Chapter Two- Researching Sex and Gender

Question 1

How did science develop

Answer 1

• 16th and 17th centuries

- science replaced religion in inquiry by searching for natural laws

Question 2

Empirical Observation

Answer 2

-uses the senses to gather evidence (observation)
- observations are free from bias (objectivity)
(rejected information based on authority or the presumption of supernatural powers

Question 3

How did social sciences develop

Answer 3

-developed later using the natural sciences as a model and adopting the same assumptions and methods

Question 4

Qualitative Research

Answer 4

• discover ideas, general
• observe and interpret
• unstructured and free from bias
• intimately involved, subjective
• small samples, natural settings

Question 5

Quantitative Reseach

Answer 5

• test hypothesis or research question
• measure and test
• structured, categories
• Uninvolved and objective
• large samples, generalizable results

Question 6

Requirements of Science

Quantitative

Answer 6

• information must be observable

- systematic observation: a system or plan to gather information

Question 7

Experimental Research

Quantitative

Answer 7

• establishes cause and effect
• provides explanations instead of descriptions
• most take place in labs as opposed to natural settings which can lead to artificial findings
• the manipulation of the IV should produce a change in the value of the DV if the two are causally related

Question 8

Ex Post Facto Studies

Quantitative

Answer 8

• allow researchers to study variables they cannot manipulate
• researchers use subject variables which are characteristics of participants that can be used to classify participants into groups
  e. g. gender and sexual orientation
• because there is no manipulation and no random assignment this type of study is not a “true” experiment
• no causal statements
• tho this type of study is still used to compare males and females

Question 9

Surveys

Quantitative

Answer 9

things to consider
- question wording
-answer format
- target populations
- method of administration 
requires participants to be honest

Question 10

Correlational Studies

Quantitative

Answer 10

• strength of relationship (-1 to +1) near zero suggests no relationship
• direction of relationship
  positive: direct relationship
  negative: inverse relationship
• correlations not sufficient to infer causality (causation does not equal correlation)

Question 11

Case Studies

Qualitative

Answer 11

• the intensive study of a single person or a small sample of people
• unusual cases more common
• in depth exploration
• results may not generalize to others

Question 12

Interviews

Qualitative

Answer 12

• allow the exploration of a topic through the exchange of information between interviewer and participant
• interviews analyzed and coded for themes

Question 13

Ethnography

Qualitative

Answer 13

• involves researchers who immerse themselves in a group to gather information
• focus on context
• direct interaction with participants often over lengthy period of time

Question 14

Focus Groups

Qualitative

Answer 14

• bring together a group of people to participate in an intensive discussion of a topic
• closer to naturally occurring situations than are interviews.

Question 15

Constructionists

Answer 15

• emphasize the subjective nature or knowledge, pure objectivity does not exist
• there is always social and personal biases in science

Question 16

Evelyn Fox Keller

Answer 16

masculine bias in the conceptual foundation of science

- rationality and objectivity vs. feeling and subjectivity

Question 17

Sources of Bias

Answer 17

• Theories
• choosing the topic of study
• choosing variables
• formulating a hypothesis
• collecting and analyzing data
• interpreting results

Question 18

Ways to deal with bias in science

1. Advocating Transformation

Answer 18

• attempting to radically transform science to decrease bias
  e. g. feminist standpoint epistemologies- reject traditional science as hopelessly biased and urges an acceptance of women centred research

Question 19

Ways to deal with bias in science

2. decreasing bias

Answer 19

• feminist empiricists: argue that the development of a feminist methodology may not benefit research on women and gender related behaviours
• the use of diverse and appropriate methods
• an unwarranted confidence in traditional methods
• contextual factors are important