week 2

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Questions and Answers

What does positivism advocate for in research?

  • Subjective understanding of individual experiences
  • Objective, value-free research based on sensory experience (correct)
  • Social reality constructed through interactions
  • Focus on qualitative data and interpretation

Which approach emphasizes the understanding of subjective meanings individuals assign to their actions?

  • Objectivism
  • Interpretivism (correct)
  • Constructionism
  • Positivism

What is the first step in the quantitative research process?

  • Data collection
  • Theory formulation (correct)
  • Operationalization
  • Hypothesis testing

In the context of ontology, what does constructionism propose?

<p>Social reality is constructed through human interactions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does measurement play in quantitative research?

<p>It ensures the accuracy and reliability of data (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of quantitative research?

<p>Testing hypotheses and statistical analysis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is typically associated with hypothesis testing?

<p>Deductive research (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes qualitative research?

<p>It focuses on subjective interpretations of social realities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key consideration in the research process?

<p>The influence of political and practical issues (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of theories does deductive research primarily test?

<p>Existing theories (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does inductive research typically generate theories?

<p>From the collection and interpretation of data (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes positivism in social research?

<p>An approach that relies on empirical and measurable evidence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes middle-range theories from grand theories?

<p>Middle-range theories have a narrow scope. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does reliability in quantitative research refer to?

<p>The consistency of measurement over time or across raters (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key goal of quantitative research?

<p>To accurately measure variables (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the central limit theorem explain in the context of sampling?

<p>Repeated sampling leads to a normal distribution where the mean becomes more predictable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of variable is temperature measured in Celsius considered?

<p>Interval (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do hypotheses differ from research questions?

<p>Hypotheses propose specific relationships, while research questions explore relationships (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of quantitative research does conceptualization address?

<p>The process of refining abstract concepts into measurable variables (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to ensure validity in quantitative research?

<p>To confirm that the research truly measures what it intends to measure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following limitations is associated with quantitative methods?

<p>Risk of oversimplification and biases in findings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Quantitative Research

Focused on numbers, measurement, and statistical analysis. Aims to test existing theories and generalize findings.

Qualitative Research

Focused on understanding meaning and interpretation from a subjective viewpoint. Aims to explore complex social phenomena and uncover hidden meanings.

Deductive Reasoning

The idea that research should start with a theory and then test it through data collection and analysis.

Inductive Reasoning

The idea that research should gather data first and then use it to develop new theories.

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Middle-Range Theory

A type of theory that focuses on a specific phenomenon or social problem, often incorporating theories from other disciplines.

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Grand Theory

A theory that aims to explain broad social phenomena and often relies on abstract concepts and principles.

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Ontology

The assumptions about the nature of reality and how we can know about it.

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Epistemology

The assumptions about how we can acquire knowledge and understand reality.

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Interpretivism

A research approach focusing on understanding the subjective meanings people give to their actions, focusing on experiences within a specific context.

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Positivism

This is a research approach prioritizing objective, value-free research grounded in sensory experience.

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Constructionism

A philosophical perspective arguing that social phenomena are created and shaped by human interactions and interpretations.

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Objectivism

A philosophical perspective suggesting that social phenomena exist independently of individual perceptions.

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Reliability

The consistency of measurement over time or across different researchers. It ensures that the results are reliable and not due to chance.

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Validity

The extent to which a measurement tool truly captures the concept it's supposed to measure. It ensures that the research is measuring what it intends to.

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Central Limit Theorem

A key concept in statistics that explains the relationship between the sampling distribution and the population. It suggests that repeated sampling from a population will eventually lead to a normal distribution.

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Categorical Variable

Categorical variables are those with distinct categories without an inherent order. For example, hair color, gender, and marital status are categorical variables.

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Ordinal Variable

Ordinal variables are those with ordered categories, but without precise differences between data points. For example, grades like A, B, C, or satisfaction ratings are ordinal variables.

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Interval Variable

Interval variables have ordered data with meaningful differences but no true zero point. For example, temperature in Celsius or years of education are interval variables.

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Ratio Variable

Ratio variables have ordered data with meaningful differences and a true zero point. For example, height, weight, and income are ratio variables.

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Conceptualization

The process of transforming abstract concepts into measurable variables. This is essential for making complex concepts quantifiable and testable.

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Study Notes

Week 2: Research Contexts and Intro to Quantitative Research

  • Quantitative research emphasizes numbers, measurement, and statistical analysis.
  • Qualitative research focuses on understanding meaning and interpretation from a subjective and interpretivist perspective.
  • Research is influenced by theory, values, politics, and practical issues.
  • Deductive research begins with theory and tests hypotheses.
  • Inductive research collects data to generate new theories.
  • Quantitative research is generally deductive, focusing on hypothesis testing and statistical analysis.
  • Qualitative research is generally inductive, aiming to understand social realities through subjective interpretations.
  • Research theories can be categorized into middle-range theories (narrow scope) and grand theories (broader scope).
  • Examples of middle-range theories include Durkheim's theory of suicide.
  • Examples of grand theories include structural-functionalism and feminism.
  • Epistemology and ontology are important considerations in research.
  • Positivism advocates for objective, value-free research grounded in sensory experience.
  • Interpretivism focuses on understanding subjective meanings individuals assign to their actions.
  • Researchers using the interpretivist approach immerse themselves in social contexts to uncover lived experiences.
  • Objectivism suggests social phenomena exist independently of individual perceptions.
  • Constructionism holds that social reality is socially constructed through human interactions.

Chapter 4: The Nature of Quantitative Research

  • Quantitative research uses numerical data to investigate social phenomena.
  • Quantitative research follows a deductive reasoning process (theory development, hypothesis testing, data collection, analysis).
  • Measurement is essential for accurate and reliable data.
  • Key steps in quantitative research include theory formulation, hypothesis development, research design, operationalization, data collection, data analysis, and drawing conclusions.
  • Reliability refers to consistency of measurement.
  • Validity ensures the research truly measures what it intends to measure.
  • Goals of quantitative research include accurately measuring variables, establishing causality, generalizing findings, and ensuring replicability.
  • Lecture topics include confidence in quantitative research findings, sampling from populations, the central limit theorem, variable types (categorical, ordinal, interval, ratio), and conceptualization.
  • Variables are fundamental to quantitative research.
  • Conceptualization involves refining abstract concepts into measurable variables within a research study.
  • Research hypotheses propose specific relationships between variables.
  • Research questions explore relationships.
  • Quantitative research has limitations like oversimplification and biases.

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