Podcast
Questions and Answers
A sample of participants who have experienced the process of interest and can help develop a well-rounded ______________
A sample of participants who have experienced the process of interest and can help develop a well-rounded ______________
theory
Discriminant sampling is a method used in ______________ theory studies
Discriminant sampling is a method used in ______________ theory studies
grounded
In quantitative research, non-probability sampling is often used in ______________ polls
In quantitative research, non-probability sampling is often used in ______________ polls
online opt-in
The accuracy of nonprobability polls is questionable because researchers do not know the ______________ of a respondent being selected
The accuracy of nonprobability polls is questionable because researchers do not know the ______________ of a respondent being selected
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To determine the appropriate sample size, researchers must consider the ______________ level
To determine the appropriate sample size, researchers must consider the ______________ level
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Survey research is characterized as ______________, meaning it tests and uses a model
Survey research is characterized as ______________, meaning it tests and uses a model
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Surveys often ask questions about ______________, which may be susceptible to lies
Surveys often ask questions about ______________, which may be susceptible to lies
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Survey research is an example of a ______________ approach, focusing on testing hypotheses
Survey research is an example of a ______________ approach, focusing on testing hypotheses
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Surveys can answer questions about ______________, including attitudes and beliefs
Surveys can answer questions about ______________, including attitudes and beliefs
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Survey research is often used to study ______________, including characteristics and expectations
Survey research is often used to study ______________, including characteristics and expectations
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Study Notes
Worldviews & Research Questions
- The foundations of social science consist of:
- Theory/logic: existing knowledge codified
- Data collection/observation: collecting data and observing the outside world
- Data analysis: comparing logically expected results with actual observations
- The two pillars of science are logic and observation, connected by data analysis
- Research approaches consist of:
- Philosophical worldviews: basic set of beliefs guiding action
- Research design/strategies of inquiry: providing direction for procedures
- Specific methods: forms of data collection, analysis, and interpretation
Philosophical Worldviews
- Approaches to social research:
- Qualitative data: non-numerical data
- Quantitative data: numerical data
- Mixed methods: combining qualitative and quantitative
- Ontology: the study of the nature of reality/being
- Epistemology: how reality is known, and how knowledge is gathered
- Axiology: the role of values
- Methodology: the approach to inquiry, depending on worldview
Positivism
- Main assumption: everything consists of patterns, discoverable through close examination
- Collaborative: assumes the inquirer will proceed collaboratively to avoid further marginalizing participants
- Goes back to Karl Marx
Pragmatism
- Pluralistic: not tied to one system or philosophical stream or reality
- Consequences of actions: research arises from actions, situations, and consequences
- Problem-centered: concerned with applications and solutions to problems
- Mixed methods: draws from both quantitative and qualitative assumptions
- Real-world practice-oriented: research occurs in social, historical, political, and other contexts
- Goes back to Charles Sanders Peirce
Research Approaches
- Philosophical worldviews affect:
- How research questions are developed and addressed
- Research design and methods
- Reviewers' evaluations of studies
- Implicit assumptions:
- Level of available academic knowledge increases from exploratory to evaluation type questions
- Research aim and research question align and go hand in hand
Research Questions
- Common mistakes in formulating research questions:
- No pre-investigation
- Too many problems in one question
- Lack of domain or variables
- Unfounded biases
- Incomplete or imprecise
- Sub-questions:
- Theoretical, empirical, and analytical
- Help to divide the main research question into smaller parts
- Structure the research
Sampling
- Theoretical sample:
- Participants who have experienced the process of interest
- Help develop a well-rounded theory
- Typically used for grounded theory studies
- Non-probability sampling in quantitative research:
- Online opt-in polls
- Unknown recruiting strategies
- Non-response: people do not respond to surveys
Sample Size
- Depends on:
- Confidence level (e.g., 99%)
- Confidence interval or margin of error (±4%)
- Non-response
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Description
Explore the foundations of social science, including theory, data collection, and data analysis. Learn how to formulate research questions and connect logic with observations.
