Doing Sociology: Research Methods

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Chapter 2

• Doing Sociology Research Methods

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Chapter Outline

• The Research Process
• Objectivity in Sociological Research
• Ethical Issues in Sociological Research

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Two Main Goals of Science

• To describe in detail particular things or
  events.
• To propose and test theories that help us
  understand these things or events.

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The Research Process
Step Typical Questions
Define the problem. What is the purpose of the study? What information is needed? How will the information be used?
Review previous research. What studies have been done on this topic? Do we need more information? From what perspective should we approach this issue?
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The Research Process
Step Typical Questions
Develop hypotheses. What are the independent and dependent variables and what is their relationship? What types of questions do we need to answer?
Determine the research design. Can we use existing data?What will we measure or observe? What research methods should we use?
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The Research Process
Step Typical Questions
Define the sample and collect data. Are we interested in a specific population? How large should the sample be? How long will it take to gather the data?
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The Research Process
Step Typical Questions
Analyze data and draw conclusions. What statistical techniques will we use? Have our hypotheses been proved or disproved? Is our information valid and reliable? What are the implications of our study?
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The Research Process
Step Typical Questions
Prepare the research report. Who will read the report? What is their level of familiarity with the subject? How should we structure the report?
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Goals of Research Design

• Provide for the collection of all necessary and
  sufficient data to test the stated hypotheses.
• Guard against the collection of unnecessary
  information, which can lead to a waste of time
  and money.

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Question

• If you possessed the money, skill, and other
  necessary resources, in which one area would you
  like to conduct research?
• Racial profiling
• The cause(s) of sexual orientation
• Sexual assault and abuse
• The effects of divorce on children

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Research Methods Used by Sociologists

• Surveys
• Participant observation
• Experiments
• Secondary analysis

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Surveys

• Used to discover the distribution of certain
  variables among large numbers of people.
• Usually deals with large numbers of subjects in a
  relatively short time.

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Participant Observation

• Used to study relatively small groups over an
  extended period of time.
• Goal is to observe individual and group behavior,
  and interview selected informants.
• Success depends on the relationship that develops
  between the researchers and research
  participants.

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Question

• Which of the following is a research method in
  which a population or sample is questioned in
  order to reveal specific facts about itself?
• surveys
• participant observation
• experiments
• secondary analysis

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Answer A

• A survey is a research method in which a
  population or sample is questioned in order to
  reveal specific facts about itself.

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Question

• In which of the following research methods does
  the researcher attempt to get to know all the
  members of the group being studied to whatever
  degree possible?
• surveys
• participant observation
• experiments
• secondary analysis

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Answer B

• In participant observation the researcher
  attempts to get to know all the members of the
  group being studied to whatever degree possible.

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Objectivity in Sociological Research

• Three factors that impose values on research
• The scientific tradition within which the
  scientist is educated.
• Cultural, social, economic, and political
  environment within which the scientist engages in
  research.
• Scientists temperament, inclinations, interests,
  concerns, and experiences.

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Question

• A university asks you to participate in an
  interview asking specific questions about your
  cheating attitudes, experiences, and behaviors.
  The researchers assure you confidentiality. How
  likely are you to agree to the interview?
• Very likely
• Somewhat likely
• Unsure
• Somewhat unlikely
• Very unlikely

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Method Advantages Disadvantages
Social survey Large numbers can be surveyed. Comparisons can be made among groups. Measures can be taken at different points. Respondents may give false information. Answers may not fit the standardized categories. There may be a low response rate.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Method Advantages Disadvantages
Participant observation People are observed in their natural environment. Provides an in-depth understanding. Hypotheses can be developed and changed as research progresses Findings are subject to researcher bias. Researcher may have an influence on the subjects. The results may be difficult to replicate.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Method Advantages Disadvantages
Experiment Variables can be isolated and controlled.Cause-and-effect relationships can be found. Easy to replicate Laboratory setting creates an artificial environment. Study has to be limited to a few variables.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Method Advantages Disadvantages
Secondary analysis Useful for analyzing historical and longitudinal data. Saves time and money involved in doing a new study. The data may be flawed. Data may not be suitable for the current study.
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How to Read a Table

1. Read the title. The title tells you the subject
   of the table.
2. Check the source. Knowing the source of a table
   can help you decide whether the information it
   contains is reliable and recent.
3. Look for headnotes. Many tables contain headnotes
   directly below the title. These may explain how
   the data were collected, why certain variables
   were studied, why the data are presented in a
   particular way, etc.

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How to Read a Table

1. Look for footnotes. Many tables contain footnotes
   that explain limitations surrounding certain
   data.
2. Read the labels or headings for each row and
   column.
3. Examine the data.

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How to Read a Table

1. Compare the data. Compare the data in the table
   horizontally and vertically.
2. Draw conclusions. After examining the data in the
   table, you might conclude that a person born in a
   relatively developed country (Canada, Japan,
   Spain, United States) is likely to live much
   longer than is someone born in a poorer nation
   (Afghanistan, India, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and
   Zimbabwe).
3. Pose new questions. The conclusions you reach
   might well lead to new questions that could
   prompt further research.

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Ethical Issues in SociologicalResearch

• Gans discussed three ethical dilemmas for the
  researcher.
• The degree of permissible risk, pain, or harm.
• The extent to which subjects should be deceived
  in a study.
• The disclosure of confidential or personally
  harmful information.

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Quick Quiz
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• 1. The first step in the research process is to
• define the problem.
• review previous research.
• define the sample.
• analyze and interpret the data.

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Answer A

• The first step in the research process is to
  define the problem.

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• 2. A testable statement about the relationship
  between two or more variables is
• a concept.
• a guess.
• an hypothesis.
• a statement of causality.

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Answer C

• A testable statement about the relationship
  between two or more variables is an hypothesis.

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• 3. A researcher who joins Alcoholics Anonymous
  for the purpose of doing an in-depth study of the
  members would be using
• an experiment.
• secondary analysis.
• a survey.
• participant observation.

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Answer D

• A researcher who joins Alcoholics Anonymous for
  the purpose of doing an in-depth study of the
  members would be using participant observation.

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• 4. The particular subset of a population chosen
  for the study is referred to as a/the
  _________________ .

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Answer sample

• The particular subset of a population chosen for
  the study is referred to as a sample.