theory ch 3

social theory

A system of interconnected ideas that

condenses and organizes knowledge about the social world.

utilize social theory

theory

ideology

an “almost theory” lacks critical features required of a true scientific theory

ideology lacks social theory has

assumptions

statements about the nature of things that we cannot observe

or do not empirically evaluate. They are necessary starting

points

background

trackable

concepts

the building blocks of a theory

expressed in symbols or words

nominalism

a belief that reality consists of particular

aspects or things, not universals. We label particular aspects

of the world that resemble one other; we classify

and categorize the particulars of our experience

realism

a belief that reality exists “out there” and has “hard facts” that are independent of our thoughts or labels about it

abstraction

some concepts are very concrete and refer to objects we can see

others are mental creations removed from every day life

single cluster

cultures cluster

simple

complex

ideal type

pure, abstract models that try to define the core of the phenomenon in

question

typology

groups things based on multiple characteristics

combines dimensions

types

taxonomy

classification

categories based off similarities

uses hierarchy

scope

some can be narrow, some can be broad

relationships

propositions

statements asserting that two or more concepts are related, and how

hypotheses

empirically testable version of a proposition

units of analysis

Entity about which a researcher gathers information and draws conclusions

deductive

tarts with a theory or general idea and then uses research to test whether it is supported by evidence.

Theory → Hypothesis → Data Collection → Test Hypothesis → Conclusion

test existing theories, hypotheses, quantitative research

inductive

starts with observations or data and uses them to develop a theory or general explanation.

Data/Observations → Patterns → Explanation/Theory

develop new theories, patterns we weren’t expecting, qualitative research

adbuctive

a combination of inductive and deductive reasoning. It involves moving back and forth between theory and data to find the best explanation for something you observe.

grounded theory

micro

meso

macro

substantive

formal

ordinary

prediction

casual

reqs

range

empirical theorizing

middle range theories

theoretical framework