validity the extent to which an operational definition measures what was intended

value cluster a series of interrelated values that together form a larger whole

value contradictions values that contradict one another; to follow the one means to come into conflict with the other

value-free an ideal condition in which a sociologist’s personal values or biases do not influence social research

values the standards by which people define what is desirable or undesirable, good or bad, beautiful or ugly; attitudes about the way the world ought to be

variable a factor or concept thought to be significant for human behaviour, which varies from one case to another

Verstehen a German word used by Weber that is perhaps best understood as “to have insight into someone’s situation”

victimless crimes violations of law in which there is no readily apparent victim

violent crimes crimes against people that involve violence or the threat of violence

voluntary association a group made up of volunteers who have organized on the basis of some mutual interest