SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS How do sociologist conduct research?

Sociology and Common Sense Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 2  True or False:  U.S. black/white income gap has narrowed significantly in recent years.  FALSE-The ratio of black-to-white family income has consistently been around 55-60% ever since the major civil rights laws were passed in the 1960s. There has been some fluctuation, but not much (Farley 1995, in Farley 1998).

Sociology and Common Sense Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 3  True or False:  On average, men have a higher tolerance for both pain and temperature extremes than women do.  FALSE-On average, women tolerate pain, heat, and cold better than men do when physiological tests are performed. However, U.S. culture socializes men to be “tough” more than it does women–so women may often act wimpier!

Sociology and Common Sense Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 4  True or False:  Most homeless people choose to be homeless.  FALSE-Only ~ 6% of homeless people are that way by choice (Kendall 2000). 40+% of homeless adults are actually employed. (Population Review Bureau supplement). Over 1/4 of homeless women get that way fleeing domestic violence.

Sociology and Common Sense Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 5  True or False:  Teenage pregnancies have increased dramatically since the 1950s.  FALSE-Actually, they decreased over past half century; teens are less likely to marry/start family. Percentage of teen pregnancies involving unmarried teens increased dramatically (but even that has been dropping since the early 1990s). (Kendall 1996)

Discuss the following with your group:  How do these TRUE/FALSE questions demonstrate research?  What are some different ways you could use this information in the study of sociology?  What are some potential problems with the validity of this research?

Research vs. Common Sense  Research  Factual and Objective  Answers questions based on data collection and analysis of that data  Common Sense Knowledge  Based on experience  Sometimes based on ill informed information

An Overview of Research Methods Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 8  Quantitative research uses data that can easily be converted into numbers, such as a survey or an experiment.  Qualitative research involves data that cannot easily be converted to numbers, such as observation or informal interviews.

CREATE A POSTER  In your group, you will create a poster based on your assigned method of research. The poster should include the following:  Explain your method of research  Is the method qualitative or quantitative? Why?  What are the strengths and weaknesses of your method?  Create an example to demonstrate your understanding.