Chapter 2 Doing Sociological Research

Chapter Outline The Research Process The Tools of Sociological Research Prediction, Sampling and Statistical Analysis Is Sociology Value-Free? Research Ethics

Sociological Research Derives from the scientific method. Research differs in how strictly it adheres to the scientific method. Both quantitative and qualitative studies are used in modern sociology.

The Research Process Develop a research question. Create a research design. Gather data. Analyze data. Reach conclusions and report results.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Qualitative research: Does not make not make extensive use of statistical methods More interpretive and shows more nuance Quantitative research: Uses statistical methods. Provides data that can be used to calculate averages and percents.

Tools of Sociological Research Survey: polls, questionnaires, and interviews Participant observation Controlled experiments Content analysis Historical research Evaluation research

Comparison of Research Techniques Technique (Tool)AdvantagesDisadvantages Survey (polls, questionnaires, interviews) Permits the study of a large number of variables. Difficult to focus in depth on a few variables. Participant observation Studies behavior in its home setting time-consuming Controlled experiment Focuses on two or three variables; study cause and effect Hard to measure large number of variables; artificial quality.

Comparison of Research Techniques Technique (Tool)AdvantagesDisadvantages Content analysisunobtrusiveLimited by studying cultural artifacts rather than people’s attitudes. Historical researchSaves time and expense Data can reflect biases of researcher and norms in effect when data was collected Evaluation researchAccounts for differences over time. Limited in number of variables that can be measured; hard to maintain objectivity

The Use and Misuse of Statistics Citing a correlation as a cause. Overgeneralizing. Interpreting probability as certainty. Building in bias. Faking data. Using data selectively.

Ethical Considerations in Research Whether one should collect data without letting research subjects know they are being studied or observed. Whether researchers have the right to hold their data in confidence from public officials such as the courts or police, without naming their research subjects.