Sociology Research Flashcards
Operational Definition
Explanation of an abstract concept specific enough for research to access the concept
Independent Variable
Variable to influence or cause another
Dependent Variable
Who’s action depends on the influence of the Independent Variable
Casual Logic
Involves the relationship between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one leading to the other
Correlation
Exists when a change in one variable coincides with a change in the other
Validity
Degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon being studied
Reliability
Extent to which a measure produces consistent results
Research Design
Detailed plan/method for obtaining data scientifically
Qualitative Research
Relies on what is seen in field and naturalistic settings and often focuses on small groups and communities rather than on large groups or whole nations
Ethnography
Study of an entire social setting through extended systemat8ic fieldwork
Hawthorne Effect
Unintended influence that observers of experiments can have on their subjects
Secondary Analysis
Variety of research techniques that make use of previously collected and publicly accessible information + data
Content Analysis
Systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale
Code of Ethics
Standards of acceptable behavior developed by and for members of a profession
Value Neutrality
Max Weber’s term for the objectivity of sociologists in the interpretation of data
