Research Methods

Question 1

building blocks of social research

Answer 1

decide what to ask
decide how to ask it
figure out the best tools and methods
collect and analyze data

Question 2

what makes a feasible research question

Answer 2

can be studied given the limits of time and resources
lead to thinking more specifically about a topic
help to turn ideas about a topic into a working hypothesis

Question 3

hypothesis

Answer 3

testable statement linking two or more variables together in a relationship

Question 4

independent variable

Answer 4

causes a change

Question 5

dependent variable

Answer 5

the thing that changes because of the independent variable

Question 6

what is and why use the scientific method

Answer 6

standard for acquiring and verifying empirical knowledge

Question 7

correlation

Answer 7

a relationship between two variables

Question 8

causation

Answer 8

a relationship in which one variable causes another variable to change

Question 9

qualitative methods

Answer 9

uses nonnumerical data like texts, interviews, photos, and recordings to help us understand social life

Question 10

quantitative methods

Answer 10

translates the social world into numbers that can be studied mathematically

Question 11

ethnography

Answer 11

direct observation research

Question 12

mixed-method approach

Answer 12

research that uses qualitative and quantitative methods

Question 13

random sampling

Answer 13

each person has an equal chance in being chosen to participate
used to more accurately represent the population as a whole

Question 14

data analysis

Answer 14

stage of research process in which the researcher identifies patterns in collected data

Question 15

empirical generalizability

Answer 15

conclusions from findings applied to a larger popular population

Question 16

value-free sociology

Answer 16

Weber

researchers identify facts without allowing their own personal beliefs or biases to interfere

Question 17

ASA code of ethics

Answer 17

help researchers avoid bias, adhere to professional standards, and protect respondents from harm

Question 18

informed consent

Answer 18

voluntary consent when participant knows all possible risks and benefits

Question 19

data coding

Answer 19

organizing data according to key categories and concepts

Question 20

data displays

Answer 20

visual images of the patterns forming in the data–tables, charts, etc

Question 21

research memos

Answer 21

extended versions of research notes, usually organized analytically, that allow researches to work through their findings and the evidence they have to support those findings

Question 22

reliability

Answer 22

would produce same results in similar studies

Question 23

validity

Answer 23

measures what it intends to

Question 24

cross sectional data

Answer 24

research collected at one point in time

Question 25

longitudinal data

Answer 25

data collected over a long period of time

Question 26

theoretical generalizability

Answer 26

conclusions from findings applied to larger sociological processes

Question 27

confidentiality

Answer 27

researches must adhere to standards that ensure the confidentiality of their subjects

Question 28

IRB

Answer 28

group of scholars within a university who meet regularly to review and approve research proposals, and make recommendations for how to protect human subjects

Question 29

tea room trade study

Answer 29

violated peoples privacy by taking down license plates and visiting peoples homes