Social Research Methods
1. 4 Errors:
Illogical When we prematurely jump to conclusions or argue on the basis of
Reasoning invalid as- sumptions.
2. 4 Errors: Occurs when we unjustifiably conclude that what is true for some cases is
Over-
generalizatio true for all cases.
n Ex: There are many over generalizations in blogs.
-Selective Observation: Choosing to look only at things that are in line
3. 4 Errors:
Observ- ing with our preferences or beliefs.
Ex: Noticing that women in your oflce complain a lot
-Inaccurate Observation: An observation based on faulty perceptions of
empirical reality.
Ex: You are sitting in a computer lab and you think there are 14 students
4. 4 Errors: present, when there are actually 17.
Resis- tance to
change The reluctance to change our ideas in light of new
information. Ex: Science shows milk is bad for us, so we
should listen to them.
-Common
May occur because of:
-Ego-based commitments
-Excessive devotion to tradition
-Uncritical agreement with authority
5. What is science? A set of logical, systematic, documented methods for investigating
nature and natural processes; the knowledge produced by the
investigation.
The scientific approach to answering questions about the natural world and the
social world is designed to greatly reduce these potential sources of
error in everyday reasoning.
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16
, Social Research Methods
Science relies on logical and systematic methods to answer questions, and it
does
2/
16
, Social Research Methods
so in a way that allows others to inspect and evaluate its methods.
In this way, scientific research develops a body of knowledge that is
continually refined, as beliefs are rejected or confirmed on the basis
of testing empirical evidence.
6. 3 Motives for 1.) Policy Motivations
so- cial 2.) Academic Motivations
research
3.) Personal Motivations
7. Types of Re- Research that defines and describes social phenomena.
search
Ex: National Geographic "Survey 2000" that described Internet users
1.) Descriptive around the world and identified ditterences between countries.
8. Types of Re-
search Investigation of social phenomena without expectations.
2.) Exploratory Seeks to find out how people get alone in the setting under question,
what meanings they give to their actions and what issues concern
them.
Ex: Can Internet resources help elderly persons manage heart conditions.
9. Types of Re- Ex: Electronic diabetes newsgroups were found to also be support and
search
information networks, a place where information could be assimilated
3.) Explanatory
to inform choices.
Seeks to identify causes and ettects of social phenomena and to
10. Types of Re- predict how one phenomenon will change or vary in response to
search
variation in some other phenomena.
4.) Evaluation
Ex: Research that suggests that Internet use hurts or helps other forms
of social interaction.
11.
Research that determines the ettects of a social program or other type
of interven- tion.
Ex: In the Toronto, Ont. suburb that was wired with the Internet,
universal Internet access increased relations between residents.
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16
1. 4 Errors:
Illogical When we prematurely jump to conclusions or argue on the basis of
Reasoning invalid as- sumptions.
2. 4 Errors: Occurs when we unjustifiably conclude that what is true for some cases is
Over-
generalizatio true for all cases.
n Ex: There are many over generalizations in blogs.
-Selective Observation: Choosing to look only at things that are in line
3. 4 Errors:
Observ- ing with our preferences or beliefs.
Ex: Noticing that women in your oflce complain a lot
-Inaccurate Observation: An observation based on faulty perceptions of
empirical reality.
Ex: You are sitting in a computer lab and you think there are 14 students
4. 4 Errors: present, when there are actually 17.
Resis- tance to
change The reluctance to change our ideas in light of new
information. Ex: Science shows milk is bad for us, so we
should listen to them.
-Common
May occur because of:
-Ego-based commitments
-Excessive devotion to tradition
-Uncritical agreement with authority
5. What is science? A set of logical, systematic, documented methods for investigating
nature and natural processes; the knowledge produced by the
investigation.
The scientific approach to answering questions about the natural world and the
social world is designed to greatly reduce these potential sources of
error in everyday reasoning.
1/
16
, Social Research Methods
Science relies on logical and systematic methods to answer questions, and it
does
2/
16
, Social Research Methods
so in a way that allows others to inspect and evaluate its methods.
In this way, scientific research develops a body of knowledge that is
continually refined, as beliefs are rejected or confirmed on the basis
of testing empirical evidence.
6. 3 Motives for 1.) Policy Motivations
so- cial 2.) Academic Motivations
research
3.) Personal Motivations
7. Types of Re- Research that defines and describes social phenomena.
search
Ex: National Geographic "Survey 2000" that described Internet users
1.) Descriptive around the world and identified ditterences between countries.
8. Types of Re-
search Investigation of social phenomena without expectations.
2.) Exploratory Seeks to find out how people get alone in the setting under question,
what meanings they give to their actions and what issues concern
them.
Ex: Can Internet resources help elderly persons manage heart conditions.
9. Types of Re- Ex: Electronic diabetes newsgroups were found to also be support and
search
information networks, a place where information could be assimilated
3.) Explanatory
to inform choices.
Seeks to identify causes and ettects of social phenomena and to
10. Types of Re- predict how one phenomenon will change or vary in response to
search
variation in some other phenomena.
4.) Evaluation
Ex: Research that suggests that Internet use hurts or helps other forms
of social interaction.
11.
Research that determines the ettects of a social program or other type
of interven- tion.
Ex: In the Toronto, Ont. suburb that was wired with the Internet,
universal Internet access increased relations between residents.
3/
16
