Sociologists investigate patterns in every aspect of social life, from work and family to education, crime, and recreation. This lesson introduces the scientific method and its first three steps: choosing a research question, reviewing existing knowledge, and formulating a hypothesis.
The scientific method is a systematic way to develop and test ideas about the social world using empirical evidence. It relies on careful observation and aims to be objective, critical, skeptical, and logical. Its organized procedures help researchers focus a study, collect information consistently, and make their reasoning open to scrutiny.
All flashcards
What is the scientific method?
A systematic approach to developing and testing ideas about the social world using empirical evidence, careful observation, and logical procedures.
What is a literature review?
An examination of existing research and related sources that helps a researcher understand current knowledge, identify gaps, and refine a study.
What is a hypothesis?
A proposed, testable explanation or prediction about a phenomenon, often describing how one factor may influence another.
What is the independent variable?
The factor proposed as a cause or influence in a hypothesis—the variable expected to affect another variable.
What is the dependent variable?
The outcome or effect that a researcher observes or measures to see whether it changes in relation to the independent variable.
Quiz questions
What makes a sociological research question appropriately focused?Answer: It can be investigated within defined boundaries while remaining relevant beyond an unusual single case.
In sociological research, what does objectivity involve?Answer: Using consistent methods so personal or political preferences do not determine how evidence is gathered or analyzed.
What is a central aim of the interpretive framework?Answer: Understanding social life through participants' experiences, meanings, and points of view.
What does critical sociology chiefly examine?Answer: How sociological research and theory relate to power, inequality, oppression, and freedom.
Why do sociologists report research findings to others?Answer: To let others examine the methods and conclusions and investigate whether findings hold in other settings.
Based on Introduction to Sociology 3e by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes, Asha Lal Tamang (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.