Download Sociology Research Methods

Research in Sociology
Like all scientists,
sociologists gain
knowledge by doing
research. They ask “how”
and “why” and then they
form a hypothesis
 The methods that
Sociologists use to
conduct research can fall
into two categories,
quantitative and qualitative

Survey
The most popular approach is
using surveys
 Surveys: are a research
method in which people
respond to questions
 This approach is ideal
when sociologists are
studying a large group of
people
 It is vital that surveys are
sent to a the right number
and type of participants
Surveys Continued
Researchers describe the people being surveyed in
terms of populations and samples
 Population: a group of people with certain specific
characteristics
 Sample: a group of people who represent a larger
population
Samples
Samples must be carefully selected if it is
to have the same basic characteristics as
the general population
 If they have these characteristics then
the sample is a representative sample: a
sample that accurately reflects the
characteristics of the population as a
whole
 Random selection is often used to get a
representative sample
Surveys
How is information
obtained:
1. Questionnaire: a written
set of questions to be
answered by a research
participant
2. Interview:
a survey
method in which a
trained researcher asks
questions and records
the answers
Questionnaires/Interviews
What kinds of questions are used in
questionnaires and interviews?
1. Closed-ended questions: questions a
person must answer by choosing from
a limited predetermined set of
responses (i.e. multiple choice)
2. Open-ended questions: requires a
person to answer in his or her own
words
Secondary Analysis
Secondary Analysis: is using precollected
information for data collection and
research purposes
 Types of precollected data that are often
used are gov. reports, company records,
voting lists, prison records, and reports
of research done by other social
scientists
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
Advantages:
 Cost Effective
Disadvantages:
 Research might not
be in the exact form
that is needed
Field Research
Another technique sociologists use is field
research
 Field Research: research that takes place
in a natural (non-laboratory setting)
 One example of a topic that is studies by
field research is social cliques in high
school
Field Research
The most common method of field
research research in case study
 Case Study: intensive study of a single
group, incident or community
 Some case studies involve participant
observation: a case study in which the
researcher becomes a member of the
group being studied
Combining Methods
Often times sociologists combine
research methods.
 This is often the case in program
evaluations (a program which uses gov.
funding to give housing to the homeless
is evaluated for effectiveness)
 Collecting different types of data is
effective in evaluating a program’s
effectiveness

Today’s Assignment
 Types
of Survey Questions on
pg. 38
 Theoretical Perspectives
Chart on pg. 41