Social Science

Psychologist

A professional who studies individuals' thoughts, feelings, behaviors, motivation, and mental processes.

Sociologist

A researcher interested in the relationships between people and how they interact in groups and different social contexts.

Anthropologist

A scholar who studies humans as a species and members of cultures, focusing on traditions, values, and behaviors.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in an experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

Qualitative Data

Information about qualities that cannot be measured, such as observations.

Quantitative Data

Information about quantities that can be measured and expressed numerically.

Case Studies

In-depth analyses of individuals or groups to gather detailed information.

Unstructured Observation

Studying people without a predetermined idea of what to look for, remaining open to whatever occurs.

Structured Observation

Planned observation where researchers have a checklist of things to look for or measure.

Participant Observation

A research method where the researcher lives among the culture being studied and participates in the group.

Sample Survey

A method for collecting data from a sample to generate findings applicable to a larger population.

Research Bias

The tendency to influence results based on biased questions or framing, potentially impacting respondents' answers.

Cultural Anthropology

The branch of anthropology that studies how culture shapes the way of life of people in the present and the past.

Physical Anthropology

The branch of anthropology that examines human biological development and evolutionary history.