Theory and Research Theory informs our research by: Helping us identify our unit of analysis Identifying the settings where we will observe our phenomenon.

Theory and ResearchTheory informs our research by:• Helping us identify our unit of analysis• Identifying the settings where we will

observe our phenomenon• Identifying the independent and

dependent variables• Identifying possible intervening factors• Identifying hypotheses and expected

outcomes

Macrotheories

• Macrotheory deals with large, aggregate entities of society or whole societies. • Struggle between economic

classes, international relations

Microtheories• Microtheory deals with issues at the

level of individuals and small groups. Dating behavior, jury

deliberations, student faculty interactions

Conflict Theory

• Marx suggested social behavior could be seen as the process of conflict: Attempt to dominate others. Attempt to avoid domination.

Conflict Theory (another definition)

• Identifies conflict between social groups as the primary force in society; understanding the bases and consequences of conflict is the key to understanding social processes.

Conflict Theory (another definition)

• Weberian conflict theory identifies multiple bases of social stratification (class status, and power) and treats ideas as an important influence on the political and economic system

Symbolic Interactionism • Interactions revolve around

individuals reaching understanding through language and other systems.

• Can lend insights into the nature of interactions in ordinary social life.

Symbolic Interactionism (another definition)• Focuses on the symbolic nature of

social interaction--how social interaction conveys meaning and promotes socialization.

Structural Functionalism

• A social entity, such as an organization, can be viewed as an organism.

• A social system is made up of parts, each of which contributes to the functioning of the whole.

• This view looks for the “functions” served by the various components of society.

Functionalism (another definition)

• A social theory that explains social patterns in terms of their consequences for society as a whole and emphasizes the interdependence of social institutions and their common interest in maintaining the social order.

Feminist Theory

• Focuses on gender differences and how they relate to the rest of social organization.

• Draws attention to the oppression of women in many societies, and sheds light on all kinds of oppression.

Grounded Theory• An inductive approach to the study

of social life that attempts to generate a theory from the constant comparing of unfolding observations.

Linking Social Scientific Theory and Research

1. Deduction - Deriving expectations or hypotheses from theories.

2. Induction - Developing generalizations from specific observations.

Deductive Theory Construction1. Pick a topic. 2. Specify a range: Will your theory apply

to all of human social life, only certain ages?

3. Identify major concerns and variables. 4. Find out what is known about the

relationships among the variables.5. Reason from those propositions to the

topic you are interested in.

Writing of the Research Proposal

8 central questions:

what do we need to better understand your topic?what do we know little about in terms of your topic?What do you propose to study?What are the settings and people you will study?What methods do you plan to use to provide data?How will you analyze the data?What ethical issues, barriers, limitations will you

face?What do preliminary results show about the

practicality and value of your proposed study?

Begin with an outlineI. Introduction:

Statement of the problemPurpose of the studyResearch questionHypotheses/Predictions

II. Review of the literature:What we already knowWhy the question is interestingPrevious methods and findingsGaps, limitations, weaknesses

III. Procedures/Methods:

Description/validation of method choice

Data collection procedures

Types of data

Sampling method

Data Analysis

IV. Significance of the Study

V. Ethical considerations, Limitations, barriers, solutions

VI. Preliminary Findings

VII. Expected Outcomes

Readability

Consistent terms (concepts, var. names) Moving from Big ideas to concrete

examples Coherence (from ¶ to ¶; section to

section) Grammar Style

Writing the Research Paper

“A good dramatic story sets up an equation and solves it.”

Interesting question – believable resolution

Structure of a good storyACT I:

a) Exposition b) Inciting incident

ACT II: a) Complication: b) Crisis: c) Decision:

ACT II: a) Resolution b) Epilogue

Structure of a good paperACT I: INTRODUCTION

a) Exposition: (Background info) b) Inciting incident: (The problem)

ACT II: LITERATURE AND METHODS SECTION a) Complication: (Competing explanations) b) Crisis: (the unanswered question) c) Decision: (methods of answering/solving

question)

ACT II: CONCLUSION a) Resolution: (the answer) b) Epilogue: (qualifications)

Structure, Structure, Structure• Introduction• Literature Review• Methods Section• Expected Results, problems,

limitations

The Introduction• The narrative hook• Identify the problem• Studies that have addressed

problem• Deficiencies in these studies• Importance of current study