SOC150 LEC 2

induction

(qualitative studies)(inductive approach, move from data to theory, specific to the general)(generating new and original theories)(starting with a clean slate)

deduction

(quantitative studies)(deductive approach, start with the general to the specific)(building on what already exists)(firmer empirical ground)

empirical questions

questions about the facts of the world around us)(answered through research)

normative questions

depend on people's moral opinions)(relates to our norms or standards

descriptive statistics

counting the number of instances of a phenomenon, or determining an average, median, or percentage)

abductive approach

(apply a theory to a social context and look for deviations from that theory)

empirical papers

(the collection and or analysis of data)(can be original data)(discussion of theory)(will have methods section and or findings section)

theoretical papers

(focus on building, refining, or challenging theories)(no original data collection or analysis)

types of journals

academic journals(periodical publications that contain papers that reflect the journal's focus)

-generalist journals(publish any noteworthy paper)

-specialist journals(subfield within the discipline)

-predatory journals(charging scholars to have their work published)

-impact factor(measure of the journal's influence)

gray literature

(produced by nonacademics)(reports by government agencies)

hierarchy of evidence

certain type of studies produce findings that are more credible)(greater confidence in findings that have been replicated)(longitudinal studies and experiments are seen as more trustworthy)

thick description

(qualitative)(detailed description of the unfolding of a scene observed first-hand, attention to the subjective and cultural meanings of any behavior and other aspects of the larger social context)

social network analysis

(quantitative)(examining the ties linking groups and the dynamics and consequences of these structures)