1. Sociology 12

2. Outcome 1.3 1.3 analyze a variety of appropriate sociological research methods 1.3.1 Describe common sociological research methods. 1.3.2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each method studied. 1.3.3 Select the research methods most appropriate to given scenarios.

3. 5 Ways of knowing the World 1. Tradition 2. Authority 3. Religion Normative Approach: religion, tradition, or authority to answer important questions. 4. Science Empirical Approach: knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation. 5. Personal Experience

4. Rationalizing Normative and Empirical 1. Science uses the empirical approach. knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation. 2. Scientific knowledge is systematic, public, and recognized by other scientists… information gained through a scientific approach can be verified. 3. Scientific knowledge has a build-in mechanism for self-correction. Hypothesis are subject to verification 3. Science is objective Methods to ensure bias and personal values do not influence the research.

5. Types of Studies Descriptive Study: attempts to describe social reality or provide facts about some group, practice, or event, i.e. The Canadian Census. Explanatory Study: attempts to explain relationships and to provide information on why certain events do or so not occur, i.e. “Why are some people more likely than others to offer help?

6. Inductive versus Deductive Theory and research is a continuous cycle. Deductive: begins with a theory Inductive: begins with data collection and analysis

7. The Research Process There are three dominant theories on research: Quantitative Qualitative Mixed Methods

8. Quantitative Research Uses numerical data to measure the results of the study. Select and define the research problem. Review previous research. Formulate the hypothesis. Develop the research design. Collect & Analyze the data. Draw Conclusions & Report the Findings.

9. Qualitative Research Uses observation, interviews, reflections, field notes, etc. Problem formation: general approach. Collect and analyze data to assess the Validity OF the starting position: refining concepts. Detailed view of the topic: smaller number of cases and many variables.

10. Research Methods Experiments Surveys Secondary Analysis of Existing Data Field Research Review the chart of page 60 of the text.

11. Ethics Weighing the social benefits of research against the potential physical and emotional costs to participants. Check out some of the ethical issues in these articles: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/ethics