Chapter 2 Key terms

accuracy

using a tool makes the measuring more precise

case study

an in-depth analysis of a single event

code of ethics

a set of guidelines established by the American Sociological Association to foster ethical research and professionally responsible scholarship in sociology

content analysis

applying a systematic approach to record and evaluate information from secondary data as it relates to the study

correlation

when a change in one variable coincides with a change in another but does not necessarily indicate causation

debunking

looking beyond the obvious to expose falseness by examining merit

dependent variables

variables that are changed by other variables

empirical evidence

evidence that comes from direct observation

ethnography

participating in and observing thinking and behavior in a social setting

experiment

the testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions

field research

gathering data from a natural environment without using a lab experiment or survey

Hawthorne effect

when study subjects change their behavior because they know they are being observed

hypothesis

a testable educated guess about predicted outcomes between two or more variables

independent variables

variables that cause changes in dependent variables

interpretive framework

a research approach that seeks in-depth understanding through observation or interaction rather than hypothesis testing

interview

a one-on-one conversation between a researcher and a subject

literature review

the process of identifying and studying existing research on a topic to build a foundation for new research

nonreactive research

research using secondary data with no direct contact that does not influence subjects’ behavior

operational definitions

specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study

participant observation

a method in which a researcher immerses themselves in a group or social setting to observe from an insider perspective

population

a defined group that is the subject of a study

primary data

data collected directly from firsthand experience

qualitative data

non-numerical descriptive data that is often subjective and based on experiences in natural settings

quantitative data

numerical data that can be counted and analyzed using statistical methods

random sample

a group of participants randomly selected to represent a larger population

reliability

the degree to which a study produces consistent and replicable results

samples

small manageable groups of subjects that represent the population

scientific method

a systematic research process involving asking a question

secondary data analysis

using data collected by others and applying new interpretations

surveys

research tools that collect data through a series of questions about thoughts

validity

the degree to which a measure accurately reflects the concept being studied

value neutrality

the practice of remaining objective and unbiased throughout the research process and when publishing results