| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Science | A logical system that bases knowledge on direct systematic observation |
| Empirical Evidence | Information we can verify with our senses |
| Scientific Sociology | The study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior |
| Concept | A mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form |
| Variable | A concept whose value changes from case to case |
| Measurement | A procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case |
| Operationalize A Variable | Specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable |
| Reliability | Consistency in measurement |
| Validity | Actually measuring exactly what you intend to measure |
| Cause and Effect | A relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another |
| Independent Variable | The variable that causes the change |
| Dependent Variable | The variable that changes |
| Correlation | A relationship in which two (or more) variables change together |
| Spurious Correlation | An apparent but false relationship between two (or more) variables that is caused by some other variable |
| Control | Holding constant all variables except one in order to see clearly the effect of the variable |
| Objectivity | Personal neutrality in conducting research |
| Replication | Repetition of research by other investigators |
| Interpretive Sociology | The study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world |
| Critical Sociology | The study of society that focuses on the need for social change |
| Gender | The personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male |
| Research Method | A systematic plan for doing research |
| Experiment | A research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions |
| Hypothesis | A statement of a possible relationship between two (or more) variables |
| Hawthorne Effect | A change in a subject's behavior caused simply by the awareness of being studied |
| Survey | A research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions in a questionnaire or an interview |
| Population | The people who are the focus of research |
| Sample | A part of a population that represents the whole |
| Questionnaire | A series of written questions a researcher presents to subjects |
| Interview | A series of questions a researcher asks respondents in person |
| Participant Observation | A research method in which investigators systematically observe people while joining them in their routine activities |
| Inductive Logical Thought | Reasoning that transforms specific observations into general theory |
| Deductive Logical Thought | Reasoning that transforms general theory into specific hypothses suitable for testing |
Combine with other sets
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