Unit 2

Question 1

science

Answer 1

a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observations

Question 2

empirical evidence

Answer 2

information we can verify with our sense

Question 3

concept

Answer 3

a mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form

Question 4

variable

Answer 4

a concept whose value changes from case to case

Question 5

measurements

Answer 5

a procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case

Question 6

operationalize a variable

Answer 6

specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable.

Question 7

reliability

Answer 7

consistency in measurement

Question 8

validity

Answer 8

actually measuring exactly what you intended to measure

Question 9

cause and effect

Answer 9

a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another

Question 10

independent variable

Answer 10

the variable that causes the change

Question 11

dependent variable

Answer 11

the variable that changes

Question 12

what are the 3 ways to do sociology?

Answer 12

1) scientific sociology (study based on systematic observation of social behavior)
2) interpretive sociology (study that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world)
3) critical sociology (the study that focuses on the need for social change).

Question 13

correlation

Answer 13

a relationshop in which two or more variables change together

Question 14

spurious correlation

Answer 14

an apparent but false relationship between two or more variables that is caused by some other variable

Question 15

control

Answer 15

holding constant all variables except one in order to see clearly the effect of the variable

Question 16

objectivity

Answer 16

personal neutrality in conducting research

Question 17

replication

Answer 17

repetition of research by other investifators

Question 18

gender

Answer 18

the personal traits and social position that members of a society attach to being female or male.

Question 19

research method

Answer 19

a systematic plan for doing research

Question 20

experiemen

Answer 20

a research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions

Question 21

hypothesis

Answer 21

a statement of a possible relationship between two or more variables

Question 22

hawthorne effect

Answer 22

a change in a subjects behaviour caused simply by the awareness of being studied.

Question 23

survey

Answer 23

a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions in a questionnaire or an interview.