Chapter 2 Doing Sociology: Research Methods

Chapter Outline  The Research Process  Objectivity in Sociological Research  Ethical Issues in Sociological Research

Two Main Goals of Science  To describe in detail particular things or events.  To propose and test theories that help us understand these things or events.

The Research Process StepTypical Questions 1.Define the problem. What is the purpose of the study? What information is needed? How will the information be used? 2.Review previous research. What studies have been done on this topic? Do we need more information? From what perspective should we approach this issue?

The Research Process StepTypical Questions 3.Develop hypotheses. What are the independent and dependent variables and what is their relationship? What types of questions do we need to answer? 4.Determine the research design. Can we use existing data? What will we measure or observe? What research methods should we use?

The Research Process StepTypical Questions 5.Define the sample and collect data. Are we interested in a specific population? How large should the sample be? How long will it take to gather the data?

The Research Process StepTypical Questions 6.Analyze data and draw conclusions. What statistical techniques will we use? Have our hypotheses been proved or disproved? Is our information valid and reliable? What are the implications of our study?

The Research Process StepTypical Questions 7.Prepare the research report. Who will read the report? What is their level of familiarity with the subject? How should we structure the report?

Goals of Research Design  Provide for the collection of all necessary and sufficient data to test the stated hypotheses.  Guard against the collection of unnecessary information, which can lead to a waste of time and money.

Research Methods Used by Sociologists  Surveys  Participant observation  Experiments  Secondary analysis

Surveys  Used to discover the distribution of certain variables among large numbers of people.  Usually deals with large numbers of subjects in a relatively short time.

Participant Observation  Used to study relatively small groups over an extended period of time.  Goal is to observe individual and group behavior, and interview selected informants.  Success depends on the relationship that develops between the researchers and research participants.

Question  In which of the following research methods does the researcher attempt to get to know all the members of the group being studied to whatever degree possible? A. surveys B. participant observation C. experiments D. secondary analysis

Answer: B  In participant observation the researcher attempts to get to know all the members of the group being studied to whatever degree possible.

Objectivity in Sociological Research Three factors that impose values on research: 1. The scientific tradition within which the scientist is educated. 2. Cultural, social, economic, and political environment within which the scientist engages in research. 3. Scientist’s temperament, inclinations, interests, concerns, and experiences.

Question  A university asks you to participate in an interview asking specific questions about your cheating attitudes, experiences, and behaviors. The researchers assure you confidentiality. How likely are you to agree to the interview? A. Very likely B. Somewhat likely C. Unsure D. Somewhat unlikely E. Very unlikely

How to Read a Table 1. Read the title. The title tells you the subject of the table. 2. Check the source. Knowing the source of a table can help you decide whether the information it contains is reliable and recent. 3. Look for headnotes. Many tables contain headnotes directly below the title. These may explain how the data were collected, why certain variables were studied, why the data are presented in a particular way, etc.

How to Read a Table 4. Look for footnotes. Many tables contain footnotes that explain limitations surrounding certain data. 5. Read the labels or headings for each row and column. 6. Examine the data.

How to Read a Table 7. Compare the data. Compare the data in the table horizontally and vertically. 8. Draw conclusions. After examining the data in the table, you might conclude that a person born in a relatively developed country (Canada, Japan, Spain, United States) is likely to live much longer than is someone born in a poorer nation (Afghanistan, India, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe). 9. Pose new questions. The conclusions you reach might well lead to new questions that could prompt further research.

Ethical Issues in Sociological Research  Gans discussed three ethical dilemmas for the researcher.  The degree of “permissible risk, pain, or harm.”  The extent to which subjects should be deceived in a study.  The “disclosure of confidential or personally harmful information.”