1. The Science of Sociology
Unit 1

2. TABLE TALK Watch / Read the Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant
In what sense are all the perspectives the same?
What is a totally different way of seeing the elephant?
What might sociology see that other sciences might not see?

5. Recognition of Personal Bias
Science attempts to control our bias, to set up procedures to observe things as they are
Cultural Relativism: Judge cultures by their own standards
Need scientific method: objective, systematic way of collecting empirical data and arriving at reasoned conclusions

6. Four Ways of Knowing about the World
We know through authority
We know through personal experience
We know through thinking
Logic is part of scientific approach
Need evidence to accomplish good thinking
We know through scientific evidence
Forces us to PROVE opinions
Prove through objectively, systematically gathered data

7. Scientific Theories Attempt to understand why things happen
Religious cults, suicide, individual achievement, etc.
Cause is more than a description
Theories establish cause
Attempt to generalize, go beyond concrete situation
Test simple, concrete idea, not abstract concept
Never-ending circular process: theories are always open to investigation

8. Methods Case Study Survey Method
Intensive study of person, group, organization, institution, etc.
Enables in-depth study, not a generalization
Survey Method
Gather data from many people
Sample selected from larger population
Questionnaire: written survey

9. Methods Continued… C. Observation D. Content Analysis
Natural: Observe from afar in natural environment
Controlled: sets up variable to see how people react
Participant: researcher involved in interaction
D. Content Analysis
Counts number of times a particular word, stereotype, attitude, idea, value, etc. appears in certain context
TV, radio, movies, photographs, art, newspaper, magazine, etc.

10. Methods Continued…. E. Historical Analysis
Examine past materials (documents, buildings, pictures, toys, etc.) to determine what has taken place
Enables researchers to make comparisons between past and present, study trends

11. Methods Continued… G. Experimental Method
F. Statistical Analysis (Correlation)
Identifies degree of relationship between variables
Example: Does increased sex ed decrease teen pregnancy
G. Experimental Method
Contrive set-up, manipulate independent variable
Control and experimental groups
Identifies cause and effect

12. Reflection: 24-Hours in a Day Chart
Draw a circle in your notes and create a pie chart. Estimate the number of hours you spend doing the following…What do you spend most of your time doing?
Sleep
Homework
School
Work
With Friends
With Family
Other

13. Reflection: How would you use the SM?
Identify a social question or problem you are interested in.
Explain the steps you would take to solve the problem using the scientific method.
What kind of research methods would you use?