Events Concepts

HypothesesVerification

Operational DefinitionsReplication

Paradigm of Science

What is Science?

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There is a pattern to the universe - Reliability

We are accurately measuring that pattern - Validity

These patterns are causally connected – Cause/Effect

Knowledge is superior to ignorance

Assumptions of Science

Where Does Research Come From?

I. Personal Characteristics and Interests

II. Intellectual Socialization

III. Institutional / Market Forces

•Humphreys - The Tea Room Trade

•Becker - "On Becoming a Marijuana Smoker"

•Macro approaches - Functionalism vs. Conflict Theory (Structural Variables)

•Micro approaches - Symbolic Interaction vs. Exchange (Interpersonal Variables)

•Grants vs. Contracts (20% - 80%) •Public vs. Private (esp. the 1986 Tax Reform Act)

The Basic Steps in Research

1. Determine the Event of Interest – the Dependent Concept

2. Ask the Question – Developing the Independent Concept

3. Research the Literature

a. Find the Purpose (Explore, Explain or Predict)b. Understand the Time Frame (Cross-sectional vs. Longitudinal)c. State the Unit of Analysis (Macro vs. Micro)

a. Determine the Sequence (Antecedent vs. Intervening)b. Developing the Causal System (Deductive vs. Inductive)

a. Journals (e.g. Infotrac or JStor) b. Periodicals (e.g. Lexus-Nexus) c. Books (e.g. GEAC, Carl-Uncover)d. The Web (e.g. Yahoo or Google)e. Data Archives (e.g. The Census or ICPSR)