W1 Flashcards
Understanding the empirical cycle
Scientific research
systematic process of gathering theoretical knowledge through observation
empiricism -> social reality
systematic and cumulative -> builds on previous research
Hypothesis
scientific claim which needs to be tested through empiricism and scientific method
6 principles of the scientific method
1) empirically testable
2) replicable - trials for more accurate set of results
3) objective - emotions cannot influence the way the research is conducted
4) transparent - exact question and exact everything. researchers must publicly share details
5) falsifiable - we need to prove otherwise in order to find what we want
6) logically consistent - never change hypothesis after conducting the research
Qualitative research
- looking for verification
- reasons why they are doing x
- generating new theories (different opinions, revolving around that all people should be treated individually)
Quantitative research
- looks for falsification
- disproval
- measuring things with numbers
- trying to test the theory
Empirical analytical approach
knowledge we acquire is obtained from observation and measured from the researchers perspective
tries to find patterns and rule out alternative explanations
aligns with QUANTITATIVE APPROACH
Nomothetic approach (WV1)
attitudes, opinions can be treated as objects because we can measure them with numbers
Empirical interpretive approach
knowledge we acquire is obtained from observation and interpretation from the participants perspective
tries to seek understanding
aligns with QUALITATIVE APPROACH
Idiographic approach (WV2)
communication is subjective and unique and varies independently from person to person
Empirical cycle
1) observation - noticeable relations
- > research question
2) induction - specific observations to general theories
-> theory
3) deduction - from general to specific “expectations”
- > hypothesis and predictions
- > collect data
4) testing - testing the hypothesis
- > analyse data
5) evaluation
Induction phase
specific observation - pattern recognition - theory (general)
Scientific method
based on systematic observation and consistent logic
increases chances of coming up with valid explanations
helps evaluate plausibility of hypothesis
Types of quantitative methods
surveys
experiments
Qualitative researchers
use words and experiences from their informants
Quantitative researchers
use stats for objective reporting
Metamessage
underlying message conveyed within a communication interaction
beyond the explicit content of the message itself
Non scientific method
based on intuition and beliefs
evidence is needed to settle an argument based on opinions
Casual observations
informal logic distorted by our beliefs
people tend to select and remember observations that align with our beliefs
SM
only effective when done with the right attitude
researchers must be critical with their own studies and they have to be transparent
hypothesis
describes a pattern or general relation between properties
empirical
based on social reality
World view 1
human behavior is generalizable, can be measured objectively and is predictive
privileges researchers perspective
World view 2
human behavior is individualistic, unpredictable and subjective
privileges participants perspectives
RQS
open ended rq - relationship between variables
closed ended rq - direction of the relationship
Two tailed hypotheses
relationship between variables but does not specify the direction between them
One tailed hypotheses
predicting the direction of the relationship between variables
Null hypothesis
no relationship between variables
Operationalizing constructs
identification of constructs and operationalize them in order to get accurate measurements and precise observations
Constructs
ideas / concepts
Operationalizing
define them in such a way that they can me measured and become available for other researchers to study
constructs once operationalized become variables
For a statement to be meaningful it must be
verifiable
Goals of science
gain knowledge
