Sociological Research Methods Chapter 2

Quanitative

Research using numbers.

Qualitive

Research using words, narrative, descriptive data.

90% of research consist of __________

surveys.

Survey

Research method in which people respond to questions.

Population

A group of people that represent a larger group of people.

Sample

Group of people that represent a larger group of people.

Representative Sample

A sample that accurately depicts the characteristics of the population as a whole. The most valid and credible source. 2 types

Random Sampling

Each individual in the population of interest has an equal chance/likelyhood of selection.

Stratified Sample

A sample that is drawn from a number of separate strata of the population, rather than at random from the whole population, in order that it should be representative.

Questionnaire

A written set of questions to be answered by a research participants.

Interview

Researcher asks questions orally and record the answers of the participants.

Closed-ended questions

A person must answer on a limited, predetermined set of responses, can be asked in both a questionnaire and an interview.

Open-ended questions

Questions a person is to answer with their own words. Can be used in both a questionnaire and an interview.

Secondary Analysis/content analysis

Using pre-collected information for data collection and research purposes.

Field Research

Research that takes place in a natural setting.
Participant Observation --> case study

Participant Observation

A case study where the researcher becomes a member of the group being studied.

Case Study

Intensive study of a single group, incident, or community.

Covert participant observation

When members of the group being studied do not know that they are being researched, allowing more neutral data.

Overt participant observation

The form of participant observation wherein the observed individuals are told that they are being studied, most often used.

Functionalism-->

Survey

Conflict Theory-->

Case study

Symbolic Interactionism-->

Participant observation

Causation

The belief that events occur in predictable ways and that one event leads to another.

Multiple Causation

The belief that an event occurs as a result of several factors working in combination.

Variable

A characteristic that is subject to change.

Independent variable

A characteristic that causes something to occur.

Dependent Variable

Results from the change in the independent variable.

Intervening Variable

A variable that changes the relationship between an independent and dependent variable.

Positive correlation

Exists if both the the dependent and independent variable change in the same direction.

Negative correlation

Variables change on the opposite directions.

Spurious correlation

A relationship between two variables that is actually caused by a third factor.