Chapter 2 - How Sociologists Do Research

Question 1

Levels of experience

Answer 1

1. concrete experience: obtained by seeing, touching, tasting, smelling, and hearing
2. abstract experience: the imaginary world of the mind
3. concepts: abstract terms used to organize concrete experiences
4. prepositions: ideas taht result from finding relationships between concepts

Question 2

Bias

Answer 2

the tendency to favour one person, thing, or idea over another

Question 3

Ways of knowing

Answer 3

1. casual observation - ordinary human inquiry performed in day to day lives
2. tradition - looking into traditional knowledge to see how it teaches use
3. authority - think its true because expert said so

*all of these we must be careful because it might not be true since they did not do proper science to learn it or the science has been rebuked

Question 4

common errors in inquiry

Answer 4

overgeneralization - treat an exception as the rule

• selective observation - ignore evidence that challenges beliefs
• illogical reasoning - not thinking carefully about the plausibility of the knowledge

*these errors can lead to erroneous common knowledge that might hurt someone or spread biases

Question 5

Quantitative vs Qualitative research

Answer 5

quantitative = number of single knowledge (ex. filling out a specific questionnaire)
- fast, easily compliable and comparable data - but ignores nuance

qualitative = get tailored results and finding commonality between responses
- very nuances but long and tedious

Question 6

Ethical considerations

Answer 6

1. voluntary participation - subjects chose to take part (cannot in any way be forced to do it or forced to continue to do it)
2. informed consent - participants know the risks of participation
3. anonymity - researcher cannot identify subjects based on evidence
4. confidentiality - research can identify research subjects by examining evidence but agrees not to do so (ex. researchers get identifying information but keep it secret - ie a phone number, or something)
5. authenticity/debriefing - interviewing participants at the end to inform them of what actually took place and deal with any potential fall out