sociology ch 2

Question 1

altruism

Answer 1

behaviour intended to help others and done without any expectation of personal benefit

Question 2

analysis

Answer 2

the process through which data are organized so that comparisons can be made and conclusions drawn

Question 3

complete observation

Answer 3

research in which the investigator systematically observes a social process but does not take part in it

Question 4

control group

Answer 4

subjects in an experiment who are not exposed to the independent variable, but later are compared to the subjects in the experimental group

Question 5

deductive approach

Answer 5

research in which the investigators begins with a theory and then collects information and data to test the theory

Question 6

dependent variable

Answer 6

a variable that is assumed to depend on or be caused by one or more other independent variables

Question 7

descriptive study

Answer 7

research that attempts to describe social reality or provide facts about some group, practice or event

Question 8

experiment

Answer 8

a research method involving a carefully designed test in which the researcher studies the impact of certain variables on subjects attitudes or behaviour

Question 9

experimental group

Answer 9

subjects in an experiment who are exposed to the independent variable

Question 10

explanatory study

Answer 10

research that attempts to explain relationships and to provide information on why certain events do or do not occur

Question 11

field research

Answer 11

the study of social life in its natural setting; observing and interviewing people where they live, work and play.

Question 12

hypothesis

Answer 12

tentative statements of the relationship between two or more concepts or variables

Question 13

independent variable

Answer 13

a variable that is assumed to cause or determine a dependent variable

Question 14

inductive approach

Answer 14

research in which the investigator collects information or data and then generates theories from the analysis of the data

Question 15

interview

Answer 15

a research method using a data collection encounter in which an interviewer ask the respondent questions and records the answers

Question 16

objective

Answer 16

free from distorted subjective (personal or emotional) bias

Question 17

participant observation

Answer 17

a research method in which researchers collect systematic observations while being parts of the activities of the group they are studying

Question 18

population

Answer 18

in a research study, those persons about whom we want to be able to draw conclusions

Question 19

questionnaire

Answer 19

a research instrument containing a series of items to which subjects respond

Question 20

random sample

Answer 20

a selection in which everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being chose. in other worlds, choice occurs by chance

Question 21

reactivity

Answer 21

the tendency of experiment participants to change their behaviour in response to the presence of the researcher or to the fact that they know they are being studied

Question 22

reliability

Answer 22

in sociological research, the extent to which a study or research instrument yields consistent results

Question 23

replication

Answer 23

in sociological research, the repetition of the investigation in substantially the same way that it was originally conducted.

Question 24

representative sample

Answer 24

a selection where the sample has the essential characteristics of the total population

Question 25

research methods

Answer 25

specific strategies or techniques for conducting research

Question 26

respondent

Answer 26

a person who provides data for analysis through an interview or questionnaire

Question 27

sample

Answer 27

the people who are selected from the population to be studied

Question 28

secondary analysis

Answer 28

a research method in which researchers use existing material and analyze data that originally was collected by others

Question 29

survey

Answer 29

a research method in which a number of respondents are asked identical questions through a systematic questionnaire or interview

Question 30

triangulation

Answer 30

using several different research methods, data sources, investigators and/or theoretical perspectives in the same study

Question 31

unstructured interview

Answer 31

a research method involving extended, open-ended interaction between an interviewer and an interviewee

Question 32

validity

Answer 32

in sociological research, the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure

Question 33

variable

Answer 33

in sociological research, any concept with measureable traits or characteristics that can change or vary from one person, time, situation, or society to another