You May Ask Yourself | StudySpace

Introduction

• Explain the notion of causality.
• Describe the two general categories of research methods-quantitative and qualitative.

Research 101: The Basics

• Compare and contrast deductive and inductive approaches to research.
• Explain the difference between causation and correlation and the role of each in sociological research.
• Explain how correlation, time order, and ruling out alternative explanations are all needed to establish causation.
• Define the terms dependent variable, independent variable, moderating variable, and mediating variable and explain the role of each in a research project.
• Explain what the term hypothesis means in social science research and how hypotheses are tested.
• Explain what it means for a research measure to be valid and reliable and for research outcomes to be generalizable.
• Understand the role of the researcher and how a researcher is in a position of power.
• Explain the concept of feminist methodology.
• Describe the following types of data collection: participant observation, interviews, survey research, historical methods, comparative research, experimentation, and content analysis.

Ethics of Social Research

• Understand the importance of ethical standards in research.
• Explain the following concepts as they relate to working with research subjects: "do no harm," informed consent, voluntary participation, and protected populations.
• Explain the concept of public sociology.

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