SCS 2150 Study Guide - Final Guide: Thick Description, Communication Studies, Human Geography

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Social Sciences
• Course: SCS 2150
• Professor: ivan Katchanovski

Document Summary

An explanation of observed regularities or patterns intended to make sense of something. Purpose: (1) assess adequacy of particular social theory, (2) gather info to create social theory, (3) understand pressing social problems, (4) explore personal experience: types of theories (1) specific theories: Can be tested directly (e. g. seymour martin lupset"s theory of democracy (2) grand theories (paradigms): Cannot be tested directly (e. g. rational choice, structural functionalism: deductive approach theory then observations/findings. Begin w/ theory or explanation then go out into world to test it. A deductive approach to social research is essentially theory testing. Typically relies on quantitative research and employs research hypothesis d. Begin w/ gathering/examining data then tries to derive a theory or explanation from the. Typically relies on qualitative research and research questions: research hypothesis. Testable expectation about empirical reality that follows from a more general proposition (theory) Statement that is testable: research question: states purpose of study in form of a question.