Sociology and Research Methods Vocabulary

Ava is curious about how people interact in groups, how societies are structured, and how social institutions like schools and families function. Which field of study should she explore?

• The study of society, social institutions, and social relationships.

• The study of chemical reactions and compounds.

• The study of celestial bodies and the universe.

• The study of computer programming languages.

Elijah notices that in his town, everyone follows certain unwritten rules, like waiting in line at the grocery store and respecting elders, even if they personally disagree. What are these shared expectations and behaviors called?

• Values, cultural norms, and social structures that transcend the individual and can exercise social control.

• Personal opinions and beliefs that only affect the individual.

• Economic resources owned by a society.

• Technological advancements within a community.

Olivia is conducting a research project and needs to gather information to support her analysis. What is Data in the context of her research?

• Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

• A type of computer software used for analysis.

• A hypothesis that is yet to be tested.

• A method of conducting interviews.

Olivia is preparing for her sociology project and needs to decide what kind of questions to include in her research. What are Sociological Research Questions?

• Questions that guide sociological research and inquiry.

• Questions that only focus on economic theories.

• Questions that are unrelated to human society.

• Questions that are based solely on natural sciences.

Scarlett is conducting a study to understand how people feel about remote work. She collects detailed interviews and observations rather than numerical data. What type of research method is Scarlett using?

• Research methods that collect non-numerical data to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences.

• Research methods that focus solely on numerical data and statistical analysis.

• Research methods that only use laboratory experiments to test hypotheses.

• Research methods that rely exclusively on computer simulations.

Grace wants to study how many hours students spend on homework each week and plans to collect and analyze the numbers she gathers. What type of research method is Grace using?

• Research methods that collect and analyze numerical data.

• Research methods that focus on personal experiences and opinions.

• Research methods that only use historical documents.

• Research methods that avoid any form of data collection.

Noah wants to find out which type of soil is best for growing tomatoes. He sets up an experiment where he plants tomato seeds in different types of soil and observes their growth over several weeks. What type of inquiry is Noah conducting?

• Investigation based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

• A process of making decisions based solely on intuition.

• A method of inquiry that relies only on mathematical proofs.

• A type of investigation that ignores observable evidence.

Grace is conducting a research study and wants to ensure that her variables are clearly defined so they can be measured accurately. What is the process called that involves strictly defining variables into measurable factors?

• The process of strictly defining variables into measurable factors.

• A method of collecting qualitative data through interviews.

• A statistical technique for analyzing variance.

• A process of random sampling in experiments.

Charlotte is starting her first research project and wants to ensure she conducts her work responsibly. What should guide her actions throughout the research process, from planning to publication?

• Moral principles that guide research from its inception through to completion and publication.

• A set of laboratory safety rules for researchers.

• A list of research topics approved by the government.

• A method for increasing research funding.

Harper is about to undergo a minor medical procedure. The doctor explains all the possible risks and benefits to Harper before asking for permission to proceed. What is this process called?

• Permission granted with the knowledge of the possible consequences.

• Permission granted without any information.

• Permission granted only by a legal guardian.

• Permission granted after the procedure is completed.