Sociology Ch. 2 Terms

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cause and effect

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a relationship between two or more variables in which one variable influences or explains the change in the other variable(s).

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correlation

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when two or more variables change value together in the same or opposite direction.

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correlation of zero

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an independent relationship between two or more variables.

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deductive model

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model of sociological research that begins with a general theory or set of hypotheses and then moves on to the collection of appropriate data to test the theory or hypotheses.

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dependent variable

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a variable whose value is believed to depend upon or to be caused by another variable.

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experiments

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carefully designed and controlled attempts, usually conducted in a laboratory, to determine the effect of specific variables on a particular dependent variable or on the behavior or attitudes of the experiment's subjects.

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field research

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the study of social life in its natural setting.

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hypothesis

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a statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables.

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independent variable

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a variable that causes or produces change in the value of another (dependent) variable.

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inductive (grounded) model

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model of sociological research that begins with specific observations upon which a theoretical account is then fashioned that accounts for and explains the observations and their meanings.

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negative correlation

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a relationship between two variables such that in the majority of cases, when one variable increases in value, the other decreases in value.

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operationalize

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to specify how the variable is to be measured.

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participant observation

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a research method in which the researcher systematically observes people while actually joining with them in their activities.

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perfect positive correlation

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a relationship between two variables such that they both change together and in the same direction in all cases.

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population

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the group of people to whom the results of research are applicable.

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positive correlation

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a relationship between two variables such that they both change together and in the same direction in the majority of cases.

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qualitative research

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research that emphasizes the uncovering of subjective meanings and ways people interact in everyday life through the use of descriptive, rather than numerical, data.

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quantitative research

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research that emphasizes the statistical analysis of numerical data.

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random sampling

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process by which each member of a population of interest has the same chance of being selected for participation in the study.

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reliability

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consistency in the measurement of a variable over time; the quality of measurement of the variable that suggests that the same results and data would be collected in repeated observations.

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representative sample

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a subgroup of the population that accurately reflects the composition of the population as well as the distribution of important characteristics and attributes within the population.

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sample

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a subgroup of the population from which the researcher will collect data.

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secondary analysis of existing data

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the use of data initially collected by other researchers to analyze a topic of interest.

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validity

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the extent to which a variable actually measures what it is intended to measure.

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What is the difference between quantitative and qualititave research? What are examples of each kind of research?

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The primary difference between quantitative and qualitative research is the type of data analyzed. Quantitative research collects and objectively analyzes data that can be represented numerically. Survey research typically yields information that can be represented and analyzed quantitatively. Qualitative research emphasizes the uncovering of subjective meanings and ways people interact in everyday life through the use of descriptive data. Participant observation is a form of field research through which the researcher participates in the routine activities of group members in an attempt to understand the nature of their interactions and the meaning that they create and attach to those interactions. Case studies involve the study of people in their natural settings.

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What is a variable? What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable?

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a variable is a concept whose value changes from case to case. Height is an example of a variable. This variable changes in value from person to person. Dependent variables also called variables of interest, are variables whose values depend upon or are believed to be caused by another variable. Experiments seek to determine what causes those changes. Independent variables, also called explanatory variables, are variables that cause or produce change in the value or produce change in the value of a dependent variable.

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What is the relationship between a sample and a population?

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A population is the group of people to whom the results of specified research are applicable. Examples of populations include women, college students, and retired people. Because populations tend to be very large, researchers use samples. A sample is a subgroup of the population from which the researcher will collect data. A representative sample is a subgroup of the population that accurately reflects the characteristics that are important for the study. When a sample is representative of a larger population, the research results derived from the sample can be applied or generalized to the entire population.

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Describe the main steps in the deductive model of sociological research.

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There are four main steps in the deductive model of sociological research. The first step involves selecting of a topic of interest, reviewing previous research that is pertinent to the topic, and developing a specific statement or hypothesis that one is going to investigate. The second step involves selecting the most appropriate population and sample to use in the research question or hypothesis. The third step consists of collecting the data through the appropriate method and recording and analyzing this data. The fourth and final step consists of drawing conclusions from the research and sharing these results with others.