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Sociology Chapter 2
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sources of Knowledge | -Tradition: Passed down from generation to generation -Authority: Socially accepted source of information -Research methods: Organized and systematic procedures to gain knowledge about a particular topic |
| Why is sociological research important? | - Counteracts misinformation -Exposes myths -Helps explain why people behave as they do -Affects social policies -Sharpens critical thinking skills |
| Scientific Method | A Body of objective and systematic techniques used to investigate phenomena, acquire knowledge, and test hypotheses and theories. |
| Elements of the Scientific Method | -Concept -Variable -Independent Variable -Dependent Variable -Control Variable -Hypothesis |
| Concept | An abstract idea, mental image, or general notion that represent some aspect of the world. |
| Variable | A Characteristic that can change in value or magnitude under different conditions. |
| Independent Variable | A Characteristic that has an effect on the dependent variable |
| Dependent Variable | The outcome that may be affected by the independent variable |
| Control Variable | A Characteristic that is constant and unchanged during the research process. |
| Deductive Reasoning | Begins with a theory, prediction, or general principle that is then tested through data collection |
| Inductive Reasoning | Begins with a specific observation, followed by: Data collection, a conclusion about patterns or irregularities, and a formation of hypotheses that can lead to the theory construction |
| Reliability | Is the consistency with which the same measure produces similar results time after time. |
| Validity | The degree to which a measure is accurate and really measures what it claims to measure |
| Sample | A group of people that is representative of the population researchers wish to study |
| Population | Any well-defined group of people that researchers want to know something about |
| Probability Sample | Each person has an equal chance of being selected because the selection is random. |
| Nonprobability Sample | There is little or no attempt to get a representative cross section of a population. |
| Time Dimension Studies | Researchers compare variable in two ways: Longitudinal Cross-sectional |
| Longitudinal | Data collected at two or more points in time from the same or different samples -Used to examine trend in behavior or attitudes |
| Cross-sectional | Data collected at one point in time -Provide valuable information |
| Research Approaches | -Qualitative -Quantitative -Causation |
| Qualitative Research | Examines and interprets nonnumerical material |
| Quantitative Research | Focuses on a numerical analysis of people's responses or specific characteristics |
| Causation | A relationship in which one variable is the direct consequence of another. |
| Correlation | Relationship between two or more variables |
| Steps in the Scientific Method | -Choose a topic of study -Summarize the related research -Formulate a hypothesis or ask a question -Describe the data collection methods -Collect Data -Analyze Data -Present and explain results |
| Data Collection Methods | -Surveys -Field Research -Content Analysis -Experiments -Secondary analysis of existing data -Evaluation Research |
| Surveys | A data collection method that includes questionaries, face to face or telephone interviews, or combinations |
| Questionaries | A series of written questions that ask for information |
| Interview | Research directly asks respondents a series of questions |
| Field Research | -Data collected by observing people in their natural surroundings -Provides detailed and valid information -Expensive and time-consuming |
| Field Research/Types of Observations | Participant and Nonparticipant |
| Participant Observation | Researchers interact with the people they are studying |
| Nonparticipant Observation | Researchers study phenomena without being part of the situation |
| Content Analysis | -Systematically examines a form of communication -Applicable to any form of written and oral communication -Develops categories to code material -Sorts and analyzes data -Draws conclusions about results |
| Experiments | A control artificial situation that allows research to manipulate variables and measure the effects Can suggest cause-and-effect relationship Rely on paid respondents or volunteers |
| Experimental Group | The participants who are exposed to the independent variable |
| Control Group | The participants who are not exposed to the independent variable |
| Secondary Analysis | Examination of data that have been collected by someone else Data includes: Historical Materials Personal Documents Public Records Official Statistics |
| Evaluation Research | -Determines whether a social intervention has produced the intended result -Focuses more on research purpose than use of specific method -Intended to have some real-world effect -Results help improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a policy |
| Advantages of Surveys | Questionaries are fairly inexpensive and simple to administer Interviews have high response rates Findings are often generalizable |
| Disadvantages of Surveys | Mailed questionaries have low response rates Respondents tend to be self-selected Interviews are usually expensive |
| Advantages of Secondary Analysis | Usually accessible, convenient, and inexpensive; often longitudinal and historical |
| Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis | Information may be incomplete Some documents may be inaccessible Some data cannot be collected over time |
| Advantages of Field Research | Flexible, offers deeper understanding of social behavior; usually inexpensive |
| Disadvantages of Field Research | Difficult to quantify and to maintain observer/subject boundaries; the observer may be biased or judgmental; findings are not generalizable |
| Advantages of Content | Usually inexpensive, can be recode errors easily, unobtrusive, permits comparisons over time |
| Disadvantages of Content | Can be labor intense, coding is often subjective, may reflect social class bias |
| Advantage of Experiments | Usually inexpensive, plentiful, supply of subjects, can be replicated |
| Disadvantage of Experiments | Subjects are not representative of larger population, the laboratory setting is artificial, findings can be generalized |
Created by:
Yerlin99
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