Soci 60 - Study Guide Terms

Basic Research

Research done to increase knowledge and understanding of a topic.

Applied Research

Research done to solve a specific real-world problem.

Literature Review

A summary of analysis of previous research related to a topic.

Unit of Analysis

The main thing being studied (people, groups, organizations, events).

Reliability

The consistency of a measurement or study over time.

Replicability

The ability for another researcher to repeat the study and get similar results.

Bias

Any influence that unfairly affects research results.

Generalizability

The extent to which findings apply to a larger population.

Validity

Whether a study or measurement accurately measures what it claims to measure.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Independent Variable

The factor being changed or studied.

Dependent Variable

The outcome affected by the independent variable.

Positive Relationship

As one variable increases, the other one increases.

Negative Relationship

As one variable increases, the other decreases.

Univariate Analysis

Examines one variable.

Bivariate Analysis

Examines the relationship between two variables.

Conceptualization

Defining a concept theoretically.

Operationalization

Turning a concept into something measurable.

Association

Two variables are related.

Causation

One variable directly causes changes in another.

Confounding Variable(s)

Outside variables that may affect the relationship being studied.

Survey Delivery Method

The way surveys are distributed (online, phones, mail, in person).

Sample

Smaller group selected from the population.

Population

Entire group being studied.

Sampling Frame

A list of all members of the population from which a sample is chosen.

Random/Probability Sampling Methods

Sampling methods where everyone has a known chance of being selected.

Response Rate

The percentage of people who complete the survey.

Oversampling

Intentionally sampling more members of a smaller group to ensure enough data.

Response Categories

The answer choices provided in a survey question.

Participant Observation

Researcher actively joins the group being studied.

Non-Participant Observation

Researcher observes without participating.

Saturation

The point in research when no new information or themes appear.

Rapport

Trust and positive connection between researchers and participants.

Reporting in the Aggregate

Presenting data as a group totals rather than identifying individuals.

Pseudonyms

Fake names used to protect participants’ identities.

Informed Consent

Participants agree to join research after understanding the risks and details.

IRB

Institutional Review Board: Committee that reviews research to ensure ethics and participant safety.

Simple Random Sampling

Everyone in the population has an equal change of being selected.

Systematic Random Sampling

Selecting every nth person from a list.

Stratified Random Sampling

Dividing the population into groups and randomly sampling from each group.

Cluster Sampling

Randomly selecting entire groups or clusters rather than individuals.

Convenience Sampling

Choosing participants based on ease of access.

Purposive Sampling

Selecting participants because they fit specific characteristics relevant to the study.