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Sociology > Unit 2: Theory and Methods > Flashcards

Unit 2: 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, 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 proved

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4
Q

Causation

A

Where a strict link can be proved between variables in a time sequences

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5
Q

Interpretivism

A

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

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6
Q

Identity

A

How a person sees themselves, and how others see them
E.g. 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 a 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 sampling

A

When the sampling frame is divided
E.g. by gender / 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 the participants

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25
Q

Questionnaires

A

A standardised 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 questions

A

The respondent can reply freely in their own words to give their responses

28
Q

Closed & pre-coded questions

A

The researcher has set out which responses can be recorded

29
Q

Respondent

A

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

30
Q

Qualitative data

A

Information and facts that are not able to be presented in numerical form

31
Q

Self-completion questionnaires

A

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

32
Q

Postal questionnaires

A

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

33
Q

Response rate

A

The proportion of responses obtained out of a sample

34
Q

Structured interview

A

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

35
Q

Telephone questionnaires

A

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

36
Q

Reliability

A

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

37
Q

Validity

A

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

38
Q

Unstructured interview

A

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

39
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

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

40
Q

Focus group

A

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

41
Q

Group interview

A

Any interview involving a group interviewed together

42
Q

Interviewer bias

A

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

43
Q

Interviewer effect

A

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

44
Q

Subjectivity

A

Lack of objectivity
The researcher’s view influences the approach taken

45
Q

Laboratory experiment

A

Experiments taking place in a laboratory
An artificial setting created for the research where external variables are excluded as far as possible

46
Q

Hawthorne / Observer Effect

A

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

47
Q

Field experiments

A

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

48
Q

Case study

A

A detailed in-depth study of one group or event

49
Q

Longitudinal survey

A

A survey taking place at intervals over a long period

50
Q

Overt participant observation

A

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

51
Q

Covert participation observation

A

Group being researched is unaware of the research and is deceived into thinking the researcher is a real member of the group

52
Q

Non-participant observation

A

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

53
Q

Content analysis

A

A method of studying communication and the media
Involves classifying the content and counting frequencies

54
Q

Triangulation

A

Use of two or more methods in the same research project

55
Q

Representativeness

A

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

56
Q

Primary data

A

Information collected by the sociologist at first hand

57
Q

Secondary data

A

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

58
Q

Official statistics

A

Produced by government and official agencies

59
Q

Non-official statistics

A

Produced by other organisations
E.g. charities and think tanks

60
Q

Trend

A

A change over time in a particular direction

61
Q

Comparative study

A

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

62
Q

Historical documents

A

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

Sociology (2 decks)

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