Sociology

type of data that can be converted into numbers usually for statistical comparison

type of data that cant be converted into numbers usually because they relate to meaning

a procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting concrete data through obeservation and experiment

procedure for acquring knowledge that emphasizes collecting concrete data through observation and experiment.

thorough search through previously published studies relevant to a particlular topic

theoretical statement explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena

one of two or more phenomena that a researcher believes are releated and hpes to prove are related through research

clear and precise definition of a variable that faciliates its measurements

relationship between variables in which a change in one directly produces a change in the other.

thrid variable sometimes overlooked that explains the relationsihip between two other variables

appearance of causation produced by an intervening variable

describe a change in basic assumption of a particular scientific discipline.

naturalistic method based on studying people int heir own enviorment in order tounderstand the meanings they attribute to their activites also the written work that results from the study

methodology associated with ethnography where by the researcher both observes and becomes a member in a social setting.

process by which an thenographer gains entry to a field setting

positive relationship often characterized by mutual trust of sympathy

detailed notes taken by an ethnographer describing her activites and interactions, which later become the basis of the ethnographic analysis

identity and activites of the researcher influence what is going on in the field setting

inductive method of generating theory from data by creating categories in whic hto place data and then looking for relationships between categories

research that can be repeated, and thus verified by other researchers later

degree to which particluar studied groups is similar to, represents any part of the larger society

opinion held by the researcher that might affect the research or analysis

face to face information seeking conversation, sometimes defined as a converssation with a purpose.

someone from whom a researcher solicits info

entire group about which a researcher would like to be able to gerneralize

part of the population that would actually be studied.

a question asked of a respondent that imposes a limit on the possible responses

a question asked of a respondent that allws the answer to take whatever form the repondent chooses

questions that predispose respondent to answer in a certain way

questions that attempt to get at multiple issues at onece and so tend to revieve incomplete answers 

method based on questionaires that are administered to a sample of respondents selected from a target population.

way of organizing categories on a survey question so that the respondent can choose an answer along a continium.

survey questions that ask respondents what they dont think instead of what they do.

sample taken so that findings from members of the sample group can be generalized to the whole population

sampling scheme in which the probabiliiy of selecting any given unit is known.

particular type of probability sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected

techniques for manipulating the sampling procedure so that the sample more closely resmebles hte larger populatioin.

the number or percentage of surveys completed by respondents and returned to researchers.

the consistency of a question or measurement tool; the degree to which the same question will produce similar answers

the assurance that no one other than the researcher will know the idenitity of a respondent.

the accuracy of a question or measurement tool; the degree which a researcher is measuring whaat he thinks he is measuring.

small study carried out to test the feasibilty of a larger one

any data that have already been collected and are available for future research.

methonds that use existing sources to study relationships between elements of society in various regions and time periods.

a method in which researchers identify and study specific variables- such as words- in a text image, or media message

formal tests of specific variables and effects, performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled

experiment, the process of regulating all factors except for the independent variable

part of a test group that recieves the experimental treatment

part of a test group that is allowed to continue without intervention so that it can be compared with experiment treatement.

 factor that is predicted to cause change

factor that is changed by the indpependet variable

ideal wherby researcher identify facts without allowing their ow personal beliefs or biases to interfere

search for knowledge without any agneda or desire to use that knowledge to effect change

research designed to allow the researcher to use what is learned to create some sort of change

impartiality the ability to allow the facts to speak for themselves

tendency of people and events to react to the process of being studied.

specific example of reactivity, in which the desired effects is the result not of the indpendent variable but of the research itself.

extent to which the participants in a research project are unaware of the project or its goals

ethical guidlines for researchers to consult as they design a project

group of scholars within a unviersity who meet regularly to review and approve the research proposals of their colleagues and make recommendation for how to protects human subjects.