Study of Sociology: Sociological Methods Flashcards
What consists of the Wheel of Science?
it is a cycle that goes from Theory –> Hypotheses –> Observations –> Empirical generalizations
What is a Theory ?
– it consists of abstract constructs
– making interpretations
What are hypotheses?
– specific measures aka variables
– statements about how two or more variables are expected to be related
- Conceptualization and Operationalize
- Independent and Dependent Variable
– there is a link between x and y but it happens indirectly
What are the 3 criteria for “x causes y” ?
- X has to actually be related to Y
- must establish that X precedes Y
- must be able to rule out all of the other explanations for why x and y are related
- —–> randomization is important
T or F, experiments clear out the noise, specifically with random sampling
True, not eliminating noise can interfere w/ analyzing relationship between the variables
What is a moderator? And what are the 3 types of moderation?
– moderator variable affects the strength and direction of that relationship.
– a moderator is different slopes for different groups
3 types
- slopes are different for all groups and one is stronger
- affects some and not others (slope)
- one way for one group, opp. direction for other group (slope)
What are observations?
- collect data
- - this is where the induction begins
Describe empirical generalizations.
– interpretation and inference
– relationship between two or more variables that has been observed across a range of conditions
T or F, deduction tends to be macro and it can also be micro
True
T or F, induction tends to be micro
True
What is positivism and what is it associated with?
- top - down (deduction)
- surveys
- standardized measures
- reliability
– relies on empirical evidence, such as those found through experiments and statistics, to reveal information about how society functions
What is interpretive and what is it associated with?
- fieldwork
- emergent measures
- validity
– associated with interpretive
– interpretivism recommends using non-scientific, qualitative methods to analyze human behavior
What is contexualization?
– defining the variable
What is operationalization?
- measurement
- - how will you measure your variables?
What is a spurious relationship?
– two factors that appear casually related to one another but are not
Ex: ice cream and drownings –> more ice cream being bought didn’t cause more drownings however more ice cream being bought could mean that the weather is hotter meaning more people are swimming and with more people swimming more people will drown.
What is an observational study?
– type of study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured
– cannot hold other variables constant
Describe an experimental study.
– keep surrounding environment of the study the same ; clear out all other noise
– keep other variables the same and isolate the independent
– take a random sample and randomly select individuals to getting what is being studied
– isolate each individual so that external factors cannot affect the variables being studied
T or F, in sociology you can eliminate external noise (factors)
False, you cannot, however you need to limit the effect on x and y (try to isolate though)
T or F, the predictor is the independent
– true
T or F, only report correlation
true
What is the mediator?
– control variables
– 3rd variable (z) goes between x and y –> relationship between x and z and how z affects y
Ex: education levels vs. income
–> mediator – internship & latter job
basically, the effect of x on y depends on something else “z” – moderator
What is top-down (deduction)
- reality is objective
- consistent –> not just a fluke
- quantifiable –> stats
- the answers to my questions have #’s assigned to them
What is bottom-up (induction)
– interpretive –> reality is subjective
– we give the results meaning
– not consistent –> not the same across subjects
– qualitative; narrative
T or F, both top-down (deduction) and bottom-up (induction) are correct
true
What is realiability and validity like for deduction and induction?
deduction: high reliability but low validity
induction: high validity but low reliability
what is secondary unobtrusive?
– based on quantified data
What is content analysis?
– take any form of human communication that is being conveyed/communicated
– research tool used to determine the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts within some given qualitative data
What is manifest content?
– what is in human communication
– what did you observe?
– what is you interpretation of what happened?
T or F, one must protect the anonymity of the expt. subjects
True, ethics are important
T or F, one can assign subjects to be placed in specific environment
True; ethics are important
