understanding patterns systematic observation social research += interpretation of observation...

UnderstandingPatterns

Systematic Observation

Social Research +=

Interpretation ofObservation

RigorousMeasurement

Experiment SurveyAvailable

DataField

Research

DataAnalysis

StatisticsLogic of

Comparison

InferentialDescriptive

Babbie’s Overview of Social Research

Variable explanation hypothesis data analysis

McCall’s view of Research (in Korey’s on-line text)

Ideas/ Interest"What Causes Y?"

Theoretical Understanding

X causes Y

Hypothesis

Y = f (X)

Observation(hypothesis testing)

Y ?=? f (X)

Traditional Image of Science

Selection of Techniques

OperationalizationOf Theory

Formulation of Theory

Manheim's Summary of the Research Process“six distinct but highly interrelated stages” p4

Observationof Behavior

Analysis of Data

Interpretation of Results

Selection of Techniques

OperationalizationOf Theory

Formulation of Theory

Manheim's Summary of the Research Process: Chapter 1

Observationof Behavior

Analysis of Data

Interpretation of Results

Selection of an Appropriate Research Question:Chapters: 2-4

Redefinition of relatively abstract theoretical notions into concrete terms: Chapter 5

Criteria of appropriateness and feasibility: Chapters 6-7

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods: Chapters 8-13;19-21

Is there a relationship? If so, what of what type?Chapters 14-18

Substantive importance of findings?Do they fit with expectations? Chapters 22 & 23.

Selection of Techniques

OperationalizationOf Theory

Formulation of Theory

Manheim's Summary of the Research Process

Observationof Behavior

Analysis of Data

Interpretation of Results

Select Research Questioninvestigate differences, e.g.,

views on Afghanistanviews on the environmentviews on Aboriginal rightsviews on electoral reform

Differences signal variation variables ConceptsVariablesHypothesesRelationshipsCausality

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Conceptualization

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Conceptualization

Operat

ional

izatio

n

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Conceptualization

Operat

ional

izatio

nAssociation

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Conceptualization

Operat

ional

izatio

nAssociation

Applicat

ion

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Conceptualization

Operat

ional

izatio

nAssociation

Applicat

ion

Theory

HypothesesGeneralization

Wheel of Science

Observation

Conceptualization

Operat

ional

izatio

nAssociation

Applicat

ion

Generalization

Theory

Observation

Hypotheses