1. Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Lecture 2
PS 235 Lecture Notes
Spring 2010
Clayton Thyne
Based on Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, Chapter 2
Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Lecture 2

2. Intro
We recall from Ch.1 that social science is validated by (1) reason and (2) experience…or (1) the conceptual/theoretical and (2) the observational/empirical
This chapter focuses on #1: reason/theory

3. What is a Concept?
Concept = symbol/abstraction/representation… shorthand descriptions of the empirical world
Examples include ‘power,’ ‘bureaucracy,’ ‘community,’ ‘repression’…

4. Functions of Concepts Functions of concepts:
Provide tools for communication
Allow us to develop a perspective – a way of looking at empirical phenomena in an objective way
Allow us to classify & generalize
Components of theories

5. Definitions 2 types: Conceptual Operational
Define concepts using other concepts
Operational
How concepts are actually measured

6. Issues Congruence: The measure must match the theoretical concept
Theoretical Import: the concept must be measurable, or it can’t be used

7. Theory: Functions & Types
“Theory” is ambiguous
Good definition: “a logical-deductive system consisting of a set of interrelated concepts from which testable propositions can be derived deductively”
What a theory is not:
Something impractical
A philosophy

8. Types of Theories Ad-hoc classificatory systems Taxonomies
Conceptual frameworks
Theoretical systems

9. Axiomatic Theory This is what you need to devise 4 steps:
State concepts and definitions; both conceptual and operational
Define situation where the theory can be applied (unit of analysis)
Explain relationships between IV and DV using…
logic

10. Why use Axiomatic Theory?
Forces careful description and explanation of concepts
Must operationalize concepts
Provides parsimony
Allows studies to build on each other
Allows for empirical verification of the theory