Sociological Investigation – Chapter 2 – Flashcards
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science
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a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation
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concept
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a mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form
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operationalize a variable
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specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable
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validity
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actually measuring exactly what you intend to measure
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median
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the middle score of the distribution
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dependent variable
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a variable that is changed by another (independent) variable
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objectivity
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personal neutrality in conducting research
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androcentricity
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approaching the topic from a male-only perspective
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double standards
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using different standards to judge males and femals
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hypothesis
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a statement of a possible relationship between two (or more) variables
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survey
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a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or queetions in a questionaire or interview
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questionnaire
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a series of written questions a researcher presents to subjects
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interview
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a series of questions a researcher asks respondents in person
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snowball sampling
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lois benjamin used this in her case study. it is when the original group of participants recommend other participants.
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philip zimbardo
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conducted the stanford county prison experiment. he wanted to investigate the environments of prisons. the subjects went through psychological and physical tests to find the healthiest test subjects. He found that both the prisoners and guards acted as if they were immates. prisons bring out the worst behavior. 4 day experiment
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Quantitative data
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empirical evidence
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information we can verify with our senses
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variable
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a concept whose values change from case to case
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mode
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the most frequent data
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cause and effect
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a relationship in which change in one variable (the independent variable) causes change in another (the dependent variable)
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correlation
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a relationship in which two (or more) variables change together
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replication
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repetition of research by other investigators
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gynocentricity
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approaching the topic from a female-only perspective (less common thag androcentricity)
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research method
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a systematic plan for doing research
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experimental group
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gets exposed to the independent variable
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population
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the people who are the focus of the research
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close-ended format
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Hawthorne effect
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a change in a subjects behavior caused simply by the awareness of being studied
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Stanford County Prison experiment
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conducted by philip zimbardo to investiage the prisons environment on a prisoners bahavior. the participants went through psychological and physical tests, the healthiest people were wanted for the experiment. it went on for 4 days. both the prisoners and the guards acted as if they were immates. zimbardo believes prisons bring out the worst behavior.
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participant observation
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a research method in which investigators systematically observe people while joining them in their routine activities
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William Foote Whyte
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conducted an investigation on a lively settlement of Italian immigrants in Boston. A key informant had to get him in because the immigrants are used to being judged by Americans. He realized the correct times to talk and ask questions and the correct times to be quiet. After 4 years he found that common stereotypes are wrong.
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scientific sociology
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the study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior
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measurement
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a procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case
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reliability
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consistency in measurement
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mean
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the average
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independent variable
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a variable that causes change in another (dependent) variable
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spurious correlation
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an apparent but false relationship between two (or more) variables that is caused by some other variable
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gender
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the personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male
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gender blindness
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the failure to consider the impact of gender at all
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experiment
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a research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions
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control group
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gets exposed to a placebo
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sample
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a part of a population that represents the whole
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open-ended format
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Lois Benjamin
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studied achievment vs. race. she questioned African Americans about the challenges they faced because of their skin color. She had open format questions and found that people were eager to be interviewed(40 cried). she used snowball sampling to find her participants.
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qualitative data
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E. Digby Baltzell
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researched how many people who graduated from certain areas became famous. he found that most came from Massachusettes. He realized it was based on the religion of the first settlers in America, the puritans and quakers. the puritans had a rigid societ and were more successful. Which also showed their area produces more famous people.
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overgeneralizing
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using data collected from one sex and applying the findings to both sexes
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interference
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this occurs when a subject under study reacts to the sex of the researcher and thereby interferes with the research operation
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natural scientist
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works within the lab
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social scientist
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works outside the lab with the public
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Forms of Truth
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1. Belief or Faith 2. Expert Testimony 3. Simple Agreement 4. Science
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Requirements for Investigation
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1. Apply the sociological perspective 2. Be curious and Ask Questions
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Scientific Sociology
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the study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior
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Interpretive Sociology
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The study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world
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Critical Sociology
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the study of society that focuses on the need for social change
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Conditions for Cause and Effect to be considered
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1. Existence of a correlation 2. Independent variable precedes the dependent variable 3. no evidence suggest a third variable's responsibility.
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value-free research
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Dispassionate and detached research. Weber
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random sample
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Every element of the population has an equal chance of being chosen
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Existing Resources
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A research method in which researchers use data collected from others
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inductive logic
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transforms specific observations into general theory
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deductive reasoning
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transforms general theory into specific hypotheses suitable for testing
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10 Steps in Sociological Investigation
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Select and define topic Review the literature Develop key questions to ask Assess requirements for study Consider ethical issues Select a research methodology Collect the data Interpret the findings State conclusions Publish the findings
