evidence gathered by direct experience/observation with scientific method
reliability
how likely research results are to be replicated if study is reproduced (what happens to one will happen to all)
Validity
how well the study measures what it is designed to measure. extent the data collected gives true picture of social situation being studied
Literary review
background research done before experiment as a review of any existing similar or elated studies (prevent duplications and can further focus or enrich own research)
Hypothesis
assumption about how 2 or more variables are related. Statement about variable relationship and often predicts how 1 HB will influence another
Independent variable
something that causes change. It is controlled
Dependent variable
effect or thing that is changed
Hawthorne effect
when people change their behavior because they know they are being watched as part of study. Sometimes it is unavoidable when they have to make the purpose of the study known
Survey
collects data from subjects who respond to series of questions about behaviors and opinions (often in questionnaire form).
Population
people who are the focus of the study
Sample
small portion of the population that is a manageable number of subjects who represent the population
Random Sample
every person in population has the same chance of being chosen for the study
Quantitative data
research collected in numerical form that can be counted and measured. (sometimes they can use short responses)
Qualitative data
results that are subjective, in-depth, and often based on what is seen in natural setting. (harder to organize and tabulate and unmeasurable)
Interview
One on One conversation tween researcher and subject. (very rich and valid)
Field research
gathering primary data from natural environment without lab experiment or survey. Step into environments to observe, participate, and experience the worlds
Primary data
first hand data and information collected by the researcher
Correlation
not cause and effect. refers to regular relationship tween variables
Participant observation
researchers join people and participate in group's routine activities for purpose of observing them within context (mostly qualitative data)
Ethnography
extended observation of social perspective and cultural values of entire social setting. (objective observation)