1 URBP 204Class 1 Topics to be Covered Today What is Research Research Approaches Research Process Social Science Paradigms Measurement Research Ethics

2 What Research is NOT ! Mere information gathering …… “I went to the library to do research on Isaac Newton. I learned a lot about him!” Mere transportation of facts from one location to another ….. a research paper on housing market of San Jose’ – interpretation missing

3 So What is Research? ….. “a process through which we attempt to achieve systematically and with the support of data the answers to a question, the resolution of a problem, or a greater understanding of a phenomenon” (Leedy 1997) For example: What factors led to successful revitalization of City X’s downtown? Important Characteristics of Research: Inquiry Causality Objectivity

4 Research Approaches Idiographic Explain causes of a particular event Why did I choose to study at SJSU? Why did Jane choose to study at SJSU? Top five reasons Jane chose to study at SJSU? Nomothetic Causal factors that generally impact a class of conditions or events (Babbie 2004, p.22) Reasons why students in general choose to study at SJSU? Top five reasons why students choose to study at SJSU? Deductive Specific expectations from general principles (Babbie 2004, p.25). General principle: California cities are sunny. Specific expectation: Monterey must be sunny too. Inductive General principles developed from specific observations (Babbie 2004, p.22). Specific observations: I visited several California cities. They were all sunny. General principle: All California cities are sunny.

5 The Research Process Research question, hypothesis Relevance of Research Assumptions Literature Review Methodology Collection of data Method: Answer the question Interpretation of data Limitations of the findings Future search opportunities

6 Analysis and interpretation of data is carried out by certain research methods Qualitative: descriptive case study; participant observation Quantitative: numerical descriptive and inferential statistics; others (input-output analysis; shift-share analysis)

7 Foundations of Social Research Social Science Paradigms “…..model or framework for observation and understanding..” (Babbie, 33) Early Positivism - Auguste Comte “…society could be studied scientifically…” (Babbie, Pg. 36) Separated inquiry from religion; brought objectivity Social Darwinism: survival of the fittest: individual and society (should we care about the homeless?) Conflict Paradigm: social behavior as process of conflict: social classes (fight over land use issues – conflict between classes? ) Symbolic Interactionism : interaction among individuals (may be important when leading or participating in a community workshop) Note: the class notes summarize Babbie (2004) Chapters 2,3, and 5.

8 Foundations of Social Research Ethnomethodology : “intentional breaking of agreements as a way of revealing their existence” (Babbie, 290) Structural Functionalism: society as a system; functions of its various components (transportation system; electric supply system; etc.) Feminists Paradigms : study of society from women’s perspective (use of parks and open spaces; access to information/water) Rational Objectivity: Are we always rational? Objectivity vs/ subjectivity Social search for objectivity Note: the class notes summarize Babbie (2004) Chapters 2,3, and 5.

9 Measurement Conceptualize Operationalize Measure QOL sidewalks, bike paths, Nominal (Y/N) (Quality of Life) recreation areas Ordinal (degree of satisfaction) Interval (IQ) Ratio (income) Nominal male/female (gender); rich/ poor; single-family/condo Ordinal various levels of wealth (low income, moderate income, and high income). The order matters. The “distance” may not be specified. Interval standardized scores; IQ; temperature in Fahrenheit. Ratio has absolute zero. Examples: income; temperature on Kelvin scale. Note: the class notes summarize Babbie (2004) Chapters 2,3, and 5.

10 Quality of Measurement Precision measurement may be precise but not accurate Accuracy (Trade off: precision often times comes at the expense of accuracy.) Quiz: How much does Shishir weigh? Reliability test/ retest (take measurement again) ( repeatedsplit-half (2 set of criteria provide same result) observationsuse established measures ( housing affordability index; IQ; result in same achievement test scores) data)reliability of research workers Validity face validity (income as measure of affluence) (accuratecriterion-related validity (external criterion, e.g., GRE scores) measurement of the concept)construct validity (consistent with theoretical relationships, e.g., measures of good planning) content validity (should cover the entire range of meanings, e.g., make sure that the measures of good planning cover the entire range of attributes of good planning) Trade-off between reliability and validity (qualitative and quantitative approach) Quantitative QOL indicators may not be very rich/valid. Note: the class notes summarize Babbie (2004) Chapters 2,3, and 5.

11 Research Ethics Voluntary Participation informed consent No harm to participants Anonymity and Confidentiality Deception (identify yourselves as researcher or not?; placebos in medical research) - debriefing may be important Truthful analysis and reporting Politics and ideology (stem cell research): ideally researcher’s political viewpoints and ideology should not impact the research Note: the class notes summarize Babbie (2004) Chapters 2,3, and 5.