CRJ Research Methods CH.1-3 Flashcards
3 major classical sociological theories
structural- functionalism, social conflict, symbolic interactionism
define structural functionalism
macro approach, society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate components , Emile Durkeim founder
overgeneralization
we unjustifiably conclude what is true for one case is true for all
selective/inaccurate observation
choosing to look only at things that are in line with our preferences or beliefs
illogical reasoning
premature jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions
resistance to change
reluctance to change our ideas in light of new information
4 most important goals of social research
description, exploration, explanation, evaluation
descriptive research
social phenomena are defined and described
exploratory research
seeks to find out how people get along in the setting under question, what meanings they give to their actions, and what issues concern them
explanatory research
seeks to identify causes and effects of social phenomena and to predict how one phenomenon will change or vary in response to variation in another phenomenon
evaluation research
research that describes or identifies the impact of social policies and programs
validity
when statements or conclusions about empirical reality are correct
measurement validity
exists when an indicator measures what we think it measures
sample generalizability
exists when a conclusion based on a sample, or subset, of a larger population holds true for that population
cross-population generalizability (external validity)
exists when findings about one group, population, or setting hold true for other groups, populations, or settings
causal validity (internal validity)
exists when a conclusion that A leads to, or results in, B is correct
tenets of symbolic interactionism
- we act towards things on the basis of their meaning
- meanings are not inherent
- meanings can be changed or modified through interactions
intersectionality theory
links gender, race, & other types of oppression & inequality
inequality looks and feels different to everyone
queer theory
argues there is no inherent normal binary gender or sexuality
deductive research
a specific expectation is deduced from a general premise and is then tested
inductive research
general conclusions are drawn from specific data
research circle
a diagram of the elements of the research process, including theories, hypotheses, data collection, and data analysis
where do social research questions emerge from?
-your own experience
-research by other investigators
-social theory
-a request issued by a government agency
characteristics of a good research question:
feasibility: sufficient time & resources to conduct the study
social importance: will your research question make a difference in the social world?
scientific relevance: does the research question solve an issue
in social theory or find something new?
direction of association
a pattern in a relationship between two variables; the value of a variable tends to change consistently in relation to change in the other variable. The direction of association can be positive or negative.
rational choice theory
people’s behavior shaped by calculations of the costs and benefits of their actions
symbolic interactionalism
people give symbolic meaning to objects, behaviors, and other people. micro theory. face to face interactions are the building blocks of society.
social conflict theory
society at a constant struggle/ competition for power 7 resources. lower class is exploited. social inequality. driving force for social change. critical of status quo.
dysfunction
disturbance or undesirable consequences of some aspect of the social system. can lead to social change to new equilibrium.
inductive reasoning
reasoning that moves from the specific to the general
anomalous
unexpected patterns in data that do not seem to fit the theory being proposed
serendipitous
unexpected patterns in data which stimulate new ideas or theoretical approaches
cross sectional research design
a study in which data are collected at only one point in time
longitudinal research design
data is collected over time, can be at two or more points in time
individual unit of analysis
individuals are the source of data and focus of conclusions
group unit of analysis
groups are the source of data and focus of conclusions
cohort research design
longitudinal study in which data is collected at two or more points in time from individuals in a cohort
cohort
individuals with a common starting point, ex: birth place, same job for many years(seniority cohort)
ecological fallacy
an error in reasoning in which conclusions about individual-level processes are drawn from group-level data
Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects/ The Common Rule/ ethical research guidelines
-to protect research subjects
-to maintain honesty and openness
-to achieve valid results
-to encourage appropriate application
4 rules:
-avoid harming research participants
-obtain informed consent
-avoid deception in research, except in limited circumstances
-maintain privacy and confidentiality
debriefing
a researcher’s informing subjects after an experiment about the experiment’s purpose and methods and evaluating subject’s personal reactions to the experiment
ethics
moral system that determines whether actions are right or wrong
nuremberg code
set of reach ethics principles for human experimentation created as a result of the numerberg trials . risk vs benefit analysis also stemmed from these trials.
Tuskegee syphilis experiment
conducted a long term study of untreated syphilis under the guise of free healthcare. treatment was available but it was not given to the participants, the participants were unaware of the cure existing.
tearoom trade study
mens sexual behavior with other men was observed under the guise of a “lookout”. their private info (license, name, etc.) was recorded. the “lookout” then interviewed them.
obedience experiment
miligrams’s shock experiment. studies willingness to cause pain to another person if instructed to do so.
Belmont report
Respect for persons—treating persons as autonomous agents and protecting those with diminished autonomy
Beneficence—minimizing possible harms and maximizing benefits
Justice—distributing benefits and risks of research fairly
Institutional Board review
A group of organizational and community representatives required by federal law to review the ethical issues in all proposed research that is federally funded, involves human subjects, or has any potential for harm to subjects.
