Vocab
Which term means facts or statistics collected for research?
Data
Researchers begin with this first step in the scientific method.
Identify the Problem
Research conducted in a natural, real-world setting rather than a laboratory is:
Field research
The final step of the scientific method is stating _________ and conclusions.
Findings
A sociologist has 100's of college students complete a survey is an example of:
Quantitative research
Using U.S. Census information that has already been collected is an example of:
Secondary analysis
A hypothesis is best described in this way.
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables
An intensive investigation of one family, school, event, or community is called a:
Case study
Gathering information through methods such as surveys, observations, or interviews is collecting _____________.
Data
Which is a possible limitation of qualitative research?
A. It cannot use observations.
B. It may be time-consuming and findings may be difficult to generalize to a large population.
C. It only uses numerical data.
D. It cannot investigate experiences or meanings.
B. It may be time-consuming and findings may be difficult to generalize to a large population.
Two factors are related, but the relationship alone does not prove cause and effect.
correlation
Before creating a hypothesis a researcher will need to follow this step.
Review the literature
Obtaining informed consent and protecting confidentiality follows what?
The sociological code of ethics
The second step, reviewing previous studies and sources on a topic, is called reviewing the _____________.
Literature
Which is an advantage of quantitative research?
A. It always explains people’s feelings in depth.
B. It can identify broad patterns using large amounts of numerical data.
C. It eliminates every possible source of bias.
D. It only studies one person at a time.
B. It can identify broad patterns using large amounts of numerical data.
A sample that accurately mirrors the larger population is called:
A representative sample
After collecting data the next step in the scientific method is this:
Analyze Data
Why is it incorrect to say, “Ice cream sales cause shark attacks,” simply because both rise in summer?
A correlation does not by itself demonstrate causation
Planning how a study will be conducted including participants, methods, and measures is developing a research ___________.
Design
A sociologist spends months observing interactions at a community center and recording detailed notes. This is mainly:
Qualitative research
In a study asking whether hours of sleep affect students’ test scores, the number of hours slept is the:
Independent variable
Ask a research question
How does working more than 10 hours per week after school affect the stress levels of high school students?
Research existing sources
Review scholarly articles, school counseling reports, and credible surveys about teen employment, academic pressure, sleep, and stress.
Form a hypothesis
Students who work more than 10 hours per week after school will report higher average stress levels than students who do not work or work fewer hours.
Conduct the study and collect data
Distribute an anonymous survey to 100 students in grades 9–12. Ask students about weekly work hours, homework time, sleep, extracurricular activities, and self-reported stress levels. Do not collect names or other personally identifying information.
Analyze the data
Separate participants into groups based on their weekly work hours: no job, 1–10 hours, and more than 10 hours. Calculate the average stress score for each group and look for patterns.
4. Develop a research design
7. State Findings and Conclusions
This is the effect that is measured during a sociological study.
Dependent variable
After a researcher analyzes data their next step is to ___________.
State Findings and Conclusion
Which research type relies primarily on numerical information, surveys, and statistics?
Qualitative research