Social Research Methods Exam 1

qualitative

open ended interviews, description of social settings and groups, interpretation and observation, rich information, deep talks

quantitative

the collection and analysis of numerical data, often from surveys (numbers and stats)

generalizable

do not characterize the human condition far beyond our immediate social world. results/conclusions based on population can apply to others.

when the findings can be applied to most contexts, most people, most of the time.

normative

value judgement

empirical

factual, conducts research

objective

goal of social science is to be ____

value/moral free research, not biased by personal ideology, normative goals or with a desired outcome.

subjective

researchers should not be like this. research biased by personal perspectives, viewpoints, values

reflexivity

see if your subjective values are bleeding into your objective study

the continuous, active process by which researchers critically examine how their own background, biases, values, and positionality shape the research process, data collection, and findings

overgeneralization

basic trap for researchers: my teacher from NYC is so rude so everyone from NYC is rude.

selective observation

basic traps: all athletes are tall (no, gymnast v. basketball boys)

faulty reasoning

inferring cause and effective from correlation. solution: use explicit system of logic build/test theory.

a flaw in the logical connection between evidence (data/premises) and conclusions, making an analytical claim invalid or unsupported

inaccurate observation

observation based on vibes, common knowledge, moral panic

anchoring

we fail to update our information when things change. parent paid their own tuition, so you should too. no economy is different now.

exploaration

types of soc research:

-familirize with basic facts/mew areas

• figure out how other people also research/did this

• exploring a new topic, get the lay of the land no details

• gather data created bt other peoples data

• vague/broad/brief questions (can be looked up)

description

types of soc research:

• detailed, highly accurate pic

• locate new data

• clarify the different stages of the process

• specific questions you cant, search up

explanatory

types of soc research:

• why?

• establisg causes/causation

deterministic arguments

you are nailing it down. it is a fact. it is true for everyone. an argument. ex: cat ppl r introverted.

probabilistic arguments

on average. ex: cat people are MORE LIKELY to be introverted.

key words: probably, most likely, on average, etc.

sociology makes only these types of arguments.

tuskegee syphilis study

• There was no effective treatment for syphilis.

• The study lasted 6 to 9 months to understand the disease.

• The federal government was conducting the study.

• A paper was published during the study to criticize the study.

• People in the study couldn't go to the military because the military would give them a treatment and no benefits, and because the GI Bill also denied hospital visits.

• Penicillin is now an effective treatment for syphilis, but participants were not allowed to take this treatment to keep the study going and to keep them sick.

• A journal was released about the ethical issues.

• Fred Gray sued and got victims' money.

• A public apology to the survivors.

• The study turned out to be 40 years long.

• Now laws are put in place about ethics.

IRB

what board oversees ethics in studys?

tuskegee syphillis study

what is the reason we have ethical safeguards in place for social science research?

Voluntary informed consent

• Any human involved in the study must be aware of any risks.

• The participant must understand what the study is about.

• The participant must face no harm for refusing.

• The participant must be allowed to change their mind at any time.

• The participant must enthusiastically volunteer.

Special populations

This is known as _____. people can't really give consent. Includes:

• kids

• babies

• pregnant women

• prisoners

• institutionalized populations, such as mentally ill, terminally ill, or sick

• Cognitively impaired, physical disabilities, socioeconomically disadvantaged, racial and ethnic groups

IRB

This board does an external assessment that specific conditions have been met.

You need this approval before any research is done.

This board goes through research proposals to make sure everything is good, and they have the ability to say no.

They also ensure that good science is happening and that there are safeguards in place.

Data swapping

Prevents disclosure and protects confidentiality by changing irrelevant details, such as the number of kids and placing fake names.

paradigms

Fundamental models or frames of reference used to reason.

general frameworks grounded in assumptions about the nature of reality

an overarching philosophical framework or worldview that guides how a researcher views reality, acquires knowledge, and conducts an investigation

Theory

a sequential argument, a series of logically related statements

EXPLAINS WHY

Requirements of theories

1. Testable: qualitatively or quantitatively examined.

2. Falsifiable: it can be proved wrong. Hypothesis testing requires the null hypothesis that things are related.

3. Generalizable: they can explain a broad class of events.

4. Probabilistic: refer to what is likely.

Deductive Reasoning

1. Paradigms

2. theories

3. hypotheses

4. data

Triangle, arrows point down

Pros: data can help test theories. You can test your theories.

Cons: tunnel vision, “theoretical blinders”, which limits scope of questions.

Diving into the data

Inductive Reasoning

1. Data

2. hypothesis

3. theories

4. paradigms

Starts with the data

In the weeds, data

Pros: generate so many ideas

Cons: can't distinguish ideas. The theory always fits the data.

Acronym for features of a good research question

ESSS

1. Empirical: must be testable or answerable, no normative questions. Some reason why there is an association.

2. Specific: another way of being answerable or testable. Don't ask general questions like "Why do wars start?"

3. Scientific relevance: we, as a science, do not know or answer that question. and it lowkey matters

4. Social importance: elevance to the world, ongoing conversation in our society

Ecological fallacy.

Show or drive conclusions solely based on observations.

a logical and statistical error that happens when you use group-level data to make claims about individual people

Reductionism.

Opposite of ecological fallacies: conclusions about larger units and applying to smaller units, but not accurate, overlooking societal explanations

Logic model

Explaining how constructs for theories or variables for hypotheses are related:

1. One dependent variable

2. Two independent variables

3. Three hypotheses

Circles and ovals.

This shape is for theories or concepts.

boxes

This shape is for hypothesis or operationalized concepts.

ovals

This shape must be used for theories or concepts used for theories.

plus sign

This sign is used when one goes up, the other one also goes up.

-

This sign is used when one goes down, the other one goes down.