Questions and Answers
What type of research translates the social world into numbers?
Which of the following best defines qualitative research?
What is the Scientific Method?
A procedure for acquiring knowledge emphasizing data collection through observation and experiment.
What does a literature review involve?
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Define a hypothesis.
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What are variables in research?
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What is an operational definition?
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What is correlation in research?
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What is causation?
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Define an intervening variable.
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What is ethnography?
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What is participant observation?
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What does rapport mean in research?
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What is the process of gaining access in ethnography?
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What are fieldnotes?
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What is reflexivity in research?
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What is grounded theory?
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Define replicability in research.
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What is representativeness in sampling?
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What is bias in research?
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What are interviews in research?
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Define respondent.
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What is target population?
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Define sample in research.
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What is informed consent?
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What is a closed-ended question?
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What is an open-ended question?
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What are leading questions?
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Define double-barreled questions.
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What is a survey?
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Define a Likert scale.
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What are negative questions?
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What is a representative sample?
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What is probability sampling?
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What is a simple random sample?
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Define weighting in sampling.
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What is response rate in research?
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What is reliability in research?
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Define confidentiality in research.
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What is validity?
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What is a pilot study?
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What are existing sources in research?
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Define comparative and historical methods.
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What is content analysis?
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What are experiments in research?
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What does control refer to in an experiment?
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Define experimental group.
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What is a control group?
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What is an independent variable?
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Define dependent variable.
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What does value-free sociology mean?
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Define basic research.
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What is applied research?
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What does objectivity refer to in research?
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Define reactivity in research.
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What is the Hawthorne effect?
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What is deception in research?
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What is a code of ethics?
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What is an institutional review board?
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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.
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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.