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31 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are three reasons Sociological Research is important? |
- 'Common sense' vs scientific knowledge - Science uses empirical methods - Sociology a social science |
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What does Sociological reasoning do? |
Combines empirical methods with theory |
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What is a Concept? |
An abstract idea, eg Social Class |
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What is a Variable? |
A Categorical concept for properties of people or things, eg Marital Status |
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What is Deductive Reasoning? |
Using theories to explain observations, going from generalities to specifics |
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What is Inductive Reasoning? |
Using observations to form a theory, going from specifics to generalities |
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What are two other types of Reasoning? |
Retroduction, Abduction |
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What are the Goals of Sociological Research? |
- Explore - Describe - Explain - Critically Assess |
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What are the steps of the Sociological Research Process? |
- Research question - Lit review - Narrow focus - Create Research design - Data collection - Conclusion - Report findings |
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What is involved with forming a Research Question? |
Choosing a question to answer |
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What is involved with Lit Review? |
To find gaps and limitations in existing knowledge |
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What is involved with Narrowing Focus? |
Make the research viable, testable, feasible |
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What does the Hypotheses express? |
The relationship between variables, the independent and dependant ones
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What are independent and dependant variables? |
The presumed cause, and presumed effect |
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What is validity? |
The extent to which a study accurately measures what it's supposed to |
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What is reliability? |
The extent to which the study yields consistent results |
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What is involved in creating the Research Design? |
Finding the research interests, objects or subjects of study and the techniques for data collection and analysis |
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What is the Fallacy of Exclusion? |
When there is important evidence that was excluded that would point to a different conclusion |
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What is involved in Data Collection? |
Collecting it! |
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What is involved in Data Analysis? |
Compiling the data into a format that helps to learn more about research problem |
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What is involved in the Conclusion? |
Figuring out what the data tells you |
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What is involved in Reporting Findings? |
Must disseminate findings, further increase knowledge in area, peer review |
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Why are Ethics important in Research? |
History of mistreatment (Eugenics?), particularily true of medical research |
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What is the Tri-Council Policy Statement? |
- Concern for welfare - voluntary participation - Respect for dignity - Confidentiality and anonymity - Assumption of justicce |
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What are Qualitative Methods? |
Understand or describe the 'quality' of a phenomena, frequently used by inductive reasoning |
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What are Quantitative methods? |
Count things or test hypotheses to 'quantify' or explain phenomena
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What is Triangulation? |
The use of both Qualitative and Quantitative techniques, critical approach to research, employ critique |
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What is beyond neutrality? |
Social justice |
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When is neutrality compromised? |
When researchers work within the existing dominant power structures that create and reproduce injustices, inequalities and inequities |
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What is the Critical Research strategy involving researchers? |
- Taking the side of marginalized - Critique structures that subordinate them, eg capitalist market economies - Question assumptions and discuss alternatives |
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What is the goal of Sociology? |
To understand how the everday experiences of marginalized people are shaped by social and economic factors - Fits with C.W. Mills' notion of 'Sociological Imagination' |
