Chapter 2 Quiz

Social research

Systematic study of society and social behavior

Research question

Question a researcher wants to answer.

Theory

Explanation of how or why something occurs.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction based on theory.

Deductive research

Starts with theory and test it with evidence.

Inductive research

Starts with evidence and develops theory.

Research circle

The ongoing relationship between theory, research, and evidence.

Descriptive research

Research that describes what is happening.

Explanatory research

Research that explains why something happens.

Exploratory research

Research used to investigate a relatively unfamiliar topic.

Research design

Overall plan for conducting research.

Cross-sectional

Research conducted at one point in time.

Longitudinal

Research conducted over a period of time.

Trend study

Examines changes in a population over time.

Panel study

Follows the same individuals over time.

Cohort study

Follows a group sharing a common characteristic.

Unit of analysis

The primary entity being studied.

Informed consent

Participants agree to participate after receiving relevant information.

Confidentiality

Protecting participants' information from being disclosed.

Anonymity

Participants cannot be identified from the research information.

Validity

Whether a study accurately measures what it is supposed to measure.

Reliability

Whether a measurement produces consistent results.