Chapter 5

Question 1

3 classes of things scientists can measure

Answer 1

Direct observable
 Can observe directly
 Ex colour of a pencil

Indirect observables
 Ex: check mark beside female in questionnaire

Constructs
 Ex: IQ
 Theoretical creation are based on observations

Question 2

Concepts:

Answer 2

o Fundamental components of thinking
o Agreement on the meaning of the term
o (conception > agreement > concept)

Question 3

Conceptualization

Answer 3

o The process by which concepts are formed through the selective organization of sensory experience

issue
 Specific concepts may make sense in your mind but not someone else’s

Question 4

2 important features of concepts

Answer 4

non-empirical

meaningful

Question 5

Reification

Answer 5

o Mistake of treating conceptual construction as something real

Question 6

Conceptual definitions

Answer 6

o Statement that indicates the meaning of an abstract term by expressing it in other abstract terms
o This is what dictionaries do

Question 7

Real definitions

Answer 7

o There is something intrinsic in a thing that leads to a name

Question 8

Operational definitions

Answer 8

o Specific steps of measuring abstract concepts at the concrete level
o Ex: steps in a recipe
o Ex: experiencing guilt

Question 9

anomie

Answer 9

without law

Durkheim

Question 10

Creating conceptual order

Answer 10

• Clarify of concepts is a ongoing process in social research
• Catharine marshal Rossman speak of conceptual funnel
  o Researchers interests become increasingly focused
  o Thus funnel interest becomes narrow to individual’s who are committed to empowerment and social change
  o Is a continuing process

Question 11

Nominal measure

Answer 11

o Nominal measures
 Variables whose attributes have only the characteristic of exhaustiveness and mutual exclusiveness
 Ex; gender, birthplace, major, hair colour, political party
 Are names or labels for characteristic