| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Replication | The duplication of an experiment to expose or reduce error |
| Theory | A systematic explanation for the observations that relate to a particular aspect of life |
| Attribute | A characteristic of a person or a thing |
| Variable | A logical grouping of attributes. The variable of sex is made up of the attributes male and female |
| Idiographic | An approach to explanation to which we seek to exhaust the idiosyncratic causes of a particular condition or event. (this is a type of causal reasoning. p22 of textbook for more info) |
| Nomothetic | An approach to explanation in which we seek to identify a few causal factors that generally impact a class of conditions or events. |
| Induction | the logical model in which general principles are developed from specific observations. (example: Having noted that Jews and Catholics are more likely to vote Democratic that are Protestants, you might conclude that religious minorities in the US are more affiliated w/the Democratic party, and then your task is to explain WHY. Moves from particular to general. |
| Deduction | The logical model in which specific expectations of hypotheses are developed on the basis of general principles. Moves from general to specific. Begins with "why" and moves to "whether". Example: Starting from the general principle that all deans are meanies, you might anticipate that this one won't let you change course. This anticipation would be the result of deduction. |
| Independent Variable | a variable w/values that are not problematical in an analysis but are taken as simply given |
| dependent variable | variable assumed to depend on or be cause by another (ind.var.) example: income partly a function of formal education |
| qualitative | richer in meaning and detail |
| pure research | gaining knowledge for its own sake |
| applied research | scientific study that aims to solve practical problems |
| errors in inquiry | (1) inaccurate observations (2) overgeneralization (3)selective observation (4) illogical reasoning |
| how to overcome: Inaccurate Observations | making observation more deliberate can reduce error: simple and complex measurement devices can help guard against inaccurate observations |
| how to overcome: Overgeneralization | seeking large samples of observation; REPLICATION- repeating a study to see if you get the same results |
| how to overcome: selective observation | make special efforts to find deviant cases- those who do not fit the pattern |
| how to overcome illogical reasoning | scientists avoid this pitfall but using systems of logic consciously and explicitly; also have colleagues to keep them honest |
| Premodern view | This view of reality has guided most of our human history. Early ancestors assumed they saw things as they really were. This assumption was so fundamental that they didn't even see it as an assumption. "either one or the other" (ex. dandelion is either flower or weed) |
| Modern View | neither of us are right or wrong. "different strokes for different folks" (ex. dandelion=simple a dandelion) |
| Postmodern View | there is nothing there; only our experience of things are real. (ex. dandelion doesn't exist at all) |
| aggregate | collective actions/situation of many individuals; used to study patterns, create theories about the nature of group life, tried to understand the systems in which people operate; explains why they do what they do. |
Combine with other sets
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