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Common Knowledge vs. Formal Knowledge
Common: Ie. how to throw a ballFormal: What we learn from textbooks TERM 2
Empiricism
DEFINITION 2 Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience.
- Comes from observation TERM 3
Positivism
DEFINITION 3 Positivism is a philosophy of science based on the view that in the social as well as natural sciences, information derived from sensory experience, logical and mathematical treatments and reports of such data, are together the exclusive source of all authoritative knowledge. Science is advanced through the creation of laws Starts with observation TERM 4
Grand Theories
DEFINITION 4 Very broad that cover a lot of topicsIe. Marxism, post- structual TERM 5
Middle-Range Theories
DEFINITION 5 Offer explanations for specific issues/problems
Induction
Theory is an outcome of the research TERM 7
Deduction
DEFINITION 7 Theory that influences how we interpret the data TERM 8
Quantitative
Research
DEFINITION 8 Statistical and mathematical Dedictive To answer specific research questions when we have good over behaviour TERM 9
Qualitative
Research
DEFINITION 9 Use of words (non-numberical) Inductive How you feel and how you behave TERM 10
Internal Validity
DEFINITION 10 Causality- Ie. does the religious environment influence people's beliefs?
External Validity
Generalized to a bigger population- Difficult to generalize to other populations TERM 17
Internal Validity
DEFINITION 17 Reflects the extent to which a causal conclusion based on a study is warranted. TERM 18
Census
DEFINITION 18 A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. The Canadian Census, every 10 years where 80% gets the short one and 20% gets the long one Replacing the mandatory long form with a voluntary one Germany and Denmark doesn't because of confidentiality issues Undercount implications- distrust for government, flying under the radar TERM 19
Criteria Assessing Quality of Documents (4)
DEFINITION 19 Authenticity Credibility Representativeness Meaning TERM 20
Unobtrusive Measure (3)
DEFINITION 20 Removes observer from behaviour under study Physical Traces- Physical signs left behind by a group (trash) Archive Materials- Documents and other info collected by governmental and non-governmental organizations Simple Observation- Situation which observer has no control over behaviour
Conceptualization
Giving concepts precise theoretical definitions TERM 22
Operationalization
DEFINITION 22 Turning concept into something that will be measured In social science and humanities, operationalization is the process of defining a fuzzy concept so as to make the concept clearly distinguishable or measurable and to understand it in terms of empirical observations. TERM 23
Indicators vs. Measures
DEFINITION 23 Indicators- Used for complex, less direct Multiple indicators necessitated for complexity of social sciences Measures- Direct, unambiguous counts (age, income) TERM 24
Closed-Ended Questions
DEFINITION 24 Ensure accurate captures Easier processing But 'true' feelings not seen TERM 25
Types of Structured Interviews (2)
DEFINITION 25 Traditional- one-on-one, face-to-face Emergent- one-on-one, over the phone Easier supervision Cheeper and quicker People hate these Time limit Sensitive issues
Under and Over
Reporting
People don't want to look bad Use intro statement TERM 32
Reliable Questions
DEFINITION 32 Can assume that variation in responses is a product of differences among respondents themselves not how they interpret questions
