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Introduction to Methodology
Exam #1 over Methodology
52
Sociology
Undergraduate 3
09/18/2012

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Cards

Term
How can tradition, authority, and personal experience (ways of thinking) contribute to what we know?
Definition
These ways of knowing shape our reality and give us a unique perspective on life.
Term
How can the "ways of thinking" hinder further human inquiry?
Definition
The sources of our information could be incorrect or biased. Also, we can form our own biases from what we know, or think we know, of experience, authority, and traditions.
Term
What is science?
Definition
Science is an empiracle way of knowing.
Term
What does this phrase mean...

"Scientific claims must have both logical and empirical support."
Definition
It means that scientific claims must be testable, they must make sense, and they need to have evidence to support the claim.
Term
Technical Criticism
Definition
Looks at logical consistency.

"Will the means achieve the desired end?"
Term
Normative Criticism
Definition
Scients should avoid this. Ideology.

"What you should do."
Term
Overgeneralization
Definition
Generalizing about others who are different from the research population.
Term
Selective Observation
Definition
Drawn to answers that support pre-existing beliefs.
Term
Inaacurate Observation
Definition
Wrongly remembering or recording information.
Term
Illogical Reasoning
Definition
Using reasonings or coming to conclusions that are not logical.
Term
Resistance to Change
Definition
Resistance to new or better ideas because of faith, tradition, etc.
Term
Descriptive Research
Definition
Identifies characteristics of an observed phenomenon.

ex)population census
Term
Exploratory Research
Definition
Type of research conducted because a problem has not been clearly defined.

It helps determine the best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects.
Term
Explanatory Research
Definition
Uses experimental designs, uses most rigorous of all the research designs.

Explains why research question is happening.
Term
Evaluation Research
Definition
Research that measures the effectivness of a program.
Term
Qualitative Research
Definition
Studies things in their natural settings, attempting to interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them.
Term
Quantitative Research
Definition
The use of sampling techniques to collect data.
Term
Negatives about Qualitative Research
Definition
1.Research bias
2.Study group may not represent larger population.
3. Analysis can be biased.
4. If researcher is present results may be skewed.
Term
Negatives about Quantitative Research
Definition
1. Collects more narrow dataset.
2. Research happens in unnatural enviroment.
3. Results provide numerical description rather than detailed accounts.
Term
Basic Research
Definition
Used for increasing knowledge
Term
Applied Research
Definition
Used to solve a problem
Term
Measurement Validity
Definition
How much a measure measures what we think it measures.
Term
External Validity (Generalizability)
Definition
Extent to which one set of findings applies to another unstudied group.
Term
Internal Validity (Casual)
Definition
Extent to which you known one variable causes another.
Term
Authenticity
Definition
Findings accurately reflect the reality of the participants in the study.
Term
Criteria for suitable research question
Definition
1. Feasible - Capable of being answered
2. Clear - Specific terms
3. Significant - Advances knowledge in field
4. Ethical - Protects participants from harm
Term
What is a theory?
Definition
Logical explanation of ongoing phenomenon throughout the empirical world.
Term
Inductive Reasoning
Definition
Data to Theory.

Using data to come up with theory.
Term
Deductive Reasoning
Definition
Theory to Data.

Using theory to find data.
Term
Research Circle
Definition
Theory -> Hypotheses -> Empirical Generalizations

-Hypothesis is deduced from theory

T.H.E.G.
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
A question derived from general theory involving the relationship between two or more variables.
Term
Positive Correlation
Definition
When both variables go in the same direction.
Term
Negative Correlation
Definition
When both variables go in the opposite direction.
Term
Independent Variable
Definition
The cause.

i.e)Stays pretty consistant.
Term
Dependent Variable
Definition
The effect.

i.e)What can be manipulated.
Term
Variable
Definition
Units of analysis which vary.
Term
Attribute
Definition
To relate to a particular cause
Term
Positivism (Empiracism)
Definition
Belief in an objective reality that exists apart from our own perceptions.

-traditional research philosophy.
Term
Post-Positivism
Definition
Belief in objective reality with skepticism of human ability of studying.
Term
Interpretivism (Constructivism)
Definition
Reality is socially constructed and the goal of science is to understand how people give meaning to their realities.
Term
Three critera required to infer casual relationship
Definition
1. Correlation is needed - needs to be a relationship/association.
2. Temporal Order - determine which event came first.
3. Nonspurriousness - need to eliminate rival hypothesis.
Term
Ethics
Definition
What is right or wrong.

Moral philosophy.
Term
How are ethics determined?
Definition
By social standards of what is right vs. wrong.

By an ethical guideline provided by the facility where the researcher is employed.
Term
Normative Ethics
Definition
What makes things right or wrong.
Term
Meta-Ethics
Definition
Concerned with the meaning of ethical judgements.
Term
Applied Ethics
Definition
Apply ethical theory to real life situations.
Term
Voluntary Participation
Definition
When subject volunteers to participate.

Needs to understand all aspects of the study first.
Term
No Harm to Participants
Definition
Researcher should not inflict subject with physical or psychological harm.

If harm is inflicted the researcher should provide resources for the subject to use.
Term
Deception
Definition
Researchers may need to use deception for sensitive topics.
Term
Anonymity
Definition
When the reseacher has no idea who the subject is.
Term
Confidentiality
Definition
When the reseacher knows who the subject is but cannot/does not tell anyone.
Term
Ethics Vs. Access
Definition
Ethical constraints might restrict a researcher's access.
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