Chapter 2- Research Methods

These flashcards cover key concepts related to sociological research methods, providing definitions and explanations for important terms and processes.

Research Methods

The scientific procedures that sociologists use to conduct research and develop knowledge about a particular topic.

Objectivity

The ability to conduct research without allowing personal biases or prejudices to influence the outcome.

Independent Variable

A variable that is deliberately manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The response to the manipulated variable in an experiment.

Control Variable

Variables that are kept constant to accurately test the impact of an independent variable.

Causal Relationship

A relationship in which one condition leads to a certain consequence.

Correlation

An indication that one factor might be the cause for another factor.

Positive Correlation

When two variables move in the same direction.

Negative Correlation

When two variables move in opposite directions.

Spurious Correlation

When two variables appear to be related but actually have a different cause.

Literature Review

A study of relevant academic articles which informs what other researchers have discovered on a topic.

Hypothesis

A suggestion about how variables relate, which is to be tested.

Operationalizing Variables

The process of turning abstract ideas into measurable concepts.

Research Design

The process used to find information in research.

Comparative Studies

Studies that use data from different sources to evaluate them against each other.

Cross-Sectional Study

A study that examines one event at a single point in time.

Longitudinal Study

Studies that include data from observations over time using a specific group called a cohort.

Survey

An investigation of the opinions or experiences of a group of people by asking them questions.

Sample

A subset of the population from which researchers want to get information.

Random Sample

A group of subjects arbitrarily chosen from a defined population.

Hawthorne Effect

The change in behavior of study participants due to their awareness of being observed.

Field Research

Research conducted in a natural setting.

Ethnography

A research method that aims to understand the social perspective and cultural values of a particular group.

Secondary Data

Data that others have already collected and published.

Central Tendency

The statistical measure that represents the middle or average of a dataset.

Mean

The average of a set of numbers.

Median

The midpoint in a distribution of numbers.

Mode

The most common value in a distribution of numbers.

Ethics in Sociology

A system of values or principles that guide sociological behavior.

Informed Consent

A process whereby research subjects are made aware of the study's purpose and their rights.

Quantitative Data

Data based on numbers.

Qualitative Data

Data that includes words, pictures, or non-numeric information.

Triangulation

The use of multiple approaches to study a phenomenon to draw more accurate conclusions.

Functionalism

A theoretical paradigm that examines how social issues function or have consequences in society.

Social Conflict Theory

A theoretical perspective that studies the effects of inequality in the distribution of goods or rewards.

Symbolic Interactionism

A theoretical approach that focuses on how social issues affect individuals on a personal level.