Chapter 5 Sociology Terms

A statement of how variables are expected to be related to one another, often according to predictions from a theory.

A factor thought to be significant for human behavior, which can vary (or change) from one case to another.

The way in which a researcher measures a variable.

One of seven procedures that sociologists use to collect data: surveys, participant observation, case studies, secondary analysis, analysis of documents, experiments, and unobtrusive measures.

The extent to which an operational definition measures what it is intended to measure.

The extent to which research produces consistent or dependable results.

The collection of data by having people answer a series of questions.

A target group to be studied.

The individuals intended to represent the population to be studied.

A sample in which everyone in the target population has the same chance of being included in the study.

A sample from selected subgroups of the target population in which everyone in those subgroups has an equal chance of being included in the research.

People who respond to a survey either in interviews or by self-administered questionnares.

A list of questions to be asked of respondents.

Questionnaires that responders full out.

Direct questioning of respondents.

Effects of interviews on respondents that lead to biased answers.

Interviews that use close-ended questions.

Questions that are followed by a.list of possible answers to be selected by the respondent.

Interviews that use open-ended questions.

A feeling of trust between researchers and the people they are interviewing.

Research in which the researcher participates in a.research setting while observing what is happening in that setting.

The extent to which the findings from one group (or sample) can be generalized or applied to other groups (or populations).

An intensive analysis of a single event, situation, or individual.

The analysis of data that have been collected by other researchers.

Written sources that provide data.

Then use of control and experimental groups and dependent and independent variables to test causation.

The subjects in an experiment who are not exposed to the independent variable.

The group of subjects in an experiment who are exposed to the independent variable.

A factor in an experiment that is changed by an independent variable.

Ways of observing people so they do not know they care being studied.

Information about qualities; information reactant be measured (softness of skin, the grace of which you run, color of eyes). It is primarily exploratory research used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. Uses unstructured or semi-structured techniques.

Data about numeric variables (examples: how many, how much, how often). Quantitative data are measures of 'types' and may be represented by a name, symbol or a number code.

Subjective approach overlooking at the world or society.

A scientific approach of looking at society.

Traditional, rational-legal, charismatic.

Power is inherited by tradition (example: in the middle ages there were kings, power was inherited by way of tradition, passed down by family.) It still exists on the.micro level (example: kids listen to their parents, parental authority).

People who have been elected or appointed have the right to certain powers, but they can't overstep their powers (example: the president).

Comes from charisma. People follow someone as a leader because they are drawn to them. We follow or listen to someone because they are likeable and wevare drawn to them (example: celebrities)

Coined by John Calvin. When you are born, God already knows you're good or bad, and if you're going to heaven or Hell. No matter what you do your fate has already been determined. People were supposed to be worried, to pray, to work hard so that God would consider allowing them to go to heaven. Many terms and dumbs in economics and business come from the Protestant Ethic.

Coined the Protestant Ethic. Wanted people to be worried, to pray, to work hard so God would change his mind considering letting them into Heaven.

The idea that your fate is already predetermined by God. Part of the Protestant Ethic. People worked hard partly considering it minds off worrying about their fate.