SOC207:

Commentary

In this lesson we will begin by reviewing important information literacy skills to ensure that you are well prepared for future lessons and the use of social research literature to inform your professional practice. We will also explore how social scientists choose and refine social research questions, apply theory to research questions and use literature in the design of research studies. Finally, we will explore inductive and deductive reasoning and relate each to the research circle and types of social research.

Lesson Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson you will be able to:

1. Differentiate between popular and scholarly journals.
   
2. Explain differences between theoretical (conceptual) articles and research (empirical) articles.
   
3. Explore the development of social research questions.
   
4. Relate the contributions of previous literature and social theory to social research.
   
5. Explore inductive and deductive reasoning and the research circle.

Lesson Activities

Readings

• See Course Schedule in the Syllabus.
  
  Note: Any course reserves are available online under the Student Resources link in the left-hand menu. Select Library Reserves in the Penn State Library Tools box. Reserves are listed alphabetically by title. You may need to scroll down the page to find your readings for this lesson.

Visit Web Site

• Explore the following Penn State Library Tutorials:
  
  Information Literacy at Penn State
  http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/info_literacy.html
  
  Minute Module—What is a Journal
  http://www.libraries.psu.edu/content/dam/psul/up/lls/audiovideo/MM_Newspaper_Nov08.swf
  (Select "What is a Journal?" from the links provided.)
  
  Sociology Research Guide
  http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/researchguides/socialsciences/sociology.html
  
  The Literature Review: A Few Tips for Conducting It
  http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review

Quiz

• Complete the Check Your Understanding Quiz

Written Assignment

• A pre-formatted file is provided for your written assignment. Follow the instructions on the document to complete and submit your assignment.
• Write your answers to the questions directly below EACH question in the provided file.
• The assignment file and dropbox are located in the Lesson 2 folder.

Discussion

• None