Sept 11th 2018 Soci 217 Paradigms, Theory and Research The Need for Research · Theories o Seek to prove logical explanations for patterns o Directly relate to "why" questions o Help create hypothesis o It gives us something to go into research with, gives direction o Anchors our stance on something · Theories seek to provide logical explanations to these patterns: 1. Theories prevent us from attributing a pattern to reality if the pattern occurs by chance 1 2. Theories makes sense of observed patterns in ways that can suggest other possibilities 1 3. Theories can shape and direct research efforts pointing towards likely discoveries through empirical observations · Nuance: not all social science research seeks to explain. Some research is dedicated to description of social phenomena, such as a case study of a town on the prairies in western Canada Some Social Science Paradigms · Paradigm A theoretical perspective including a set of assumptions about reality that guide research questions o Are neither true nor false; they are ways of looking that are more or less useful . The fundamental models or frames of reference we use to organize Changes in the paradigms emerge with new observations of patterns that better fit the empirical world · Social scientists have developed several paradigms for understanding social behaviour · There are 2 major types of paradigms in social science: o Macro theory Micro theory · Macro theories: o Paradigms that focus their attention on aggregate numbers of individuals and society at large o The "big" view of social life o Durkheim's image of folk religion and Marx's view of class · Micro theories o These take a more individual approach ot social life
Sept 11th 2018 Soci 217 o On the intimate level of life o Ex. Family life · Influence of Paradigms on Research O Shape the kinds of methods likely to be used Impact the sorts of facts researchers seek to discover Influence the conclusions drawn from the facts o Help determine which concepts and concerns are important Early Positivism · Application of natural science methods to study social reality . Only regularities confirmed by the senses constitute genuine knowledge · Knowledge is arrived at by gathering facts that allow for generalizations · Theories yields testable hypothesis · Science should be value-free (objectivity) o Discounts subjectivity Conflict Paradigm (Macro and Micro) · Origin: Karl Marx . Suggested that social behaviour is the process of conflict: the attempt to hold power and dominate others while avoiding being dominated o Class struggle: Bourgeoise vs. proletariat under capitalism o Simmel: small scale conflict Symbolic Interactionism (micro) . Simmel: focuses on the nature of interactions between individuals that are either dyadic ( of 2 ppl) or triadic (3ppl) or more . Mead and Cooley : How we for our identity thgouh daily interactions and by looking into the reactions of others (looking glass self) · … Structural Functionalism . Also known as social systems theory . A social entity can be viewed as