Sociology 2206A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Falsifiability, Null Hypothesis, Reductionism

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2206A/B
• Professor: William Marshall

Document Summary

Qualitative researchers rely on interpretive social science, follow a nonlinear research path a(cid:374)d speak la(cid:374)guage of (cid:862)(cid:272)ases a(cid:374)d (cid:272)o(cid:374)te(cid:454)ts(cid:863: usually present authentic interpretations that are sensitive to specific social- historical contexts. Quantitative researchers rely on a positivist approach to social science, follow a linear resear(cid:272)h path, speak la(cid:374)guage of (cid:862)varia(cid:271)les a(cid:374)d h(cid:455)potheses(cid:863), a(cid:374)d e(cid:373)phasize pre(cid:272)isel(cid:455) measuring variables and testing hypotheses. Linear research path: follows a fixed sequence of steps (quantitative) the direct, narrow, straight path. Nonlinear research path: makes successive steps through steps (qualitative) spiral and cyclical: can be highly effective for creating a feeling for the whole, suited for tasks such as translating languages. First step in beginning a research project is to select a topic. When refining a topic into a research question and designing a research project, you need to consider practical limitations (costs, access to resource, approval by authorities, ethical concerns, etc. )