Social Research Methods - Bryman

Front 1

What is the deductive approach to research?

Back 1

Theory guides the research.

Front 2

What is the inductive approach to research?

Back 2

Theory is the outcome of the research.

Front 3

What is a theory?

Back 3

"an explanation of observed regularities"

Front 4

What is a 'theory of the middle range' (Merton)?

Back 4

These types of theories are based on things like: why work alienation varies by technology (Bryman).

Front 5

What is a 'grand theory'?

Back 5

Theories which focuse on a more abstract level, for example: structuration theory, or critical theory.

Front 6

What did Merton say was problematic with grand theories?

Back 6

Grand theory is so abstract that it gives no guidelines to show how one could collect empirical data in support of it. It cannot be tested.

Front 7

Which type of theory is more likely to guide political science?

Back 7

Middle-range theory.

Front 8

What are the characteristics of a middle-range theory?

Back 8

Operates in a limited domain. Is in between empirical findings and grand theory, hence the name middle-range. Attempt to understand and explain a limited aspect of social life.

Front 9

What are the two meanings of the term 'empiricism'?

Back 9

(1) Only knowledge gained a posteriori is acceptable. Ideas must be tested in order for them to be confirmed as knowledge. (2) The accumulation of facts is a legitimate goal in itself; also termed 'naive empiricism'.

Front 10

What is deductive theory?

Back 10

One deduces a hypothesis from current theory, which is then subjected to empirical scrutiny.

Front 11

Which type of theoretical approach did Merton advocate?

Back 11

Deductive.

Front 12

What are the six steps in deduction?

Back 12

(1) Theory; (2) Hypothesis; (3) data collection; (4) findings; (5) hypothesis confirmed or rejected; (6)Revision of theory.

Front 13

Is the deductive approach to theory associated with quantitative or qualitative research?

Back 13

Quantatitive.

Front 14

What is the inductive approach to theory?

Back 14

Theory is the outcome of research. Generalisations are made out of observations.

Front 15

What does the iterative strategy mean in terms of the inductive approach to theory?

Back 15

Further data is collected in order to find out in what conditions the theory holds.

Front 16

Is inductive theory linked to quantitative or qualitative research?

Back 16

Qualitative

Front 17

What is the epistemological position known as positivism?

Back 17

Maintains that is important to imitate the natural sciences.

Front 18

What strategy towards theory does positivism take?

Back 18

Both a deductive and inductive approach.

Front 19

How can knowledge be confirmed for positivists?

Back 19

By the senses.

Front 20

Does positivism advocate objectivity or subjectivity?

Back 20

Objectivity.

Front 21

Does positivism rely on normative statements or scientific statements?

Back 21

Scientific statements.

Front 22

What are the two main types of realism?

Back 22

Critical and empirical realism.

Front 23

What does realism share with positivism?

Back 23

Belief that there is an objective world and that the social and the natural sciences should use the same approaches to research.

Front 24

What is empirical realism?

Back 24

Reality can be understood by using the appropriate method. This is the normal meaning when one uses the term realism.

Front 25

What did Bhaskar say the problem was with empirical realism?

Back 25

Empirical realism is too superficial. It fails to admit that there are underlying structures and phenomena which cause observable events/phenomena.

Front 26

What is critical realism?

Back 26

Aims to understand the social world, including: the events and phemonena, and the underlying structures that cause them.

Front 27

How does critical realism differ from positivism?

Back 27

Positivism aruges that conceptualisation actually reflects that reality; whereas, critical realism argues that conceptualisation is one way of knowing reality. Critical realists also admit that theory may not necessarily be verifiable empirically, positivists disagree.

Front 28

What does interpretivism say in contrast with positivism?

Back 28

That the social sciens should be fundamentally different from the natural sciences. This is because there is a difference between people and the object of scientific investigation.

Front 29

What does Von Wright's term 'hermeneutics' mean?

Back 29

Considers the theory and method of the interpretation of human action.

Front 30

Is interpretivism the explanation or understanding of human behaviour?

Back 30

It is the understanding of human behaviour, rather than the consideration of the forces which cause/influence human behaviour.

Front 31

What is phenomenology?

Back 31

It is about how individuals make sense of the world around them.

Front 32

What is objectivism?

Back 32

Claims that social phenomena and their meanings have an independent (therefore objective) existence to social actors.

Front 33

What examples could be given to illustrate the theory behind objectivism?

Back 33

Organisations exist independently of the individuals in them. The organisation exerts pressure on these individuals to conform to the preconceived rules and regulations.

Front 34

What is constructionism?

Back 34

It is also known as contrustivism. It argues that social phenomena and their meaning are constantly being accomplished by social actors. It concludes that social phenomena are produced by social interaction and are constantly being revised.