Ch. 2 Lecture Flashcards
Positivism
Phenomena can be studied through direct observation and these observations can be pulled together into theories or facts that can help us understand the world.
Suggested by August Compt.
Positive theories are?
Objective and fact based
Normative theories are?
Subjective and value based
Positivist theory
The study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior.
Quantitative Research
The study of observable relationships in the world, using mathematical or statistical methods. Info you can count to tally up.
Elton Mayo
Discovered the Hawthorne effect- which indicates that hose be observed will behave differently if they know they are being observed.
Interpretive Sociology
Focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world. Attempting to see the old through tier subjects perspective.
Values
Ideas a person has about what’s good and attitudes they have about how the world works.
Critical sociology
The study on society that focuses on the need for social change.
What are the seven stages of research?
1) Define the problem
2) Review the literature
3) Formulate Hypothesis
4) Select a research design
5) Carry out the research
6) Interpret your results
7) Report research findings
Pros and cons of ethnography
Provides rich in depth info which provides a broad understanding of social processes.
Can only study relatively small groups. Findings are hard to generalize to groups outside the one being studied.
Pros and cons of Surveys
Efficient collection of data on large numbers of people.
Precise comparison of responses.
Materials gathered can be superficial. Differences might be glossed over.
Responses may be what people profess to believe rather than what they actually believe.
Experiments
Variables can be controlled by investigator.
Easier for subsequent researchers to repeat findings.
Many aspects of social life ant’ be brought into the laboratory.
Responses of those studies may be effected by experimental situations.
Define measures of central tendency
Ways of calculating the average- used in statical analysis.
