...Research Methodology Aila Sajid Bhangoo Introduction A novice researcher often has a confusing start looking for answers to questions such as: what should be the focus of the research, what approach must be taken towards research that is how to go about data collection and how to draw the most accurate analysis from the information gathered. Consequently, it is of paramount significance what subject matter the researcher chooses, what research questions he conceives and how the researches goes about in conducting his research. There are primarily two aspirations for orchestrating a research; the first is to find a solution for an on ground problem present in the day to day political life which is called applied, practical or policy research and the second is with the aim of fostering and boosting the available knowledge about the politics and political world which is referred to as basic, pure or theoretical approach. Hakim defines policy research being concerned with ‘knowledge of action’; hence, it focuses on “actionable variables” or variables. The target audiences of such researches are policy makers in government, institutional decision makers, special interest groups and other relevant stakeholders. The undercurrent aim of policy research is to make accurate prediction based on techniques such as simulations, mathematical modeling, forecasting, time series...
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...J Compare and Contrast Two Methods of Sociological Research. Compare and contrast the major characteristics of two methods of sociological inquiry. Your answer should clarify how: Each method relates to a distinct tradition of social research (e.g., positivism, interpretivism or the critical tradition); Addresses the issue of objectivity and; Account for the relationship between the natural and the social sciences. Research methods are a crucial part to understanding society. Without research methods, scientists and researchers would not be able to understand the why, the how or the what. There are three main traditions in social research; Positivism, Interpretivism and Critical Tradition. In this essay, the writer will examine two of these traditions; positivism and interpretivism. The writer will talk about each of these traditions, the history and the type of research method each are. The writer will discuss examples of each tradition, a qualitative research method and a quantitative research method. The writer will then go on to discuss the contributions of two major sociologists in each; Emile Durkheim for Positivism and Max Weber for Interpretivism. The writer will then go on to compare and contrast each tradition. Positivism was first established by French philosopher Auguste Comte in the early 19th century. Positivism can be defined as ‘’ the tendency to develop the means of our reason either to predict the phenomena of nature or to modify...
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...by personal choices. Week 1 - Topic 1: Sociology and Social Groups Objectives Discuss the social construction of reality. Distinguish between sociological perspectives. Develop a sociological imagination. Identify components of social groups and organizations. Materials Readings for Week One EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 1 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 3 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 5 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 12 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. ARTICLE: Week One Electronic Reserve Readings Assessment Individual Assignment: Social Group Worksheet Martix Resource: Social Group Worksheet Matrix Complete the Social Group Worksheet using your sociological imagination to identify and describe the relationship between yourself and the other members of any social group of your choice. Submit the Social Group Worksheet Matrix. Social Group Matrix Refer to your course syllabus for additional instructions on individual and learning team assignments. Week 2 - Topic 1: Science of Sociology Objectives Apply the steps of the scientific method. Compare major research designs. Explain ethical issues in sociological research. Materials Readings for Week Two EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 2 of Sociology: A Brief Introduction. ARTICLE: Week Two Electronic Reserve Readings Assessment...
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...One might ask, “What is an evolutionary theory?” as I have asked myself several times whilst conducting research for this essay. My conclusion is that it is, quite simply, a theory of evolution. The online Oxford Dictionary defines evolution as, “The gradual development of something.” (2012) The dictionary defines a theory as, “A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something…” Therefore, by using these two definitions, it can be said that a social evolutionary theory is a system of ideas intended to explain the gradual development of society. This question is vital in interpreting the purpose of this essay. The task at hand in completing this essay is to compare and contrast the social evolutionary theories of Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer. Before we analyze these theorist’s works, it is critical that we first look at the setting under which these men lived and worked. According to Ritzer (2011), Comte and Spencer both lived most of their lives during the 19th century. Comte lived from 1798 to 1857 while Spencer lived from 1820 to 1903. Comte and Spencer were from France and Britain respectively. The 18th and 19th centuries in Europe was characterized by widespread social change due to the Enlightenment period and the French Revolution. I think that this time period was the reason why social evolutionary theories were needed because of the extensive amount of change taking place in such a short time. There was a need for and a fascination with explanations...
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...Social Science Research Within the disciplines of sociological and cultural anthropology, research methods have similarities and differences based on philosophical roots that determine how a researcher will interact with study subjects to produce data or aesthetic judgments for an holistic understanding of individual or societal behavior. To what degree researchers will interact with participants is determined in two approaches that either promotes positivism or constructivist viewpoints. Positivism, according to Williamson (2006), considered as the investigation of human and social phenomena by observable and measureable methods, produces quantitative and reproducible data. In the viewpoint of positivism, data is obtained from the contextual origin and knowledge is determined as an external reality, one that is not integrated with the contextual milieu or qualitative variances (Williamson, 2006). According to Nomalungelo (2012), the positivist viewpoint is aligned with traditional western-based science, limiting in its integration of research with other qualitative approaches, paradigms and world views. Conversely, constructivism, as described by Nomalungelo (2012), is knowledge produced from intersection of human interaction and social processes, resulting in dynamic development of qualitative knowledge as the viewer creates varying interpretations from a continuously shifting, contextual social reality. Therefore, the discovery of new meanings and realities are reached...
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... Two Definitions of Culture A Paper Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Business Administration In Partial Fulfillment of Course Requirements For B7312- Cultural Marketing Access – Module I - Assignment 1 Spring II, 2013 For The Doctor of Business Administration Degree, D.B.A. David F. Black, B.A., M.B.A., C.D.P. Dr. Cliff Butler Argosy University/Seattle March 11, 2013 © Abstract This paper provides a summary review of B7312, Cultural Marketing Online Argosy Module I, a comparison of two different definitions of culture (Webster) (CARLA). An additional element of contrasting these two definitions is also provided. The overview provides discussion points for the classes of March 7th & 18th, 2013 or sooner as defined by Dr. Butler. Perspectives This paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the B7312 Course Module I Assignment 1 for the Cultural Marketing Online Course Class on March 7, 2013, B7312, Spring II, 2013, Dr. Cliff Butler, AU-Seattle. Summary of Assignment This student is to write a talking-points paper for the selected definitions of culture as outlined in B7312 Cultural Marketing. After the two out of hundreds (Kluckholn) (CARLA) of cultural definitions are selected, this Doctoral candidate is to compare and contrast them. For this paper, the two selected definitions...
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...* American Sociological Review > * Vol. 15, No. 2, Apr., 1950 > * A Set of Categories ... You are viewing the first page/citation. Full-text access may be available if you are affiliated with a participating library or publisher. Check access options or login if you have an account. + Show full citation American Sociological Review © 195 SOCIAL GROUP In the social sciences a social group can be defined as two or more humans who interact with one another, share similar characteristics and collectively have a sense of unity.[1] By this definition, a society can be viewed as a large group, though most social groups are considerably smaller. A true social group exhibits some degree of social cohesion and is more than a simple collection or aggregate of individuals, such as people waiting at a bus stop, or people waiting in a line. Characteristics shared by members of a group may include interests, values, representations, ethnic or social background, and kinship ties. Paul Hare regards the defining characteristic of a group as social interaction.[2] The members of the groups contact each other which Ackeema Johnson calls a "regular interaction." This group also should have, a common identity, rules, structure, etc Most researchers define a small group as having at least three and no more than twelve or fifteen members. A group needs to have at least three members, otherwise it would simply be a dyad. With three members, coalitions can be formed and...
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...Theories is a survey course that examines the interdisciplinary study of families. The course content is organized into two sections: a) theories, ideologies and definitions of families and b) applications of family theories in practice, family programs, and policies. This course will examine “what is theorizing in family studies?” Family theories are explanatory frameworks for different ways of understanding families. Theorizing about families involves conceptualizing the lived experiences of people in relation to their own families as well as developing explanations of the social role of families in society, tracking demographic changes over time, and identifying ideologies and social forces that influence and are influenced by family life. Some theories look at how individuals develop over the life span in the context of families; others define the forms and functions of families as a social unit in society. Some look at “the family” as a unit and focus in on the internal dynamics of relationships between family members, while others look at “the family” as a subsystem or institution in the larger scope of society. Some theories identify factors that predict family behaviors. Other theories are used to develop programs and interventions. The field of family studies is an interdisciplinary one, meaning that it has liberally borrowed from sociological and psychological theories as well as other disciplines, and has used variable analysis, anthropological, historical, philosophical...
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...Analytic Induction as a Qualitative Research Method of Analysis Donald E. Ratcliff (The University of Georgia, 1994) Analytic induction is a method of data analysis described by Florian Znaniecki (1934) who named the method and systematized many of the associated ideas. However Znaniecki was careful to note that the essence of analytic induction has been used repeatedly throughout history (pp. 236237), particularly by scientists in the physical sciences (he cites numerous examples from physics and biology). That essence involves " . . . inducing laws from a deep analysis of experimentally isolated instances" (p. 237). Analytic induction can be contrasted with defining and using terms in advance of research (p. 240). Instead, definitions of terms are considered hypotheses that are to be tested (p. 241). Inductive, rather than deductive, reasoning is involved, allowing for modification of concepts and relationships between concepts occurs throughout the process of doing research, with the goal of most accurately representing the reality of the situation. The goal of research is making universal statements that may need to be modified later if exceptions are discovered (pp. 232-233), but ultimately can reflect fairly exhaustive knowledge of what is researched (pp. 249, 274-275). Causation is a potential goal of such knowledge, although it is causation that can include numerous exceptions (p. 305). Those exceptions, however, add to the base of knowledge as the generalizability...
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...C. Wright Mills (1959) idea of “personal troubles” and “public issues” considers how personal troubles feel exclusive to the individual although are connected to wider society thus making them public issues. Mills (1959) suggests society influences personal troubles, he uses examples such as “when classes rise or fall a man is employed or unemployed” this proposes the way in which societies fluctuate throughout history depends critically on cultural, political and economic structures, thus impacts individuals greatly without them consciously knowing. They then often look to themselves as the root cause of their personal trouble where as there are masses whom are in a similar situation. Those who possess the “sociological imagination” have the “capacity to shift from one perspective to another” prompting them to look outside of the private sphere and into the public domain. In modern the world many live in multicultural societies, therefore I have chosen to represent caste discrimination as an important personal trouble I have personally been a victim of; I have also found this to be a public issue as many people are also deeply affected by this. Due to being of Indian ethnicity and British nationality, I looked into the Hindu caste system; a system of social stratification derived from occupation. All Indians of any faith identify themselves with the caste system to some degree. The effects of the caste system are still hugely influential in India and still resonate with many...
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...Anthropology: Compare and Contrast Western Governor’s University Issues in Behavioral Science (UG, GLT1-0310) Sociology and cultural anthropology are two of the major social sciences. Sociology is the study of the progress, arrangement, relationship and performance of a group of people. It studies the group in a specific given time frame (Calhoun, 2002). Cultural anthropology is the study of human beings through their ancestors in terms of surroundings, social relationships, language, religious beliefs and the principles of their societies (O’Neil, 2011). Both of these fields are inter-related in the study of a society and social culture but they each use specific research methods that are appropriate for their own course of studies. Sociology identifies associations or correlations between variables in a small group of sample population and applies these findings to a larger population (Calhoun, 2002). Cultural anthropology looks at small groups of people in their studies. Researchers may compare their understandings of the subjects with other cultures we are familiar with, but they do not necessarily have to use these findings to explain other cultures (O’Neil, 2011). Sociologists use five main methods of research that include surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, and secondary analysis (Admin, 2013). Each research method has its positive and negative effects and the study itself determines which tool is best suited, though most research will use several...
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...Course Syllabus Sociology 100 Introduction to Sociology Course Start Date: Course End Date: Cohort: SF02FYS1 Facilitator Information Your Name aarono’brien@email.phoenix.edu (University of Phoenix) (510)274-5261 (PST) Facilitator Availability I encourage you to post questions in the OLS forums, which I check at least once a day. You can also reach me by phone any day from 10am through 8pm. For emergencies, when you are not able to gain access to messages on the Online Learning System (OLS), please send a message to my personal email address. In the event a third party needs to contact me, please direct them to my contact information listed under "facilitator information." No third party should use your login credentials to gain access to the classroom. Where to Go to Class: Your Course Forums Main: This is the main forum for the class and is where you may ask questions between class meetings. It has read-and-write access for everyone. Chat-Room: This is a read-and-write access forum. It is designed as a place to discuss issues not related to the course content. Course-Materials: This is a read-only forum, which means you can read messages here but cannot send any. This is where I will post the course syllabus and materials. Learning-Team-A, B, C, D, E and F: These six Learning...
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...[pic] |Syllabus College of Social Sciences SOC/120 Version 4 Introduction to Sociology | |Copyright © 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course is a foundation for studies of sociology. In this course, students gain an understanding of the sociological perspective, theories, and research methods. Students also explore culture, race, ethnicity, socialization, social interaction, deviance, social control, groups, organizations, social and gender stratification, population, and social change. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Macionis, J. J. (2011). Society: The basics (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Recommended Websites: The following are suggested websites that can be used as additional resources for researching information for your CheckPoints and Assignments. U.S. Census...
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...value in the capital markets. Yet our knowledge of analysts is limited by insufficient attention to Knightian uncertainty. Analysts estimate the value of stocks by calculating their net present value or by folding the future back into the present. In so doing, they are faced with the fundamental challenge identified by Frank Knight, that is, with the difficulty of making decisions that entail a future that is unknown. These decisions, as Knight wrote, are characterized by ‘neither entire ignorance nor complete . . . information, but partial knowledge’ of the world (Knight, [1921] 1971: 199). The finance literature has not examined the Knightian challenge faced by analysts. Indeed, existing treatments circumvent the problem by adopting one of two extreme positions. In the first, put forward by orthodox economists, it is assumed that Knightian uncertainty is non-existent and that calculative decision-making is straightforward. Analysts are presented as mere calculators in a probabilistic world of risk (Cowles, 1933; Lin and McNichols, 1998; Lim, 2001). In the second, put forward by neo-institutional sociologists and behavioural finance scholars, analysts face too much uncertainty to engage in individual calculation. Analysts confront this uncertainty by resorting to a lemming-like imitation of their colleagues’ opinions (see respectively Rao, Greve and Davis, 2001; Scharfstein and...
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...chapter one Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method What sets human beings apart from all other forms of life? Why is sociology an important tool for your future? How should you respond to people whose way of life differs from your own? ISBN: 0-536-12116-8 Societ y: The Basics, Eighth Ed itio n by Jo hn J. Ma cio nis. Published b y Prentice -Hall. Co pyright © 2006 by Pear son Edu cation, In c. ISBN: 0-536-12116-8 L The sociological perspective shows us patterns of behavior common within a society. Here, a member of Brazil’s Pataxo tribe offers a traditional greeting to a visitor. Societ y: The Basics, Eighth Ed itio n by Jo hn J. Ma cio nis. Published b y Prentice -Hall. Co pyright © 2006 by Pear son Edu cation, In c. I f you were to ask 100 people, “Why do couples marry?” it is a safe bet that at least ninety would reply, “People marry because they fall in love.” Indeed, it is hard for us to imagine a happy marriage without love; likewise, when people fall in love, we expect them to think about marriage. But is the decision about whom to marry really so simple and so personal? There is plenty of evidence that if love is the key to marriage, Cupid’s arrow is carefully aimed by the society around us. In short, society has a number of “rules” about whom we should marry. What are they? Right off the bat, society rules out half the population because U.S. laws (despite recent actions in cities such as San Francisco and likely...
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