DOING SOCIOLOGY

How we study society Sociological Research Methods

Types of Research  Relies on narrative and descriptive data  Uses numerical data, often based on surveys QualitativeQuantitative Unlike other scientists, social scientists can’t do their research in a lab; research must be done in the real world.

Qualitative Research  Field research is used to look at aspects of social life that cannot be measured quantitatively and are best understood in a natural (nonlaboratory) setting.

Qualitative Research  Case studies are the most popular form of field research  An intensive study of a single group, incident, or community  Sometimes case studies are done using participant observation  A case study in which a researcher becomes a member of the group being studied Ex: Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

Quantitative Research  A survey is a research method in which people respond to questions  Ideal for studying large groups  Some things to be mindful of when creating a survey…

Quantitative Research  Population  a group of people with certain specified characteristics  Sample  a group of people that represents a larger population  Representative Sample  sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole

Quantitative Research  A written set of questions that participants answer by themselves  A trained interviewer asks questions and records the answers QuestionnaireInterview

Quantitative Research  Answered by choosing from a limited, predetermined set of responses  Ex: Multiple choice  Answered in the participant's own words  Ex: Essay Closed-Ended QuestionsOpen-Ended Questions What are the advantages and disadvantages of closed-ended vs. open-ended questions?

Secondary Analysis  Secondary analysis is done using precollected information for data collection and research purposes.  Can be performed on either qualitative or quantitative research  What are some good sources of information for secondary analysis?

Helping, not hurting Ethics in Social Research

Ethical Failings  Sometimes researchers get so caught up in what they’re doing they lose track of their moral bearings.  Examples:  Nazi experiments  Tuskegee syphilis study  Human crash tests  NC eugenics program

Ethical Guidelines  Show objectivity  Use superior research standards  Report findings and methods truthfully  Protect rights, privacy, integrity, dignity, and freedom of research subjects  In general, get the greatest possible benefit with the least possible harm