research methods quiz 2 - research design

units of analysis

level of social life you would focus on (most likely individuals)

cross sectional study

collects data at one specific point in time

longitudinal

collects data from same subjects repeatedly over an extended period of time

research design

developing a STRATEGY for finding something out

• corresponds to methodology section of papers

units of analysis - individuals

describe how individuals think, act, experiences and make comparisons

units of analysis - groups

ONGOING SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

any # of people w similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis

(not category or aggregate)

aggregate

collection of randoms in same place at same time

GROUP STUDIES DO NOT INCLUDE THESE

units of analysis - organizations

group that comes tg for a formal purpose

• what’s driving the interaction

• describe how org. think, act, experiences

• make comparisons

ex. SALT, churches

units of analysis- social artifacts

any object made by human work

ecological fallacy

• draw conclusions about individuals based on data from groups or organizations

• implication for conclusions we draw

reductionism

• draw conclusions about orgs or groups based on data from individuals

• an implication about conclusions we draw

longitudinal - trend study

data gathered at more than one point in time from different samples of same population

goal of a trend study

see if the whole population changes over time

longitudinal - cohort

data collected at more than one point in time from different samples of same cohort

ex. baby boomers

cohort

ppl who experience same life event

goal of a cohort study

determine if cohort changes over time

longitudinal - panel

data collected from same subjects each time

goal of panel study

determine if specific people change over time

measurement

process of observing and recording the observations that are collected as part of a research effort

measurement process - conceptualization

• process of specifying what we mean by the concepts in our project

• need good def of what we are trying to measure