RESEARCH METHODS Sociology 1301: Introduction to Sociology Week Three

3 Ways to Do Sociology  Positivist Sociology: the study of society based on systemic observation of social behavior  Interpretive Sociology: the study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world  Critical Sociology: the study of society that focuses on the need for social change

Positivist Sociology - Limitations  Humans are too complex  Research Effect  Researcher Bias  Social Patterns Vary

Interpretive Sociology  Does not reject science – changes focus  Differs from Positivism: Positivist SociologyInterpretive Sociology FocusActions – what can be observed How people understanding their actions ClaimsAn objective reality exists Reality is subjective Favored MethodQuantitativeQualitative Favored LocationLaboratoryReal world

Critical Sociology  Not: How does society work?  But: Should society work the way it does currently?  Does not reject scientific method – just the push for objective observers

Research Methods  Experiment  Survey  Questionnaire  Interview  Participant Observation  Content Analysis  Measurement:  Quantitative  Qualitative

Research Process  Deductive Approach  Inductive Approach  Theory  Hypothesis

Operationalization  Concept: a mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form  Population  Sample  Research Must-Haves  Generalizability  Reliability  Validity  Replicability

Variables & Relationships  Independent Variable  Dependent Variable  Potential Relationships  Correlation  Causation  Spurious Correlation Moderating Variables Mediating Variables

Using the example of the relationship between socioeconomic status and education. Potential Relationships Between Variables

Ethical Considerations  Do No Harm  Informed Consent  Voluntary Participation  Protect Protected Populations  Protect Privacy  Indicate Funding Sources  Go Through an IRB

References  Conley, D. (2008). You may ask yourself: An introduction to thinking like a sociologist. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.  Macionis, J. J. (2010). SOC100: Sociology: 2011 custom edition (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Custom Publishing.