2. How We Study the Family: Theories and Research Methods
Chapter 2
How We Study the Family: Theories and Research Methods

3. Topics to Cover Theoretical frameworks
Family structures versus family processes
The evolution of American families
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

4. Theoretical frameworks
Explain the importance of theoretical perspectives and summarize key theories that organize thinking and research on families. Discuss the tenets of the bioecological perspective, the key organizing framework of this book.
Theoretical frameworks
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

5. What Is a Theory? Set of ideas about how something works
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
What Is a Theory?
Set of ideas about how something works
Why is theory important?
Roadmap for research
What is an eclectic approach?
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

6. Theories About Families
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
Theories About Families
Communism and Family Theories
Structural-Functionalism
Family Systems Theory
Conflict Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Social Constructionism
Feminist Theory
Androcentrism
Female deficit perspective
Attachment Theory
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

7. The Bioecological Theory
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
The Bioecological Theory
Person, Processes, and Contexts
The Chronosystem also affects these intersecting systems and spheres of influence!
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

8. Explain the importance of careful design and implementation strategies for conducting research. Identify the basic steps and techniques used in the scientific methods. Discuss the importance of demographic variables and intersectional identities on individual and family development.
Research methodology
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

9. Theory Meets Design The scientific method Testable hypotheses
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Theory Meets Design
The scientific method
Testable hypotheses
Avoid biases
Use operational definitions
Utilize random assignment
Representative samples
Replication
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

10. Experimental Control Correlation does not equate causation
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Experimental Control
Correlation does not equate causation
Need experimental and control groups to infer causality
Trade-offs
Control   Generalizability
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

11. Research Designs Experimental Quasi-experimental Correlational
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Designs
Experimental
Use of analogs
Quasi-experimental
Correlational
Longitudinal
Cross-sectional
Qualitative versus quantitative methods
Emic versus etic perspectives
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

12. Demographic Issues in Research
Discuss the importance of demographic variables and intersectional identities on individual and family development.
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

13. Intersecting Identities
DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUES IN RESEARCH
Intersecting Identities
Race and ethnicity
Ethnocentrism
Sex, gender, and sexual orientation
Heterosexism
Social class
Income
Education
Access to services
Health
Race
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

14. Chapter Summary
Explain the importance of theoretical perspectives and summarize key theories that organize thinking and research on families.
Discuss the tenets of the bioecological perspective, the key organizing framework of this book.
Explain the importance of careful design and implementation strategies for conducting research.
Identify the basic steps and techniques used in the scientific methods.
Discuss the importance of demographic variables and intersectional identities on individual and family development.
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

15. Open-access student resources
Mobile-friendly quizzes
Mobile-friendly eFlashcards
Learning objective summaries
Video and multimedia resources
SAGE journal articles
Checklist action plan
edge.sagepub.com/howem&f2e
Howe, Marriages & Families in the 21st Century 2e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.