Sociology Research Methods
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Questions and Answers

What type of sampling is typically used in grounded theory studies?

  • Theoretical sampling (correct)
  • Purposive sampling
  • Discriminant sampling
  • Probability sampling
  • What is a major limitation of online opt-in polls?

  • They are time-consuming to analyze
  • They are too expensive to conduct
  • They are only used in qualitative research
  • They are not representative of the entire population (correct)
  • What is the primary focus of survey research?

  • Understanding a specific phenomenon
  • Exploring new theories
  • Developing a new research methodology
  • Testing and using a model (correct)
  • What is a limitation of asking questions about behavior in survey research?

    <p>Respondents may not be honest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of discriminant sampling?

    <p>To compare the experiences of a new group with a previously developed theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of a positivist approach in survey research?

    <p>It is deductive and focuses on theory-testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the size of a sample determined in quantitative research?

    <p>Based on the confidence level and margin of error</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a type of question that can be answered by survey research?

    <p>What are people's attitudes towards an issue?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of survey research?

    <p>It is quantitative and focuses on theory-testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of non-probability sampling?

    <p>The sample may not be representative of the population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Idealism and Social Science

    • Max Weber's perspective: science is about interpreting and understanding individuals (social action) through interpretative sociology.
    • Focus on individuals and their actions as the basic units (atoms).

    Worldviews and Research Approaches

    • 4 worldviews (Creswell & Creswell):
      • Post-positivism
      • Constructivism
      • Idealism
      • Pragmatism

    Post-positivism

    • Also known as 'the scientific method'
    • Typically quantitative
    • Deterministic: cause and effect; drive to assess the causes that influence outcomes
    • Deductive: begins with theory and data is collected to support or refute the theory
    • Research seeks to develop true statements that can explain or describe phenomena
    • Objectivity is essential: researchers must examine methods and conclusions for bias and maintain a standard of reliability and validity in quantitative research
    • Based on empirical observation and measurement
    • Reductionist: reduces ideas into a small, discrete set to test

    Constructivism

    • Typically qualitative
    • Researchers generate theory through induction
    • Focus on understanding: individuals seek understanding of the world in which they live and work
    • Multiple participant meanings: researcher looks for complexity of views rather than narrowing meanings into a few categories or ideas
    • Meaning is constructed through individual experiences, resulting in varied and complex views
    • Goal of research relies on participants' views of the situation

    Research Approaches

    • 3 components:
      • Philosophical worldviews: basic set of beliefs that guide action
      • Research design/strategies of inquiry: provide specific direction for procedures in a research study
      • Specific methods: forms of data collection, analysis, and interpretation that researchers propose for their studies

    Types of Data

    • Qualitative data: non-numerical data
    • Quantitative data: numerical data
    • Mixed methods: combination of qualitative and quantitative
    • Note: false dichotomy, useless distinction; survey questions may be a mix of both

    Conceptual Model

    • Simplified representation of reality
    • Can be either deductive or inductive
    • Key: mechanisms that are at play
    • Visual/graphical or in a narrative form

    Types of Conceptual Models

    • Based on the type of relationship they represent:
      • Direct relationship (between variables)
      • Mediating/intervening variables
      • Moderating variable

    Sampling

    • Non-probability sampling:
      • Convenience sampling
      • Purposeful sampling
      • Snowball sampling
      • Opportunistic/emergent sampling
      • Maximum variation sample
      • Extreme/deviant case
      • Typical case
      • Theoretical sample
      • Discriminant sampling

    Survey Research

    • Positioning survey research:
      • Deductive (rather than inductive)
      • Nomothetic (rather than idiographic)
      • Quantitative (rather than qualitative)
      • Positivistic (rather than constructivist)
      • Pragmatic (rather than transformative)
    • Surveys answer 3 types of questions:
      • About behavior
      • About attitudes/beliefs/opinions
      • About characteristics

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    Description

    Explore the foundations of sociology research, including Max Weber's interpretative approach and the four worldviews of Creswell & Creswell.

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