Theory

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Theory Research

• September 29, 2004
• Sociology 487
• http//sociology.osu.edu/classes/soc487/sayer/

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Lecture Topics

• What is social theory?
• What is the relationship between theory, a
  research question, and research design?
• How are theory and empirical data connected?

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Paradigms

• General frames of reference
• Differentiates disciplinary perspectives
• Theories are part of paradigms
• Sociological paradigms (Ritzer 1996)
• Social facts
• Social definition
• Social behavior

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What is social theory?

• A systematic set of interrelated propositions
  about empirical reality
• Provides general explanations about interrelated
  social processes
• Connects particular findings to general patterns
• Helps identify what to investigate in a study

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Elements of Social Theory
Concepts
Abstract elements that represent classes of facts
Axioms
Fundamental assertions upon which theory is
grounded
Propositions
Specific conclusions about relationships among
concepts
Hypothesis
Specified testable expectations about empirical
reality
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Alternate Theories on Division of Household
Labor

• Exchange Theory
• Human behavior shaped by calculation of costs and
  benefits
• Resources power determine who does what in
  households
• Spouse with more education, earnings does less
  household work

• Symbolic Interactionism
• People give symobolic meanings to behaviors,
  objects, and other people
• Gendered expectations affect who does what in
  households
• Division of household labor housework does not
  follow

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The Appeal of Different Theoretical Perspectives

• What explanation of division of labor makes more
  sense to YOU?
• What specific predictions would YOU make based on
  one perspective?
• Could these perspectives be integrated?
• Or, are they mutually exclusive?

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Deductive Method
Idea / Interest What causes X?
Theoretical Understanding
Y causes X
HYPOTHESIS X F(Y) X f(y)
Theoretical expectation
Operationalization
Testable Hypothesis
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Inductive Method
Gather Observations
Y is related to X
Theoretical Understanding
Tentative Conclusion
X F(Y)
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Comparison of Methods

• Deductive Method
• Hypothesis
• Relationship between dependent and independent
  variables
• Observations
• Accept or reject hypothesis?
• Repeat

• Inductive Method
• Observations
• Finding or explaining pattern
• Tentative conclusion
• Test findings with deductive method

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Relationship between Theory Research
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Stages of Formulating Research Questions

• Identifying the question
• Refining the question
• Evaluating the question

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Evaluating Research Questions

• Feasibility
• Can you start and finish with available resources
  and time?
• Social importance
• Will an answer to your research question make a
  difference in the social world?
• Scientific relevance
• Does your research question help to resolve
  contradictions in or otherwise contribute to
  social theory?

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Key Points

• Sociology is a multi-paradigmatic science
• Elements of social theory include observations,
  concepts, axioms, propositions, and hypotheses
• Deductive methods involve deriving hypotheses
  from theory
• Inductive methods involve developing
  generalizations from observations
• Formulating research questions involves
  identification, revision, and evaluation