Sources of Knowledge

Knowledge Sources: Socal

Scientific Research
Social

Alcohol Use In Marquette County

Domestic Assault Complaints
50

40

44

30

P erc ent of C ases

Scientific
Research is a set of
methods of obtaining
objective knowledge
about the world through
systematic observation
and based on social
science concepts and
theories

28
20

22

10
6
0
No

Yes--Both

Yes--Suspect

Yes--Victim

Drinking by Suspect, Victim, or Both

Characteristics of Science

Science is empirical.

Science is systematic.

Information comes from the senses

Process is organized, methodical, public, and
agreed upon by social world of scientists.
Subject to Replicationrepetition of
studies by different scientists to see if the
same results are obtained.

Science includes a search for causes.

Science is provisional.
Science strives for objectivity.
3

The Peer-review Process

To

be accepted for presentation or

publication (i.e., as a part of the
body of knowledge), a piece of
research must:
Be reviewed by scientific peers other
scientists who study the same topic.
Be judged acceptable as to:

Literature review (theories, concepts)

Data collection techniques
Data analysis techniques
Data informed conclusions and write up

Steps In Conducting
1.
Research
Problem Formulation
2.
Design Development

6.
Disseminating Results

3.
Data Collection
.

5.
Drawing Conclusions
4.
Data Analysis
5

A More Realistic Picture of

Scientific Research
Process

Where do we start?
Research
Questions
Predicting an outcome

Does y happen under circumstances a and b?

Explaining causes and consequences of a phenomenon
Is y affected by x or is y a consequence of x?
Evaluating a phenomenon
Does y exhibit the benefits that it is claimed to have?
Describing a phenomenon
What is y like or what forms does y assume?
Developing good practice
How can we improve y?
Empowerment
How can we enhance the lives of those we research?
Comparison
Do a and b differ with respect to x?

Social Research Strategies

The

strategy or strategies we use

to examine the social world are
tied to different visions of the
nature of social reality and how it
should be studied.

Theory
A

theory is a set of interrelated

hypotheses that offers an
explanation of observed regularities.
Hypotheses are testable statements
of presumed relationships between
two or more concepts.
They specify how changes in one
variable will be associated with
changes in another variable.
9

Guidelines for Developing

Hypotheses
Link hypotheses to more abstract theories.
Specify independent and dependent
variables.
Specify nature and direction of
relationship.
State so they can be verified or refuted.
State all concepts and comparisons clearly.

10

Theory
Theories

vary by level of abstraction

Grand theory more abstract

Structural functionalism, symbolic

interactionism, critical theory, structuration
theory, etc.

Middle range theory -- special theories

applicable to limited conceptual ranges
Minor theory working hypotheses
developed during the day-by-day routine of
research

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Abstract

Different levels of theory

When social bonds to conventional
groups are weak, people are more
likely to engage in deviant behavior.
When attachments to conventional groups
are weak, juveniles are more likely to
engage in delinquent behavior.

Concrete

Youth who do something

with parents will be less
likely to steal something.
Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc.
All rights reserved.

12

Abstract

Induction and Deduction

Theory
d
n
I

n
o
ti
c
u

Hypotheses

Research
Findings

Concrete

Observations
(from basic or
applied research)
Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Operational
Definitions

n
o
i
t
c
u
ed
D
13

Positivism vs.
Intrepretative
Prefer
quantitative
approach
Science
discovers what
exists
Deduction

Prefer
qualitative
approach
Science helps
create social
reality
Induction

Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc.

All rights reserved.

14

Induction
Inductive reasoning involves
inferring something about a whole
group or class of objects from our
knowledge of one or a few
members of that group or class.

Copyright 2000 by Harcourt, Inc.

All rights reserved.

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