Chapter 1: Science, Society, and Social Research Flashcards
Overgeneralization
occurs when we unjustifiably conclude that what is true for some cases is true for all cases
Selective or inaccurate observation
choosing to look only at things that are in line with our preferences or beliefs
Illogical reasoning
prematurely jumping to conclusions or argue on the basis of invalid assumptions
Resistance to change
the reluctance to change our ideas in light of new information, is a common problem
Science
a set of logical, systematic, documented methods for investigating nature and natural processes; the knowledge produced by these investigations
Descriptive Research
describes differences or variations in social phenomena
Exploratory research
seeks to find out how people get along in the setting under question, what meanings they give to their actions, and what issues concern them (what is going on)
Explanatory research
seeks to identify causes and effects of social phenomena and to predict how one phenomenon will change or vary in response to variation in another phenomenon
Evaluation research
research that describes or identifies the impact of social policies and program
Validity
the state that exists when statements or conclusions about empirical reality are correct
Measurement Validity
exists when an indicator measures what we think it measures.
Sample Generalizability
exists when a conclusion based on a sample, or subset, of a larger population holds true for that population
Cross-population generalizability
exists when findings about one group, population, or setting hold true for other groups, populations, or settings
Casual Validity
exists when a conclusion that A leads to, or results in, B is correct
