Social Research Overview

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Questions and Answers

What can personal sensory experiences confirm?

Beliefs and knowledge are the same.

All experiences are universally applicable.

What we have previously been told. (correct)

Authority figures are always correct.

What is one limitation of learning from personal experiences?

It always leads to complete truth.

It can lead to overgeneralization. (correct)

It is less effective than academic research.

It encourages diversified inquiry.

Why may someone in the dominant racial group conclude that racism is no longer an issue?

They rely solely on academic research.

They have extensively studied historical racism.

They have experienced racial profiling.

Their beliefs are reinforced by their social circle and media. (correct)

How do personal beliefs differ from knowledge?

Knowledge is based on research, while beliefs can be misguided. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting social research?

To build knowledge through rigorous methods. Signup and view all the answers

What can research challenge in an individual?

Preconceived notions based solely on cultural beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a risk of relying on personal experiences for knowledge?

It fosters selective perception and inquiry. Signup and view all the answers

What role does social research play in understanding societal issues?

It enhances knowledge and understanding of social dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major advantage of using mixed methods research in studying drinking culture on campus?

It prioritizes participant language and concerns. Signup and view all the answers

In the sequential mixed methods study, what is the first data collection method used?

Questionnaire Signup and view all the answers

How do focus groups contribute to the mixed methods study after the initial questionnaire?

They help explain participants' personal experiences in detail. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of conducting the participatory visual arts study with collages?

To understand participants' perceptions of the drinking culture. Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is NOT suggested for discovering appropriate language with participants?

Engaging in virtual reality simulations Signup and view all the answers

What materials are provided to participants in the participatory visual arts study?

Collage materials such as magazines and drawing tools. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)?

Full collaboration with participants is essential Signup and view all the answers

What is an expected outcome of analyzing both the visual art and textual descriptions in the arts-based research?

Emerging data from non-verbal communication. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the focus groups reveal insights about the failure of an on-campus policy related to drinking?

They highlight participants' motivations and contextual experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects social justice values in research?

Identifying relevant stakeholders for inclusive research Signup and view all the answers

Which question is relevant to ensuring cultural sensitivity in research language?

How do we ensure our language is respectful? Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the approach to data collection in a mixed methods study?

It seeks to integrate various forms of data for a comprehensive view. Signup and view all the answers

What role do values from social justice movements play in research?

They influence how researchers frame their topics Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of research is least affected by social justice values?

Setting research timelines Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers consider when distributing their findings to relevant audiences?

The impact on public scholarship and policy Signup and view all the answers

Identifying relevant audiences for research should include consideration of which factor?

Status characteristics of potential audiences Signup and view all the answers

What major ethical principles were established as a result of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment?

Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice Signup and view all the answers

How did the perception of research participants change after the Tuskegee undertaking?

Participants began to be viewed as individuals with rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant question to consider in research projects influenced by the Tuskegee Experiment?

Whose interests are being served? Signup and view all the answers

What document was precipitated by the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment?

The Belmont Report Signup and view all the answers

What role do Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play in research?

They ensure that participants' rights and welfare are protected. Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the social justice movements during the 1960s and 1970s?

Achieving equality across various status characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the outcomes associated with the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment?

Increased public trust in medical research. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Belmont Report is true?

It outlines the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three dimensions of the ethical substructure that impact the research process?

Procedural ethics, situational ethics, relational ethics Signup and view all the answers

What spurred the development of new codes and regulations for the protection of human research participants?

The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment Signup and view all the answers

What does ethical praxis address in the research process?

What researchers should do in practice Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of research does the ethical issue of developing research topics primarily occur?

Research design/setup Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three subcategories of ethics mentioned in the ethical praxis stage?

Empirical ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important influence on how researchers conduct their work according to ethical praxis?

Beliefs and moral compasses Signup and view all the answers

During what phase of research is the issue of representation and dissemination most pertinent?

Representation and dissemination Signup and view all the answers

What role do social justice movements play in the research community?

Influencing the evaluation of ethical standards Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Knowledge and Personal Experience

Personal experience can be a source of knowledge but it has limitations
People tend to overgeneralize from their experiences
They make inaccurate observations
They perceive things selectively
They close off inquiry once they have formed an idea
Confirmation bias occurs when personal experiences, cultural beliefs, and authorities reinforce each other, even if they are wrong

Social research is a rigorous way of building knowledge that addresses the limitations of personal experience and other sources of knowledge
It helps us understand the social world and our place within it
Its knowledge can confirm or refute personal beliefs

There are many purposes for conducting social research
Research projects often fall into one of the following categories:
- Exploration
- Description
- Explanation
- Evaluation
- Empowerment

Mixed Methods Research

Uses multiple data collection methods
Provides a more comprehensive understanding of the topic
Provides rich data with descriptions and examples
Allows the researcher to understand the participants' language and concerns

Arts-Based Research

Uses creative methods such as collage and drawing to generate data
Captures data that might not emerge through traditional written or verbal communication

The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment led to the development of ethical guidelines for research.
The Belmont Report (1979) outlined three key principles:
- Respect for persons
- Beneficence
- Justice

Ethical Praxis

Ethical practice focuses on what researchers actually do in terms of designing and executing their research
It involves three subcategories: procedural ethics, situational ethics, and relational ethics
These subcategories are all guided by the principles of the Belmont Report
Researchers must consider the interests of the participants and ensure that their ethical practice is informed by those interests
Researchers need to consider the ethical implications of their research during all phases of the research project
These phases include research design, data collection, representation, and dissemination

The social justice movements of the 1960s and 1970s have had a significant impact on the ethical standards of social research
They emphasized equality on the basis of status characteristics, including sex, race, sexual orientation, and economic class
They sought to eradicate sexism, racism, homophobia, and classism
The social justice movements have influenced the development of community-based participatory research (CBPR)
Researchers are now more likely to involve research participants as full collaborators in the research process

Ethical Considerations in Research Design

Researchers need to consider the ethical implications of their research topic
They need to ensure that their research questions are relevant, respectful, and do not harm any individuals or groups
They need to identify the relevant stakeholders and ensure that they are represented in the research process
They need to consider the impact of their research on the lives of the participants
They need to use language that is culturally sensitive and appropriate

Ethical Considerations in Data Collection

Researchers need to obtain informed consent from all participants
They need to ensure that participants are aware of the risks and benefits of participating in the study
Researchers need to treat participants with respect and dignity

Ethical Considerations in Representation and Dissemination

Researchers need to ensure that their research findings are accurate and reliable
They need to represent the participants' voices fairly
Researchers need to be transparent about their methods and data analysis
They need to consider the impact of their research findings on the lives of the participants and the wider community
They need to make their findings accessible to a wide audience

Conclusion

The social research community has continuously reevaluated its ethical standards in response to historical atrocities and social justice movements
Values and ethical standards are constantly being renegotiated and redefined
These values impact the goals and practices of research
They influence how researchers treat participants, choose topics, and use their findings

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Description

This quiz explores the significance of social research in understanding personal experiences and their limitations. It highlights various purposes of social research, such as exploration and evaluation, while discussing biases that can arise from individual observations. Test your knowledge on the role and importance of social research in the social world.