 How were Welles’ actions on 9/11 symbolic of American values and beliefs?  His acts were selfless  He sacrificed  He exercised extreme bravery and courage  His first thought was the safety and well-being of others

 How do sociologists research society?  Why do they use different methods?  What are the positives and negatives of these methods?

 The scientific method provides an open, sound and orderly way of collecting first-hand info.  It allows scientists to arrive at reasoned conclusions.  It prevents researchers from their own values and beliefs interfering in the process.  Researchers use careful and correct thinking.  Lastly it allows researchers to carry out research in a thoughtful, organized and careful manner.

 1 – Define the problem.  2 – Review the literature.  3 – Form a hypothesis.  4 – Choose a research design.  5 – Collect the data.  6 – Analyze the data.  7 – Present your conclusion.

 Surveys  Analysis of Existing Sources  Observational Studies  Experiments  Statistical Analysis

 Sociologists study cause and effect relationships.  They examine variables - features that can differ from one individual, group or situation.  2 types of variables, independent and dependent.  Independent variable causes change in another variable. (Something that causes another thing to change).  Dependent variables are changed by an independent variables.

 Correlation - is when a change in one variable is connected to a change in another variable.  Correlations can be positive or negative.  In positive correlations the variables rise together.  Example: Cigarette smoking goes up – Lung cancer rates go up.  Example: You get a raise at work and you spend more money.  In negative correlations the variables change in opposite directions. One goes up, the other goes down.  Example: You spend more time working and your grades go down.  Example: As you get older you need less sleep.

 Why use a survey?  It allows sociologists to collect data an attitudes and opinions from large groups of people.  You can cover large areas and populations in a shorter period of time.

 2 common types of survey  The Questionnaire – list of questions or statements to which people respond in writing.  What are some of the disadvantages of surveys?  Don’t know if you are interpreting the responses correctly.  People can lie.

 Take the survey.  Critique it:  Is it good? Why? Why not?

 An interview is another example of the survey method.  Interviews allow the interviewer to better determine if the interviewee is being truthful.  Clarification is easier and you can pick up on context clues.  You survey a sample or small percentage of the population.  What are some disadvantages of the interview?  Time consuming.  Expensive

 The Historical Method is a popular technique used by sociologists.  You study any materials from the past that have info you’re interests you.  It allows researchers to compare the past to the present.  Content analysis is another method used.  It requires the researcher to count the number of times an idea, word, phrase, event or symbol is used in a text.  Content analysis is easy to use and inexpensive.

 In experiments we gather information under controlled conditions.  Experiments can very tricky and difficult to conduct in sociology.  People often change their behavior when they know they are being studied.

 Participant Observation is when researchers become directly involved in the situation they are investigating.  Sometimes they make their presence known.  Sometimes they remain anonymous.

 A case study is an intensive analysis of person, group, event or problem.  Case studies provide pictures of real-life situations.  They are useful in studying temporary events like, natural disasters, revolutions, riots….

 What is the researcher studying?  What challenges does the method he chose to use, participant observation, pose for him?