Chapter 2: Sociological Research – Flashcards

Using the scientific method, a researcher conducts a study in five phases: asking a question, researching existing sources, formulating a hypothesis, conducting a study, and drawing conclusions. The scientific method is useful in that it provides a clear method of organizing a study. Some sociologists conduct research through an interpretive framework rather than employing the scientific method. Scientific sociological studies often observe relationships between variables. Researchers study how one variable changes another. Prior to conducting a study, researchers are careful to apply operational definitions to their terms and to establish dependent and independent variables.

Sociological research is a fairly complex process. As you can see, a lot goes into even a simple research design. There are many steps and much to consider when collecting data on human behavior, as well as in interpreting and analyzing data in order to form conclusive results. Sociologists use scientific methods for a good reason. The scientific method provides a system of organization that helps researchers plan and conduct the study while ensuring that data and results are reliable, valid, and objective. The many methods available to researchers—including experiments, surveys, field studies, and secondary data analysis—all come with advantages and disadvantages. The strength of a study can depend on the choice and implementation of the appropriate method of gathering research. Depending on the topic, a study might use a single method or a combination of methods. It is important to plan a research design before undertaking a study. The information gathered may in itself be surprising, and the study design should provide a solid framework in which to analyze predicted and unpredicted data.

Sociologists and sociology students must take ethical responsibility for any study they conduct. They must first and foremost guarantee the safety of their participants. Whenever possible, they must ensure that participants have been fully informed before consenting to be part of a study. The ASA maintains ethical guidelines that sociologists must take into account as they conduct research. The guidelines address conducting studies, properly using existing sources, accepting funding, and publishing results. Sociologists must try to maintain value neutrality. They must gather and analyze data objectively and set aside their personal preferences, beliefs, and opinions. They must report findings accurately, even if they contradict personal convictions.

in-depth analysis of a single event, situation, or individual

a set of guidelines that the American Sociological Association has established to foster ethical research and professionally responsible scholarship in sociology

applying a systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it relates to the study at hand

when a change in one variable coincides with a change in another variable, but does not necessarily indicate causation

a variable changed by other variables

evidence that comes from direct experience, scientifically gathered data, or experimentation

observing a complete social setting and all that it entails

the testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions

gathering data from a natural environment without doing a lab experiment or a survey

when study subjects behave in a certain manner due to their awareness of being observed by a researcher

a testable educated guess about predicted outcomes between two or more variables

variables that cause changes in dependent variables

a sociological research approach that seeks an in-depth understanding of a topic or subject through observation or interaction; this approach is not based on hypothesis testing

a one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the subject

a scholarly research step that entails identifying and studying all existing studies on a topic to create a basis for new research

a technique in which the results of virtually all previous studies on a specific subject are evaluated together

using secondary data does not include direct contact with subjects and will not alter or influence people's behaviors

specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study

when a researcher immerses herself in a group or social setting in order to make observations from an "insider" perspective

a defined group serving as the subject of a study

data that are collected directly from firsthand experience

comprise information that is subjective and often based on what is seen in a natural setting

represent research collected in the numerical form that can be counted

a study's participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population

a measure of a study's consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced

small, manageable number of subjects that represent the population

an established scholarly research method that involves asking a question, researching existing sources, forming a hypothesis, designing and conducting a study, and drawing conclusions

using data collected by others but applying new interpretations

collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire

the degree to which a sociological measure accurately reflects the topic of study

a practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgment during the course of a study and in publishing results

c

c

d

c

b

c

d

c

a

a

b

a

b

d

a