CRIM 220 Midterm: Chapter 2

Science’s two pillars

logic & observation

• relates to the 3 key aspects of science:

  • theory ⇒ logical

  • data collection ⇒ observation

  • data analysis ⇒ patterns from what was observed

Social scientific theory

• has to do with what is, not what should be

• helps with knowing what or why & addresses what

Regularities

• finding patterns of regularity in social life

• norms & rules create regularity ⇒ makes behaviour predictable

Aggregates

groups of units

• social scientists study social patterns

• social scientific theories deal with aggregate behaviours

Attributes

characteristics or qualities that describe an object

• the relationship of variables & attributes is the heart of description & explanation

Variables

logical groupings of attributes

• the relationship of variables & attributes is the heart of description & explanation

Idiographic explanation

seeks detailed understandings of all factors that contribute to a phenomenon

Nomothetic explanation

tries to explain a number of similar phenomena or situations

• wants to use only one or few explanatory features

• settles for partial over full explanation

Inductive reasoning

moving from specific to general

• whether ⇒ why

Inductive reasoning: process

• start with theory

• derive hypotheses

• observe if things happen as predicted

• extend theory if it holds

• revise/abandon theory if it doesn’t hold

Deductive reasoning

moving from general to specific

• why ⇒ whether

• favoured by qualitative researchers

Deductive reasoning: process

• start with observation of specific

• let patterns & concepts emerge

Quantitative data

• measures patterns & relationships

• numerical & statistical

• measures relationships

Qualitative measures

• explores experiences, meanings, & social processes

• focuses on smaller data

Theory

sets of concepts + a statement of how they relate = attempt to explain a phenomenon

• powerful but constraining

• wants to lead to something

• research first, then theory

• has to be falsifiable

Intersubjective agreement

two different researchers studying different problems arriving at the same conclusion

• alternative to “objectivity”

Hypothesis

a testable statement

• identifies & defines at least 2 variables & how they’re related

• it is okay if disproven

Hypothesis vs. theory

• hypothesis:

  • a starting point

  • guess or prediction

  • based on limited knowledge

• theory:

  • detailed & comprehensive explanation

  • testable

  • based on proof

Paradigm

a model or scheme that organizes a view or something

Paradigm vs. theory

• paradigms offer a way of looking

• theories try to explain what is being seen

Grounded theory

a type of inductive theory based on field research