SOCI 201- How to do sociology LECTURE

What are the five means by which we know our world?

1. Personal experience 2. Tradition 3. Expertise (authority) 4. Religion 5. Science

What is a theory in sociology?

A theory is a set of claims about what exists in our social world and the interconnections amongst phenomena.

What is an ideology?

An ideology is a set of beliefs and interconnections that one holds despite evidence to the contrary.

What is the scientific approach in sociology?

The scientific approach demands systematic research to test or generate theories.

What is inductive research?

Inductive research involves observations leading to generalizations and then to theory.

What is deductive research?

Deductive research starts with theories that lead to hypotheses and then observations.

What are the four requisites for establishing causality?

1. Correlation 2. Temporal sequence 3. Non-spurious relationships 4. Use of theory

What does correlation refer to in the context of causality?

Correlation refers to the property of being connected; two variables must be connected to establish causality.

What is temporal sequence in causality?

Temporal sequence refers to the proper order of events; the cause must occur before the effect.

What does non-spurious mean in research?

Non-spurious means that relationships must not be falsely inferred; another variable should not be the cause of the observed relationship.

Why is theory important in sociological research?

Theory is the culmination of knowledge that should be tested, guiding research and opening up questions that need to be answered.

What are the three main research designs in sociology?

1. Classic experiment 2. Survey research 3. Field research (observation studies)

What is a variable in sociology?

A variable is a construct (an event or attribute) to which we can assign a value, usually numerical.

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

An independent variable (e.g., age) causes a change in the dependent variable (e.g., happiness).

What is an example of a hypothesis involving drug use?

Using entrance drugs like marijuana may lead to riskier drug use such as cocaine; independent variable is 'use of entrance drugs', dependent variable is 'use of hard drugs'.

What is the hallmark of scientific research?

The classic experiment is considered the hallmark of scientific research because it isolates the experimental effect.

What are the strengths of survey research?

Survey research is commonly used because it allows for generalization to a larger population based on responses from a relatively small sample.

What are the limitations of field research?

Field research faces questions of reliability and validity, and ethical concerns are paramount.

What is the conclusion regarding research methods in sociology?

The method employed depends on the nature of the central research question; each method has its strengths and weaknesses in terms of reliability and validity.