Download Unit 1 Chapter 2, Section 1

Unit 1
Chapter 2, Section 1
Research Methods
Mr. Young
Sociology
Doing Research in Sociology


The goal of
sociological research
is to test common
sense assumptions
and replace false
ideas with facts and
evidence
The world is a
sociologists lab
1) Quantitative Data

Uses
numerical
data
2) Qualitative Data


Uses narrative
and descriptive
data
Both are needed
for the
sociologist to get
a full perspective
Quantitative Research



Survey- research
method in which
people respond to
questions
Makes up 90% of
research
Good for studying
large groups of
people
A)Population
b) Sample
A) A group of
people with
certain specified
characteristics
B) A group of
people that
represent a larger
population
C) Representative Sample

A sample that
accurately
reflects the
characteristics
of the
population as
a whole
Questionnaire

A written set
of questions
to be
answered by a
research
participant
Interview

Trained
researcher
asks questions
and records
the answers
1) Closed-ended Questions

Person
chooses from
a limited,
predetermined
set of
responses
2) Open-Ended Questions

Questions a
person is to
answer in
his/her own
words

Explain the myth of
the Mexican
Chupacabra?
Secondary Analysis
(Precollected Data)



Using precollected
information for data
collection and
research purposes
Types: Govt reports,
company records,
voting lists, etc
Example: Census
Bureau
Qualitative Research
1) Field
Researchresearch that
takes place in
a natural
setting
2) Case Study


Intensive study of a
single group, incident,
or community (most
used approach to field
research)
Assumes that the
findings in one can be
generalized to others
that are similar
3) Participant Observation

A case study
where the
researcher
becomes a
member of
the group
being studied