social research methods: exam #1
1. research method systematic process of inquiry applied to learn something about the
social world
2. informal Many people come to know about things through direct experiences. In
obser- vation
such cases, the observation process isn't really deliberate or formal.
Instead, it is through informal observation that they came to know what
they believe to be true.
The problem with informal observation is that sometimes it is right and
sometimes it is wrong.
Selective observation occurs when we see only those patterns that we
want to see or when we assume that only the patterns we have
experienced directly exist.
Overgeneralization occurs when we assume that broad patterns exist
even when our observations have been limited.
Authority is a socially defined source of knowledge that might shape
our beliefs about what is true and what is not true. Our parents, the
3. difference be- government, our schools and teachers, our churches and ministers; all
tween of these are other common author- ities that we might rely on as
qualitative and sources of knowledge.
quantitative
research Qualitative methods: Ways of collecting data that yield results such as words
or pictures.
Example: Field Research, In-depth Interviews, Focus Groups
Quantitative methods: Ways of collecting data that can be represented by
4. difference
and condensed into numbers.
be- tween
Example: Content Analysis, Surveys, Polls, Analyzing existing data sets
ontology and
epistemolo- gy Ontology refers to one's analytic philosophy of the nature of reality. In
sociology, a researcher's ontological position might shape the sorts of
research questions s/he/they ask and how those questions are posed.
, social research methods: exam #1
In other Words, beliefs
about reality.
---
Epistemology deals with
questions of how we know
what is.
Our epistemological
perspective shape our
beliefs about how we know
what we
, social research methods: exam #1
know, and the best way(s) to uncover knowledge.
In other words, what relationship the researcher has with the research.
5. overgeneraliz when we assume that broad patterns exist even when our observations
a- tion have been limited.
6. difference be- Basic research: Research that is motivated solely by researcher interest. In
tween basic Sociol- ogy, basic research is sociology for sociology's sake.
and applied ---
research Applied research: Research that is conducted for some purpose beyond
or in addition to researcher interest. Applied research is often client-
focused, meaning that the researcher is investigating a question posed
by someone other than themselves.
7. public sociology Public sociology: The application of sociological theories and research to
matters of public interest
8. micro level An analytic framework focusing on the smallest levels of
ap- proach interaction For example: One-on-one interactions between
to re-
couples or friends
search
9. meso level
An analytic framework focusing on group interactions
ap- proach
For example: Study on how norms of workplace behavior vary across
to re-
search professions or how children's sporting clubs are organized
10. macro level An analytic framework focusing on large-scale patterns across social
ap- proach structures or institutions
to re- search For example: A study of globalization that examines the interrelationships
between nations
11. paradigms An analytic lens, a way of viewing the world, and a framework from which
to
understand the human experience. They are a way of framing what an
1. research method systematic process of inquiry applied to learn something about the
social world
2. informal Many people come to know about things through direct experiences. In
obser- vation
such cases, the observation process isn't really deliberate or formal.
Instead, it is through informal observation that they came to know what
they believe to be true.
The problem with informal observation is that sometimes it is right and
sometimes it is wrong.
Selective observation occurs when we see only those patterns that we
want to see or when we assume that only the patterns we have
experienced directly exist.
Overgeneralization occurs when we assume that broad patterns exist
even when our observations have been limited.
Authority is a socially defined source of knowledge that might shape
our beliefs about what is true and what is not true. Our parents, the
3. difference be- government, our schools and teachers, our churches and ministers; all
tween of these are other common author- ities that we might rely on as
qualitative and sources of knowledge.
quantitative
research Qualitative methods: Ways of collecting data that yield results such as words
or pictures.
Example: Field Research, In-depth Interviews, Focus Groups
Quantitative methods: Ways of collecting data that can be represented by
4. difference
and condensed into numbers.
be- tween
Example: Content Analysis, Surveys, Polls, Analyzing existing data sets
ontology and
epistemolo- gy Ontology refers to one's analytic philosophy of the nature of reality. In
sociology, a researcher's ontological position might shape the sorts of
research questions s/he/they ask and how those questions are posed.
, social research methods: exam #1
In other Words, beliefs
about reality.
---
Epistemology deals with
questions of how we know
what is.
Our epistemological
perspective shape our
beliefs about how we know
what we
, social research methods: exam #1
know, and the best way(s) to uncover knowledge.
In other words, what relationship the researcher has with the research.
5. overgeneraliz when we assume that broad patterns exist even when our observations
a- tion have been limited.
6. difference be- Basic research: Research that is motivated solely by researcher interest. In
tween basic Sociol- ogy, basic research is sociology for sociology's sake.
and applied ---
research Applied research: Research that is conducted for some purpose beyond
or in addition to researcher interest. Applied research is often client-
focused, meaning that the researcher is investigating a question posed
by someone other than themselves.
7. public sociology Public sociology: The application of sociological theories and research to
matters of public interest
8. micro level An analytic framework focusing on the smallest levels of
ap- proach interaction For example: One-on-one interactions between
to re-
couples or friends
search
9. meso level
An analytic framework focusing on group interactions
ap- proach
For example: Study on how norms of workplace behavior vary across
to re-
search professions or how children's sporting clubs are organized
10. macro level An analytic framework focusing on large-scale patterns across social
ap- proach structures or institutions
to re- search For example: A study of globalization that examines the interrelationships
between nations
11. paradigms An analytic lens, a way of viewing the world, and a framework from which
to
understand the human experience. They are a way of framing what an
