Unit 3

Question 1

Describe Positivist point of view (Quantitative)

Answer 1

• This approach assumes that everyone sees reality in the same way and that we all share the same viewpoint. The positivistic view assumes that we all share the same reality, that there is a general pattern to what goes on in society. It believes that we can more or less predict things from this general pattern and that this “prediction” will in itself, provide the best answer to our research questions. With the positivistic approach, we make an “educated guess” (usually after a literature review) as to what the presumed outcome of your research will be. So you read about a topic and then formulate a hypothesis. Auguste Compte, considered to be the “father” of sociology, believed that scientists should only ask questions that can be answered with observable or empirical data. This is positivism. Positivistic research would include a statement in the form of a hypothesis.

Question 2

Describe Naturalistic point of view (qualitative)

Answer 2

The naturalistic viewpoint assumes that multiple realities exist because everyone sees things differently depending on the situation or context in which they find themselves (e.g. historical period, atmosphere).

Question 3

Define: Operationalizing hypotheses

Answer 3

When variables are defined in measurable terms and there is a relationship specified between the variables.

Question 4

Define: Independent and Dependent variables

Answer 4

Independent Variables (Cause): These are variables that act on or influence the dependent variable. This variable can be manipulated.

Dependant Variable (Effect): As the name implies, this variable is dependant on the independent variables.

Question 5

Explain Sampling

Answer 5

Of course it’s impractical to assess an entire population when you want to gather information, so you need to rely on varying techniques.

Question 6

Explain Validity

Answer 6

this is whether or not you have accurately and appropriately measured the variable you wanted to measure. For example, if you wanted to measure the number of positive verbal interactions on the playground, you would not ask the participants what their attitudes toward others in the playground were, because that would not be measuring what you originally set out to measure.

Question 7

Explain reliability

Answer 7

This refers to the repeatability of the findings of the study. Results of measurements taken at one point in time should be consistent with those taken at a subsequent point in time. Another example….If in your first interview, children in your sample tell you they participate in sports 5 times a week and then in a second measurement they inform you that they participate only 3 times per week…now your findings are inconsistent and unreliable.

Question 8

Differentiate between Research methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)

Answer 8

Qualitative (Naturalistic)
This is typically where you collect information about a person’s perceptions, meanings, interpretations and looks for an understanding of behaviours, events and situations. In this approach to research, the best data gathering instrument is the researcher.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research:
1)A natural setting is the direct source of data and the best research instrument is the researcher.
2)Descriptive- words and pictures form the basic methods of data collection. Quite often direct comments are taken from the subjects of the research.
3)Concerned more with process as opposed to product.
4)Investigators typically put a theory together after they gather the data.
5)Participant perspective is important

example: interview

Quantitative (positivistic) This uses research methods that allow researchers to collect numerical data so that the amount or the quantity of the research variables can be measured. An example of quantitative analysis of a research question would be the the tallying and analysis of GPA’s to measure whether or not athletes are better students than non-athletes.

Question 9

What are the two general ways for statistically analyzing quantitative data

Answer 9

Descriptive Statistics: This is where you summarize the actual data in your sample

Inferential Statistics: These are techniques that allow us to make inferences about the generalizability of the findings from the perhaps small group that you sampled. The degree to which the results reflect the population from which your sample was drawn shows statistical significance. So, if we conduct a statistical test to see if two groups are different and we find there is statistical difference then that would mean that the difference found would exist in the larger population as well. An example would be to run a t-test to statistically compare the means between two groups.

Question 10

Examples of unethical research

Answer 10

Tuskegee

1) Right to Refuse- remember participation is voluntary (no matter how desperately you want to increase your sample size!) and that everyone has the right to discontinue participation at any time.
2) Right to Confidentiality- you must always protect the identity of human subjects (therefore subjects need to be referred to by numbers or pseudonyms) Data also needs to be stored in a safe, inaccessible place.
3) The Right of Informed Consent- your subjects should be provided with sufficient written information regarding the nature of the study. What are the physical and or mental risks? For this reason, you need to provide your subjects with an informed consent document.

Question 11

research standpoint did August comte take?

Answer 11

considered to be the “father” of sociology, believed that scientists should only ask questions that can be answered with observable or empirical data. This is positivism. Positivistic research would include a statement in the form of a hypothesis.