Questions
	Theories
	Hypotheses
	Guidelines

Criteria for Social Research Questions

	Feasibility
	Social Importance
	Scientific Relevance

Feasibility

The availability of resources will determine whether the question can be answered at all

	A logically interrelated set of propositions about empirical reality.
	Suggest topic areas and propositions that can be tested empirically.
	Ex. Deterrence or labeling

Deductive Research

	Strategy of connecting theory and data
	Moving from theory to data and then back to theory

Punishment for a deviant act reduces the likelihood that a person will repeat the act Therefore it is likely that children who are spanked for fighting with their siblings will be less likely to fight with their siblings. Research Circle

	A tentative statement about empirical reality involving a relationship between two or more variables.
	Specific expectation deduced from more general theory.
	States in prepositional form a relationship between variables. If-then statement.

	A characteristic or property that can vary.
	Examples: country of origin, income, gender, divorce rate

A variable that is hypothesized to vary depending on or under the influence of another variable, or effect of variation in another variable.

	Independent variable is to dependent variable as cause is to effect.
	If two variables are said to have a positive association, the dependent variable will increase as the independent increases.
	If two variables are said to have a negative association, the dependent variable will decrease as the independent increases.

statements that describe patterns found in data

	repeat of a study in a different setting
	essential to establish its generalizability in other situations

	Begins with specific data, used to develop (induce) a general explanation (theory) to account for data.
	Looks at those who were deterred from repeat abuse offense and then tried to see why.

	anomalous patterns in the data
	finding of unexpected patterns in the data

Trying to understand phenomena by asking people how they see the social world is characteristic. In depth observation or interviewing Findings based on what people have to say "in their own words" Explanations are richer and more finely textured Explanations sound more authentic

	Positivism belief in the existence of objective reality
	Postpositivism there is an empirical reality, but understanding is limited

Postpositivism - Goal of Science

	Intersubjectivity agreement agreement among the observers of social events goal of science according to postpositivists   Philosophies of Qualitative Research
	Interpretivism belief in the social construction of reality

	Test ideas against empirical reality without becoming too personally invested in a particular outcome.
	Plan and carry out investigations systematically.
	Document procedures, disclose publicly.
	Clarify assumptions.
	Specify the meaning of all terms.
	Maintain skeptical stance re: current knowledge.
	Replicate research and accumulate knowledge.
	Maintain an interest in theory.
	Search for regularities, or patterns.

	Cause no harm
	Participation is voluntary informed consent
	Anonymity or confidentiality must be maintained
	Researchers fully disclosed identity
	Benefits should be compensated for their time and effort

Debriefing

	explanation of what happened in an agreement
	reduces the risk harm to subjects

	U. S. Department of Justice
	F. B. I.
	U. S. Census