Variable - AnswersA factor that can change in an experiment
Research Methods: - AnswersSurvey Research
Fieldwork
Detached observation
Participant observation
Experimentation
Use of Existing Info.
Participatory Research
Survey Research - AnswersWhen basic information about a large population is desired. Sociologists
usually conduct this research by selecting samples that are representative of the entire population of
interest
Fieldwork - AnswersWhen detailed information is sought, and when surveys are impractical for getting
information desired. this usually relies on relatively small samples, esp. compared to surveys
Detached Observation - Answerswhen researchers desire to stay removed frm the people being studied
and must gather data in a way that minimizes impact on the subjects. often supplemented with face to
face interviews
Participant Observation - AnswersWhen firsthand knowledge of the subjects' direct experience is
desired, including a deeper understanding of their lives
Experimentation - AnswersWhen it is possible to create experimental and control groups that are
matched on relevant variables but provided with different experiences (usually not ethical)
use of existing information - AnswersWhen the direct acquisition of data is either not feasible or not
desirable b/c the event studied occurred in the past or b/c gathering the data would be too costly or too
difficult
participatory observation - AnswersWhen a primary goal is training people to gain political or economic
power and acquire the ness. skills to do the research themselves
sample - Answersa portion of the population selected to represent the whole
population - Answersthe whole group of people studied in sociological research
random sampling - Answerssampling in which everyone in the population of interest has an equal
chance of being chosen for the study
, stratified sampling - Answersdividing a population into a series of subgroups and taking random samples
from each group
independent or experimental variable - Answersvariables that cause changes in other variables
dependent variable - Answersvariables that can change as a result of changes in other variables
statistical data - Answersquantitative information based from govt. agencies, businesses, research
studies, and ither entities that collect data for their own or others' uses
Document Analysis - AnswersThe examination of written materials or cultural products: previous
studies, newspaper reports, court records, campaign posters, digital reports, films, pamphlets, and other
forms of text or images produced by individuals, government agencies, or private organizations.
Quantatative variable - Answerscan be counted
Qualitative variable - Answersvariables that express qualities and do not have numerical values
Correlation - Answersthe degree to which two or more variables are associated with one another
casual relationship - Answersa relationship between two variables in which one is the cause of the other
spurious relationship - Answersa correlation between two or more variables that is the result of
something that is not being measured, rather than a causal link between the variables themselves
ex:
principle of falsification - Answersthe principle, advanced by philosopher Karl Popper, that a scientific
theory must lead to testable hypotheses that can be disproved if they are wrong
negative correlation - Answersa relation between two variables in which one increases as the other
decreases
Falsifiability - Answersthe ability for a theory to be disproved; the logical possibility for a theory to be
tested and proved false
Validity - Answersthe degree to which concepts and their measurements accurately represent what they
claim to represent
Reliability - Answersthe extent to which researchers findings are consistent with the findings of different
studies of the same things or with the findings of the same study over time
objectivity - Answersthe ability to represent the object of study accurately
value neautrality - Answersthe characteristic of being free personal beliefs and opinions that would
influence the course of research