CH 3: Research Methodologies (TERMS) Flashcards
Methods
Systematic techniques for collecting and making sense of information about the social world
Methodologies
Broader lenses and research strategies that provide a rationale for how data collection and analysis should be done
- Involves theoretical justifications for which methods might be appropriate for a given research project
Dialectics
Tensions or oppositions between two differing views or approaches
Qualitative Research
Non-numeric data about the social world
- Concerned with aspects such as descriptions and meanings in the social world
Quantitative Research
Data expressed in numbers
- Concerned with counting and measuring aspects of the social world
Pure Research
Sole aim is to generate new knowledge; often plays role in creating and testing theory
Applied Research
Intended to address social issues or problems
Inductive Research
Moving from observation to theory
- Gather data (specific focus) → Analyze data looking for patterns → Develop a theory that applies broadly
- e.g., Durkheim’s study on Suicide
Deductive Research
Moving form theory to observation
- Theory or hypothesis → Analyze the data → Specific focus where the hypothesis is supported or not
Exploratory Research
Research whose main aims are to explore data and research questions, rather than addressing the “whys” of certain social phenomena
Descriptive Research
Research whose aim is to offer details about a certain aspect of social life, but not address the “why” of a social situation of process
Explanatory Research
Research that aims to explain why a certain pattern or process occurs
Variables
Any facets of social life that have a variable quantity or quality
Operationalizing
Defining variables so that they are measurable
Indigenous Knowledge Paradigms (IK)
A set of theories, concepts, and ways of thinking that are founded on Indigenous ways of knowing
Thick Description
Situates social behaviour within a detailed explanation of its social context
Focus Groups
- Qualitative method
A guided conversation that involves bringing a small group of research participants (usually no more than a dozen) to collectively discuss a series of questions on a given topic
Ethnography
- Naturalistic qualitative approach
A naturalistic approach to qualitative research that involves spending an extended period of time (months-years) with the group a researcher is studying in order to understand the dynamics of a social group, setting, or an entire culture
Participant observation
- Naturalistic qualitative approaches
A method of qualitative research in which the researcher becomes directly involved with the group they are studying in order to understand the social phenomena and dynamics of a a group
Content analysis
Analyzing existing textual or visual material (ex. letters or photos)
Story-catcher
The idea that the researcher’s job is to facilitate the sharing and interpretation of data in story form, in a way that recognizes the stories’ need to be heard and acknowledged as worthy data.
Top-down approach
Analyzing society by starting with the larger societal structures and institutions (government or economic systems) and then examining how they influence individual behaviours and actions
Bottom-up approach
A research method that focuses on the individual level, analyzing how the actions and interactions of individuals create larger social structures and patterns, rather than starting with large-scale societal forces to explain individual behaviour
