topic 1

Question 1

agreement reality

Answer 1

things we know as part and parcel of the culture we share with those around us

Question 2

epistemology

Answer 2

science of knowing , systems of knowledge

Question 3

methodology

Answer 3

the science of finding out, procedures for scientific investigation

Question 4

inquiry

Answer 4

process of asking, getting to know

Question 5

errors in inquiry

Answer 5

overgeneralisation, inaccurate observation, selective observation, illogical reasoning

Question 6

the foundation of social science

Answer 6

theory plus data collection plus data analysis

Question 7

social regularities

Answer 7

probabilistic patters, not always fit the general pattern , verojatnostnije shablony

Question 8

what is empirical research

Answer 8

systematically answering empirical questions using observations
Systematically: excluding the possibility that other answers are better than the answer we give Observations: about things we can observe by using our senses
Empirical: about things we can observe

Question 9

on what is empirical research based on

Answer 9

based on observed and measured phenomena and derives from knowledge rather than theory and belief

Question 10

key characteristics to look for

Answer 10

specific question, definition of population, phenomena, behaviour, description of the process used to study population

Question 11

the procedure for clear thinking

Answer 11

think, plan, observe, analyse

Question 12

the procedure for clear thinking but with terms

Answer 12

think> theory
plan> research design
observe> data collection
analyse>data analysis

Question 13

confirmation bias

Answer 13

cherry picking ,searching for info that confirms our pre existing beliefs, while giving disproportionally less consideration to alternative interpretation

Question 14

3 types of confirmation bias

Answer 14

Information
reasoning
conclusions (bias in remembering)

Question 15

Why is confirmation bias so strong?

Answer 15

Limitations in humans, relying on ‘heuristics’
- Wishful thinking
- Consistency (between initial evidence and new evidence)

Question 16

how to avoid bias

Answer 16

• Systematic data gathering, being aware of what can go wrong
• Explicit and complete reasoning
  1. Clarify your pre-existing beliefs (theory)
  2. Clarify the procedures you will use to test these beliefs (methods)
  3. Stick to these procedures!

Question 17

where do empirical questions come from

Answer 17

A. Curiosity
B. Science (follow up existing theories and puzzles, if this is true, maybe that is true too)
C. Decision making (try to solve problems) – ‘how to’ questions can be broken up into descriptive and explanatory (causal) research questions.

Question 18

types of research questions

Answer 18

normative (should be, political, philosofical)
conceptual (what is the meaning, no need of deep research)
empirical

Question 19

types of empirical questions

Answer 19

• descriptive : number, just stating
  -explanatory: causal effect, explaining with cause

Question 20

4 type of question

Answer 20

Predictive questions – We are not looking for causes, not causal, but also not simply descriptive.

Question 21

wheel of science

Answer 21

question, theory, research design, observation (data collection), data analysis, answer knowledge

Question 22

induction and deduction

Answer 22

deduction> start with theory
induction> start with data

Question 23

decision making

Answer 23

Empirical research questions are often asked in the context of decision making
- Decision-making – You need to change things in someway but lack sufficient knowledge to do so.

Question 24

the steps of decision making

Answer 24

1. Identify, describe and analyze a problem or opportunity – problem definition and
   analysis
2. Develop options/design options – design
3. Compare options, using criteria – multi-criteria analysis, ex ante evaluation
4. select a preferred alternative on the basis of this evaluation – decision-making rules
5. act on the decision/implement the decision – implementation
6. monitor and evaluate the consequences – ex post evaluation

Question 25

clear research

Answer 25

clear units, variables, setting

Question 26

attributes

Answer 26

characteristics or qualities of people or things, gender: female, male

Question 27

3 major purposes of social research

Answer 27

exploration, description, explanation

Question 28

Independent variable

Answer 28

a variable with values that are not problematic in an analysis, but are taken as simply given. An independent variable is presumed to cause or determine a dependent variable.

Question 29

Dependent variable

Answer 29

– a variable assumed to depend on or be caused by another (independent variable).

Question 30

Idiographic explanation

Answer 30

refers to an approach in research and analysis that focuses on understanding the unique, individual aspects of a particular case, event, or phenomenon.

Question 31

Nomothetic

Answer 31

which seek to find general laws or patterns that apply to large groups of people or events.

Question 32

Tolerance for ambiguity

Answer 32

the ability to hold conflicting ideas in your mind simultaneously without denying or dismissing any of them. (Important ability in the world of social research)

Question 33

Quantification

Answer 33

makes our observations more explicit, make it easier to aggregate, compare and summarize data, opens the possibility of statistical analyses

Question 34

Qualitative data

Answer 34

non numerical

Question 35

Quantitative data

Answer 35

numerical data

Question 36

Both types of data> quantitive, qualitative

Answer 36

useful for different research purposes. Every observation is qualitative at the outset, whether it is our experience of someone’s intelligence
The phrase “qualitative at the outset” typically means that something starts with a qualitative approach or focus. In research or analysis, a qualitative approach involves exploring and understanding phenomena based on descriptions, experiences, or interpretations, rather than quantifiable data or numerical measurements.

Question 37

Units of analysi(s)

Answer 37

Are described by theoretical variable(s)
- Objects the research question is about (person, city, company, year, day in the week, etc…) - Identifying units: If variable is known, ask “what or who is characterized by this variable?”

Question 38

Theoretical variable(s)

Answer 38

• They describe Unit(s) of analysis
• Possible characteristics (attributes) of these units (unemployment, income, quality, etc…) - Identifying variables: If unit is known, ask “what characteristics does the unit have?”

Question 39

Setting (context)

Answer 39

Describes the situation
- Example: place, time, etc.