Sociological Research Methods

This set of flashcards includes key terms and definitions related to sociological research methods, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the upcoming exam.

Hypothesis

An idea or a guess about a given state of affairs, put forward as a basis for empirical testing.

Qualitative Methods

Approaches to sociological research that often rely on personal and/or collective interviews, accounts, or observations of a person or situation.

Quantitative Methods

Approaches to sociological research that draw on objective and statistical data, focusing on documenting trends, comparing sub-groups, or exploring correlation.

Ethnography

The first-hand study of observation, in-depth interviewing, or both; also called fieldwork.

Survey

A method of sociological research in which questionnaires are administered to the population being studied.

Participant Observation

A research method widely used in sociology and anthropology where the researcher takes part in the activities of the group or community being studied.

Experimental Research

A research method in which variables can be analyzed in a controlled and systematic way.

Pilot Study

A trial run of a survey.

Sampling

Studying a proportion of individuals or cases from a larger population as representative of that whole population.

Random Sampling

A sampling method in which every member of the population has the same probability of being included.

Measures of Central Tendency

Ways of calculating average.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure of the degree of correlation between variables.

Mode

The number that appears most frequently in a dataset.

Median

The number that falls exactly halfway in a range of numbers.

Standard Deviation

A calculation of the spread of a group of figures.

Comparative Research

Research that compares findings from one society to those of other societies.

Oral History

Interviews with people about events they witnessed earlier in their lives.

Triangulation

The use of multiple research methods to enhance the reliability of research.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social influences.