Intro to Sociology Chapter 2

Research that translates the social world into numbers that can be treated mathematically; this type of research often tries to find cause-and-effect relationships.

Research that works with nonnumerical data such as texts, fieldnotes, interview transcripts, photographs, and tape recording; this type of research more often tries to understand how people make sense of their world.

A procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting concrete data through observation and experiment.

A thorough search through previously published studies relevant to a particular topic.

A theoretical statement explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena

One of two or more phenomena that a researcher believes are related and hopes to prove are related through research.

A clear and precise definition of a variable that facilitates its measurement.

A relationship between variables in which they change together; may or may not be casual.

A relationship between variables in which a change in one directly produces a change in the other.

A third variable, sometimes overlooked, that explains the relationship between two other variable.

A naturalistic method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities; also the written work that results from the study.

A methodology associated with ethnography whereby the researcher both observes and becomes a member in a social setting.

A positive relationship often characterized by mutual trust or sympathy.

The process by which an ethnographer gains entry to a field setting.

Detailed notes taken by an ethnographer describing her activities and interactions, which later becomes the basis of the ethnographic analysis.

How the identity and activities of the researcher influence what is going on in the field setting.

An inductive method of generating theory from data by creating categories in which to place data and then looking for relationships between categories.

Research that can be repeated, and thus verified, by other researcher later.

The degree to which a particular studied group is similar to, or represents, any part of the larger society.

An opinion held by the researcher that might affect the research or analysis.

Face-to-face, information-seeking conversation, sometimes defined as a conversation with a purpose.

Someone from whom a researcher solicits information.

The entire group about which a researcher would like to be able to generalize.

The part of the population that will actually be studied.

A safeguard through which the researcher makes sure that respondents are freely participating and understand the nature of the research.

A question asked of a respondent that imposes a limit on the possible responses.

A question asked of a respondent that allows the answer to take whatever form the respondent chooses.

Questions that predispose a respondent to answer in a certain way.

Questions that attempt to get at multiple issues at once, and so tend to receive incomplete or confusing answers.

A method based on questionnaires that are administered to a sample of respondents selected from a target population.

A way of organizing categories on a survey question so that the respondent can choose an answer along a continuum.

Survey questions that ask respondents what they don't think instead of what they do.

A sample taken so that findings from members of the sample group can be generalized to the whole population

Any sampling scheme in which any given unit has the same probability of being chosen.

A particular type of probability sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Techniques for manipulating the sampling procedure so that the sample more closely resembles the larger population.

The number or percentage of surveys completed by respondents and returned to researchers.

The consistency of a question or measurement tool; the degree to which the same questions will produce similar answers.

The assurance that no one other than the researcher will know the identity of a respondent

The accuracy of a question or measurement tool; the degree to which a researcher is measuring what he thinks he is measuring.

A small study carried out to test the feasibility of a larger one

Materials that have been produced for some other reason, but that can be used as data for social research.

methods that use existing sources to study relationships between elements of society in various regions and time periods.

a method in which researchers identify and study specific variables--such as words--in a text, image, or media message.

Formal tests of specific variables and effects, performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled.

In an experiment, the process of regulating all factors except for the independent variable.

The part of a test group that receives the experimental treatment.

The part of the test group that is allowed to continue without intervention so that it can be compared with the experimental group.

factor that is predicted to cause change

factor that is changed (or not) by the independent variable.

An ideal whereby researchers identify facts without allowing their own personal beliefs or biases to interfere.

The search for knowledge without any agenda or desire to use that knowledge to effect change

Research designed to gather knowledge that can be used learned to create some sort of change

Impartiality, the ability to allow the facts to speak for themselves.

The tendency of people and events to react to the process of being studied.

A specific example of reactivity, in which the desired effect is the result not of the independent variable but of the research itself.

The extent to which the participants in a research project are unaware of the project or its goals.

Ethical guidelines for researchers to consult as they design a project

A group of scholars within a university who meet regularly to review and approve the research proposals of their colleagues and make recommendations for how to protect human subjects.