Theory and Research Chapter 2

Introduction Theory An explanation about how and why something is as it is

Introduction Concepts Words or signs that refer to phenomena that share common characteristics For example, concepts which may interest sociologists are social and economic class and self-esteem.

Introduction Conceptualization Example The process of clarifying what we mean by a concept Example High-crime late adolescent years Begins at about 17 years of age Birth cohort People born in a given calendar year

Introduction Operational definition Concise definition of the concept Examples What is “child abuse”? Could be only substantiated cases with child protective services. What is a “problem drinker”? Could be one who drinks ___ drinks in ___ amount of time.

Introduction Variable A characteristic that can vary from one unit of analysis to another or for one unit of analysis over time A concept that varies

Introduction Hypothesis A testable statement about how two or more variables are expected to relate to one another A hypothesis is simply a formal version of a hunch or speculation that usually is based on a theory.

Introduction Dependent variable A variable that is affected or influenced by another variable What you are trying to predict or explain.

Introduction Independent variable A variable that affects or influences another variable

Quiz - Question 1 Assume the following statement: In our research, we are looking at how gender (male or female) affects the amount of money individuals leave for tips at restaurants. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable?

Quiz - Question 2 In our research, we are looking at how gender (male or female) affects the amount of money individuals leave for tips at restaurants. What are the independent variable categories?

Quiz – Question 3 In our research, we are looking at how gender (male or female) affects the amount of money individuals leave for tips at restaurants. What is a possible hypothesis that could be generated?

Introduction Social Science and Causality A word of caution Just because two variables are associated with each other does not necessarily mean that the change in one variable will create a change in the other variable Establishing causality is difficult Typical data gathering techniques make it difficult to determine “cause” and “effect”

Introduction Antecedent variable A variable that comes before both the independent variable and dependent variable May explain the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable

Introduction Causality Example Firefighters will tell you of the association between the number of firefighters at a fire and the damage done at the fire, that the more firefighters at a fire, the more damage occurs. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? Can you think of an antecedent variable that explains why fires that draw more firefighters are more likely to do more damage than fires that draw fewer firefighters?

Introduction Spurious – non-causal When an antecedent variable provides such an explanation as in the fire fighter example, the original association between the independent variable and the dependent variable is said to be spurious, or non-causal.

Introduction Establishing causality Empirical association Temporal precedence Elimination of alternative explanations

Introduction Intervening variable A variable that comes between an independent and a dependent variable

Introduction Extraneous variable A variable that has an effect on the dependent variable in addition to the effect of the independent variable

The Relationship between Theory and Research An explanation about how and why something is It allows you to go beyond the known facts, suggesting what you might expect in the future, and allowing you to organize the facts you already have.

The Relationship between Theory and Research Focal research Excerpt from “Moving on: Continuity and change after retirement” Adler and Clark’s description of “role theory” comes at the beginning of their article, before they present their own research.

The Relationship between Theory and Research Measurement The process of devising strategies for classifying subjects by categories to represent variable concepts. Example from Adler and Clark focal research Classified units of analysis (people around retirement age) by categories (those who engaged in volunteer work and those that didn’t) to represent variable concepts (volunteering).

The Relationship between Theory and Research Deductive reasoning Reasoning that moves from more general to less general statements. Example Adler and Clark focal research

The Relationship between Theory and Research

The Relationship between Theory and Research Empirical generalization A statement that summarizes a set of individual observations

The Relationship between Theory and Research Focal research Excerpt from “Unmasking racism: Halloween costuming and engagement of the racial order” Mueller, Dirks and Picca’s theory of what might be called the functions of cross-racial costuming by white students during Halloween comes at the end of their article, after the presentation of their findings.

The Relationship between Theory and Research Inductive reasoning Reasoning that moves from less general to more general statements Example Mueller, Dirks and Picca’s focal research

The Relationship between Theory and Research Grounded theory Theory derived from data in the course of a study

The Relationship between Theory and Research

The Relationship between Theory and Research

Summary Relationships existing between research and theory Ethics Ethical assumptions and implications should be considered throughout the whole research process.