Research methods exam 1

Overgeneralization

when we unjustifiably conclude that what is true for some cases is true for all cases

Inaccurate Observation

the failure to accurately report what we have observed

illogical reasoning

the premature jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions

resistance to change

the reluctance to change our ideas in light of new information

cognitive dissonance

stress that occurs when someone holds beliefs that contradict with one another or engages in actions that contradict with a belief

Quantative Methods

use a statistical analysis to gather information and/or test a hypotheses primarily deductive

Qualitative Methods

use direct observation and/or in-depth interviews with subjects to collect information primarily inductive

descriptive research

describes and defines social phenomena, focuses on how/what/when/where questions not much on why

Exploratory research

seeks to find out how people get along in the setting under question, what meanings they give to their actions, and what issues concern them

explanatory research

seeks to identify causes and effects of social phenomena and to predict how one phenomenon will change or vary in response to variation in some other phenomenon

evaluation research

research that describes or identifies the impact of social policies and programs

Validity

when statements or conclusions drawn about empirical reality are correct

measurement validity

exists when a measure measures what we think it measures

Causal (internal) validity

exists when a conclusion that A leads to or results in B is correct

Generalizability

the extent to which a study can inform us about persons, places, or events that were not directly studied

sample generalizability

Exists when a conclusion based on a sample, or subset, of a larger population holds true for that population

external validity

exists when finding out about one population, group or setting holds true for other populations, groups, or settings

Ontology

the study of being

Epistemology

study of knowledge

Axiology

study of value

methodoloy

process of designing research, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on the established ontology, epistemology, and axiology

Postpositivism

the assumption is that a single reality exists and the collection of various individual perspectives are building toward a fuller understanding of that reality

social constuctionism

is an approach where individuals attempt to understand the world in which they live

Transformativists

argue that knowledge is not neutral and reflects existing power relationships in society

feminist theories

place gender and issues of women at the center of all analyses, often with the focus on domination and oppression within a society

queer theory

an approach that celebrates transgenders in the form of visible differences from the norm and rejects traditional knowledge and categories of identity, especially around gender and sexuality

Critical Theory

tends to focus on existing social patterns and historical problems that leads to issues of oppression and which could be changed

feasibility

refers to whether or time you could start and finish the project given the time and resources available

Substantive Importance

refers to whether or not the question is worth researching

Scientific Relevance

Does your research question help to resolve some contradictory research findings or a puzzling issue in social theory?

Theory

a logically related set of statements about how phenomena are related in the empirical world, the starting and ending point of research, informs every step of the scientific method

theoretical perspective

refers to broad assumptions about the relationships among variables

lableing theory

argues labels applied to a person encourages behavior consistent with the label

Intersectionality theory

argues that variation is likely within social categories

Rational Choice Theory

argues that humans make decisions using cost/benefit analyses and will always choose the most benefit at the least cost

deduction

a style of research which starts with a theory and deduces predictions about the relationship between variables

Hypothesis

a testable prediction about what the relationship between variables will be

a causal model must be able to determine....

association, temporality, nonspuriousness, mechanism, and context

probalistic casual model

the existence of a variable makes a given outcome increasingly likely but not certain

Induction

a style of research that starts with data and theories are then induced from the patterns of behavior observed from the data

cross-sectional design

research design that examines people of different ages at a single point in time

longitudinal design

research design that examines development in the same group of people on multiple occasions over time

units of analysis

the what or whom being studied

ecological fallacy

an error in reasoning in which conclusions about individual are drawn from group-level data

reductionist fallacy

an error in reasoning in which incorrect conclusions about groups are drawn from individual level data

Belmont Report (1979)

established three basic ethical principles—respect for persons, beneficence, and justice—that are the cornerstones for regulations involving human subjects

National Research Act

created the common rule in 1974 which involves federal regulations which codify basic principles for conducting research on human subjects and serve as the basis for organization ethical standards

standards for protecting research subjects

avoid harming research subjects in any way, obtain informed consent, avoid deception, maintain privacy and confidentiality, openness, etc