Sociology 150 Midterm Flashcards
Scientific method
Establish parameter that help ensure that the finding are objective and accurate. Provides boundaries that focus a study and organize it’s results.
Scientific literature
Give us a broad understanding of previous research done on the topic which can help establish how you feel.
Hypothesizes
An assumption about how two or more variables are related this guess in
Null Hypothesis
Opposite of the hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the variable
What do sociologists seek to do in the social world
Contribute and enhance knowledge
Causation vs. Correlation
Correlation: There is a relationship between the variables
Causation: One of the variables causes the others reaction. Only can be found through experiments
Empirical patterns
On a vey basic level, researchers try to find correlation between variables
Content analysis
a research tool used to determine the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts within some given qualitative data
Operationalization
Defining the concept in terms of steps it takes to objectively measure it. Turning abstrat concepts into quantifiable measurable variable
Research Methods
A systemic process of inquiry applied to learning about the social world
What is the goal of research methods
To construct a defensible version of reality.
What are the twin pillars of science
Logic and Observation
How do scientists gather infromation
They gather information about facts in a way that is organized and intentional and follows a set of predetemined steps
Steps of the research process
Choosing a research topic, conducting a literature review, measuring variables and gather data and analyzing data and drawing a conclusion.
Difference between qualitative and quantitative method
Quantitative research is structured numerical data analysis, aims to explore and is larger sample sizes.
Qualitative research is in depth, narrative data analysis, aims to measure and smaller sample size.
Are quantitative and qualitative methods in opposition to each other?
No. They are more like brothers. Different but still having some similarities. Many studies use both to strengthen their results.
Where do sociologist look for patterns of regularity.
In social life.
Difference in Data collection , Data analysis and theory.
Data collection are designed to detect social regularities, data analysis technique are used to interpret them and theory is used to explain them.
Selective observation
Paying attention to events that match a prior conclusion and ignore those that do not.
Overgeneralization
Occurs when we unjustifiably conclude that what is true for some cases is true for all cases.
Confirmation bias
The tendency to seek out and prefer information that supports out preexisting beliefs.
Varible
A characteristics /condition that can change from person to person
Independent varible
Variable that is manipulated
Dependent Varible
Variable that stays the same and is studied.
Probabilistic relationships
A concept in a group of philosophical theories that aim to characterize the relationship between cause and effect using the tools to probability theory.
Operationalization
Define the concept in terms of steps it takes to objectively measure it.
What is peer review
The evaluation of scientific article by another unbiased third party to look for mistakes and access the quality of the paper before it’s published
Systematic in sociology
Systematically gathered data that allows us to make larger claims
Empirical evidence
Evidence derived from direct experience and or observation combined
Why do sociologist use the scientific method
They use it to maintain as much objectivity, focus and consistency as possible.
Cumulative Knowledge
Knowledge in sociology grows and expands as new research theories and perspectives are added to the existing body of knowledge.
Loneliness
A subjective feeling state of being alone separted or apart from otherss
Is age associated with loneliness?
Kind of. 18-29 feel the most lonely and 60 or older feel the least lonely.
Is there a different between men and women when it comes to loneliness.
No.
Generalizability
How well the results of the study apply to the population and the public.
What model did the study follow
Stress process model
Countervailing factors in the study
Federal government providing support, worker unable to work due to covid, being able to tap into personal savings, few opportunities to spend money due to lockdown
countervailing factor
A factor of equal strength to another one but is its opposite or opposes it.
What type of study is used in the study.
Longitudinal survey mixed with in depth interviews.
why do researchers like to use models in research .
It allows you to know where you are in the process and helps maps out the analytical effects for the statistical analysis.
Engineering stress model
Stress is an external force acting against a resisting body
Stress process model
the relationships between stressors, resources, and psychological wellbeing
Biostress model
Stages the general adaption syndrome. Process goes: Stressor, alarm response, resistance, exhaustion.
How are terms like social structure and systems stratification useful in sociology inquiry
These systems embody the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities and self-regard a law status within them may itself be a source of stress Ife condition
computational methods
computer simulations, artificial intelligence, complex statistical methods, and analytic approaches like social network analysis
ethnography/ Participant observation
Immersion by a researcher in a group or social setting in order to make observations from an “insider” perspective
Qualitative insights
provide detail about a small number of cases, not population-level patterns
Social Integration
The degree to which individuals engage
in social interaction with others.
empirical validation
evidence corroborated by direct experience to describe observation and how closely they correspond (correlate) with behavior as measured in other contexts.
conjoint survey
survey-based statistical techniques that help determine the attributes by which people value a particular object or action. From two different examples
vignettes experiments
use short descriptions of situations or persons (vignettes) that are usually shown to respondents within surveys in order to elicit their judgments about these scenarios.
Operationalization goes from _____ to _____ to _____.
Concepts, Variables, Indicators
Difference between vignette and conjoint study
A conjoint survey forces choice between situations, the vignette asks for a response to an example situation
Main points of Dokshin “Millions of online book co-purchases reveal partisan differences in the consumption of science”
Main idea: Used data derived from millions of online co-purchases as indicator for whether shared interest in science bridges political differences or selective attention reinforces existing divisions
Method: computational methods using coders
core concepts: Social integration
Conclusion: That the left and right share an interest in science in general, but not science in particular, just looking for the convenient truths
Main points of Leafia Zi Ye & Jason Fletcher “Immigrant status and the social returns to
academic achievement in adolescence”
Main idea: Immigrants will not see any kind popularity based on higher GPA
hypothesis: The effect of academic achievement on popularity among peers is negative for Black and American Indian youth from native-born families and nonexistent or positive for immigrant
minority students of any race/ethnicity.
Method: Survey, secondary data (they used already acquired data
Core concepts: operationalization( GPA and popularity)
Conclusion: There was no evidence that any
group experienced social sanctions
for academic achievement
Main points of “Residential preferences, place alienation, and neighborhood satisfaction: A conjoint survey experiment in Toronto’s inner suburbs”
Main idea: How lower v higher SES Toronto neighborhood differences
Method: Secondary data, conjoint survey, looking at acquired data and drawing conclusions.
Conclusion: lower SES neighborhoods and higher SES neighborhoods share ideas when it comes to safety, transit,
school quality, neighborliness, public spaces, and building types. However,
differences across a range with preferences including bike usage, local
commercial spaces, and cultural and recreation facilities.
Main points of Doering et al.’s “Was it me or was it gender discrimination”
Main idea: How women respond to ambiguous incidents of gender
discrimination
Method: Mixed methods (Vignette experiment, In-depth interviews, surveys)
Core concepts: They exist on a gradient from more to less ambiguous
Conclusion: The study establishes
ambiguous gendered incidents as a familiar element of many women’s work lives that must be considered to address unequal gendered experiences at work.
Main points of Schieman et al.t “A Forced Vacation? The Stress of Being Temporarily Laid Off During a Pandemic”
Main idea: Used mixed method to find about about peoples feelings about being laid off during covid
Method: Survey, in-depth interview
Core concepts: That people
Conclusion: People did not feel more stressed during the pandemic and in fact felt a relief due to the
Main points of Correll et alt “Is there a motherhood penalty”.
Main idea: Mothers are treated differently to fathers and nonmothers in the workplace leading to discrimination
Hypothesis: In the workplace, mothers experience a disadvantage in rewards like pay and perceived competence
Method: Experiment
Core concepts: Status, status theory, performance expectations
Conclusion: mothers
were penalized on a host of measures, including perceived competence and recommended starting salary. Men were not penalized for,
and sometimes benefited from, being a parent.
