CRM 310 Study Guide - Fall 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Positivism, Epistemology, Emic And Etic
12 Oct 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
CRM 310
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
Lecture 1 Notes - Intro
- Epistemology - the science of knowing or the study of knowledge
- Methodology - subfield of epistemology; the study of methods or the science of finding
out - how scientific methods can be used to better understand the world
- Finding out something in a systematic and methodical manner
Foundations of Social Science
- Trying to understand the world through systematic study
- Science is logico-empirical
- The Two Pillars of Science:
- Logic or rationality (logico)
- Observation (empirical)
- Scientific Theory - plausible (logico) explanation of reality (empirical)
- Event
- Observation
- Plausible explanation for event
Why Study Research Methods
- Criminal justice professionals are both consumers and producers of research
- Consumers - drug transaction study shows that bus shelters may be used to
shield illegal activities
- Producers - probation officers may want to explore methods of supervision of
treatment
- By being literate in methods, decision makers can determine when rigorous methods
were used, and when findings may be questionable
Three Big Questions
1. What is the main question being addressed?
2. Are the means by which you have gone about answering the question appropriate?
3. Are the conclusions drawn appropriate given the question, data, and method?
Approaches to Research
- Quantitative
- Qualitative
Similarities:
- Employed to address a research question
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
- Empirical observations derived from systematic study
- Rigorous analysis of data
- Conclusions are logically connected to, supported by, and drawn from the data
- Can both be analyzed through the big three questions
Differences:
Qualitative:
- To develop theories and hypotheses
- Observe and interpret
- In-depth meaning
- Preference for inductive reasoning
- Preference for idiographic inquiry
- Emphasize the emic
Quantitative:
- To test theories and hypotheses
- Measure and test
- Measurable indicators that are numerically categorized and analyzed
- Preference for deductive reasoning
- Preference for nomothetic inquiry
- Emphasize the etic
Which is better?
- Not a useful question
- Your research question drives whether you use quantitative and/or qualitative
approaches
Purposes of Research
- Descriptive/Exploratory
- Relational
- Explanatory
- Knowing your research purpose is critical to formulating your research question and
employing the appropriate method
Descriptive/Exploratory Research
- Describe the scope of a problem or policy response
- Quantitative methods: often concerned with counting or documenting observations
- E.g. how many prisoners have received a new rehab program?
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Epistemology - the science of knowing or the study of knowledge. Methodology - subfield of epistemology; the study of methods or the science of finding out - how scientific methods can be used to better understand the world. Finding out something in a systematic and methodical manner. Trying to understand the world through systematic study. Scientific theory - plausible (logico) explanation of reality (empirical) Criminal justice professionals are both consumers and producers of research. Consumers - drug transaction study shows that bus shelters may be used to shield illegal activities. Producers - probation officers may want to explore methods of supervision of treatment. By being literate in methods, decision makers can determine when rigorous methods were used, and when findings may be questionable. Conclusions are logically connected to, supported by, and drawn from the data. Can both be analyzed through the big three questions. Measurable indicators that are numerically categorized and analyzed.
