Sociological Research Methods (Test Two)

Front 1

Population

Back 1

The entire set of individuals or other entities to which study findings are to be generalized.

Front 2

Sample

Back 2

A subset of a population that is used to study the population as a whole.

Front 3

Elements

Back 3

The individual members of the population whose characteristics are to be measured.

Front 4

Census

Back 4

Research in which information is obtained through responses from or information about all available members of an entire population.

Front 5

Sampling (Rationale)

Back 5

A subset of a population that is used to study the population as a whole. (How will we pick our sample?)

Front 6

Probability Sampling

Back 6

Sampling methods that rely on a random or chance selection method so that the probability of selection of populate elements is known. Every member of the population has some chance of being selected because you are using a random selection procedure.

Front 7

Simple Random Sampling (Probability Method)

Back 7

A method of sampling in which every sample element is selected purely on the basis of chance through a random process.

a) Lottery Method: Develop n accurate sampling frame. (Fish bowl)
b) Random Number Method: Develop accurate sampling frame- assign a number to each population member, use random number generator.

Front 8

Systematic Random Sampling (Probability Method)

Back 8

Develop accurate sampling frame, determine sampling interval (n= population size / sample size) select random starting point; pick every n-th element until you get desired sample size.

Front 9

Stratified Random Sample (Probability Method)

Back 9

Use information known about population ahead of time to make sampling more efficient Organizing sampling frame according to important characteristics, randomly select from groups. (Racial or ethnic diversity - or lack of)

Front 10

Random Sampling

Back 10

A method of sampling that relies on a random, or chance, selection method so that every element of the sampling frame has a known probability of being selected .

Front 11

Bias

Back 11

Sampling bias occurs when some population characteristics are over - or underrepresented in the sample because of particular features of the method of selecting the sample.

Front 12

Sampling Frame

Back 12

A list of all elements or other units containing the elements in a population.

Front 13

Non-probability Sampling Methods

Back 13

Sampling methods in which the probability of selection (of population elements) is unknown. Not every member of the population has a chance of selection because no random selection procedure.

Front 14

Convenience (Availability) Sampling (Non-Prob Metod)

Back 14

Find some place where population members are located; select first available population members you identify unit desired sample size reached.

Front 15

Quota Sampling (Non-Prob Metod)

Back 15

Quotas set to ensure sample represents certain characteristics in proportion to occurrence in population. Once set find first population members available to fill the quota.

Front 16

Purposive Sampling (Non-Prob Metod)

Back 16

Elements are selected for a purpose, usually because of their unique position.

Front 17

Snowball Sampling (Non-Prob Metod)

Back 17

Start by identifying one population member, select to be in sample. Then you ask them for contact information on other population members. Used when studying underground, or hard to reach groups.

Front 18

Multi-Stage (Cluster) Sampling

Back 18

Very large population, no sampling frame, make use of available information. Sampling in which elements are selected in two or more stages, with the first stage being the random selection of naturally occurring clusters and the last stage being the random selection of elements within clusters.

Front 19

Random Digit Dialing

Back 19

Give every telephone number in target population some chance of selection.
-3 digit area code
-3 digit exchange number
-4 digit telephone number

Front 20

Measurement

Back 20

Process of assigning values to our variables.

Front 21

Concept

Back 21

A mental image that summarizes a set of similar observations, feelings, or ideas.

Front 22

Conceptualization

Back 22

The process of specifying what we mean by a term. In deductive research, conceptualization helps to translate portions of an abstract theory into testable hypotheses involving specific variables. In inductive research, conceptualization is an important part of the process used to make sense of related observations.

Front 23

Operation

Back 23

A procedure for identifying or indicating the value of cases on a variable.

Front 24

Operationalization

Back 24

The process of specifying the operation that will indicate the value of cases on a variable.

Front 25

Conceptual Definition

Back 25

A clear and concise definition that is simply stated, doesn't include the concept, is accurate, and specific.

Front 26

Indicator (Common Options)

Back 26

1) Ask a question - Ask subjects direct question of info needed to record
2) Make an observation - Watch for what we want to measure when / how much it's occurred; assign appropriate value
3) Existing Records / Stats - Locate previously collected info, public domain or contact, use it to assign value to our variable.

Front 27

Validity

Back 27

The state that exists when statements or conclusions about empirical reality are correct.

Front 28

Reliability

Back 28

A measurement procedure yields consistent scores when the phenomenon being measured is not changing.

Front 29

Belmont Report (Three Basic Principles)

Back 29

1) Respect for persons - Treating persons as autonomous agents and protecting those with diminished autonomy
2) Beneficence - Minimizing possible harms and maximizing benefits.
3) justice - Distributing benefits and risks of research fairly.

Front 30

Debriefing

Back 30

A researcher's informing subjects after an experiment about the experiment's purposes and methods and evaluating subjects' personal reactions to the experiment.

Front 31

Informed Consent

Back 31

Participants have to agree to be in the study, signing a waver.

Front 32

Confidentiality.

Back 32

Provided by research in which identifying information that could be used to link respondents to their responses is available only to designated research personnel for specific research needs.