SOC101 Chapter Notes -Deductive Reasoning, Participatory Action Research, Operational Definition
21 Aug 2013
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Qualitative: non-numerical data: rich detail, smaller samples because they"re generally more indepth, more expensive to carry out, uses interviewing and observation as main research instruments. Deductive logic: theory to data: develop theory to explain a pattern. Testing is done after: quantitative approach. Tentative statement of particular relationship that can be tested empirically. Variables: characteristics of objects, people, groups of people that can be measured. Dependent variables are the reactions from the manipulation. Operational definition: description of how a variable is measured. Causality: one variables causes a change in other variable. Spurious correlation: one variable seems to produce change in another variable but correlation is false. Group of people that researcher wishes to learn something about. A sample is drawn (subset of larger population) Surveys: preset questions get answered: often in large scale research projects, self administered questionnaires. Respondents can talk directly to researcher if they need clarification. Useful for children, immigrants, lacking literacy skills or visually impaired.
