Methodology & Theory (Fall 2025)

Lecture 1.2a: Methodology & Theory

All course materials for the first part of the course are now available.
Students receive a free subscription to The NYTimes.
Recap of Last Class:
- Every historical period presents problems or challenges to be solved within the family sphere.
- Several trends related to the state of families in the United States were discussed.
- A key question posed was: How do we determine what is causing a particular trend?
- The discussion on methodology was initiated.

Kinds of Questions in Research

Description: Aims to answer "What is happening?" or "How common is it?" Often involves identifying patterns, trends, or characteristics of a phenomenon.
Explanation: Seeks to answer "Why is it happening?" or "What are the causes and effects?" Involves identifying relationships between variables and constructing causal arguments.
Intervention/Evaluation: Focuses on "What can be done about it?" or "Does a particular program or policy work?" Involves testing the effectiveness of interventions.

Kinds of Theories in Research

Explanatory Theories: These theories aim to provide reasons or causes for observed phenomena. They typically explain how or why something occurs, often linking concepts in a causal chain.
Descriptive Theories: Focus on detailing and categorizing phenomena, helping to organize and understand complex information without necessarily explaining causality.
Predictive Theories: These theories are used to forecast future events or outcomes based on established relationships between variables. They answer "What will happen if…?"
Normative Theories: Discuss what should be, rather than what is. They often involve values and ideals, suggesting how things ought to be organized or what goals should be pursued.
Biological Theory: Explores how biological factors, such as genetics, hormones, or evolutionary processes, influence family dynamics, behaviors, and relationships.

Measuring Ideas & Operationalization

Measuring Ideas: Translating abstract concepts or ideas (e.g., love, marital satisfaction, parenting style) into something quantifiable and observable. This involves defining the concept precisely.
Methods of Operationalization: The process of defining the measurement of a phenomenon that is not directly measurable, though its existence is inferred by other phenomena. This involves:
- Selecting Indicators: Choosing observable behaviors, self-report measures, or physiological responses that represent the abstract concept.
- Developing Scales/Instruments: Creating surveys, questionnaires, or observational protocols to systematically collect data on the chosen indicators.
- Ensuring Reliability and Validity: Making sure the measures are consistent (reliable) and accurately reflect the concept they are intended to measure (valid).

Ethical Considerations:
- Informed Consent: Ensuring participants understand the study and agree to participate voluntarily.
- Confidentiality and Anonymity: Protecting the privacy of participants' data.
- Minimizing Harm: Avoiding physical, psychological, or social harm to participants.
- Beneficence: Striving to maximize benefits and minimize risks to participants and society.
- Justice: Ensuring that the benefits and burdens of research are distributed fairly across different groups.
Political Context: The influence of societal values, government policies, and funding priorities on what research questions are asked, how research is conducted, and how findings are interpreted and utilized. Research on families can be highly sensitive and impact public policy and social norms.