Sociology 2206A/B Chapter : Research Methods Textbook Notes.docx
Document Summary
Premature closure: an error that is often made when using personal experience as an alternative to science for acquiring knowledge. It occurs when a person feels he or she has the answers and does not need to listen, seek information, or raise questions any longer. Halo effect: an error often made when people use personal experience as an alternative to science for acquiring knowledge. It is when a person over generalizes from what he or she accepts as being highly positive or prestigious and lets its strong reputation or prestige rub off onto other areas. Data: the empirical evidence or information that a person gathers carefully according to established rules or procedures; can be qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative data: information in the form of words, pictures, sounds, visual images, or objects. Quantitative data: information in the form of numbers. Empirical evidence: the observations that people experience through their senses touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste; can be direct or indirect.