Soc 100: Chapter 3 Flashcards
(32 cards)
Fact
something that has been observed, and that as far as can be known, is true.
Theory
an attempt to explain something that has been observed.
hypothesis
a statement that is verifiable/falsifiable and that proposes a specific relationship between or among variables.
research methodology
the system of methods a researcher uses to gather data on a particular question.
Scientific method
a method of scientific study that consists of systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.
Positivism (auguste comte)
belief that the social sciences could be studied using the methods of the natural sciences – experiment, measurement, and systematic observation – the scientific method)
Positivism assumes…
no accommodation needs to be made for the biases of the social scientist – this is the problem with positivism.
Insider
the viewpoint of those who experience the subject being studied or written about.
Outsider
the viewpoint of those outside the group or culture being studied.
Quantitative research
focuses on social elements that can be counted or measured – can be used to generate statistics (macrosociologist approach)
qualitative research
involves the close examination of characteristics that cannot be counted or measured.
triangulation / mixed methods approach
qualitative research is used to confirm or expand on the results of quantitative research, vice versa.
Ethnography
a research method, in which communities or groups are studied through extensive fieldwork.
Ethnography includes…
semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and informants.
Institutional ethnography
a form of ethnography that challenges the need for a neutral stance in sociological research, claiming instead that any institution or organization can be seen as having two sides
Ruling interests
interests of the administration or those who hold power in society.
- data on this side is text based
Institutional ethnography - worker side
one representing the interests of those working for the organization, but outside of management (e.g. informant).
- data on this side is experiential
ruling relations
conformity of workers to the rules and practices of the organization they work for
case study approach
a research design that explores a social entity or phenomenon by examining a single representative case or a few selected example.
- best practices
best practices
strategies with a proven history of achieving desired results more effectively or consistently than similar methods used in the past by particular organizations or currently by similar organizations.
narratives
he stories people tell about themselves, their experiences, and the others around them – the purest/strongest form of the insider view.
content analysis
involves studying a set of cultural artifacts or events by systematically counting them and interpreting the themes they reflect.
- data is pre-existing
discourse analysis
An approach to analyzing a conversation, a speech, or a written text.
May include entire fields of information.
Genealogy
a form of discourse analysis that involves tracing the origin and history of modern discourses.
