Methods are the specific tools used to gather and analyze data.

Controlled environments where variables are manipulated to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

Useful for gathering data from large populations to identify broad trends.

Create a testable statement or a guiding research question.

The consistency of a measure. A study is reliable if it yields the same results when repeated under similar conditions.

Suggests that social reality is subjective and constructed by individuals. It focuses on understanding the meaning behind human actions (often associated with Qualitative data). 3. Common Methods

Identify a specific question or social phenomenon.