Research Methods in Sociology
59 Questions
101 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What type of research translates the social world into numbers?

  • Qualitative Research
  • Intervening Variable
  • Quantitative Research (correct)
  • Operational Definition

    • Which of the following best defines qualitative research?

  • Research with numerical data
  • Research focused on experimental methods
  • Research with nonnumerical data (correct)
  • Research using questionnaires

    • What is the Scientific Method?

    A procedure for acquiring knowledge emphasizing data collection through observation and experiment.

    What does a literature review involve?

    <p>A thorough search through previously published studies relevant to a particular topic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a hypothesis.

    <p>A theoretical statement explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are variables in research?

    <p>One of two or more phenomena believed to be related.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an operational definition?

    <p>A clear and precise definition of a variable facilitating its measurement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is correlation in research?

    <p>A relationship between variables where they change together.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is causation?

    <p>A relationship where a change in one variable directly produces a change in another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define an intervening variable.

    <p>A third variable that explains the relationship between two other variables.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is ethnography?

    <p>A naturalistic method studying people in their own environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is participant observation?

    <p>A methodology where the researcher observes and becomes a member of a social setting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does rapport mean in research?

    <p>A positive relationship characterized by mutual trust or sympathy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of gaining access in ethnography?

    <p>The process by which an ethnographer gains entry to a field setting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are fieldnotes?

    <p>Detailed notes taken by an ethnographer about their activities and interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is reflexivity in research?

    <p>How the identity and activities of the researcher influence the field setting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is grounded theory?

    <p>An inductive method of generating theory from data by creating categories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define replicability in research.

    <p>Research that can be repeated and verified by other researchers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is representativeness in sampling?

    <p>The degree to which a studied group represents a larger society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is bias in research?

    <p>An opinion held by the researcher that might affect research or analysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are interviews in research?

    <p>Face-to-face, information-seeking conversations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define respondent.

    <p>Someone from whom a researcher solicits information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is target population?

    <p>The entire group about which a researcher would like to generalize.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define sample in research.

    <p>The part of the population that will actually be studied.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is informed consent?

    <p>A safeguard ensuring that respondents freely participate and understand the research.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a closed-ended question?

    <p>A question imposing a limit on possible responses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an open-ended question?

    <p>A question allowing the answer to take whatever form the respondent chooses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are leading questions?

    <p>Questions that predispose a respondent to answer in a certain way.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define double-barreled questions.

    <p>Questions that attempt to address multiple issues at once.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a survey?

    <p>A method based on questionnaires administered to a sample of respondents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define a Likert scale.

    <p>A way of organizing survey categories for respondents to choose an answer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are negative questions?

    <p>Survey questions asking respondents what they don't think instead of what they do.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a representative sample?

    <p>A sample allowing findings to be generalized to the whole population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is probability sampling?

    <p>Any sampling scheme where every unit has the same probability of being chosen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a simple random sample?

    <p>A type of probability sample where every member has an equal chance of selection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define weighting in sampling.

    <p>Techniques for adjusting the sampling to resemble the larger population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is response rate in research?

    <p>The number or percentage of surveys completed and returned.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is reliability in research?

    <p>The consistency of a measurement tool providing similar answers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define confidentiality in research.

    <p>The assurance that only the researcher knows a respondent's identity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is validity?

    <p>The accuracy of a measurement tool in assessing what it is designed to measure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a pilot study?

    <p>A small study carried out to test the feasibility of a larger one.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are existing sources in research?

    <p>Materials produced for other reasons but can be used as data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define comparative and historical methods.

    <p>Methods using existing sources to study relationships across regions and time periods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is content analysis?

    <p>A method identifying and studying specific variables in a text or media.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are experiments in research?

    <p>Formal tests of specific variables and effects in a controlled setting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does control refer to in an experiment?

    <p>Regulating all factors except for the independent variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define experimental group.

    <p>The part of a test group that receives the experimental treatment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a control group?

    <p>The part of a test group that does not receive experimental treatment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an independent variable?

    <p>A factor predicted to cause change in an experiment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define dependent variable.

    <p>A factor that is changed by the independent variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does value-free sociology mean?

    <p>An ideal where researchers identify facts without personal biases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define basic research.

    <p>The search for knowledge without an agenda for change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is applied research?

    <p>Research designed to gather knowledge for creating change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does objectivity refer to in research?

    <p>Impartiality allowing the facts to speak for themselves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define reactivity in research.

    <p>The tendency of people and events to react to being studied.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Hawthorne effect?

    <p>A specific example of reactivity where the desired effect results from the research itself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is deception in research?

    <p>The extent to which participants are unaware of the research project.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a code of ethics?

    <p>Ethical guidelines for researchers designing a project.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an institutional review board?

    <p>A group that reviews and approves research proposals for ethical considerations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Research Methods in Sociology

    • Quantitative Research: Involves translating social phenomena into numerical data to identify cause-and-effect relationships.
    • Qualitative Research: Focuses on nonnumerical data (texts, interviews, images) to understand how individuals interpret their world.
    • Scientific Method: A systematic procedure for acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation.
    • Literature Review: A comprehensive search of existing studies relevant to a specific research topic.
    • Hypothesis: A theoretical proposition explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena.

    Research Variables and Definitions

    • Variables: Phenomena believed to be related, which researchers aim to test.
    • Operational Definition: A precise definition of a variable that facilitates measurement.
    • Correlation: Indicates a relationship between variables where changes occur together, but not necessarily causing one another.
    • Causation: A direct relationship where a change in one variable results in a change in another variable.
    • Intervening Variable: A third variable that helps explain the relationship between two primary variables.

    Ethnographic Research

    • Ethnography: A method studying individuals in their natural environment to understand their activities and meanings; results in written work.
    • Participant Observation: Ethnographic methodology where the researcher becomes part of the social setting being studied.
    • Rapport: A positive, trusting relationship built between researcher and subjects.
    • Access: The process for an ethnographer to enter a field setting to conduct research.
    • Fieldnotes: Detailed observations made by ethnographers, forming the basis of their analysis.

    Research Integrity and Ethics

    • Reflexivity: Recognizing how a researcher's identity and actions influence field dynamics.
    • Informed Consent: Ensures respondents are knowingly participating and understand the research context.
    • Confidentiality: Guarantees that a respondent's identity remains private.
    • Code of Ethics: Guidelines for ethical research practices.

    Survey Techniques

    • Survey: A research method using questionnaires distributed to sample populations for data collection.
    • Closed-ended Questions: Limit responses to predefined options.
    • Open-ended Questions: Allow respondents to answer in their own words.
    • Leading Questions: Crafted to prompt specific responses.
    • Double-barreled Questions: Address multiple issues simultaneously, resulting in unclear responses.
    • Likert Scale: Organizes responses along a continuum to measure attitudes.

    Sampling and Data Analysis

    • Sample: The subset of the population being studied to make generalizations.
    • Probability Sampling: Each unit in the population has an equal opportunity to be selected.
    • Representative Sample: A sample reflecting the larger population's characteristics.
    • Weighting: Adjustments made to sampling methods to better reflect the target population.
    • Response Rate: The percentage of completed surveys returned by respondents.

    Validity and Reliability in Research

    • Reliability: Consistency of measurements and the stability of findings.
    • Validity: Ensures the accuracy of measurements and the true reflection of what is intended to be measured.
    • Pilot Study: A preliminary study conducted to assess the feasibility of larger research efforts.
    • Existing Sources: Previously published materials utilized as data for new research.

    Experimental Research Design

    • Experiments: Controlled tests assessing specific variables and their effects.
    • Control Group: Group receiving no experimental treatment for comparison.
    • Experimental Group: Group subjected to the treatment being studied.
    • Independent Variable: The factor being tested that may cause changes.
    • Dependent Variable: The outcome that may change in response to the independent variable.

    Research Applications

    • Basic Research: Knowledge-seeking without immediate practical application.
    • Applied Research: Focused on gathering data for practical change or application.
    • Value-free Sociology: Commitment to identifying facts without personal bias interfering.
    • Reactivity: Awareness of being studied can influence behavior (e.g., Hawthorne effect).

    Ethical Research Considerations

    • Deception: The extent to which participants are unaware of the study's true purpose.
    • Institutional Review Board: A university body reviewing research proposals to ensure ethical standards and protection of human subjects.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Explore the various research methods used in sociology including quantitative and qualitative approaches. This quiz will help you understand key concepts like hypotheses, variables, and the scientific method. Test your knowledge on how these methods contribute to sociological research.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser