Sociology 2155 Study Guide, Exam One

A. Key concepts (remember the glossary, where many of these definitions can be found). Be familiar with the meaning and use of the following: Theory, Research, Science, Types of research(description, exploration, explanation, evaluation), Scientific Community, Peer reviewed articles, Concept, Variable, Indicator, Independent Variable, Dependent variable,Validity, Reliability, Unit of analysis, Inductive Research, Deductive research, Replication, Operationalization,Social Research Question,unobtrusive measure, face validity, , Levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval/ration(also called "scale")(be able to define them and to identify them), Categories that are exhaustive and mutually exclusive. Longitudinal research: panel vs. trend studies, Cross-sectional design, Ecological fallacy. Institutional Review Board, informed consent, fixed choice vs. open-ended questions, index, Tuskegee Syphilist Study, Obedience Experiment (Milgram's), Zimardo prison experiment, Institutional Review Board, . Cultural vs social theory of ethnic mobility. Census., Alfred Kinsey, Jane Addams, Alexis de Tocqueville, revolution of rising expectations, Sherman and Berk research on domestic violence, deterrence theory, labeling theory

B. Videos: Go over the worksheets from parts I and II of "The First Measured Century" and remember that those need to be turned in at the time of the first exam.

C. Essay questions. In answering essay questions, there is often more than one way to construct a strong answer. Your goal should always be to show a thoughtful familiarity with the major issues raised in course materials--readings, videos, lecture, discussion, assignments. It's better to err on the side of saying too much than too little, though your instructor can undoubtedly tell when you are just padding an answer with irrelevant material.
1. Why is measurement such an important issue in sociology, Give examples from readings or lecture that illustrate some of the challenges of valid and reliable measurement.

2. What does it mean to say that sociological or criminological knowledge (in fact, all scientific knowledge) is the product of a community of scholars? Give examples from lecture or readings.

3. Using homelessness as an example, show the ways in which a sociological approach is superior to both everyday knowledge and journalistic knowledge.

4. Describe the debate in early sociology over whether sociology should be value free or whether sociologists should be working to improve society and bring social change (draw on the video series, "The First Measured Century" and my discussion of the different theorists and their view on this). How does that debate carry over into contemporary sociology?

5. What is theory and why is it so important in sociology or criminology? Why can't we just stick to the facts? Give an example of a case in which research required the replacement or modification of an earlier theory. Why do you think sociologists or criminologists can't just agree once and for all on which theories are the best?

6. What are the basics of doing research in an ethical way, and how is university research reviewed to make sure it is ethical? Give an example of research that was not ethical.