Social Science Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Definition of hypothetico-deductive approach

A

Scientific statements in the form of hypotheses and theories get tested and refuted

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2
Q

Definition of induction

A

Scientific statements that arise from observations which is generalised to form a hypothesis

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3
Q

Definition of deduction

A

Testing hypotheses generated by induction

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4
Q

Definition of primary data

A

Information gathered through original/1st hand research via questionnaires and surveys

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5
Q

Definition of secondary data

A

Information gathered by someone else in the past

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6
Q

Definition of empirical generalisation

A

Findings found in a sample population are generalised to the whole target population

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7
Q

Definition of conceptual generalisation

A

Empirical findings that can be generalized to identify a pattern
Does not apply to everyone

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8
Q

Definition of sensitising concepts

A

A generalisation that doesn’t apply to everyone but sensitises clinician to the possibility that this finding may apply to some patients

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9
Q

What are the 2 ways of generating new knowledge

Describe them

A

Induction
-scientific statements are made from the findings of specific observations

Hypothetico-deductive
-scientific statements in the form of hypotheses and theories that get tested and refuted

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10
Q

What are the pros and cons of RCTs

A

Pros
-Provides the strongest evidence on efficacy

Cons

  • Mechanism of action unknown
  • Not always effective
  • Not everything can be randomized ethically
  • Hard to separate single causal effects in complex intervention
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11
Q

Why is the method of induction used in social science research

A

Research questions generally focus on

  • reasons
  • mechanisms
  • contexts instead of the causes

Natural objects don’t react when observed but humans change their behaviour when observed

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12
Q

What is the Hawthorn effect

A

Workers in a factory increased productivity because they were being observed, not because of the changes in factory conditions

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13
Q

What are the 2 types of data used in social science

A

Quantitative
-use nos to describe the patterning of demographics, knowledge and beliefs to be studied

Qualitative
-use words collected through interviews with respondents/via observation

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14
Q

What are the 2 types of quantitative data

A

Primary
-Data collected yourself via questionnaires

Secondary
-Data collected by others in official records (census, hospital and admin records)

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15
Q

When is secondary quantitative data often used

A

Social epidemiology

Disease distribution affected by social factors

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16
Q

When is primary quantitative data often used

A

Biomedical indicators and diagnostic labels do not accurately capture the patient experience
-PROMS assess effects of disease and treatment on QOL

17
Q

When would you use qualitative methods

A

When you want to understand what is going on

  • exploring a new area where little is known
  • generating new hypotheses
  • understanding patient perspectives
  • understanding processes of change
18
Q

When would you not use qualitative methods

A
  • When you want to answer questions on causation

- When quantification needed

19
Q

How would you go about generating qualitative data

A

Interviews with open questions
Interviews are recorded and transcribed and analysed for common themes

Allows for generation of new hypotheses which can be tested with the hypothetico-deductive method

20
Q

What kind of generalisations can you get in quantitative data

A

Empirical

-findings in sample applied to population

21
Q

What kind of generalisations can you get in qualitative data

A

Conceptual and sensitising concepts

-identify concepts that may be generalised to some people