Chapter 2: Sociological Research

SOC-1910

Case study

In-depth analysis of a single event, situation, or individual.

Code of ethics

A set of guidelines that the American Sociological Association has established to foster ethical research and professionally responsible scholarship in sociology.

Content analysis

Applying a systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it relates to the study at hand.

Correlation

When a change in one variable coincides with a change in another variable but does not necessarily indicate causation.

Dependent variables

A variable changed by other variables.

Empirical evidence

Evidence that comes from direct experience, scientifically gathered data, or experimentation.

Ethnography

Observing a complete social setting and all that it entails.

Experiment

The testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions.

Field research

Gathering data from a natural environment without doing a lab experiment or a survey.

Hawthorne effect

When study subjects behave in a certain manner due to their awareness of being observed by a researcher.

Hypothesis

A testable educated guess about predicted outcomes between two or more variables.

Independent variables

Variables that cause changes in dependent variables

Interpretive framework

A sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding of a topic or subject through observation or interaction.

Interview

A one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the subject.

Literature review

A scholarly research step that entails identifying and studying all existing studies on a topic to create a new basis for new research.

Meta-analysis

A technique in which the results of virtually all previous studies on a specific subject are evaluated together

Non-reactive research

Using secondary data, does not include direct contact with subjects and will not alter or influence people’s behaviors.

Operational definitions

Specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study.

Participant observation

When a researcher immerses herself in a group or social setting in order to make observations from an “insider” perspective.

Population

A defined group serving as the subject of a study.

Primary data

Data that are collected directly from firsthand experience.

Qualitative data

Comprise information that is subjective and often based on what is seen in a natural setting.

Quantitative research

Represent research collected in numerical form that can be counted.

Random sample

A study’s participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population.

Reliability

A measure of a study’s consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced.

Samples

Small, manageable number of subjects that represent the population.

Scientific method

An established scholarly research method that involves asking a question, researching existing sources, forming a hypothesis, designing and conducting a study, and drawing conclusions.

Secondary data analysis

Using data collected by others but applying new interpretations.

Surveys

Collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire.

Validity

The degree to which a sociological measure accurately reflects the topic of study.

Value neutrality

A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgment during the course of a study and in publishing results.