Midterm 1 Flashcards
Conformation Bias
Favoring information that confirms previously
existing beliefs or biases.
Multiple Causation
More than one cause explain
Nominal Measure
Offer names for labels for characteristics (gender, birthplace).
Dependent Variable
Result or outcomes
Null Hypotheses
when there is no relationship
between the dependent and independent variables.
Conceptual Definition
An agreed upon
meaning of a concept [among professionals,
politicians or academics]
Ratio Measure
Attributes composing a variable are based on a true
zero point (age, income).
Misinformation
False information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead.
Macrotheory
A large-scale theory dealing with a broad range of phenomena on an abstract leve
Tautology
is avoid stating something that is True by Definition
Discrete Measure
Have a finite number of
distinct and separate categories such as gender, race, household size…(nominal or ordinal measures)
Variable
Level of confidence in the executive branch of the federal government
(high or low)
Inductive
Start With Data and Analysis Identify the Pattern Generate a Theory to Explain Pattern
Normative Statement
statements based on explicit values and opinions. While it is difficult to have a “value free” statement or
research, we attempt to get as close to an “objective” statement as possible.
Aggregates
Qualitative
Non-numerical data in order to gain an understanding of individuals’ social reality
Operational Definitions
Survey question: “How much confidence do you have in the executive branch of the federal government?
Interval Measure
Distances separating variables (temperature
scale)
Exhaustive
Variable should include all possible responses or
characteristics
Disinformation
Deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda.
Falsification
It must be possible to identify an outcome of the test or observation that conflicts with predictions of a given theory
Systematic Error
Caused by any factors that
systematically affect measurement of the variable across the sample (first target)
Independent Variable
Cause or influence
Deductive
Start with a Theory and Question Generate a Hypothesis
Data Analysis/Test
Non-Normative Statement
Statement explains what is occurring (or
observed) rather than what should be occurring.
Validity
Measures, samples and designs don’t have “validity” – only our definition can be said to be valid.
Random Error
Caused by any factors that randomly affect measurement of the variable across the sample (second ‘target’)
Concepts
labels we put on phenomenon
that enables us to link separate observations and make a generalization
Ordinal Measure
Variables with attributes we can logically rank
and order
Mutually Exclusive
Each variable characteristic should fit into one and only
one category
Reliability
In research, the term reliability means “repeatability” or “consistency”
Quantitative
Measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality
Continuous Measure
can take on an infinite
number of values such as income, age, grade point average…(ratio measures)
Identify a negatively skewed distribution by evaluating the mean and median.
Mean < Median: negatively skewed
Identify a positively skewed distribution by evaluating the mean and median.
Mean > Median: positively skewed
What are three measures for the variable occupation?
What is the logic of the deductive model?
(1) Staring with a general theory and explanation
(2) creating a hypothesis
(3) test the hypothesis through observations and
experiments—does the observed pattern/relationship fit the theory?
What is the logic of the Inductive model?
(1) Starting with information evaluation and analysis
(2) identifying the pattern
(3) create a theory to explain the pattern or relationship.
Define and indicate how inductive theory differs from deductive theory
Deductive is a bottom down approach
Inductive is a top down approach
What are the four points that make a good theory?
Parsimony: This is a simple is the explanation, and a theory that incorporates a relatively small number of variables and makes few assumptions is considered a parsimonious theory.
Generalizability: The theory can explain a broad range of similar cases or phenomena outside the context of the study. That it, it can explain the same issue across different conditions, such as in other communities, countries or historical time periods.
Observable implications: We should observe be able to observe the expected relationships and test the theory in the real world such as observing the cause before the effect.
Falsifiability: It must be liable to refutation when tested in the real world. It must be possible to identify a possible outcome of test or observation that conflicts with predictions of a given theory
What is the function of the research question?
We are looking at cause and effect: a causal study. Or we are examining positive or negative relationships correlation. We are interested in the relationships between variables.
How can a measure be reliable, but not valid? Give at least one example.
If you are getting a consistent result but not where you thought it would be for example poor villagers being asked if they think the economy is good and saying no because they were referencing Nacional and researchers were referencing local. Not measuring what you think you are measuring.
How would you measure the variables Gender, Age and Education?
Gender Nominal
Age Ratio
Education Ordinal
What is the 68%–95%–99.7% rule?
+- 1Standard deviation away from the mean contains each of these
What are the two key types of validity?
Content Validity: Check the operational definition against the relevant content of the concept definition.
Does the measure cover the range of meaning included with in a concept.
Predictive Validity: Check the performance of your operational definition against the expected relationship
The ability to predict something it should
theoretically be able to predict
Given the Hypothesis, countries that have reached a level of development where they have McDonalds restaurants do not go to war with each other. (1) Identify the dependent and independent variable, (2) write the research question and (3) write out the Null Hypothesis.
Provide an ordinal measure of Annual Income that is exhaustive and mutually exclusive.
Identify the three purposes of a Literature Review.
(1) it provides overall knowledge of your stated research topic. This is a brief, but general background of the topic and research question.
(2) provides an analysis of previous research approaches and results. This includes identifying the relevant (and/or competing) theories and approaches (methods) related to your research question.
(3) to develop an argument regarding the theory and
research question. Here you decide which theory you plan to examine and why as well as the method you will use to address the research question and test the theory
Identify a common error when stating hypotheses
What is the main problem with conspiracy theories (compared to what we consider good theories)?
Parsimony: This is a simple is the explanation, and a theory that incorporates a relatively small number of variables and makes few assumptions is considered a parsimonious theory.
Generalizability: The theory can explain a broad range of similar cases or phenomena outside the context of the study. That it, it can explain the same issue across different conditions, such as in other communities, countries or historical time periods.
Observable implications: We should observe be able to observe the expected relationships and test the theory in the real world such as observing the cause before the effect.
Falsifiability: It must be liable to refutation when tested in the real world. It must be possible to identify a possible outcome of test or observation that conflicts with predictions of a given theory
What is the difference between a normative and non-normative statement?
