Sociology 2206A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Falsifiability, Teleology, Ecological Fallacy

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2206A/B
• Professor: Stephen Lin

Document Summary

Research methods soc2206 chapter 5, designing a study. Soft data: in the form of impressions, words, sentences, photos, symbols, and so forth dictate different research strategies and data collections. Both types often hold different assumptions about social life. Qualitative researchers often rely on interpretive social science follow a nonlinear research path. They emphasize detailed examinations of cases that arise in the natural flow of life. Quantitative researchers generally rely on a positivist approach. Linear research path: follows a fixed sequence of steps: it is like a staircase and has one clear direction. Nonlinear research path: makes successive passes through steps, sometimes moving backward and sideways before moving on. Linear path: research question --> theory selection and hypothesis --> collect data--> testing hypothesis with data --> evaluate hypothesis. Non-linear path: research question --> collect data --> interpret data ---> collect additional data --> formulate findings and theory.