1. Sociological Research Methods

2. Sociology (def)- the science that studies human society and social behavior.

3. Empirical Research (def)- research that relies on the use of experience, observation, and experimentation to collect facts (data)

4. The Characteristics of Social Research
Issues of Interest
Concerns with function and structure of groups (provide examples)
Rates of behavior (examples)
Stability and Change (examples)

5. Examples Concerns with function and structure of groups
Group Organization (how leaders are chosen)
Group Actions and Consequences- Illinois lawmakers and inability to pass laws
Rates of behavior
Homicides in Chicago (trends towards violence). Why does this occur??
Fights on school grounds? Why???
Stability and Change
Why are some behaviors still in existence and some disappear? IE- alcohol usage; smoking?

6. Causation and Correlation

7. Causation- implies that there is a direct line between that one thing and the result. Cause means that an action will always have a predictable reaction.

8. Correlation- If you see a correlation between two things, you can see that there is a relationship between those two things. One thing doesn’t necessarily result in the other thing occurring, but it may increase likelihood that something will occur.

9. Variables
A characteristic that can differ from one individual, group or situation to another in a measureable way.
Anything that can vary in amount or quality from case to case can be considered a variable.

10. Variables (examples) Age Race Income level Level of education
Marital status
_______________

11. Independent vs. Dependent Variables
Independent Variable- causes a change in another variable
Example: attitude towards drugs
Dependent Variable- the variable that is changed by the independent variable
Example: drug use

12. The Research Process
Seven Steps

13. 1. Defining the Problem
Select a topic and develop operational definitions of key concepts.
An operational definition is one stated in terms that can be measured.

14. 2. Reviewing the Literature
Review the material that others have already researched.
Provides insight and prevents duplication.

15. 3. Forming a Hypothesis
An educated guess that predicts the relationship between two or more variables.
Durkheim- Suicide rates varied inversely with the degree to which group members are integrated to society. (more bonds= less chances )

16. 4. Choosing a Research Design
Plan for collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data.
Not all research problems lend themselves to every data collection technique.
Statistical Analysis

17. 5. Collecting the Data Surveys Experiments Observational Studies
Analysis of Existing Sources
Key is careful collection and recording of the data.

18. 6. Analyzing the Data Determines if the data supports the hypothesis.
Must be careful to maintain objectivity.

19. 7. Presenting Conclusions
Draw conclusion and present to others (usually in professional journals, scholarly books or professional meetings).

20. Basic Research Methods
The Historical Method
Content Analysis
Survey Method
Observation
Case Study
Statistical Analysis

21. 1. The Historical Method
Examining materials from the past that contain information of sociological interest.
Usually written documents
Diaries, newspapers, government records, laws, letters.
Could be objects.
Toys, tools, clothing, furniture, etc.

22. 2. Content Analysis
Used to analyze existing sources
Process involves counting the number of times a word, phrase, idea, event appears in a given context
Popular to use because it is inexpensive and easy to do.

23. 3. Survey Method
Allows Sociologists to collect data on attitudes and opinions from large numbers of people.
Questionnaires
Interviews

24. 4. Observation Researchers observer behavior or individuals or groups.
Detached
Participant

25. 5. Case Study
Extensive analysis of a person, group, event or problem.

26. 6. Statistical Analysis
Use of mathematical data to analyze data to determine the strength of the relationship that may exist between two or more variables.
Many methods used; may be complicated
Technology has greatly aided statistics.
Mean
Median
Mode