1. Research Methods in H.S. Sociology: Lessons from the Bay Area
Charles Schallhorn
Mountain House High School
Mountain House, CA

2. Special Thanks to the American Sociological Association
For Bringing Us These Sociology Sessions
Dr. Margaret Vitullo
Director, Academic & Professional Affairs
Dr. Jean Shin
Director, Minority & Student Affairs

3. WAIT!! Methodology is NOT sexy
I have to sell my course—it’s an elective
BUT
Teaching the science of sociology is a primary aspect of the field
National standards stand one along with perspectives
Some fun but informative activities

4. Standards As Guides
The Sociology National
Standards

8. Challenge of Teaching Sociology in HS
Topics can controversial
How controversy plays in our communities
We cannot be as bold as our college counterparts
Sociological thinking is our most important gift
A new set of lenses

9. Crash Course: Sociology
Sociology & the Scientific Method: Crash Course Sociology #3
Sociology Research Methods: Crash Course Sociology #4

10. Scientific Methods
How can we best demonstrate the scientific nature of Sociology?
Here are some sample activities you can use

11. Yardstick/Ruler Demo Do with two audience members Questioning methods
Critical thinking about research and headlines

13. Unobtrusive measures
are measures that don't require the researcher to intrude in the research context. Direct and participant observation require that the researcher be physically present. This can lead the respondents to alter their behavior in order to look good in the eyes of the researcher.

14. Observations Important to operationally define terms
Focus on behavior, NOT inferences
May need to teach
Infer versus Imply
Imply is done by sender of message
Infer is done by receiver of message
E.g. Joey on Friends, “How you doin’?”

15. Observation v Inference Video and Activity
This video describes the difference

16. Observation v Inference Video and Activity
Whodunnit--great example
Without sound—what do you see?
What interpretations are students making?

17. Source: https://kamerlingd. files. wordpress

18. Some Borrowed Images Hannah Kilmister Science Blog
Two lists with each image
What can you describe?
What can you infer?

20. What can you describe?
What can you infer?

22. What can you describe?
What can you infer?

24. Daily Lives: Observation v Inference
When a friend passes us in the hall without saying hello
Person driving/cutting us off--we often infer

25. Operationalizing Terms
Agreeing on how to define terms

26. Operationalizing Terms
Too often, sociology is not seen as scientific
Sociology is harder than “real” science
Operational definitions —putting terms/concepts in ways that can be observed and measured

27. Class Discussion Define Reality is complex Group Poverty Gender
Discrimination
Culture
Middle Class
Reality is complex

28. Operational Definitions
Examining Smiles Activity by Rob MacEntarffer

29. Legos Activity Legos Activity by David Duez
Made for psychology but the principles are the same

30. School Culture: An Exercise in Observation
Class is in small groups (ideally 4x)
Each group makes a list of “groups” in your school
Each group will have a list of defining characteristics—”how do we know?”
Large group share out—what issues does each group have with the various categories?
As a class, determine operational definitions of each group at school

31. School Culture: An Exercise in Observation
Distribute a map of the cafeteria or school
Teach to be unobtrusive
Observe during lunch—place group names on map
Each group shares what they came up with
Examine discrepancies
Challenges of and importance of defining terms

33. Surveys: Doing Sociology
Required Background Reading for Kids
Guidelines for Surveys
How to write a great survey

34. Surveys: Doing Sociology
Public School Limitations—Class Only
Best in a 1:1 or a lab environment
Students with Partners—topics of interest
Choose topic—no repeats—sign up
Teacher can veto topics
Use Google Forms for Product

35. Surveys: Doing Sociology
May need to teach students:
How to use google forms
How to create survey questions
Can show bad survey questions

36. Surveys: Doing Sociology
With Partner
Choose a topic
One of you opens a google form
Share it with partner AND teacher
Work on Closed-Ended Questions about your topic
Max of 7 questions in survey
Get feedback from teacher and peers

37. Surveys: Doing Sociology
Get Feedback
Have at least three people not in your group examine your questions to see if the questions make sense and fit what your topic is
Do you have demographic info, e.g. age, sex, grade, etc.

38. Surveys: Doing Sociology
Teacher has Google Form to collect URLs of all the class surveys—shares it to link surveys so everyone can take all surveys
Every student takes everyone one of the surveys

39. Surveys: Doing Sociology
With data, each partnership writes up results and conclusions
Lots of teacher guidance with this section
Students will have learned a great sense of what it takes to properly do a survey

40. Resources
American Sociological Association Resources for High School Sociology
Facebook Groups
HS Teachers of Sociology
Sociology Teachers
Teaching With a Sociological Lens

41. ASA/TRAILS for Additional Ideas
Join the American Sociological Association
View the Trails Files for Excellent Teaching Ideas

42. Contact Me http://bit.ly/NCSS-Soc Charles Schallhorn
Mountain House High School
Mountain House, CA