Sociological Research Methods

Issues of Interest What do sociologists research? Structures and functions of various features in society Rates of behavior Stability and change Structures/Functions: Example: groups How are groups organized? What consequences do group actions have for society? Rates of Behavior: How often particular behaviors occur under specific conditions Sociologists are interested in how groups of people with similar characteristics are likely to act under given circumstances Stability and Change: Seek to understand how and why certain features of society change over time, while other features remain relatively stable

Issues of Interest Goals of Sociological research: Describe Predict Explain “A social scientist’s work is never done.”

Correlation vs. Causation Sociologists want to uncover the causal connections between events Study cause/effect by examining relationships between variables Independent Variable: variable that causes a change in another variable Dependent Variable: variable that is changed by the independent variable

Correlation vs Causation Example: In a study of teenage drug use, sociologists want to know what factors impact drug use. First they see if drug use is lower among students who are on the honor roll. What is the IV? What is the DV? IV = students grades/honor roll DV = drug use

Correlation vs Causation Student Response: Think of your own sociological study: What is the independent variable? The dependent variable?

Causation vs Correlation 1st step in cause/effect is to see if there is a correlation Correlation: when a change in one variable is regularly associated with a change in another Correlations may or may not be causal! Positive Correlation: both variables change in the same direction Negative Correlation: variables change in opposite directions Positive Correlation: the higher the rate of cigarette use, the higher the rate of lung cancer Negative Correlation: the higher a student’s grade, the less likely they are to use drugs

Correlation vs Causation Student Response: Think of an example of a positive correlation Think of an example of a negative correlation

Correlation vs Causation WARNING: Correlation does NOT imply causation!! Example of applying causation to a correlation: A rise in ice cream sales leads to a rise in drowning victims It’s correlated because of another variable – Summer Think back to our teen drug use example Sociologists may find that students who are on the honor roll are less likely to use drugs Does that mean high grades prevent drug use? No, just correlates Or are students more likely to be on the honor roll because they are less likely to use drugs. What causes what?

Correlation vs Causation For something to cause something else 3 things must be present: Correlation Time order Ruling out alternative explanations Ex: Correlation – a 3,000 calorie/day diet is correlated to weight gain Time order – you must eat 3,000/day BEFORE you gain weight Ruling out – you don’t have a genetic disorder

The Research Process Step 1: Define the problem Step 2: Review the literature Step 3: Form a hypothesis

The Research Process Step 4: Choose a research design Step 5: Collect the data Step 6: Analyze the data Step 7: Present the Conclusions

Research Methods: Types of Research Quantitative: Focuses on data that can be measured numerically Qualitative: Focuses on interpretive descriptions & direct observations

Research Methods Survey Research: An interview, questionnaire or survey administered to a large group of people Strengths: collect info from large # of people in short amount of time Weaknesses: misinterpretation, lying, bias used to analyze trends & make predictions

Research Methods Experimental Research: Tests the way in which an independent variable affects a dependent variable in a controlled setting Strengths: can control IV’s Weaknesses: may not always be applicable

Research Methods Observational Research: A direct observation of subjects’ reactions Detached: subjects not aware Participant Observation: researcher directly involved Strengths: observe behavior in natural setting Weaknesses: Detached – miss details; Participant – influence behavior

Research Methods Analysis of Existing Sources: Historical Method: toys, clothes, diaries Content Analysis: count # of times word, symbol, etc appears in a context Strengths: easy to use and inexpensive Weaknesses: may not provide enough info

Research Methods Case Study Research: Intensive analysis of a person, group, event or problem May employ other methods to one focus Strengths: provides in-depth view Weaknesses: may lack generalizability Ex: A study of spending habits across the lifespan of several individuals; initially studied at age 20; studied every 10 years for the next 50 years Ex: A study of the impact of alcohol abuse among different age groups; conducted one time to determine varying degrees of liver damage

Research Ethics Guidelines: Do no harm Informed Consent Voluntary Participation (public place exception) Report all information accurately No conflict of interest or dual relationships with subjects 1. Must be able to respect & protect the dignity and welfare of subjects – can’t physically or psychologically harm participants Must have informed consent for human subjects (all risks revealed) Participants must be aware that they are being researched if there is an assumption of privacy (watching people in a public place is fine)