SOC 383 - EXAM 1 Study

What are the four types of research?

Descriptive, Exploratory, Explanatory, Evaluatory

What is the first step of the Scientific Method?

Observations.

What does an Independent Variable (IV) represent?

A cause; factors that influence.

What does a Dependent Variable (DV) represent?

An effect; it is influenced by the Independent Variable.

What is a positive correlation?

When an Independent Variable (IV) increases, the Dependent Variable (DV) also increases.

What is a negative correlation?

When an Independent Variable (IV) increases, the Dependent Variable (DV) decreases.

What is measurement validity?

Are we actually measuring the concepts we think we are?

What is face validity?

Appears appropriate and valid on its face, understandable to a layperson.

What is content validity?

Fully captures concepts being measured.

What is criterion validity?

Values or measures compared with a more direct or already valid source of measure.

What does generalizability refer to in research?

The extent to which study results can inform us about people, places, or events not directly studied.

What is conceptualization in research?

The process of specifying what we mean by a term to make sense of related observations.

What are the four levels of measurement?

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio

What is reliability in research?

The consistency of a measurement across multiple times or observers.

What is the difference between a population and a sample in research?

A population is the entire set to be studied, while a sample is a subset used to represent the population.

What is a systematic random sample?

A sampling method where every nth element is selected from a list after a random first element.

What is convenience sampling?

A method where elements are selected based on ease of access.

What is a cross-sectional study?

A study where data are collected at only one point in time.

What is a longitudinal study?

A study that collects data at multiple points in time.

What is the difference between individuals and groups of individuals in units of analysis?

Individuals refer to single cases while groups refer to a collection of individuals.

Choose to observe a select few

Selective observation

General errors/misjudgements

Inaccurate observations

Assuming true for all/larger groups

Over generalization

Jumping to conclusions

Illogical reasoning

Factors that INFLUENCE

Independent Variable

Factors that ARE influenced

Dependent Variable

Are we actually measuring the concepts we think we are?

Measurement Validity

Mental image that summarizes a set of similar observations, feelings, or ideas

Concept

The process of specifying what we mean by a term; Used to make sense of related observations

Conceptualization

The process of specifying the measures that will indicate the value of cases on a variable; Connects concepts to measurement

Operationalism

Categorical, no order or ranking

Nominal

Categorical with ranking

Ordinal

Fixed value units with no meaningful zero point

Interval

Fixed value units with a meaningful zero point

Ratio

Consistency in measurement by 2 different observers

Interobserver

Consistency in coding by 2 different coders

Intercoder

Units lifted from each stage of multi-stage design

Sample Unit

Your statistics of sample are different from the population

Sample Error

A nonprobability sampling method in which elements are selected to ensure that the sample represents certain characteristics in proportion to their prevalence in the population

Quota Sampling

A nonprobability sampling method in which elements are selected for a purpose, usually because of their unique position

Purposive Sampling

A method of sampling in which sample elements are selected as successive informants or interviewees identify them

Snowball Sampling

A method of sampling in which every sample element is selected purely on the basis of chance through a random process

Simple Random Sample

Sampling method in which elements are selected from strata in exact proportion to their representation in the population

Proportionate Stratified Random Sample

Sampling method in which elements are selected from strata in proportions different from those that appear in the population

Disproportionate Stratified Random Sample