Reading flashcards

Ontology

The philosophical study of the nature of being and reality.

Positivism

A philosophical theory stating that knowledge is based solely on observable phenomena.

Post-positivism

An approach that recognizes the existence of an objective reality but acknowledges that our understanding of it is always imperfect.

Quantitative methods

Research techniques that focus on quantifying relationships, often using statistical analysis.

Paradigmatic cases

Instances used to develop theories or frameworks in a specific domain.

Competing paradigms

Different sets of beliefs or perspectives in research impacting methodology and interpretation.

Critical theory

An approach emphasizing the influence of societal structures on knowledge and truth.

Dialectical method

A methodological approach that considers the interactions between researchers and subjects.

Constructivism

The view that knowledge and understanding are constructed through interaction with the world.

Spatial unit

The defined area or locality considered in urban studies.

Coarse grained data

Broad and aggregate data capturing wide phenomena.

Fine grained data

Detailed and disaggregated data measuring specific phenomena.

Physical sensors

Devices used to collect environmental or traffic data spatially.

Internet of Things

A system where physical devices are connected and exchange data over the internet.

Call detail records

Data generated from cell tower pings, including call and text information.

Person of interest (PoI)

Digital representations of real-world locations, aiding in data analysis.

User-generated data

Information created by users, often through mobile applications or social media.

Institutional analysis

A study of how norms and structures evolve and affect urban environments.

Norm

A standard or rule governing behavior in a society.

Clashes of norms

Conflicts arising when different societal norms come into contact.

Ethnography

The systematic study of people and cultures from the insider perspective.

Thematic analysis

A method for identifying and analyzing patterns within qualitative data.

Purposive sampling

A non-random sampling technique used to target specific groups or individuals.

Fieldwork

Research conducted in a natural setting, often involving direct observation.

Affective atmosphere

The emotional tone created by the built environment and social interactions.

Emotional geographies

The study of how emotions influence and are influenced by space.

Shadowing

A qualitative research technique involving following and observing subjects in their environment.

Procedural ethics

Ethical guidelines aimed at preventing abuse, especially in biomedical research.

Ethics in practice

Real-time ethical decision-making considerations during research activities.

Correlation

A statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables are related.

Covariance

A measure of the degree to which two random variables change together.

Linear regression

A statistical method for modeling the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables.

Logistic regression

A statistical technique used for binary classification of outcomes.

Semi-structured interview

An interview format that allows for some guided questions while leaving room for open-ended responses.

Sampling bias

The bias that occurs when the sample is not representative of the population.

Open source data

Data that is freely available for anyone to access and use.

Thick descriptions

Detailed accounts of social actions that provide context and depth.

Bias

A systematic error that affects the validity of research findings.

Social media data

Information generated by social media users, often reflecting opinions and behaviors.

Apophenia

The perception of meaningful patterns in random data.

Geo-localized data

Data that contains geographical information for tracking and analysis.

Urban studies

An interdisciplinary field focused on the analysis of urban environments.

Methodological triangulation

Using multiple methods or data sources to enhance the credibility of research findings.

Cultural ecology

A perspective that studies the relationship between cultural beliefs and environmental adaptations.

Narrative inquiry

A qualitative approach that focuses on the stories people tell to understand their experiences.

Statistical significance

A measure of whether results observed in data are likely due to chance.

Mixed methods

Research that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Field notes

Written accounts of observations made during fieldwork.

Participant observation

A research method where the researcher becomes involved in the community being studied.

Data saturation

The point at which gathering more data is unlikely to yield additional insights.

Normalization

A process of adjusting data to bring different scales to a common standard.

Falsifiability

The ability for a theory to be disproven by evidence.

Social constructivism

A theory that posits knowledge and meaning are constructed through social interactions.

Phenomenology

A research approach focused on understanding the lived experiences of individuals.

Reliability

The degree to which research yields consistent results.

Validity

The extent to which a research study accurately measures what it intends to measure.

Contextualization

The act of considering the context in which data was collected.

Limitations

Factors that affect the scope or applicability of research findings.