Social Research Methods Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches 5

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Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 5 e • This multimedia product and

Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 5 e • This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Chapter 3: Theory and Research • • What is theory? How is theory similar

Chapter 3: Theory and Research • • What is theory? How is theory similar to ideology? How is theory different from ideology? What are the parts of theory? How do facts differ from theory? What are the major theories in social science? How does theory relate to research? What is the role of diversity in theory? Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

What is Theory? • Theory is a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that

What is Theory? • Theory is a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that condense and organize knowledge about the social world. • Theories should be parsimonious (simple), internally consistent, and have clear criteria for their refutation. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

How is theory similar to ideology? • Both theory and ideology contain basic assumptions.

How is theory similar to ideology? • Both theory and ideology contain basic assumptions. • Both explain matters as well as how, and/or why things change. • They both offer a system of concepts. • Both tell what circumstance causes what effect. • Both of them provide an interconnected system of ideas. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

How is theory different from ideology? • Ideologies are absolute while theories are conditional.

How is theory different from ideology? • Ideologies are absolute while theories are conditional. • Ideologies have all the answers, but theories are incomplete. • Ideologies are fixed, closed, and finished; theories are growing, open, and able to expand. • Ideologies avoid tests while theories welcome tests. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

What are the parts of theory? • Concepts are ideas expressed as symbols or

What are the parts of theory? • Concepts are ideas expressed as symbols or in words having two parts: a word or term and a definition of that word or term. • Concepts vary from concrete to abstract. • Concepts cluster together, forming a web of meaning for a theory, such as Weber’s theory of bureaucracy. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Parts of Theory continued… • Some concepts form classifications, helping to organize complex relationships.

Parts of Theory continued… • Some concepts form classifications, helping to organize complex relationships. • One form of classification is a typology or taxonomy in which two or more concepts are combined. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Merton’s Modes of Individual Adaptation (see table 3. 1 in the text) Response to

Merton’s Modes of Individual Adaptation (see table 3. 1 in the text) Response to Societal Goals Accept Reject Response to Accept Conformity Ritualism Institutional Reject Innovation Retreatism Means Substitute New Revolution Substitute New Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Theory continued… • Theories specify how concepts are related to one another and why

Theory continued… • Theories specify how concepts are related to one another and why these relationships exist. • Sometimes theories specify a causal relationship, telling us why and how one thing or event causes another, i. e. increases in the size of organizations leads to increases in centralization. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Theories can be categorized by: • The direction of reasoning that can be either

Theories can be categorized by: • The direction of reasoning that can be either deductive or inductive. • The level of reality explained, whether it is micro (small), meso (mid level), or macro (very large). • Whether the focus is formal or substantive. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

FORMS OF EXPLANATION 1. Prediction vs. Explanation 2. Causal Explanation 3. Structural Explanation 4.

FORMS OF EXPLANATION 1. Prediction vs. Explanation 2. Causal Explanation 3. Structural Explanation 4. Interpretive Explanation Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Forms of Explanation, Continued 2. Causal Explanations, continued Three elements of causality: • The

Forms of Explanation, Continued 2. Causal Explanations, continued Three elements of causality: • The cause precedes the effect in time. • There is an empirical relationship or pattern (association) • Rival explanations have been ruled out, and no longer apply. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Forms of Explanation, Continued • 2. Causal Explanations, continued • See figure 3. 4,

Forms of Explanation, Continued • 2. Causal Explanations, continued • See figure 3. 4, page 59 Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Forms of Explanation, continued 3. Structural – used with functional and pattern theories, a

Forms of Explanation, continued 3. Structural – used with functional and pattern theories, a researcher applies a set of interconnected assumptions and concepts. Functional theorists use structural explanation to account for an event by locating it within a larger, ongoing, balanced social system. 4. Interpretive – used to foster understanding by discovering the meaning of an event of practice by placing it within a social context. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Major Theoretical Frameworks in Sociology • MACRO – Structural Functionalism – society is a

Major Theoretical Frameworks in Sociology • MACRO – Structural Functionalism – society is a system of interdependent parts in equilibrium and the parts fulfill different needs and functions. Consensus holds society together. – Conflict Theory – society consists of groups with opposing interests and attempts to gain power are ever present. Those in power spread myths or use the authority of the state or even violence to maintain control. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Major Theoretical Frameworks continued… • MICRO – Symbolic Interactionism – people transmit and receive

Major Theoretical Frameworks continued… • MICRO – Symbolic Interactionism – people transmit and receive symbolic communication when they interact and create perceptions for themselves and others. – Exchange Theory – human interactions are similar to economic ones, people give and receive resources to maximize their rewards and avoid pain. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003

Theory and Research • Theory frames how we look and think about a topic.

Theory and Research • Theory frames how we look and think about a topic. • Theory provides background assumptions. • Theory is open to revision by new data. • Theory suggests ways to connect a single study to a broad class of explanations. Copyright @ Allyn & Bacon 2003