babbie chapters 1-2

8/3/2019 Babbie Chapters 1-2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/babbie-chapters-1-2 1/14

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Research Design & Data AnalysisResearch Design & Data Analysis

Babbie, Chaps.1-2Babbie, Chaps.1-2



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Chapter 1:Chapter 1: Knowing thingsKnowing things Not so much aboutNot so much about whatwhat we know, butwe know, but HOWHOW we knowwe know

perceptionperception

Most of what we know is matter of belief and agreementMost of what we know is matter of belief and agreement ““Everybody knows that…”Everybody knows that…”

But everybody “knew” the world was flat onceBut everybody “knew” the world was flat once

Other way of knowing…direct experience, observationOther way of knowing…direct experience, observation But when experience conflicts with agreement…But when experience conflicts with agreement… There is good chance that we’ll surrender our experience in favor of agreementThere is good chance that we’ll surrender our experience in favor of agreement

Methodology: special approach to inquiryMethodology: special approach to inquiry The science of finding outThe science of finding out How social scientists find out about human social lifeHow social scientists find out about human social life

http://viscog.beckman.illinois.edu/flashmovie/15.php





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Errors in inquiryErrors in inquiry Inaccurate observationsInaccurate observations

Most daily observations are casual… not preciseMost daily observations are casual… not precise Scientific observation is a conscious activityScientific observation is a conscious activity Ex: instructor’s clothes; football tossEx: instructor’s clothes; football toss

OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization Assuming that a few similar events are evidence of a general patternAssuming that a few similar events are evidence of a general pattern Scientists guard against this by REPLICATION of inquiryScientists guard against this by REPLICATION of inquiry

Selective observationSelective observation We assume a pattern exists then focus on future events that fit the patternWe assume a pattern exists then focus on future events that fit the pattern

Illogical reasoningIllogical reasoning ““Exception that proves the rule”Exception that proves the rule” WHAT?...how can that be logical?WHAT?...how can that be logical?



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Foundations of social science:Foundations of social science:

logic and observationlogic and observation Theory, not philosophy or belief Theory, not philosophy or belief

Social theory has to do with what is, not with what should be...not so for manySocial theory has to do with what is, not with what should be...not so for manycenturies.centuries.

Science cannot settle debates about valuesScience cannot settle debates about values

Social regularitiesSocial regularities Social affairs do exhibit a high degree of regularity, despite exceptionsSocial affairs do exhibit a high degree of regularity, despite exceptions

Aggregates, not individuals Aggregates, not individuals Regularities that social scientists study generally reflect the collective behavior Regularities that social scientists study generally reflect the collective behavior

of many individualsof many individuals

A Variable Language A Variable Language Attributes: characteristics or qualities that describe an objectAttributes: characteristics or qualities that describe an object Variables: logical groupings of attributesVariables: logical groupings of attributes



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Variables are sets of related values or Variables are sets of related values or

attributesattributes

Variable Attribute

Age Young, middle-aged, old

Gender Female, male

Occupation Plumber, lawyer, data-entry clerk…

Race/Ethnicity African-American, Asian, Caucasian, Latino…

Social Class Upper, middle, lower…



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Illustration of relationship betweenIllustration of relationship between

two variablestwo variables



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Independent and DependentIndependent and Dependent

VariablesVariables

Two concepts are implicit in causal or deterministicTwo concepts are implicit in causal or deterministic

modelsmodels

A dependent variable “depends” on an independent A dependent variable “depends” on an independentvariablevariable

That is, a change in the independent variable willThat is, a change in the independent variable willproduce a change in the dependent variableproduce a change in the dependent variable



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Dialectics of Social Research:Dialectics of Social Research:

Inductive and Deductive TheoryInductive and Deductive Theory

InductiveInductive Reasoning that moves from the particular to the general...Reasoning that moves from the particular to the general...fromfrom……

1.1. a set of observationsa set of observations to…to…

2.2.

the discovery of a pattern that represents some degree of order amongthe discovery of a pattern that represents some degree of order amongall the given eventsall the given events

DeductiveDeductive Reasoning that moves from the general to the specific...Reasoning that moves from the general to the specific...fromfrom……

1.1. a pattern that might be logically or theoretically expecteda pattern that might be logically or theoretically expected to…to…

2.2. observations that test whether the pattern actually occursobservations that test whether the pattern actually occurs



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Dialectics of Social Research:Dialectics of Social Research:

Quantitative and Qualitative DataQuantitative and Qualitative Data

Most simply put, difference is the distinction betweenMost simply put, difference is the distinction betweennumerical and non-numerical datanumerical and non-numerical data

Every observation is qualitative at the outsetEvery observation is qualitative at the outset We quantify it to make it easier to aggregate, compare and summarizeWe quantify it to make it easier to aggregate, compare and summarize

the datathe data Use Babbie example re: age, . p 24 (“older than his years”)Use Babbie example re: age, . p 24 (“older than his years”)

Both types of data are useful and legitimate in socialBoth types of data are useful and legitimate in social

researchresearch



Pure & Applied ResearchPure & Applied Research

Knowledge for knowledge’s sakeKnowledge for knowledge’s sake

Example of Egyptian sociologist whoExample of Egyptian sociologist whowrote about regimes who groom sonswrote about regimes who groom sons

for power---NOT allowedfor power---NOT allowed

Different circumstances in policyDifferent circumstances in policy

research in SUAPP, but effort isresearch in SUAPP, but effort is

directed at informing public policydirected at informing public policy 10



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Macrotheory and MicrotheoryMacrotheory and Microtheory A distinction that cuts across many paradigms A distinction that cuts across many paradigms

MacrotheoryMacrotheory Study of society at large or large portions of itStudy of society at large or large portions of it

Ex:Ex: struggle between economic classes; interrelations amongstruggle between economic classes; interrelations amongmajor institutionsmajor institutions

Deals with large, aggregate entities of societyDeals with large, aggregate entities of society

MicrotheoryMicrotheory Deals with issues of social life at the levels of individuals andDeals with issues of social life at the levels of individuals and

small groupssmall groups Ex:Ex: dating behavior; jury deliberationsdating behavior; jury deliberations



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Elements of Social TheoryElements of Social Theory

Law:Law: universal generalization about classes of factsuniversal generalization about classes of facts

Ex:Ex: law of gravity—bodies are attracted to each other inlaw of gravity—bodies are attracted to each other inproportion to their mass and in inverse proportion toproportion to their mass and in inverse proportion to

their distancetheir distance

No social scientific laws that claim universal certaintyNo social scientific laws that claim universal certainty

Theory:Theory: a systematic explanation for observations that relatea systematic explanation for observations that relate

to a particular aspect of social life...to a particular aspect of social life...

For example someone might offer a theory of juvenileFor example someone might offer a theory of juveniledelinquency, prejudice, homelessness, politicaldelinquency, prejudice, homelessness, politicalrevolutionrevolution



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Elements of Social Theory,Elements of Social Theory, p.2p.2

Proposition:Proposition: specific conclusions about the relationships amongspecific conclusions about the relationships among

concepts that are derived from axiomatic groundworkconcepts that are derived from axiomatic groundwork

Hypothesis:Hypothesis: a specified testable expectation about empiricala specified testable expectation about empirical

reality that follows from a more general propositionreality that follows from a more general proposition

Research is designed to test hypothesesResearch is designed to test hypotheses

Null hypothesisNull hypothesis suggests that there issuggests that there is NONO relationship among therelationship among thevariables under studyvariables under study



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Traditional model of scienceTraditional model of science TheoryTheory

OperationalizationOperationalization Specification of the exact operations involved in measuring a variableSpecification of the exact operations involved in measuring a variable

For the researcher testing an hypothesis, the meaning of variables isFor the researcher testing an hypothesis, the meaning of variables isexactlyexactly andand onlyonly what thewhat the operational definitionoperational definition specifiesspecifies

Must be specified with clarity in a way to make observation precise andMust be specified with clarity in a way to make observation precise andrigorousrigorous

ObservationObservation Systematic and rigorous gathering of data to test the hypothesisSystematic and rigorous gathering of data to test the hypothesis

babbie chapters 1-2

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