Deck 2: Theory and Social Research

Question 1

Describe how concrete and abstract concepts differ. Give an example of an abstract ideal type and a concrete classification.

Answer 1

Concrete concepts refer to specific, tangible objects or ideas that can be perceived through the senses, such as a chair, a tree, or a car. These concepts have a physical existence and can be directly experienced.

On the other hand, abstract concepts are ideas or qualities that cannot be directly observed or touched. They are often more complex and subjective, existing in the realm of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Examples of abstract concepts include love, justice, and freedom.

An example of an abstract ideal type is the concept of democracy. Democracy is a political system based on the idea of equality, freedom, and the participation of citizens in decision-making processes. It is an abstract concept because it represents a set of ideals and principles rather than a specific, tangible object.

On the other hand, a concrete classification would be something like a specific type of tree, such as an oak tree. Oak trees are tangible, physical objects that can be observed and classified based on their specific characteristics, such as their leaves, bark, and size.

In summary, concrete concepts are specific, tangible objects or ideas, while abstract concepts are more complex and subjective, existing in the realm of thoughts and ideals.

Question 2

Provide an ideal type of a concept and explain how it might be used.

Answer 2

An ideal type of a concept is a theoretical construct that represents the most perfect or ideal form of that concept. It is used as a standard or benchmark against which real-life examples can be compared and evaluated.

For example, an ideal type of a leader might be someone who is visionary, charismatic, empathetic, and decisive. This ideal type can be used as a reference point for evaluating real-life leaders. By comparing a real-life leader to the ideal type, we can assess their strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for improvement.

In a business context, the ideal type of a customer might be someone who is loyal, high-spending, and easy to retain. This ideal type can be used to guide marketing and customer retention strategies, as well as to measure the success of these efforts.

Overall, ideal types are useful for setting standards, guiding decision-making, and evaluating performance in various contexts. They provide a clear and aspirational vision of what a concept should be, and can help to drive improvement and innovation.

Question 3

How are major theoretical frameworks used in research, if at all?

Answer 3

Major theoretical frameworks are used in research to provide a structured approach to understanding, explaining, and predicting phenomena within a particular field of study. These frameworks serve as the foundation upon which research is built and conducted. Here's how they are typically used:

1. Guiding Research Questions: Theoretical frameworks help researchers develop and refine their research questions. They provide a lens through which researchers can look at complex issues and identify which aspects are most critical to study.

2. Literature Review: Researchers use theoretical frameworks to organize their literature review. By situating their study within existing theories, researchers can show how their work builds upon or challenges previous findings.

3. Conceptualizing Variables: In empirical research, theoretical frameworks help in defining and operationalizing variables. They guide researchers in deciding what to measure and how to measure it, ensuring that the study's variables are relevant and grounded in theory.

4. Hypothesis Formulation: Theoretical frameworks are essential for formulating hypotheses. They suggest relationships between variables that researchers can test empirically. A well-grounded hypothesis is derived from theoretical propositions and is a statement about the expected relationship based on the chosen framework.

5. Research Design: Theoretical frameworks influence the choice of research design. They help researchers decide whether a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approach is most appropriate for answering their research questions.

6. Data Analysis: During data analysis, theoretical frameworks provide criteria for interpreting the data. They help researchers to make sense of their findings by comparing them with theoretical expectations and understanding the underlying mechanisms at play.

7. Validity and Reliability: Theoretical frameworks contribute to the validity and reliability of research findings. By grounding the study in established theories, researchers can argue that their findings are not arbitrary but are supported by a broader context of scientific knowledge.

8. Discussion and Implications: In discussing their findings, researchers use theoretical frameworks to place their results within the context of existing knowledge. They can suggest how their findings support, extend, or challenge existing theories.

9. Generating New Theories: Sometimes, the findings of research may not fit existing theoretical frameworks, which can lead to the development of new theories or the modification of existing ones.

10. Policy and Practice: Theoretical frameworks can also inform policy-making and practice. By providing a deeper understanding of the issues at hand, they can guide the development of interventions, programs, and policies.

In summary, major theoretical frameworks are integral to the research process. They provide a systematic way of thinking about and investigating research questions, ensuring that studies are methodologically sound and contribute meaningfully to the body of knowledge within a discipline.

Question 4

How do inductive and deductive approaches to social theory and research differ?

A) Inductive begins at the top of society and moves towards the bottom. Deductive begins at the bottom of society and moves towards the top.
B) Inductive begins with small things and moves towards big things. Deductive begins with big things and moves towards small things.
C) Inductive begins with concrete or observable things and moves towards abstract or theoretical ideas. Deductive begins with abstract or theoretical ideas and moves towards concrete or observable things.
D) Inductive begins with big things at the top of society and moves towards small things at the bottom of society. Deductive begins at the bottom with small things and moves towards big things at the top.
E) Inductive begins with the abstract or theoretical ideas and moves towards the concrete or observable. Deductive begins with concrete or observable things and moves towards abstract or theoretical ideas.

Question 5

In a structural explanation, a researcher

A) explains something of interest by identifying its cause or causes.
B) describes a chain of cause and effect as being like a string of balls in a row such that hitting one causes it to hit another and so forth.
C) attempts to comprehend or mentally grasp the social world in terms of the subjective world view of other people.
D) uses an interconnected web of concepts and relationships around a central idea or describes a sequence of phases in which one occurs before the next.
E) A and B

Question 6

Luis theorized the dispersion of European settlers in northern Mexico during the sixteenth century was based on following river valleys. This is a

A) micro-level theory.
B) meso-level theory.
C) macro-level theory.

Question 7

You pick up an article and read the following: In a dating relationship, each person attempts to gain social approval and acceptance. If one person makes an elaborate entry and presents an expensive gift to obtain more approval, the other person feels a need to maintain balance in the relationship. A repayment through an offer of something of value (e.g., expressions of affection, sexual relations, etc.) is expected. Failure to repay the social debt may create embarrassment or place the receiver of the gift in a position of dependence. Which theoretical framework is the author using?

A) structural functional
B) conflict
C) symbolic interactionism
D) exchange theory

Question 8

The interpretative social science approach is described as ideographic and inductive in its theory and method. What does this mean?

A) It tries to discover a system of causal laws that determines patterns of human behavior.
B) It begins with abstract ideas, laws, or propositions. These are used to deduce logically or infer specific hypotheses that researchers test against the facts of observable empirical reality.
C) It focuses on descriptions of specific people and events in a particular situation. It also starts with direct observations of the details in a situation and later develops somewhat more abstract generalizations if appropriate.
D) A and B
E) A and C

Question 9

Value-free research is emphasized by which of the three approaches to social science?

A) positivist
B) interpretative
C) critical

Question 10

Praxis is used by which of the three major approaches to social science?

A) positivist
B) interpretative
C) critical

Question 11

Which of the following is at the most abstract, general level that is only loosely used when conducting an empirical research study?

A) scientific paradigm
B) formal theory
C) middle-range theory
D) empirical generalization

Question 12

Talk about:
-association

Question 13

Talk about:
-assumption

Question 14

Talk about:
-blame analysis

Question 15

Talk about:
-causal explanation

Question 16

Talk about:
-classification

Question 17

Talk about:
-concept cluster

Question 18

Talk about:
-deductive approach

Question 19

Talk about:
-empirical generalization

Question 20

Talk about:
-functional theory

Question 21

Talk about:
-grounded theory

Question 22

Talk about:
-ideal type

Question 23

Talk about:
-idiographic

Question 24

Talk about:
-inductive approach

Question 25

Talk about:
-macro-level theory

Question 26

Talk about:
-meso-level theory

Question 27

Talk about:
-negative relationship

Question 28

Talk about:
-nomothetic

Question 29

Talk about:
-paradigm

Question 30

Talk about:
-positive relationship

Question 31

Talk about:
-praxis

Question 32

Talk about:
-prediction

Question 33

Talk about:
-proposition

Question 34

Talk about:
-replication

Question 35

Talk about:
-verstehen