Chapter 5 Review Flashcards
Linear Research Process
Linear research path follows a fixed sequence of steps
Usually used in quantitative studies
Moves from idea and progresses in a step by step manner through all stages in the research process
Non Linear research process
It makes a pass through the steps sometimes moving forwards, backwards and sideways
Often used in qualitative research
Non linear doesn’t mean sloppy research
Emergent research process
Preplanned Research Process
5 Characteristics of hypotheses
- Has at least 2 variable
- It expresses a casual or cause-effect relationship between the variables
- It can be expressed as a prediction or an expected future outcome
- It is logically linked to a research question and a theory
- It is falsifiable; that is it is capable of being tested against empirical evidence and shown to be true or false
What is a hypothesis and testing
Hypothesis is a proposition to be tested or a statement about a relationship between two variables (workers who are treated well by their bosses will be more productive)
Testing
- Systematic
- Occurs over time
Types of Errors
- Reductionism
- Ecological Fallacy
- Spuriousness
- Tautology
- Teleology
Ecological Fallacy
Occurs when a researcher gathers data on a higher level of aggregate unit of Analysis and makes statements about a lower or disaggregate unit of analysis
Example: gathering data on organizations or cities and making conclusions about individuals within those origins or cities
Reductionism
Occurs when a researcher explains a macro-level events but has evidence only about specific individuals/incidents
Opposite of ecological fallacy
When lower level factors is used to explain why something at the macro level occurs - denies the existence of importance contextual factors
Example: The recent economic recession was caused by unions.
The internet has caused rates of bullying to increase
Spuriousness
Occurs when two variable are associated but are not casually related because an unseen third factor is the real cause
The unseen third or other variable is the cause of both the independent and the dependent in the apparent but illusionary relationship and accounts for the observed association
Tautology
This refers to circular reasoning
Can often be detected when the first half of the sentence appears to be rehearsing of the second half of the sentence
Example: People are poor because they have little money
Teleology
Refers to an argument that explains the cause-effect relationship as one that fulfills a function or ultimate purpose
Example: Religion exists because it fulfills a purpose in society
