Unit test 1 - Chapter 3

Question 1

Macrosociological Theories

Answer 1

• Ask “large” questions
• conflict theorists; struggles over scarce resources
• functionalists; smooth functioning of society

Question 2

Microsociological Theories

Answer 2

• Ask questions about experiences and meanings
• Symbolic Interactionists; meanings people use to facilitate social life
• Feminists - issues surrounding gender & equality
• Queer theorists - problematize taken-for-granted concepts

Question 3

Avenues to knowledge & reasoning

Answer 3

Quantitative & Qualitative Approaches

Question 4

Quantitative Approaches (Numerical data)

Answer 4

• Determining significant relationships between variables
• Generalizable
• Comparative

Question 5

Qualitative Approaches (non-numerical data)

Answer 5

• smaller sample sizes
• interviewing and observation
• Researchers are research ‘instruments’

Question 6

Systems of Reasoning (logics)

Answer 6

Inductive logic & Deductive logic

Question 7

Inductive logic

Answer 7

• Move from data to theory
• Gather information about a topic before developing theories about how to explain particular aspects
• Most often use qualitative approach

Question 8

Deductive logic

Answer 8

• Move from theory to data
• Develop a theory or set of theories to explain or predict a pattern and then test the theory
• Most often use a quantitative approach

Question 9

Systems of Reasoning cont’d..

Answer 9

• Begin with an area of interest
• Conduct a literature review
• Develop a specific research question(s)
• Choose a research method
• Where, and with whom, will you get your information
• Submit ethical review application
• Gather data
• Analyze data
• Report your findings

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

• In quantitative research one begins with a testable theory

- A tentative statement about a particular relationship that can be tested empirically

Question 11

Variables

Answer 11

Used to measure relationships

• independent variable; can be varied or manipulated
• dependent variable; is the reaction (or lack thereof) of the manipulation

Question 12

Operational Definition

Answer 12

Describes how a variable is measured

Question 13

Validity

Answer 13

Accuracy of a given measurement

Question 14

Reliability

Answer 14

Consistency of a given result

Question 15

Correlation

Answer 15

Measures how strongly two variables are related

Question 16

Causality

Answer 16

One variable causes a change in the other variable

Question 17

Spurious Correlation

Answer 17

A false correlation between two or more variables, even if it appears to be true

Question 18

Research Population

Answer 18

The group of people that a researcher wishes to learn something about

Question 19

Sample

Answer 19

A subset of the population

Question 20

Research Methods

Answer 20

• Surveys
• Interviews; structured, semi-structured, unstructured
• Participation Observation; involves active participation in the daily life activities of those he or she is observing
• Covert; those in field are not informed of the researcher’s status
• Semi-covert & Open
• Content Analysis; texts including movies, magazines, etc.
• Secondary Analysis; existing data, libraries, official documents, etc.
• Participatory Action Research
• Mixed methods; one or more method to investigate the same phenomena
• Triangulation- when researchers use more than one method to fully understand a topic

Question 21

Connecting Research Questions to methods

Answer 21

Theory + Research Question = Methods

• Macro
• Micro
• Combining

Question 22

Connecting Macro Approach to method

Answer 22

• Ask question with wide-reaching scope

- quantitative, surveys.

Question 23

Connecting Micro Approach to method

Answer 23

• Ask questions about experience or meaning

- Qualitative, interviews, participation, observation

Question 24

Connecting Micro & Macro approach

Answer 24

• Asks both broader & specific questions
• both quantitative and qualitative data.
• surveys & interviews

Question 25

The ethics of research

Answer 25

• Ethical principles are essentially statements about right and wrong
• Policies are in place to protect participants

Question 26

Tri-Council on Ethics involving Human subjects

Answer 26

• informed consent
• respect for others
• risks or harms
• protection of rights
• voluntary participation