Week 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
Objective of science : Formulation of explanatory theories concerning empirical reality
Theory : A system of logically coherent non contradictory statements about a part of reality
Methodology : Transfers the theoretical to the empirical
Concept : Abstract term that describe phenomenon
Law : Regularity of facts
Postulate : Basic assumption in a theory
Proposition : (Statement) Explanatory relationship between concepts
Grand theory : Abstract, large scope
Middle range theory : Useful for empirical research, limited scope
Background literature : Focused search for theories, empirical research, limited scope
Fact collection : Necessary collection
Induction
- Observation to theory
- Verification logic
o Limited number of observations result in a universal statement
- Critiques : Many assumptions and generalisations are made
Deduction
- Theory to observations
- Falsification logic
- Test things out to make them untrue
Induction problems : How many observations are needed for a valid reasoning
Inductive reasoning : Reasoning from repeated observations to general statements
,Verification logic : The same properties are shared by all individuals (Generalisation)
Falsification logic : The same properties are not shared by all individuals
- Falsification of the hypothesis
1. Replicability : Can the experiment be replicated
2. Reliability : Are measurements consistent in variables and the way questions are being
phrased
o Internal reliability : Concerned with consistency of results obtained with
different instruments
o Inter-rater reliability : Agreement between researchers
Can also be referred to as inter/rater or coder
o Stability: a measure is stable over time
3. Validity : How accurate are the findings?
o Measurement validity : Are you measuring what you think you are measuring?
Validity : Does it look okay at first glance
Content validity : Concerned with the basis of researches, studies and
background literature
Criterion validity : Multiple measurements for the same concept are
compared to verify the consistency and accuracy of the measurements
Concurrent validity : Correlation with known indicators,
measures overlapping
Predictive validity : How well can we predict the results in the
replication of the research
Convergent validity : The degree to which measures employed
are related to each other
Construct validity: How well the measure confirms to theoretical
expectations
o Internal validity : How clearly does the independent variable affect the
dependent?
Variable : An attribute on which cases vary
Dependent variable: Something that depends on other factors
Independent variable : A variable that causes a change or
variation in a dependent variable
o External validity : Can results be generalised to wider populations of people?
o Ecological validity : Are the findings meaningful to real life?
, Research strategy : General approach to conducting
- Qualitative vs quantitative
Research method : Technique for collecting data
- Survey, interview, participant observation
Research design : Framework for the collection and analysis of data
1. Experiment : Planning a set of procedures to investigate a relationship between
variables
2. Cross sectional : Collecting data on a sample at a single point in time
3. Case study : Detailed and intensive analysis of a single case
o Critical : Used to determine the cause and consequences of an event, used to
question universal beliefs
o Extreme : Conducting a study on cases that are unusual or that demonstrate
exceptional qualities
o Exemplifying : Conducting a study to exemplify a theory by showing how it
explains the case under investigation
o Revelatory : Provide the opportunity to investigate into a previously inaccessible
inquiry
Comparative : Studying two contrasting cases using the same method
Longitudinal : Spans time, with two or more times studying the same research
Week 2: Quantitative research
Objective of quantitative research : Is to show relations between variables, and describe the
relations as a cause and effect, with this we can explain social phenomena whilst also making
predictions
Hypothesis : A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables or a
proposed explanation for some observed phenomenon
Concept : Building blocks of theory
- Points around which social research is conducted
- Labels we give to elements of the social world that seem to have common features
Falsification : Refutation of statements
Objective of science : Formulation of explanatory theories concerning empirical reality
Theory : A system of logically coherent non contradictory statements about a part of reality
Methodology : Transfers the theoretical to the empirical
Concept : Abstract term that describe phenomenon
Law : Regularity of facts
Postulate : Basic assumption in a theory
Proposition : (Statement) Explanatory relationship between concepts
Grand theory : Abstract, large scope
Middle range theory : Useful for empirical research, limited scope
Background literature : Focused search for theories, empirical research, limited scope
Fact collection : Necessary collection
Induction
- Observation to theory
- Verification logic
o Limited number of observations result in a universal statement
- Critiques : Many assumptions and generalisations are made
Deduction
- Theory to observations
- Falsification logic
- Test things out to make them untrue
Induction problems : How many observations are needed for a valid reasoning
Inductive reasoning : Reasoning from repeated observations to general statements
,Verification logic : The same properties are shared by all individuals (Generalisation)
Falsification logic : The same properties are not shared by all individuals
- Falsification of the hypothesis
1. Replicability : Can the experiment be replicated
2. Reliability : Are measurements consistent in variables and the way questions are being
phrased
o Internal reliability : Concerned with consistency of results obtained with
different instruments
o Inter-rater reliability : Agreement between researchers
Can also be referred to as inter/rater or coder
o Stability: a measure is stable over time
3. Validity : How accurate are the findings?
o Measurement validity : Are you measuring what you think you are measuring?
Validity : Does it look okay at first glance
Content validity : Concerned with the basis of researches, studies and
background literature
Criterion validity : Multiple measurements for the same concept are
compared to verify the consistency and accuracy of the measurements
Concurrent validity : Correlation with known indicators,
measures overlapping
Predictive validity : How well can we predict the results in the
replication of the research
Convergent validity : The degree to which measures employed
are related to each other
Construct validity: How well the measure confirms to theoretical
expectations
o Internal validity : How clearly does the independent variable affect the
dependent?
Variable : An attribute on which cases vary
Dependent variable: Something that depends on other factors
Independent variable : A variable that causes a change or
variation in a dependent variable
o External validity : Can results be generalised to wider populations of people?
o Ecological validity : Are the findings meaningful to real life?
, Research strategy : General approach to conducting
- Qualitative vs quantitative
Research method : Technique for collecting data
- Survey, interview, participant observation
Research design : Framework for the collection and analysis of data
1. Experiment : Planning a set of procedures to investigate a relationship between
variables
2. Cross sectional : Collecting data on a sample at a single point in time
3. Case study : Detailed and intensive analysis of a single case
o Critical : Used to determine the cause and consequences of an event, used to
question universal beliefs
o Extreme : Conducting a study on cases that are unusual or that demonstrate
exceptional qualities
o Exemplifying : Conducting a study to exemplify a theory by showing how it
explains the case under investigation
o Revelatory : Provide the opportunity to investigate into a previously inaccessible
inquiry
Comparative : Studying two contrasting cases using the same method
Longitudinal : Spans time, with two or more times studying the same research
Week 2: Quantitative research
Objective of quantitative research : Is to show relations between variables, and describe the
relations as a cause and effect, with this we can explain social phenomena whilst also making
predictions
Hypothesis : A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables or a
proposed explanation for some observed phenomenon
Concept : Building blocks of theory
- Points around which social research is conducted
- Labels we give to elements of the social world that seem to have common features
Falsification : Refutation of statements
