SOCI 2P11 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Binary Relation, Research I University, Falsifiability
Document Summary
Quantitative and qualitative research: quantitative research, - hard data, - linear research path [below] Qualitative research: - soft data -> highly interpretive [eg. feelings, experiences; open ended questions, - non-linear research path [not straight forward -> goes back and forth] Qualitative words participant s view proximity theory emergent process [back and forth] unstructured [opinion] rich, deep data contextual [not the same in other situations] meaning [what the indiv says] micro natural settings [bar, school] Quantitative numbers researcher s view distance theory testing static [questionnaire; 1 time] structured hard, reliable data generalization behaviour macro artificial settings [in a lab] Issues in quantitative design: unit of analysis. The unit of analysis is the major entity that you are analyzing in your study. Any of the following could be a unit of analysis in a study: individuals. Geographical units (town, census tract, state) artifacts (books, photos, newspapers) social interactions (dyadic relations, divorces, arrests)