SOCI 2127EL-01 Research Methods Data Analysis Lecture 1 ...

SOCI 2127EL-01: Research Methods & Data Analysis (Lecture 1)
Chapter One: General Research Orientations
Theory and Research
● What is theory
○ an explanation of observed regularities or patterns
○ attempt to explain something you've seen
● Purpose of research
○ to assess the adequacy of a particular social theory
○ to gather information to create social theory
○ to understand pressing social problems
○ to explore personal experience
Components of a Theory
● Definitions
● Descriptions of the phenomena of interest
● Relational statements (how things relate to one another)
○ Deterministic statements
○ Probabilistic statements
Types of Theories
● Theories of the middle range
○ limited in scope and can be tested directly
○ also enable further theorizing
○ example: Durkheim’s theory of suicide, theory of relative deprivation
● Grand Theories (the big picture)

○ general and abstract and cannot be tested directly
○ examples: conflict theory, structural functionalism
Deductive and Inductive Approaches
● Deductive method
○ The most common approach to social research
○ Using deduction, one begins with a theory or explanation for something, then
goes out into the world and tests it.
○ Example., you have a certain belief you then want to go out into the community
and prove it
○ Data collection. E.g., survey
Figure 1.1: The Process of Deduction
1. Theory
2. Hypotheses
3. Data collection
4. Findings
5. Hypothesis confirmed or rejected
6. Revision of theory
Inductive Approaches
● Another way to conduct inquiry is by using induction
○ Here one begins by gathering or examining data and then tries to derive a theory

or explanation from the data
Figure 1.2: Deductive and inductive approaches to the relationship between theory and research
Deductive approach
1. Theory
2. Observations/Findings
Inductive approach
1. Observations/Findings
2. Theory
Inductive Approach
● Sometimes inductive research is iterative:
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