SOC 100BResearch methods:Paradigm- the world view or basic beliefs underlying a researcher’s theoretical frameworks & choice of methodsQuestions depend on what you are searching forPositivism is dominant paradigm in social sciences but has been criticized1. looks for constant conjunctions (if a, then b)2. assumed that a & b are empirical phenomenaScience- a system of rational inquiry disciplined by empirical textsScientific method- consists of observing significant facts, finding the general laws that govern those facts; involves willingness to verify or to put beliefs to the test and social sciences aim is to discover & understand the generalization of the social worldReasons for homelessness: no job, not enough social network, embarrassed to ask for help, lack of education/opportunities, addiction/substance abuse, abandonment, exceptional life events, natural disaster76% of homeless are male, while only 46% of the total population are maleHomeless predominantly Black and Latino American82% very poor or disabled$168 monthly income¼ received health care and received pension from disability⅕Homelessness- result of interaction between complex political, social, economic policiesand individual problemsQuantitative vs. Qualitative Research:Quantitative research- hard science, social & human sciences, based off numbers; tends to be more positivistQualitative research- experiences, feelings, meanings; focuses on interpretation, tends to be more agonisticRelation and other Research terms:Causation- association between events, behaviors, persons, or things in which one leads to the operation of others (eg. lack of social media leads to anomie)Variable- any measurable subject/property that can change or assume more than one valueCorrelation- the measure of the empirical relationship of 2 or more variablesCausal relationship must always assume a correlation, but correlation does not mean causationSpurious correlations- ice cream consumption and crime rates have positive correlation,but the underlying factor is summerHypothesis- hunch about relationship existing between two variables which must be tested & proven right or wrongTheory explains the relationship among fact; it typically involves a number of hypothesisParticipant observationsEthnography- focus usually on present situationOral history- focus on an event of someone’s
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