AskEssays.com - Discover essay samples

Theory And Research

4.9 of 5.0 (7 reviews)

Contains
859 words
Category
Science & Nature

Theory And Research page 1
Theory And Research page 2
Theory And Research page 3
The above thumbnails are of reduced quality. To view the work in full quality, click download.

Introduction
This paper will focus on the quantitative correlation study method used
in survey based researches such as the attached article entitled "Horatio Alger
lives". Social research is a collection of methods people use to systematically
combine theories and ideas to produce knowledge. Because of it's complexity,
researchers must be able to carefully select a method or methods that will best
suit their study objectives. Quantitative research method consists of:
experiment, content analysis, existing statistics (correlation), and survey.
The correlation and survey will be the two main methods that will be emphasized.
In a survey research, people are asked questions either through the use of
questionnaires or during an interview. Unlike the experiment approach, the
condition and situation in a survey requires no manipulation. All the subject
have to do is to answer questions. Good quantitative research is determined by
validity and reliability of the research method used (Teevan, 1995:161).
Therefo re, the straight correlation study method used in the survey research of
"Horatio Alger lives" lack components of validity and reliability.

News Article Summary

This article entitled "Horatio Alger lives" is basically a survey
correlation study done on two distinct social classes; sons of wealthy fathers
and sons of lower income fathers. The goal in this research was to determine
which sons of the two distinct social groups mentioned, were to likely make more
money in the future. Therefore, they surveyed 400,000 males age 16 and 19 that
was still living with their fathers. After the eleven year period the same
groups of men were again surveyed, and their incomes was correlated with their
fathers. The research revealed that overall sons of wealthy fathers was more
likely to earn higher salaries than their dads. Based on this fact the
researcher further generalized that sons of wealthy fathers was more than likely
to obtain a higher income than those sons of lower income fathers. Despite the
overall results a small percentage of sons of fathers in the lower income
families made more money than their father.

Class Discussion

The class discussion evolved around two questions. The first question
was; do you agree with the researcher's angle in which he derived a general
assumption that, sons of wealthy fathers will make more money than sons of lower
income fathers? Before allowing anyone to answer I quickly brought up the third
variable which was attitude, in addition to the previous question. This
question had two very interesting but opposing points of views brought to light
by two very different opinionated classmates. One classmate (female) agreed
with the researchers measures and assumptions, arguing on the bases that if your
father had more money than you are more than likely to get a better education
therefore, with this education one will be able to earn more money. She further
added that wealtheir families had higher expectations on their children and as a
result the child were likely to live up to that expectation. On the contrary,
the other classmate (male) disagreed with the researcher's approach and
generalization. His argument was that regardless of how rich one's father may
be it is solely dependent upon the individual's attitude. He further argued
that if that individual had a good attitude (ambitious and motivated) then the
wealth and connection on his/her father's behalf will only enhance his/her
success financially. However, given a hypothetical situation both the classmate
including myself and others agreed that on a general basis, sons of wealthier
fathers will be more likely to secure better jobs than those sons of fathers in
lower income. We further discussed the importance of the third variable which
was attitude and agreed on how important it is to be motivated. The question of
validity was also brought up during discussions because the researcher measured
wealth using only the income of the father. Further discussions of this
suggested that to get a better measure the average of both mother and father's
income should be taken. Finally, there was the last question; in the case of
this article what is the independent and dependent variable? Independent
variable is the cause and the dependent is the outcome resulting from the cause.
The article suggested independent variable was the sons of either rich or poor
dads and the dependent variable was did they make more than their fathers.
Discussions of this topic concluded that the independent variable be the
attitude of the son and the dependent was how much they made.

Sociological Analysis of Article

The research "Horatio Alger lives" uses a inductive reasoning logic.
This means that the researcher begins with a specific result. In this case the
results are based on 400,000 male subject (aged 16-19) taken from one area, and
generalizes the results to the overall population. Due ...

You are currently seeing 50% of this paper.

You're seeing 859 words of 1717.

Keywords: theory and research in sociology, theory and research in social education, theory and research in education, theory and research relationship, theory and research pdf, theory and research about transformational leadership, theory and research in child development, theory and research methodology

Similar essays


Rabbits

One very common mammal is the rabbit. Although have some rodentlike features such as prominent incisors, they are placed in the order Lagomorpha, which also includes hares and pikas. "lagomorph" comes from a Greek word referring to the form of the split upper lip," or "harelip," of the hare. Lagomorphs also have two smaller incisors behind the two...

131 reviews
Download
Nigeria Rainforest

There are many rainforests located throughout the world. Some of these rainforests are in danger. Among those which are being destroyed are the Nigerian Rainforests. These rainforests are endangered because of logging companies among a number of other things. Rainforests across the world are being destroyed everyday. These rainforests are being de...

190 reviews
Download
The Big Bang And Steady State Models

It is always a mystery about how the universe began, whether if and when it will end. Astronomers construct hypotheses called cosmological models that try to find the answer. There are two types of models: Big Bang and Steady State. However, through many observational evidences, the Big Bang theory can best explain the creation of the universe....

51 reviews
Download
Crash Course In Density

Chemistry As flight 143, a twin engine 767, was passing over Red Lake on its was to Edmonton, Canada, the left front fuel pump warning light went on. There were a few possibilities for this to happen, such as the fuel pump failing, a fuel line clogging, or a empty fuel tank. The former two were easily dealt with, since the plane could fly without...

56 reviews
Download
The MOBOT Project: Longwood

In modern engineering, a systematic approach is used in the design, operation, and construction of an object to reach a desired goal. The first step of the process employs what is commonly known as the scientific method. The next step involves forming an interdisciplinary team of specialists from not only the various engineering disciplines, but f...

172 reviews
Download
Origanum Vulgare

The culinary herb oregano is mostly used in foods. Oregano also known as the 'pizza herb' is used in a number of Italian dishes as it goes especially well with tomatoes. All the flavors of oregano are prominent in Italian cooking and in robust dishes of certain other cuisine, such as Mexicans chili con carne. Italians call oregano the mushroom herb...

50 reviews
Download
Endangered Species Of South

America Endangered species are plant and animal species that are in danger of extinction, the dying off of all individuals of a species. Over 19,000 plant species and 5000 animal species around the globe are classified as endangered, and many thousands more become extinct each year before biologists can identify them (Microsoft 1). The primary ca...

82 reviews
Download
Mans Discovery Of Fossil Fuels Could Be His Downfall. Discus

Throughout the entire history of mankind, the technological advancements that civilisations have made have always been tied in with the development of energy sources. The first human energy technology was fire, along with human labour as the major energy source. This has bee supplemented by animals for agriculture and transportation since at least...

31 reviews
Download
The General Effects Of Fire On

Wildlife Fire is an important part of many ecosystems and helps maintain the condition of habitats for wildlife. The effect of fire depends upon many factors, varying from the type of wildlife to their different habitats. Fire affects ungulates through positive, but often, short-lived improvements in diets by allowing ungulates to consume new pla...

99 reviews
Download
Evolution 2

We act like animals, we eat like animals, and we are animals. The many theories of evolution such as Darwin?s theory of evolution prove to us that we choose to believe that we are not animals when we really are. Evolution is the sequencial process of change over periods of time, which shapes and establishes the formation of modern man. In refer...

124 reviews
Download
Bowerbird

s (The ? Grand Performance! Life story BBC) The male s make a bower and call the females. Once the female gets in the male bird wants her, he begins the show. First, he expands his pupils then he starts to do a weird and wheezy call from deep in his neck. For his grand performance, he waves his wing like a matador?s cape then he gives a few head...

170 reviews
Download
Blood Doping

Running the Race to Obtain the Prize? Each year athlete's ability to perform seems to increase by leaps and bounds. Some reasons for this can be attributed to better training methods, better conditioning techniques, and better over all health of the athlete. While most situations involve one or more of the previously scenarios, some athletes alwa...

94 reviews
Download
Solar Energy

Centuries ago the Greek mathematician Archimedes used sunlight to set fire to invading ships. In the following paper you will read more about the wonders of its many uses and how it works. You may also find facts like why it was invented, how it started, how it is used today, and how it is hoped to be used in the future. has been used for a long...

57 reviews
Download
The Choosing Of A Landfill Site

There is currently much debate on the desirability of landfilling particular wastes, the practicability of alternatives such as waste minimisation or pre- treatment, the extent of waste pre-treatment required, and of the most appropriate landfilling strategies for the final residues. This debate is likely to stimulate significant developments in la...

182 reviews
Download
Atsisiųsti šį darbą