Question | Answer |
cause and effect | A relationship between two or more variables in which one variable influences or explains the change in the other variable(s). |
correlation | When two or more variables change value together in the same or opposite direction. |
dependent variable | A variable whose value is believed to depend upon or to be caused by another variable. |
experiments | Carefully designed and controlled attempts, usually conducted in a laboratory, to determine the effect of specific variables on a particular dependent variable or on the behavior or attitudes of the experiment’s subjects. |
field research | The study of social life in its natural setting. |
hypothesis | A statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables. |
independent Variable | A variable that causes or produces change in the value of another (dependent) variable. |
negative correlation | A relationship between two variables such that in the majority of cases, when one variable increases in value, the other decreases in value. |
operationalize | To specify how the variable is to be measured. |
participant observation | A research method in which the researcher systematically observes people while actually joining with them in their activities. |
perfect positive correlation | A relationship between two variables such that they both change together and in the same direction in all cases. |
population | The group of people to whom the results of research are applicable. |
positive correlation | A relationship between two variables such that they both change together in the same direction in the majority of cases. |
qualitative research | Research that emphasizes the uncovering of subjective meanings and ways people interact in everyday life through the use of descriptive, rather than numerical, data. |
quantitative research | Research that emphasizes the statistical analysis of numerical data. |
random samplng | Process by which each member of a population of interest has the same chance of being selected for participation in the study. |
reliability | Consistency in the measurement of a variable over time; the quality of measurement of the variable that suggests that the same results and data would be collected in repeated observations. |
representative sample | A subgroup of the population that accurately reflects the composition of the population as well as the distribution of important characteristics and attributes within the population. |
sample | A subgroup of the population from which the researcher will collect data. |
secondary analysis of existing data | The use of data initially collected by other researchers to analyze a topic of interest. |
validity | The extent to which a measure actually measures what it is intended to measure. |