UNIT 2 (Sociological Research) Flashcards
What are the 10 bases of “Unscientific” thinking
- Tradition
- Authority
- Casual Observation
- Overgeneralization
- Selective Observation
- Qualification
- Illogical reasoning
- Ego-Defence
- Premature closure of Inquiry
- Mystification
Define “Sample”
The part of the population of research interest that is selected for analysis
Define “Population”
The entire group about which the researcher wants to generalize
How can we determine that the test results are accurate and “Objective”?
That 2 people come to similar conclusions, and that there is a degree of consistency between the individuals experimenting.
What are “Insider” and “Outsider” perspectives
They are ways individuals perceive things in their respective positions in society
Insiders —> are “Inside” the social group and understand the niche experiences jokes, and understandings outsiders wont understand
Outsiders —> are “Outside” the social group and provide a “non-member” perspectie
What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative research?
Qualitative is more about researching experiences, and things that can’t be measured with numbers
Quantitative is researching and basing everything off numbers and figures
Define “Operationalization”
the process by which a concept is translated into a variable
Define “Variable”
A measure of a concept that has more than one value or score (0-100 or any numerical value)
What is the difference between a “Concrete” and “Abstract” experience?
Concrete is like experiencing it through touch, sight hearing ETC
Abstract is like a mental and abstract experiences that is made from the mind and thinking
How do you”Viewpoints” influence is?
It shapes what we experience, and uses our concepts and principles to shape them
How do we conduct qualitative research and what type of research is it?
We find evidence through interviews and participant observations
Qualitative research is also INDUCTIVE RESEARCH
How do we conduct quantitative research and what type of research is it?
We find evidence through surveys
Quantitative is DEDUCTIVE RESAERCH
How do we conduct quantitative research and what type of research is it?
We find evidence through surveys
Quantitative is DEDUCTIVE RESAERCH
What are some ethical considerations we need to take into account?
- Voluntary participation
- Harm minimization
- Right to privacy
- Authenticity
What is “randomization”?
Randomly assigning individuals to groups by chance
Define “Experimental Group”
Group that is exposed to the independent variable
What is the independent and dependent variable
Independent: the cause in a “Cause and effect” relationship
Dependent: the effect in a “Cause and effect” releationship
Define “Control Group”
Group that is not exposed to an independent variable
Define “Validity” and “Reliability”
Validity: Degree to which a measure actually measures what it is intended to measure
Reliability: the degree to which a measurement procedure has CONSISTENT results
What are surveys and what are the two types?
Surveys basically just ask people questions about their knowledge, experiences or behaviours
The two types are
1. Open-ended
2. Close-ended
What number of people sampled gives accurate results?
1500
What are the three “Determining Causes” researches must satisfy if there is a relationship between the independent and dependent variables?
- relationship test
- Sequencing
- Non-spuriousness
- Relationship Test
- Sequencing
- Non-spuriousness
Define the three “determining causes”
relationship test: If there is a relationship between the variables
Sequencing: if the variables change AFTER you expose the independent variable
Non-spuriousness: Is there no third or other variables acting in the experiment
What is a casual connection or casual relationship?
A “Cause and Effect” relationship
Basically when 2 variables systematically change together
Define “Participant Observation” and what is the goal of it
It is when researchers partake in the social group being studied
This is done to experience and understand what it is like to be a member in that community
Participant observation tries to figure out what 5 issues?
- Determining the researchers role (And stopping reactivity of participants)
- Gaining access
- Identifying key informants
- Assembling field notes
- Constructing narratives
What is the difference between “Structured” and “Unstructured” interviews and define them
Structured interviews follow strict questions and guidelines
Unstructured interviews have loose, open-ended formats that allow the questions to be answered easily
Define “Case Studies”
The focus on a rich description on a single case
