CRM 1301 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Scientific Method

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRM 1301
• Professor: Rebecca Jesseman

Document Summary

Theories are generalizations; explain how two or more events are related to each other and the conditions under which hat relationship takes place. Empirical knowledge: knowledge gained through experience (common sense, intuition, etc) Problem with theories: often illogical, product of selective observations. Good theory: can be tested, best fits the evidence of research. Sometimes takes time to before ability to measure and produce evidence catches up with a theory. Validation: quantitative: measurable, testable, qualitative: substance of a theory (quality) Logical soundness (theory does not propose illogical relationships and that it is internally consistent) The ability to make sense out of several conflicting positions (a theory that can reconcile two or more opposing facts) Sensitizing ability (focusing people"s attention on a new direction of inquiry) Popularity of theory between criminologists: time order: event that occurs after another event is assumed to have cause the first event. Level of explanation (of a theory): what a theory attempts to explain.