SOCL 2001 Chapter : Chapter 2 Notes
Document Summary
Why is sociology important in our everyday lives: it creates new knowledge that helps us understand social life, 2. It exposes myths: it affects social policies, it sharpens our critical thinking skills, it helps us make informed decisions about our everyday lives. Scientific method- the steps in the research process that include careful data collection, exact measurement, accurate recording and analysis of the findings, thoughtful interpretation of results, and a generalization of the findings to a larger group. Variable- a characteristic that can change in value or magnitude under different conditions. Hypothesis- a statement of relationship between two or more variables that they want to test. Independent variable- a characteristic that determines or has an effect. Deductive reasoning-begins with a theory, prediction, or general principle that is then tested through data collection. Inductive reasoning- begins with specific observations, followed by data collection, a general conclusion or theory construction.
