KRM 310 Sem test 1 Flashcards
what does the term “abstract” mean in relation to theories
they consist of statements generally dissociated from any material objects, specific circumstances, facts or observations
what are detractors
describe the theory as lacking concreteness
where does the complexity of theories lie
in their assumptions and assertations
define determinism
the assumption that people have free will to choose alternative life paths
what are the 4 types of asserations
THPV
Theoretical
Hypotheses
Propositions
Verifiable propositions
what is a theoretical asseration
a testable relationship
what is the hypotheses asseration
a relationship that is still to be verified, the research is less compelling
what is the propositions assertation
Statements about relationship
what is the verifiable propositions asserations
proven laws
define theory-testing studies
when a theory is the starting point for deductive research
define theory-building studies
when a theory is the ending point for inductive research
how do deductive researchers work
they base their work on past theorising that leads to research questions or testable hypotheses
how to inductive researchers work
they allow the data to speak for itself, providing findings that may emerge as a theory
what are the 2 modes of observation that researchers may adopt (they only adopt one)
qualitative data (subjective phenomena that can’t be measured) or quantitative data (numeric and objective)
what are the 4 goals of crime theories
DEPC
description
explanation
prediction
control
define correlation
a tie between 2 variable measures of events. a change in one results in a change in the other
define causation
anything that produces an effect and meets 3 criteria
what are the 3 criteria for causation
TPA
time-order sequencing
presence of a correlation
Absence of a spurious link between the alleged cause and effect
define symbolic interactionism
the perception of reality determines the outcome
what are the 2 kinds of theories
metatheories and unit theories
what are metatheories
rarely testable and are best viewed as ways of looking at and interpreting reality. theories about theories
what are unit theories
emphasize a particular problem and make testable assertions about that problem.
what are the 3 levels of abstraction
Macrotheories
microtheories
bridging theories
what are macro theories
broad in scope and best characterised as those that explain social structure and its effects