Download Chapter Two

Chapter 2
Doing Sociology: Research Methods
Chapter Outline



The Research Process
Objectivity in Sociological Research
Ethical Issues in Sociological Research
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.
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
What is the purpose of the study?
1. Define the
What information is needed?
problem.
How will the information be used?
What studies have been done on
2. Review
this topic?
previous
Do we need more information?
research. From what perspective should we
approach this issue?
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
What are the independent and
dependent variables and what is
3. Develop
their relationship?
hypotheses.
What types of questions do we
need to answer?
Can we use existing data?
4. Determine
What will we measure or
the research observe?
design.
What research methods should
we use?
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
Are we interested in a specific
population?
5. Define the
How large should the sample
sample and
be?
collect data.
How long will it take to gather the
data?
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
What statistical techniques will
we use?
6. Analyze
Have our hypotheses been
data and proved or disproved?
draw
Is our information valid and
conclusions. reliable?
What are the implications of our
study?
The Research Process
Step
7. Prepare the
research
report.
Typical Questions
Who will read the report?
What is their level of familiarity
with the subject?
How should we structure the
report?
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.
Research Methods Used by
Sociologists




Surveys
Participant observation
Experiments
Secondary analysis
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.
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.
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?
A. surveys
B. participant observation
C. experiments
D. secondary analysis
Answer: B

In participant observation the
researcher attempts to get to know all the
members of the group being studied to
whatever degree possible.
Objectivity in Sociological
Research
Three factors that impose values on research:
1. The scientific tradition within which the
scientist is educated.
2. Cultural, social, economic, and political
environment within which the scientist
engages in research.
3. Scientist’s temperament, inclinations,
interests, concerns, and experiences.
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?
A. Very likely
B. Somewhat likely
C. Unsure
D. Somewhat unlikely
E. Very unlikely
How to Read a Table
1.
2.
3.
Read the title. The title tells you the subject of
the table.
Check the source. Knowing the source of a
table can help you decide whether the
information it contains is reliable and recent.
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.
How to Read a Table
4.
5.
6.
Look for footnotes. Many tables contain
footnotes that explain limitations surrounding
certain data.
Read the labels or headings for each row and
column.
Examine the data.
How to Read a Table
7.
8.
9.
Compare the data. Compare the data in the table
horizontally and vertically.
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).
Pose new questions. The conclusions you reach might
well lead to new questions that could prompt further
research.
Ethical Issues in Sociological
Research

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.”