SOC-1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Operational Definition, Dependent And Independent Variables, Participant Observation
Document Summary
Operational definitions: precise ways to measure variables (time spent using social networks during a week and gpa) Reliability: the extent to which research produces consistent or dependable results (if you ask someone how much they use social media u cannot just say a little, some, or a lot. Those are still operational definitions, but that"s unreliable) The operational definition (time spent using social networks a week) Sample: individuals who represent the population to be studied. Respondents: people who respond to the survey. Random sample: every member of the population has an equal chance to be included. Stratified random sample: every member of subgroups of the population has an equal chance to be included, example surveying whites & blacks separately. Questionnaires: computer, telephone, in house, mail. Close ended questions: questions that are followed by a list of possible answers. Open ended questions: questions that respondents answer in their own words.
