Week 3: Methods, Methologies & Ethics Flashcards
Positivist Sociology
Study of society that is based on science, logical system that develops knowledge from direct and systematic observations ( assessment strategy used to document behaviour, activities, knowledge and skills)
Positivist Sociology can also be called -
Empirical Sociology- where knowledge can be gained from what our senses tell us, careful observation
Concept
Mental visualization that represents some part of the world in a simplified form
- where sociologists label certain concepts of social life, like their income, power and culture
Variable
A concept whose value changes from case to case
- like we can all be classified with the social class (lower, middle, upper, working class) depending on the case
Measurement
- Describing and ascribe (to say/ to think) the meaning of facts, concepts we are investigating
- Determining the value of a variable in an investigation
Descriptive Statistics: Mean, Median, Mode
Mean = Average
Median = the score in the middle
Mode = the most frequent value
It’s used to categorize large amount of people in the social class
Reliability
Consistency in measurement
Validity
The accuracy of the measurement
Correlation
A relationship in which two variables change tgt
Spurious Correlation
False relation between two or more variables that is caused by some other variable
Objectivity
Must go above and beyond to reduce bias
Value Relevant vs Value Free
Social Norms
Rules that define correct behaviour in society
Method
A systematic plan and process for collecting data and carrying out research
Methodology
System of methods used in a particular study of activity
Interpretive Sociology
The importance of meaning and action when studying social trends and problems
- we attach meaning to everything
The importance of ‘Meaning’
- peoples understanding of their actions and their surroundings
- reality is subjective
- qualitative data
- subjective meaning
Weber’s Concept of Verstehen
German word form “understanding”
Critical Sociology
The study of society that focuses on the need for social change
Structural Functionalism
Complex system whose parts work together to promote unity and stability
Positivist Orientation
Structural Functional Approach
Interpretive Orientation
Symbolic interaction approach
Symbolic Interaction approach
An organization theory that defines how group members uses symbols and how symbols affect their personality, rationale and collective processes
Critical Orientation
Social Conflict Approach
Social Conflict (theory) Approach
Sees social life as a competition and focuses on the distribution of resources, power and inequality
Experiment
Investigating the causes and affect under highly controlled conditions
- testing hypothesis
(Like the Stanford Prison Experiment)
Hypothesis
- educated guess
- a statement of a possible relationship between two or more variables
Survey
A research method in which the subjects respond to a series of statements or questions on a questionnaire or in an interview.
- population vs sample
- questionnaires vs interviews
Participant Observation
A research method in which investigators systematically observe people in their natural environment
- exploratory and descriptive
Putting it all tgt
What is your topic?
What have others already learned?
What, exact,y are your questions?
What will you need to carry out the research?
Are there ethical concerns?
What method will you use?
How will you record your data?
What do the data tell you?
What are your conclusions?
How can you share what you’ve learned?
Existing Resources
Data gathered by the government agencies
- I.e Statistics Canada
