SOC 10000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Gentrification, Sampling Frame, White Coat

• School: Purdue University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 10000
• Professor: Weiss Dan

Document Summary

Deductive approach-a research approach that starts with a theory, forms a hypothesis, makes empirical observations, and then analyzes the data to confirm, reject, or modify the original theory. Inductive approach-a research approach that starts with empirical observations and then works to form a theory. (determines if a correlation exists by noticing if a change is observed in two things simultaneously) Sociologists conduct research to try to prove causation. To prove causation, correlation and time order are established and alternative explanations are ruled out. Causality-a change in one factor results in a corresponding change in another factor. Reverse causality-a situation in which the researcher believes that a results in a change in b, but b, in fact, is causing a. Dependent variable-the outcome that the researcher is trying to explain. Independent variable-a measured factor that the researcher believes has a causal impact on the dependent variable.