Social Research Methods Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a significant problem associated with the Equal Probability of Selection Method (EPSEM)?

It simplifies causal conclusions.

It enhances internal validity.

It guarantees accurate generalization.

It may threaten external validity. (correct)

What is a characteristic of causal studies as defined in the content?

They examine effects of causes on outcomes. (correct)

They are inherently deductive.

They begin with general theories.

They focus solely on qualitative outcomes.

What describes the ecological fallacy?

Inferencing about individuals based on individual data.

Making conclusions about individuals from group data. (correct)

A misunderstanding about groups that applies universally.

A conclusion based solely on experimental data.

Which acronym encapsulates components of conclusion and internal validity?

CICE Signup and view all the answers

Which factor relates to construct validity?

Measuring the intended outcome as planned. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concern related to external validity?

The relevance of the findings to other contexts or populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the process described by the bottom-up approach?

Make specific observations. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'internal validity' assess in a study?

If a causal relationship exists between variables. Signup and view all the answers

What does the exception fallacy refer to?

Making generalized inferences based on exceptional cases. Signup and view all the answers

What are threats to validity related to?

Factors that may lead to incorrect conclusions or inferences. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the deductive reasoning in a research project?

It tests established theories and hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

Why might social research often involve both inductive and deductive reasoning?

To explore and then test theories during different stages. Signup and view all the answers

In establishing conclusion validity, what question is crucial to consider?

Is there an observable correlation between variables? Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning moves from general to specific, while inductive reasoning moves from specific to general. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research, what does 'operationalized' refer to?

The actual manifestation of the entity being studied. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of aligning construct and operationalized entities ideally?

It allows for the confirmation or rejection of hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

What type of approach is sometimes informally referred to as a top-down approach in research?

Deductive reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to distinguish between constructs and operationalizations in research?

To clarify the difference between theoretical concepts and their tangible representations. Signup and view all the answers

How does social research typically gather data?

Through observations and direct interactions with people. Signup and view all the answers

What does EPSEM stand for in the context of social research?

Equal Probability of Selection Method. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of inductive reasoning?

Formulating broad theories from specific observations. Signup and view all the answers

What does a positive association indicate about two variables?

They increase or decrease together. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of participant observation?

The observer directly interacts while observing. Signup and view all the answers

Which measure of central tendency is used if the data is perfectly symmetrical?

Mean Signup and view all the answers

When the mean is greater than the median, what does this indicate about the data distribution?

The distribution is skewed to the right. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of meta-analysis?

It allows for criticism and further analysis of combined results. Signup and view all the answers

In bivariate analysis, what type of tests can be used?

Parametric and non-parametric tests. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when outliers affect the average score?

The average is skewed and may not accurately represent the data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a formula for calculating percentage?

% = observe number of case / total number of case x 100 Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the scientific method that helps to ensure accurate findings?

Statistical analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is described as the process of understanding and controlling statistical error?

Proportional thinking Signup and view all the answers

What does a confidence interval represent in the context of research?

The range of values expected for an estimate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process of gathering data to represent an entire population?

Census Signup and view all the answers

Skepticism in a research context primarily serves to:

Challenge unverified conclusions Signup and view all the answers

What is typically a limitation of focusing solely on empirical data in social research?

Closing off non-empirical aspects Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the proportions derived from fractional data expressed as percentages?

Rates Signup and view all the answers

In research, prior experiences of others primarily help to:

Avoid common traps and pitfalls Signup and view all the answers

What is the mode of a dataset?

The score that occurs most frequently Signup and view all the answers

Which level of measurement is the mode most frequently used with?

Nominal level Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using the mode?

It may not be central to the whole distribution Signup and view all the answers

In a positively skewed distribution, how does the mean compare to the median?

The mean is greater than the median Signup and view all the answers

What is the variance in relation to scores?

The square of the deviations from the mean Signup and view all the answers

What does the median represent in a dataset?

The score at the middle case when sorted Signup and view all the answers

What effect do extreme scores have on the mean in a distribution?

They can pull the mean in their direction Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the mean's weaknesses?

It can be misleading in skewed distributions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophy: Focuses on distinguishing between research assumptions and the kinds of data collected. Variables (hypotheses) describe the characteristics of the subject of study.
Correlation Matrix: Shows correlations between themes and/or individuals.
Settling the Debate: Qualitative data can be coded quantitatively, and all quantitative data is based on (originally) qualitative judgments. Common data analysis methods used with quantitative approaches include content analysis of archival documents, secondary data analysis, media analysis, and meta-analysis.
Durkheim's Philosophical Questions: Concerned with the concepts used in questionnaires to avoid ambiguity and redundancy.
Positivist vs. Interpretive Approaches: Contrast between assumptions about the world. Positivism, often linked with quantitative methods, assumes an objective reality independent of observation. Interpretivism, associated with qualitative methods, emphasizes subjective meanings and interpretations.
Positivist Perspective: Focuses on social facts arising from interactions among people, creating a collective conscience (objective).
Interpretive Perspective: Views individuals (Monads) as ordering the world through their independent actions. Emphasizes subjective interpretations of phenomena (subjective).
The Quali-Quanti Debate: Examines the debate between qualitative and quantitative research approaches, often blending approaches within mixed methods research
Quantitative Data Analysis: Includes univariate analysis (measures of central tendency and variability like mean, median, mode), bivariate analysis (parametric and non-parametric tests), and multivariate analysis (interaction between dependent and independent variables).
Qualitative Approaches: Comprises four major approaches: ethnography/anthropology, phenomenology, behavior therapy, field research.
Grounded Theory: An approach focusing on discovering or generating a theory based on observations of a phenomenon rather than testing an existing theory; emphasizes suspending existing assumptions.
Qualitative Research Validity: Involves credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.
Quantitative Research Validity: Includes internal validity (assessing causation), external validity (generalizability to other contexts), construct validity (degree to which concepts are accurately measured), conclusion validity (evaluating relationships).

Research Vocabulary

Hypotheses: Specific statements predicting an outcome, often distinguished as alternative (what is expected) and null (no effect).
One-Tailed Hypothesis: Indicates a directional prediction (e.g., a drug will increase effect).
Two-Tailed Hypothesis: States an effect without a specific direction predicted.
Null Hypothesis: Predicts no effect or difference, a baseline against which other outcomes are measured.
Variables: Factors of interest; independent variables are presumed causes, while dependent variables are presumed outcomes.
Types of Studies: Descriptive studies, focused on documenting existing conditions; and causal or experimental studies.

Measurement of Central Tendency

Measures: Mode, median, and mean, each representing a different understanding of central tendency. The mean represents the average, the median the middle-most score. and the mode the most frequent score.
Mode: The most frequent score in a distribution.
Median: The middle score in a sorted dataset.
Mean: The average of all scores in a dataset. It's sensitive to extreme values.
Finding the Mean: Sum all scores and divide by the total number of scores.
Finding the Median: Sort the scores and identify the middle number (or average of the two middle numbers if there are an even number of scores).
Finding the Mode: Count the frequency of each score and identify the score that appears most often.

Measures of Variation

Range: The difference between the highest and lowest scores.
Interquartile Range(IQR): The difference between the 3rd and 1st quartiles (middle 50% of the scores).
Standard Deviation: Measures average distance of scores from the mean. A higher value indicates greater variability.

Validity and Ethics in Research

Validity: refers to the soundness of the conclusions or inferences drawn from a study. Different types of validity exist, considering internal validity and external validity (generalizability)
Ethical Considerations: Research must ensure voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversees research projects ethics.

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Description

This quiz explores the foundational concepts of social research methods, including various philosophical approaches, the use of correlation matrices, and the coding of qualitative data. It also examines Durkheim's philosophical questions and the differences between positivist and interpretive approaches in research.