Sociology in Modules Richard T. Schaefer

What is the Scientific Method? Systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem Defining the problem Reviewing the literature Formulating the hypothesis Selecting the research design and collecting and analyzing data Developing the conclusion

Scientific Method Defining the Problem Reviewing the Literature Operational definition: Explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow researchers to assess the concept Reviewing the Literature Refines problem under study

Scientific Method Formulating the Hypothesis Hypothesis: Speculative statement about the relationship between two or more factors known as variables Variable: Measurable trait or characteristic subject to change under different conditions Independent variable: Variable hypothesized to cause or influence another Dependent variable: Action depends on influence of the independent variable

Scientific Method Formulating the Hypothesis (continued) Causal logic: Involves relationships between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one event leading to the other Correlation: Exists when change in one variable coincides with change in another Correlation does not necessarily indicate causation

Scientific Method Collecting and Analyzing Data Selecting the Sample Sample: Selection from a larger population that is statistically typical of that population Random sample: When every member of a population has the same chance of being selected Snowball samples (Convenience Samples): participants recruited through word of mouth or by posting notices on the Internet

Scientific Method Collecting and Analyzing Data Ensuring Validity and Reliability Validity: Degree to which the measure reflects the phenomenon being studied Reliability: Extent to which the measure provides consistent results

Scientific Method Developing the Conclusion Supporting the Hypothesis Sociological studies do not always generate data that support original hypothesis Controlling for other factors Control variable: factor held constant to test the impact of the independent variable

Figure 2-1: The Scientific Method 9

Figure 2-2: Educational Level and Household Income in the United States Source: 2010 American Community Survey in Bureau of the Census 2011b:Table S1903; 2011a:Table 233. 10

Figure 2-3: Causal Logic 11

Figure 2-4: Impact of a College Education on Income Source: Author’s analysis of DeNavas-Walt et al. 2011, Detailed Table PINC-03. 12

Major Research Designs Research design: Detailed plan or method for obtaining data scientifically Surveys Observation Experiments Existing sources

Surveys Study that provides sociologists with information about how people act or think Interview: Researcher obtains information through face-to-face or telephone questioning Questionnaire: Researcher uses printed or written form to obtain information from respondent

Surveys Quantitative research: Collects and reports data primarily in numerical form Qualitative research: Relies on what is seen in field and naturalistic settings; often focuses on small groups and communities

Ethnography Collecting information through direct participation and/or by closely watching a group or community Ethnography: Efforts to describe an entire social setting through extended systematic observation Observation: Sociologist joins group to get accurate sense of how it operates

Experiments Experiment: Artificially created situation that allows researcher to manipulate variables Experimental group: Exposed to independent variable Control group: Not exposed to independent variable Hawthorne Effect: Unintended influence of observers or experiments on subjects

Use of Existing Sources Secondary analysis: Research techniques that make use of previously collected and publicly accessible information and data Content analysis: Systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale

Table 6-1: Top Reasons Men and Women Had Sex Source: Meston and Buss 2007:506. 19

Research Today 2-1: Surveying Cell Phone Users Are you a cell phone–only user? If so, do you generally accept calls from unknown numbers? What problems might result from excluding cell phone–only users from survey research? Which of the problems that arise during telephone surveys might also arise during Internet surveys? Might Internet surveys involve some unique problems?

Research Today 2-2: Gender Messages in Scouting Did you participate in scouting as a child? If so, were you aware of the gender messages you were receiving as part of the scouting experience? How did you react? If you were a Scout leader yourself, what kind of gender model would you attempt to be? How would you become that kind of model?

Ethics of Research Code of Ethics (ASA, 1997) Maintain objectivity and integrity in research Respect subjects’ right to privacy and dignity Protect subjects from personal harm Preserve confidentiality Seek informed consent Acknowledge collaboration and assistance Disclose sources of financial support

Ethics of Research Confidentiality Conflict of Interest Value Neutrality Investigators have ethical obligation to accept research findings even when the data run counter to their personal views, to theoretically based explanations, or to widely accepted beliefs

Taking Sociology to Work Dave Eberbach, Associate Director, Iowa Institute for Community Alliances Do you know what you want to be doing 10 years from now? If so, how might a knowledge of statistics help you in your future occupation? What kinds of statistics might you find in the Human Service Planning Alliance’s data warehouse? Where would they come from?

Feminist Methodology Feminist perspective had greatest impact on current generation of researchers See work and family as closely integrated Recently, interested in self-injury Studies tend to overlook women Tend to involve and consult subjects more than other researchers

The Data Rich Future Massive increases in available data allow sociologists to undertake new research H1N1 flu strain crime patterns Increased data raises concern about individual privacy

Research Today 2-3: Lying for Love Online Have you tried using an online dating service? If so, were you truthful in describing yourself online? Did the people you were matched with turn out to be truthful? Why do you think online daters engage in deception if they are hoping eventually to meet someone face-to-face?

Studying Human Sexuality Looking at the Issue Important to increase scientific understanding of human sexuality Privacy concerns Preconceptions Myths Beliefs Many people oppose research on human sexuality

Studying Human Sexuality Applying Sociology Little reliable national data on patterns of sexual behavior in U.S. Government funding for studies of sexual behavior is controversial

Studying Human Sexuality Applying Sociology Federal government is major source of funding for sociological research According to Weber’s ideal of value neutrality, sociologists must remain free to reveal information that is embarrassing or supportive of government institutions

Studying Human Sexuality Initiating Policy Sociologists developed the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) to better understand sexual practices of adults in U.S. Private funding NHSLS data allow interest groups to address public policy issues

Figure 8-1: Median Age of First Sex Source: Durex 2007. 32

Using Statistics Percentage: Shows portion of 100 Mean: Average; sum of a series of values divided by the number of values Mode: Single most common value in a series of values Median: Midpoint that divides a series of values into two groups with equal numbers of values

Reading Graphs Tables and figures allow social scientists to display data and make it easier to develop conclusions Cross-tabulation: Shows relationship between two or more variables Graphs are often easier for public to understand

Figure A-3: Changing Attitudes Toward the Legalization of Marijuana Source: Gallup 2011; see Newport 2012b in references. 35

Figure A-4: People Who Favor Legalization of Marijuana by Gender and Age Source: Gallup 2011; see Newport 2012b in references. 36

Writing a Research Report Finding Information Check textbooks Use library catalog Use computerized periodical indexes Examine government documents Use newspapers Ask people, organizations, and agencies Consult instructor

Writing a Research Report Writing the Report Focus on topic Develop an outline Work ahead of deadline Read paper aloud Including Citations and References