Sociological Research

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Systematic

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An organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem

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Operation Definition

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Explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow researchers to assess the concept.

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Hypothesis

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Speculative statement about the relationship between two or more factors known as variables

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Variable

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Measurable trait or characteristic subject to change under differnent conditions

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Independent Variable

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Variable hypothesized to cause or influence another

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Dependent Variable

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Action depends on the influence of the independent variable

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Casual Logic

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Involves relationships between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one event leading to the other

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Correlation

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Exists when change in one variable coincides with change in another

- Does not necessarily indicate causation

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Sample

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Selection from a larger population that is statistically typical of that population

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Random Sample

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When every member of population has the same chance of being selected

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Validity

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Degree to which the measure reflect the phenomenon being studied.

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Reliability

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Extent to which the measure provides consistent results

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Control Variable

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Factor held constant to test the impact of the independent variable

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Research Design

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Detailed plan or method for obtaining data scientifically

-Surveys

-Observation

-Experiments

-Existing Sources

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Interview

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Researcher obtains information through face-to-face or telephone questioning

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Surveys

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Study provides sociologists with information about how people act or think

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Quantitive Research

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Collects and reports data primarily in numerical form

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Questionaire

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Researcher uses printed or written form to obtain information from respondent

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Qualitative Research

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Relies on what is seen in field and naturalistic settings; often focuses n small groups and communities

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Observation

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Sociologists joins group to get accurate sense of how it operates

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Ethnography

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Efforts to describe and entire social setting through extended systematic observation

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Experiments

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Artificially created situations that allows researcher to manipulate variables

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Experimental Group

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Exposed to independent variable

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Control Group

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Not exposed to independent variable

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Hawthorne Effect

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Unintended influence of observers or experiments on subjects

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Secondary Analysis

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Research techniques that make use of previously collected and publicly accessible information data.

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Content Analysis

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Systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale.

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Value Neutrality

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Investigators have ethical obligation to accept research findings even when the data run counter to their personal views ti theoretically based explanations or two widely accepted beliefs