SSCI 2900U Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-2: Symbolic Interactionism, Grounded Theory, Structural Functionalism
24 May 2016
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Deductive approach: hypotheses derived from theories tested by gathering data: most common approach. Inductive approach: data gathering is used as a means to create a theory. Theory: an explanation of observed regularities or patterns: composed of interrelated and usually verifiable statements or propositions, three common components of a theory. Definitions: specify what the key terms in the theory mean. Descriptions: outline the characteristics of the phenomena of interest. Deterministic: two variables always go together in particular way. Probabilistic: two variables go together with some degree of regularity but the relationship is not inevitable. Theories of the middle range: limited in scope and can be tested directly by gathering empirical evidence, i. e. durkheim"s theory of suicide, i. e. attempts to understand and explain a limited aspect of social life. 4. science must and presumably can be value free: there is a clear distinction between scientific statements (how and why) and normative statements (morals, interpretivism.
