Chapter 2 Sociological Research Chapter 2 resources for the book Chapter 2 resources for the book

Scientific Method Organized steps to ensure “maximum” objectivity 5 basic steps: 1. Define the problem 2. Review the literature 3. Formulate a hypothesis 4. select a research design 5. Develop a conclusion > defining the problem: make an operational definition- explanation of an abstract concept that allows a researcher to measure it links to research done links to research done

Scientific Method <Eg.-status-high status-members of an exclusive social club or professional organization come up with an operational definition for love. Reviewing the literature • 1. Refine problem under study • 2. Clarify possible techniques • 3. Avoid mistakes • review popular magazines as well as systematic studies + formulate a hypothesis

Scientific Method Eg-Most Homeless are not mentally ill. What are we looking for in our research? 1. Is it testable? Eg. “God exists” 2. Is it reasonably specific? 3. How one aspect effects another? Aspects are called variables-trait or characteristic subject to change income, religion, occupation, gender

Scientific Method Eg. Most homeless are not mentally ill. mental illness-independent variable homeless-dependent variable 1st variable-independent 2nd variable-dependent Causal Logic-Black Panther Bumper sticker leads to a traffic ticket results of Black Panther experiment results of Black Panther experiment Correlation-change in variable coincides with the other- working mothers leads to delinquency in children-What is the third variable? Lower class-this statement is correlated not causal

Scientific Method Collect and Analyze data- Collect and Analyze data- representative sample-larger population that is typical representative sample-larger population that is typical random sample-every member has same chance to be sampled random sample-every member has same chance to be sampled Creating Scales and indices- Creating Scales and indices- questions to measure attitudes questions to measure attitudes needs to be valid and reliable needs to be valid and reliable valid-degree of reflection of study valid-degree of reflection of study reliable-consistent results reliable-consistent results Develop a conclusion: Develop a conclusion: terminates this study and generates ideas for the future terminates this study and generates ideas for the future

Creating a Research Design Surveys-a study, generally in the form of an interview or questionnaire, provides Sociologists with information concerning how people act and think Questioning techniques- Wording of questioning 1. Make them simple and clear- must understand 2. Be specific-no problem interpreting the results

Research Design 2 forms of questioning-1. Interview; 2. Questionnaire 2 forms of questioning-1. Interview; 2. Questionnaire interview-high response rate-go beyond the written question interview-high response rate-go beyond the written question questionnaire-cheaper questionnaire-cheaper Eagleton at Rutgers survey found- Eagleton at Rutgers survey found- with abortion-women are more likely to be strong pro-choice when questioned by a women with abortion-women are more likely to be strong pro-choice when questioned by a women 84%-private matter left to women not government when interviewed by a women 84%-private matter left to women not government when interviewed by a women 64%-when interviewed by a man 64%-when interviewed by a man must be careful in all elements of survey must be careful in all elements of survey

Questioning

Ethics in Research Code of Ethics: American Sociological Association (ASA) 1. Maintain objectivity and integrity in research 2. Respect the subject’s right to privacy and dignity 3. Protect subjects from personal harm 4. Preserve confidentiality 5. Acknowledge research collaboration and assistance 6. Disclose all sources of financial support

Ethics in Research People cause the problem-most measures include people study of Autocides-William Zellner’s study posed the question of the right to know or the right to privacy Zellner-interviewed the friends, coworkers and family members to obtain information they were told it was in an effort to reduce these accidents

Ethics in Research Zellner wished to learn about the emotional characteristics of the victim no mention of autocide for fear that they would not meet with him single occupant crashes are suicides in about 12% of the cases Was Zellner’s research unethical? Was the deception justified by the social value of his findings?

Ethics in Research Preserving confidentiality- like journalists-Sociologists are going to get questioned by law enforcement 1984-Federal court decides that notes are confidential A graduate student interviews coworkers working at a restaurant. A suspicious fire occurs-police want his notes US appeals court overturns decision to allow confidentiality