conditions (research method)

Question 13

hawthorne effect

Answer 13

a change in a subject’s behavior brought about by the awareness of being watched

Question 14

hypothesis

Answer 14

a proposition to explain the phenomenon

Question 15

independent variable

Answer 15

the variable in a study that causes the change that is controlled by the researcher

Question 16

inductive logical thought

Answer 16

reasoning that transforms specific observations into a general theory

Question 17

interpretive sociology

Answer 17

a subjective research orientation that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world

Question 18

interview

Answer 18

a meeting for obtaining information by questioning a person or persons (research method)

Question 19

longitudinal research

Answer 19

a study of the same sample population repeatedly over a specified period of time (research design)

Question 20

objectivity

Answer 20

neutrality while conducting a study

Question 21

operational definition

Answer 21

the statement of exactly what is to be measured prior to assigning value to a variable in a sociological study

Question 22

participant observation

Answer 22

a research method in which investigators systematically observe people while joining them in their routine activities (research method)

Question 23

population

Answer 23

the people who are the focus of research Inductive

Question 24

positivist/scientific sociology

Answer 24

an objective research orientation based on the gathering of empirical evidence to draw conclusions about social behavior

Question 25

qualitative

Answer 25

pertaining to or concerned with qualities, traits, or characters; qualitative data is often reported in narrative form

Question 26

quantitative

Answer 26

pertaining to or concerned with quantities, portions, or amounts: quantitative data is often reported in numerical form (charts, graphs, etc.)

Question 27

questionnaire

Answer 27

a list of questions submitted for replies that can be analyzed for useful information (research method)

Question 28

reliability

Answer 28

consistency in measurements within a study

Question 29

research design

Answer 29

a systematic plan for conducting research

Question 30

research ethics

Answer 30

a value system adopted by researchers designed to protect the subjects of a study, the authenticity of the study, and the profession overall

Question 31

research method

Answer 31

the systematic procedure for studying a problem

Question 32

sample

Answer 32

a part of a population that represents the whole

Question 33

scientific method

Answer 33

a method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data gathered, a hypothesis formulated and the hypothesis is empirically tested

Question 34

secondary analysis

Answer 34

the practice of analyzing data that have already been gathered by someone else, often for a distinctly different purpose (research method)

Question 35

spurious correlation

Answer 35

an apparent but false relationship in which two (or more) variables change together

Question 36

su

Answer 36

a sampling or partial collection of facts, figures, or opinions taken via questionnaire or oral interview and used to approximate or indicate what a complete collection and analysis might reveal (research method)

Question 37

validity

Answer 37

measuring exactly what is intended to be measured in a study

Question 38

variable

Answer 38

something that may or does vary; a concept whose value changes from case to case; i.e. using social class as the concept, upper class/middle class/ lower class would be the variables