Key Concepts in Social Research Methods

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to social research methods, focusing on methodologies, analyses, and ethical considerations.

What defines the combination of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis in a single research project?

Mixed methods research.

What is 'triangulation' in research?

The use of multiple research methods or data sources to study the same question and verify if findings are consistent.

Name three research methods used by Desmond.

Ethnographic fieldwork, Milwaukee eviction court records, and an in-person court survey.

What allowed Desmond to document the magnitude of eviction and confirm racial and gender disparities?

His multifaceted research approach.

What was shown about women from the studied neighborhoods?

Women experienced eviction at significantly higher rates than men.

According to Desmond, what increases exclusion for Black men from housing?

Criminal records or lack of verifiable formal income.

How did men typically approach landlords regarding rent?

Men were more likely to offer to 'work off the rent' through maintenance or labor.

How did women typically respond to eviction?

Women practiced 'avoidance' or sought help from social agencies and kin.

Why can children attract scrutiny during evictions?

Children can provoke state scrutiny (like lead poisoning issues) and increase costs for landlords.

What benefits do surveys offer researchers?

They allow collection of data from a large, representative sample efficiently.

What is a leading question?

A question that touches upon more than one issue yet allows for only one answer, leading to ambiguous data.

What is a dichotomous question?

A question with only two possible responses (e.g., Yes/No).

What is a Likert scale in surveys?

A rating scale used to measure attitudes or opinions.

What is univariate analysis?

The analysis of a single variable to describe its distribution, central tendency, and variation.

What is bivariable analysis?

The analysis of the relationship between two variables to determine if they are associated.

Name the three measures of central tendency.

Mean, median, and mode.

Define 'margin of error.'

A statistic expressing the amount of random sampling error in survey results.

What are the three types of variables in surveys?

Dichotomous, nominal, and ordinal.

How do ordinal and nominal variables differ?

Ordinal variables have a logical order, while nominal variables categorize without rank.

What is a contingency table?

A cross-tabulation used to display relationships between two categorical variables.

What does regression analysis estimate?

The relationships between an independent variable and a dependent variable while controlling for other factors.

What is the General Social Survey (GSS)?

A study used to analyze trends in American social networks over time.

What was a significant finding from the GSS regarding discussion networks?

Americans' core discussion networks shrank in size, and the number of individuals reporting no confidants tripled.

In social networks, what are 'nodes'?

The individual actors or entities within a network.

What are 'ties' in social networks?

The relationships or links that connect the nodes.

When should researchers use multivariate analysis?

When they need to consider complex relationships involving three or more variables.

Define a confounding variable.

A third variable associated with both the independent and dependent variables that may create a 'spurious' relationship.

What does correlation not imply?

That one variable causes another, as a third factor may influence both.

Define statistical significance.

A statistical procedure used to determine if an observed pattern in data is likely due to chance.

What is the null hypothesis?

The assumption that no relationship exists between the variables being studied.

What is p-value in hypothesis testing?

The probability that the observed result occurred by chance if the null hypothesis were true.

What is a mediator variable?

A variable that explains the mechanism through which an independent variable influences a dependent variable.

What is a moderator variable?

A variable that modifies the strength or direction of the relationship between an independent and a dependent variable.

What type of visualization is best for displaying trends over time?

A line graph.

When is a bar chart appropriate?

When comparing discrete, independent categories or groups.

Name the three requirements for a true experiment.

(1) Manipulation of the independent variable, (2) random assignment, and (3) experimental control.

What is random assignment in experiments?

The process of ensuring every participant has an equal chance of being placed in either group.

What is the control group in an experiment?

The group that is not exposed to the experimental manipulation, used as a baseline for comparison.

Why is experimental control important?

It is the best method for establishing causality by controlling confounding factors.

Define internal validity.

The extent to which a study establishes that the independent variable caused the change in the dependent variable.

Define external validity.

The degree to which results can be generalized to other settings and populations.

What is a field experiment?

An experiment where matched pairs apply for real-world opportunities to test for discrimination.

What variables were studied in Devah Pager's experiment?

Race (Black vs. White) and Criminal Record (Prison record vs. No record).

What was a primary outcome of Pager's study?

White applicants with criminal records received more callbacks than Black applicants without records.

Why was Pager's study designed to observe discrimination?

To directly observe discrimination and isolate the causal effect of a criminal record.

What ethical concern arose from Pager's study?

The lack of informed consent from subjects being tested.

What is a natural experiment?

A study where the independent variable is manipulated by external events rather than the researcher.

What does reverse causality mean?

A situation where the hypothesized dependent variable influences the independent variable.

What is social capital?

A composite measure reflecting an individual's level of connectedness across different types of social ties.

What is a social capital measurement tool?

A tool asking respondents if they know people in specific occupations to gauge their social capital.

What is a statistical approach in social research?

Emphasizes precision and objective numbers, requiring the reader to infer relationships.

What is social desirability bias?

The tendency of respondents to answer questions in a way viewed favorably by others.

What does it mean if a finding is statistically significant?

That the observed pattern is unlikely to arise by chance.

What was a critical data point in Pager's research?

The callback rate from employers.

What is the debriefing process?

To inform participants of a study’s true purpose and nature of any deception used post-experiment.

What hindered participants in Desmond's study regarding future housing?

They simply did not know where they were going to go.

Define reciprocal relationship in variables.

A relationship where two variables are both a cause and an effect of each other.

What does variability measure in statistics?

The degree to which values in a distribution are spread out or clustered together.

What is statistical power?

The probability that a study will detect a statistically significant difference if one exists.

What trend was observed in kin relationships in social networks?

Kin make up a larger proportion of core discussion networks as non-kin ties have decreased.

What method manipulates the independent variable in experimental research?

Experimental manipulation.

What does practical significance refer to?

An assessment of whether a statistically significant finding is large enough to matter in real-world contexts.

Why is experimental design important?

To ensure that no factors other than the independent variable influence the dependent variable.

What is the central actor in a social network analysis?

The central individual whose social network is being analyzed.

What is a fill-in-the-blank statement?

A statement requiring the user to fill in a key term.

What is the Eviction Summons and Complaint?

Court documents used to analyze eviction patterns.

What percentage of eviction filings did not go to trial?

92%.

What is secondary data analysis?

The use of data and findings gathered by other researchers to support one’s own argument.

What is collaborative community research aiming for?

To join a community in searching for a common good by being honest and respectful to sources.