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Can we assume the unobserved world functions the same as the observed world

• The Hawthorne Effect
  • Observed that people who were being observed performed better than when they weren’t. Proves that people must feel connected and their impact directly felt to be productive

Ontology

Basic assumptions about the nature of the world

Realist: There is a single truth “out there” that is independent of the observer. An observer is able to reveal this single truth (facts) through careful investigation. (Which Hawthorne saw the opposite off)

• Eg. A realist believes that their presence as an interviewer can be conducted in a way that doesn’t sway the interviewees response (there is a truth that they can find)

Relativist: There is not single truth; it all depends on who is observing the phenomenon. Different actors perceive the phenomenon differently

• eg. the relativist doesn’t bother with assuming their is a ‘truth’ that they can find while interviewing. They believe that the interviewer influences the interviewee, and that different interviewers would find different things

Epistemology

Basic assumptions about how to make inquiries about the world (how to research the world)

The contraposition of quantitative and qualitative methods, which dominate the method discussion in sociology, rather distracts from the actual problem - Luhmann, 1997, p. 37

• Just embrace the methods you need, instead of having a stance. Be pragmatic and problem-centred.

Reductionism and Holism

Positivism

Social Constructionism

What is Theory?

• A rational, well-grounded representation and explanation of the real world. Usually verified by repeated observation.
• Or, “Theory is the answer to queries of Why. Theory is about connections among phenomena, a story about why acts, events, structure and thoughts occur” - What theory is not / Sutton & Straw, 1995, p378
• What does a theory look like?
  • Use words. A visual model. Formal logic & mathematics. A computer Program. Etc.
  • Middle-Range Theory: Example, why does YouTube look and function like it does today? Jean Burgess vs. Patrick Vonderau - they both disagree to how youtube looks like it does today
  • Theory Categories
    • Sociological thoery; film theory; music theory; dance theory; economic theory; design theory etc.
  • Grand Theory: theory as a ‘lens’ for studying something
    • Marxist Theory; Critical Theory; Feminist Theory etc.
    • You most often use it as an ‘approach’ to understand something

Researchers need to decide which they want, something that is generalisable, accurate or simple. You can’t have all three.

The dilemma that must haunt any social scientist worth their salt: the necessity of choosing between realism and simplicity as guides to theory construction - Elster, 1983: 6

Essentially, all models (theories) are wrong, but some are useful - Box & Draper, 1987: 424

Theory makes things as simple as possible, but not simpler (unknown but famous quote)