Sociology Methods Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of ethnomethodology?

Understanding the measurable effects of social interactions

Examining invisible rules that guide everyday behavior (correct)

Analyzing the statistical patterns of social behavior

Studying how individuals create their own perceptions of reality

What does the concept of 'definition of the situation' emphasize in symbolic interactionism?

The influence of cultural norms on behavior

The biological factors affecting behavior

The subjective understanding of individuals in a situation (correct)

The objective circumstances of a situation

Which step is NOT part of the deductive reasoning process?

Performing analysis to test hypotheses

Collecting data based on hypotheses

Putting forth a theory

Developing a hypothesis from gathered data (correct)

What characterizes emergent design in qualitative research?

Flexible research strategies that evolve during the study Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of impression management as proposed by Erving Goffman?

The effort to control others' perception of oneself Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of mixed-methods research?

The integration of both qualitative and quantitative methods Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a component of indigenous methodologies?

Prioritizing western scientific approaches for validity Signup and view all the answers

What concept refers to the way individuals perceive themselves based on how they believe others see them?

Looking-glass self Signup and view all the answers

What does operationalize refer to in research?

Developing hypotheses based on a theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of symbolic interactionism?

Understanding shared meanings through social interaction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of theoretical saturation?

Collecting data until no new information is obtained Signup and view all the answers

What does the term moral entrepreneurs refer to?

Groups that seek to influence social norms and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is the key idea behind the realist perspective in research?

Reality exists independently and can be discovered Signup and view all the answers

What does two-eyed seeing refer to in research methodologies?

Integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems Signup and view all the answers

Participatory action research (PAR) primarily aims to:

Identify and address group needs through collaboration Signup and view all the answers

What does the hierarchy of credibility imply in social research?

Expert opinions are often regarded as more credible than marginalized voices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Breaching Experiment

Utilizes an ethnomethodological approach to examine unspoken social norms by deliberately violating them.

Casual Knowledge

Assumes reality consists of observable, measurable causes and effects independent of an individual’s perception.

Deductive Reasoning

Involves formulating a theory, developing hypotheses, collecting data, and analyzing results to test these hypotheses.

Definition of the Situation

Central to symbolic interactionism, suggesting that individual behavior is shaped more by their perception of a situation than by the situation's objective characteristics.

Emergent Design

A feature of qualitative research where strategies evolve during the study as the researcher gains insight into the social context.

Ethnomethodology

Investigates the implicit rules guiding daily interactions and behaviors among individuals.

Describes interaction patterns that occur across different situations, such as identity formation and emotional experiences.

Impression Management

Concept introduced by Erving Goffman, focusing on how individuals manage the perceptions others have of them through their behavior and presentation.

Indigenous Methodologies

Research approaches that respect Indigenous knowledge systems and foster meaningful relationships with community participants.

Indigenous Resurgence

Emphasizes the connection of Indigenous peoples to their land and the transformation through understanding the consequences of colonization.

Looking-Glass Self

The notion that self-perception is shaped by how one believes others perceive them.

Mixed-Methods Research

Integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding than either method could achieve alone.

Moral Entrepreneurs

Groups or individuals advocating for the classification of certain behaviors as deviant or normal within society.

Operationalize

Process of translating a theoretical concept into a structured hypothesis for practical research use.

Positivism

The doctrine suggesting that scientific methods can reveal the 'laws' governing human behavior, enabling predictions and control.

Realist Perspective

Assumes a discoverable reality exists independently of social constructs.

Research Participants

Individuals who consent to participate in research, providing insights through interviews or by allowing observation.

Symbolic Interactionism

A view that emphasizes understanding the meanings created and shared through social interactions in everyday life.

Theoretical Saturation

Occurs when additional data collection yields no new insights, prompting the researcher to halt the research process.

Two-Eyed Seeing

A research paradigm that values both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems collaboratively.

Verstehen

Max Weber's concept implying that researchers should strive for a deep understanding of participants' perspectives.

Community-Based Research

A collaborative research framework that actively involves community members in various study stages, sharing control between researchers and participants.

Hierarchy of Credibility

Refers to societal biases where those in higher status or expertise positions are perceived as more credible than marginalized individuals.

Indicators

Specific, measurable signs developed to investigate broader abstract concepts in research.

Participatory Action Research (PAR)

A research approach focusing on community involvement, aiming to identify needs and influence social policy to enhance group wellbeing.

Prescriptive

Refers to approaches that enforce judgments of right and wrong behavior, contrasting with the analytical nature of qualitative research.

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Description

Explore key concepts in sociological research methods, including breaching experiments, casual knowledge, and deductive reasoning. This quiz examines the crucial aspects of how researchers build theories and collect data within the field of sociology.