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SOCIOLOGY: IGCSE > UNIT 1: Theory and Methods > Flashcards

UNIT 1: Theory and Methods Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Structuralism

A

An approach focusing on the large-scale social structures in which people play defined roles.

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2
Q

Macro/Micro approaches

A

Macro approaches focus on the large scale of whole societies, and micro approaches on small-scale social interaction.

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3
Q

Correlation

A

When two variables are related to each other but causation cannot be provided; for example, ill-health is related to poverty. This is not a casual relationship because some sick people are not poor in some poor people are not sick.

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4
Q

Causation

A

Where a strict link can be proved between two variables in a time sequence, such as heating water to 100C causes it to boil. Causation is hard to find in sociology.

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5
Q

Interpretivism

A

Approaches that start at the level of the individual, focusing on small-scale phenomena, and usually favoring qualitative methods.

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6
Q

Identity

A

How a person sees themselves, and how others see them, for example as a girl and a student.

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7
Q

Perspectives

A

Ways of viewing social life from different points of view.

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8
Q

Consensus

A

Basic agreement on a set of shared values.

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9
Q

Conflict

A

Disagreement between groups with different interests.

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10
Q

Positivism

A

An approach to sociology based on studying society in a scientific manner.

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11
Q

Quantitative Data

A

Information and facts that take a numerical form.

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12
Q

Bias

A

Prejudice that distorts the truth when research is influenced by the values of the researcher or by decisions taken about the research, such as the sampling method used.

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13
Q

Objectivity

A

Absence of bias; the researchers do not allow their values or feelings to influence the research.

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14
Q

Hypothesis

A

A theory or explanation at the start of research that the research is designed to test.

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15
Q

Pilot Study

A

A small-scale test of a piece of a research project before the main research.

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16
Q

Survey Population

A

All those to whom the findings of the study will apply and from which a sample is chosen.

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17
Q

Sampling Frame

A

A list of members of the population from which the sample is chosen.

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18
Q

Generalisability

A

When the findings about a sample can be said to apply to larger group of people sharing their characteristics.

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19
Q

Random Sampling

A

When each person has an equal chance of being selected.

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20
Q

Stratified Sample

A

When the sampling frame is divided, for example, by gender or age.

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21
Q

Quota Sampling

A

Deciding in advance how many people with what characteristics to involve in the research and then identifying them.

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22
Q

Snowball Sampling

A

When one respondent puts the researcher in contact with others.

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23
Q

Sampling Methods

A

The different ways in which samples can be created.

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24
Q

Ethical Issues

A

Issues that have a moral dimension, such as when harm or distress may be caused to participants.

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25
Q

Questionnaires

A

A standardized list of questions used in social surveys.

26
Q

Social Surveys

A

The systematic collection of information from a sample, usually involving a questionnaire or structured interviews.

27
Q

Open, closed and pre-coded questions

A

Closed or pre-coded questions are those where the researcher has set out which responses can be recorded. In open questions, the respondent can reply freely in their own words to give their responses.

28
Q

Respondent

A

Someone who provides information to researchers, usually used for surveys and interviews rather than other methods.

29
Q

Qualitative Data

A

Information and facts (like attitudes or kinds of actions) that are not able to be presented in numerical form

30
Q

Self-completion questionnaires

A

Questionnaires that are completed by the respondent on their own, with the researcher not present

31
Q

Postal Questionnaires

A

Self-completion questionnaires that are sent out and returned by post.

32
Q

Response Rate

A

The proportion of responses obtained out of a sample.

33
Q

Structured Interview

A

An interview in which the questions are standardized ( the same questions asked in the same order ) and the replies codified to produce quantitative data.

34
Q

Telephone Questionnaires

A

When the researcher reads the questions to a respondent over the telephone and records their answers.

35
Q

Reliability

A

When the research can be repeated and similar responses will be obtained.

36
Q

Validity

A

When the findings accurately reflect the reality that it is intended to capture.

37
Q

Unstructured Interview

A

An interview without set questions that usually involves probing into emotions and attitudes, leading to qualitative data.

38
Q

Semi-structured Interview

A

An interview with some standardized questions but allowing the researcher some flexibility on what is asked in what order.

39
Q

Focus Group

A

A group brought together to be interviewed on a particular topic (the focus); a special type of group interview.

40
Q

Group Interview

A

Any interview involving a group interviewed together.

41
Q

Interviewer Bias

A

Intentional or unintentional effect of the way that the interviewer asks questions or interprets answers.

42
Q

Interviewer Effect

A

Ways in which an interviewer may influence participants’ responses, by their characteristics or appearance or by verbal cues such as facial expressions and tone of voice.

43
Q

Subjectivity

A

Lack of objectivity; the researcher’s view influences the approach taken.

44
Q

Laboratory Experiments

A

Experiments taking place in a laboratory, that is, an artificial setting created for the researcher where external variables are excluded as far as possible.

45
Q

Hawthorne or Observer Effect

A

The unintended effects of the researcher’s presence on the behavior or responses of participants.

46
Q

Field Experiments

A

Experiments that take place in the natural setting of the real world rather than in a laboratory.

47
Q

Case Studies

A

A detailed in-depth study of one group or event.

48
Q

Longitudinal Survey

A

A survey taking place at intervals over a long period.

49
Q

Overt Participant Observation

A

When the group being studied is aware that research is taking place and of who the researcher is.

50
Q

Covert Participant Observation

A

Covert means “hidden”; in such research, the group being studied is unaware of the research and is deceived into thinking the researcher is a real member of the group.

51
Q

Non-participant Observation

A

When the researcher observes a group but does not participate in what it is doing.

52
Q

Content Analysis

A

A method of studying communication and the media, which involves classifying the content and counting frequencies.

53
Q

Triangulation

A

Use of two or more methods in the same research project.

54
Q

Representativeness

A

The degree to which research findings about one group can be applied to a larger group or similar groups.

55
Q

Primary Data

A

Information collected by the sociologist at first hand.

56
Q

Secondary Data

A

Information collected earlier by others and used later on by a sociologist.

57
Q

Official and Non-official Statistics

A

Official statistics are produced by government and official agencies, and non-official statistics are produced by other organizations, such as charities and think tanks.

58
Q

Trend

A

A change over time in a particular direction.

59
Q

Comparative Study

A

In research, looking at two or more different groups or events in terms of their similarities and differences.

60
Q

Historical Documents

A

A wide range of documents from the past used as sources of information by sociologists.

SOCIOLOGY: IGCSE (15 decks)

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