Chapter 2 Paradigms in Research Flashcards
Paradigm
A theoretical perspective including a set of assumptions about reality that guide research questions.
(Page 32)
Macrotheory
Theoretical perspectives aimed at understanding the “big picture” of institutions, whole societies and the interactions among societies.
(Page 33)
Microtheory
Theoretical perspectives aimed at understanding social life at the intimate level of individuals and their interactions.
(Page 34)
Rationality
The criterion for assessing thinking in terms of its logical consistency.
(Page 35)
Reasonableness
A quality of mind that is open to new ideas and evidence.
Page 35
Objectivity
A series of observations while high intersubjective reliability.
(Page 37)
Positivism
The belief in an objective reality independent of human experience.
(Page 37)
Theory
A set of interrelated propositions used for understanding observed realities.
(Page 38)
Operationalization
The process of translating abstract concepts into variables that indicate the concepts.
(Page 40)
Hypothesis
A theoretically informed expectation about empirical patterns expressed as a relationship between variables.
(Page 40
Empirical Deduction
The logical process for transforming a theorietical proposition into a research hypothesis.
(Page 41)
Hypothesis Testing
Determining whether the expectations specified in a hypothesis are confirmed by concrete empirical patterns.
(Page 42)
Measurement
The process of quantifying observations by assigning numbers to attributes composing a variable.
(Page 43)
Operational Definition
The specific steps (“operations”) of measuring abstract concepts at the concrete level.
(Page 43)
Falsification
The criterion that it is possible for empirical evidence to disconfirm a hypothesis.
(Page 44)
