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Kunz02HowtoStudyMarriage_theFamily.ppt

Chapter 2:
How to Study Marriage & the Family

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What Models & Methods Do Social Scientists Use in Assessing the Development of Families?

Family Development Theory

Proposes that families proceed through common, identifiable stages
Family Life Cycle
a theory that identifies 8 specific stages for families beginning after marriage
Stratification – a division into similar layers or groups

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Family Life Course
A model that focuses on how families integrate changes over time & the meanings that individual family members give to those changes
Family Career
The family experience of an individual over a lifetime
4 Subcareers
Marital subcareer
Sexual Experience subcareer
Parent-Child subcareer
Marital Partners subcareer

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Family Stressors

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Family Strengths
Family Narrative – made up of family stories that are told & retold to help define family history & character
Common Factors in Strong Families across Cultures
Micro-Social Perspective – focuses on individuals & single family groups
Macro-Social Perspective – focuses on groups of families in the community or cultural level

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The Scientific Method
Hypothesis – a proposed explanation of behavior that is not proven but can be tested
Scientific Method – a systematic approach to observing phenomena, drawing conclusions, & testing hypotheses

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Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Uses the scientific method to test a specifically defined hypothesis
Uses numbers to describe & explain the issues being studied
Experiment
Independent Variable – the factor that is manipulated by the researcher
Dependent Variable – the factor that is affected by the independent variable
Control Variable – factors that remain constant across experimental subjects & through experimental trials

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Longitudinal Study – subjects are observed over a long period of time

Cross-Cultural Study – subjects from two or more cultures are studied
Secondary Data Analysis
Uses studies that have already been completed & analyzes the data in ways not originally planned

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Research Methods Continued
Qualitative Research Methods
Examines & interprets an issue to discover underlying meanings or patterns of relationships
Uses words, pictures, or objects to describe the issues being studied
Case Study
An intensive study of a single case or a small number of cases that share common characteristics
May be exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive

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Research Methods Continued
Ethical: Act without conflict to the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the behavior of a profession
Code of Ethics
Professional competence
Integrity
Professional and scientific responsibility
Respect for people’s rights, dignity, and diversity
Social responsibility

Think Marriages & Families

What Theories Guide Researchers in Studying Marriages & Families?

Discover Marriages & Families in Action

What Research Can You Do in Your Own Family?