EXAM 1 Flashcards
STUDY FOR THE FIRST EXAM
Example of Circular Reasoning?
If such actions were not illegal, then they would not be prohibited by law.
- This doesn’t tell you anything, because the definition of illegal is “prohibited by law”, so it’s basically saying if actions are illegal then they are illegal (duh!).
- Ex: The apple iPhone is the best smartphone on earth because no one makes a better smartphone then Apple does.
What is Circular Reasoning?
Premise includes the claim that the conclusion is true.
What is Descriptive Research?
This describes the frequency or quality
-does not explain the phenomena/tries to ‘describe’
What is Epistemology
the investigation of what distinguishes objective, empirical science from opinion and personal beliefs
What is Evaluation Research?
Seeks to determine the effectiveness of a social program or intervention
What is Explanatory Research?
Seeks to identify causes & effects of social phenomena to predict how 1 phenomena will change in response to another
What is Exploratory Research?
The goal is to answer “what is going on here?” to investigate social phenomena without any prior expectations
What is the Halo/Horn Effect?
Halo effect specifically refers to positive assessments about someone. But, we use the term “horn effect” when it’s a negative connotation.
What is Historical Events Research?
a process of collecting and interpreting data about past events or ideas in order to find how they affected the present events and ideas.
What is Illogical Reasoning?
Jumping to conclusions or arguing based on invalid assumptions. Often, the conclusion does not necessarily follow the premise.
What is Inaccurate Observation?
Where our own (inaccurate) biases cloud our perceptions and make us misperceive reality.
What is Mixed Methods (triangulation)?
use both quantitative & qualitative methods to study 1 research question
Example of Inaccurate Observation?
Ex: I do a quick scan of the classroom and (inaccurately) observe that there are 50 people in class today when there are no more than 40.
What is Overgeneralization?
Error in reasoning that occurs when we conclude that what we have observed or know to be true for SOME cases is true for ALL cases
Example of Overgeneralization?
Ex: Californians are the nicest people I have ever met. So, Californians are the nicest people in the U.S.
Ex 2: The last 2 people who cut me off while driving were women. The 2 car accident I was in was with a woman. So, all women must be bad drivers.
What is Phrenology?
the study of the conformation of the skull as indicative of mental faculties and traits of character,
What is Pseudoscience?
If we rely on findings not based in the scientific method, it falls under the classification of “pseudoscience” (fake science)
What is Qualitative Methods/Research?
Used when the data focuses on participators words rather than numbers.
- This type of data may be gathered through intensive interviewing, direct observation, focus groups or content analysis.
What is Quantitative Methods/Research?
Used when the data are numbers.
- This type of data is typically gathered through surveys, interviews, & official reports.
What is Resistance to Change?
The unwillingness to change our ideas in light of new information (3 reasons).
What are the 3 reasons for Resistance to Change?
- Ego-based commitments
- Excessive Devotion to tradition
- Uncritical agreement to authority
What is Selective Observation?
Choosing to look only at things that align with our preferences or beliefs. Things that “fit the pattern” of our beliefs.
What is Triangulation?
the same as mixed methods; uses quantitative and qualitative research to study one research question.
Examples of Selective Observation?
- Ex: John believes all crime is rooted in atheism. He assembles a list of violent crimes where the perpetrators didn’t believe in God, while ignoring all crimes perpetrated by religious individuals.
- Ex 2: Sarah is convinced that all kids who are violent are unlikely to be rehabilitated & will continue committing violent offenses in adulthood. But what about young people who become productive non-violent adults?
What is Authenticity?
To fairly reflect the perspectives of the participants in a study setting & it’s even more important for researchers who study our subjective social worlds
What is a Constant?
a characteristic or value that does not change; only takes 1 value.
ex; race, eye color, sex at birth
What is Cross-Population Generalizability?
when findings about 1 group, population, or setting hold true for other groups, populations, or settings