Unit 4- Research Methods

this is the name for a measurable characteristic that varies in a hypothesis

• Ind.: causes change

• Dep: is being measured

variable

a qualitative method of research where the researcher both observes and becomes a member in a social setting

participant observation

questionnaires that are given to a sample of respondents selected from a target population

• these tend to look at large-scale social patterns and uses statistics and other mathematical means of analysis

surveys

formal tests of specific variables and effects that are performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled. used to demonstrate cause and effect

experiments

the part of the test group that receives the experiment treatment

experimental group

types of questions which can be answered by a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’

close ended questions

this research method uses data that can easily be converted into numbers, such as a survey or an experiment

quantitative research

this type of research involves data that cannot easily be converted to numbers, such as observation or informal interviews

qualitative research

extent to which a measure produces consistent results

reliability

a term meaning to define in such a way that can be measured or to define completely the variables in the hypothesis

operationalized

a state of personal neutrality in conducting research

objectivity

active participation in an observation of a naturally occurring setting, and a written account of what goes on there

ethnography

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

institutional review board

types of questions which require more thought and more than a simple one-word answer

open ended questions

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

value free sociology

famous sociologist who discussed the importance of researchers remaining unbiased and free of judgement

• value-free sociology

max weber

most sociological research uses this thing, which is a logical and rational order of steps by which scientists comes to conclusions about the world around them

scientific method

this refers to any data that has already been collected by earlier researchers and is available for future research

existing sources

repetition of research by others in order to assess its accuracy

• used to limit distortion caused by personal values

replication

the part of the test group that does not receive the experimental treatment so that it can be compared with the experimental group

control group

another type of qualitative research method involving direct face-to-face contact with respondents

interview

during the research process a sociological researcher develops this, stating a potential relationship between two or more variables

hypothesis

degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects what the researcher is actually studying

• the unit 4 test has unit 4 material

validity

steps in the scientific method

1. develop question/define problem

2. review present info

3. create hypothesis

4. select research design/collect and analyze data

5. develop the conclusion

6. repeat

the individuals that a sociologist interviews are part of a research project

sample

mean

average

• add together/divide by total

Mode

most common number

Median

midpoint

• low-high, then find center