SOC 001 Study Guide - Final Guide: Content Analysis, Dependent And Independent Variables
Document Summary
Involves manipulating the independent variable and observing the effect on the dependent variable. The strength of the experimental method is that it is really the only means by which we can explore casual relationships among variables. Experiments need two groups: control and experimental. Receives the treatment or experiences the manipulation of the independent variable. It is crucial that subjects be assigned randomly to the control and experimental groups. A particular research technique in which the researcher directly observes the behavior of individuals in their usual social environments, not in a laboratory. Some sociologists refer to observational research as field research, because the normal social world is the field in which sociologists conduct their research. A series of questions asked of a number of people. Self-administered questionnaire list of questions on paper and ask people. Interviews face-to-face or over the phone to write their own answers. Strength: capability to obtain data from large numbers of people.
