1. Doing Sociology: Research Methods
Chapter 2
Doing Sociology: Research Methods

2. Chapter Outline The Research Process
Objectivity in Sociological Research
Ethical Issues in Sociological Research

3. 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.

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

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

6. Define the sample and collect data.
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
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?

7. Analyze data and draw conclusions.
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
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?

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

9. 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.

10. Question
If you possessed the money, skill, and other necessary resources, in which one area would you like to conduct research?
Racial profiling
The cause(s) of sexual orientation
Sexual assault and abuse
The effects of divorce on children

11. Research Methods Used by Sociologists
Surveys
Participant observation
Experiments
Secondary analysis

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Question
Which of the following is a research method in which a population or sample is questioned in order to reveal specific facts about itself?
surveys
participant observation
experiments
secondary analysis

15. Answer: A
A survey is a research method in which a population or sample is questioned in order to reveal specific facts about itself.

16. 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?
surveys
participant observation
experiments
secondary analysis

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

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

19. 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?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Unsure
Somewhat unlikely
Very unlikely

20. Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Social survey
Large numbers can be surveyed.
Comparisons can be made among groups.
Measures can be taken at different points.
Respondents may give false information.
Answers may not fit the standardized categories.
There may be a low response rate.

21. Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Participant observation
People are observed in their “natural” environment.
Provides an in-depth understanding.
Hypotheses can be developed and changed as research progresses
Findings are subject to researcher bias.
Researcher may have an influence on the subjects.
The results may be difficult to replicate.

22. Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Experiment
Variables can be isolated and controlled. Cause-and-effect relationships can be found.
Easy to replicate
Laboratory setting creates an artificial environment.
Study has to be limited to a few variables.

23. Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods
Secondary analysis
Useful for analyzing historical and longitudinal data.
Saves time and money involved in doing a new study.
The data may be flawed.
Data may not be suitable for the current study.

24. How to Read a Table
Read the title. The title tells you the subject of the table.
Check the source. Knowing the source of a table can help you decide whether the information it contains is reliable and recent.
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.

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

26. How to Read a Table
Compare the data. Compare the data in the table horizontally and vertically.
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).
Pose new questions. The conclusions you reach might well lead to new questions that could prompt further research.

27. 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.”

28. Quick Quiz

29. 1. The first step in the research process is to:
define the problem.
review previous research.
define the sample.
analyze and interpret the data.

30. Answer: A
The first step in the research process is to define the problem.

31. 2. A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables is:
a concept.
a guess.
an hypothesis.
a statement of causality.

32. Answer: C
A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables is an hypothesis.

33. 3. A researcher who joins Alcoholics Anonymous for the purpose of doing an in-depth study of the members would be using:
an experiment.
secondary analysis.
a survey.
participant observation.

34. Answer: D
A researcher who joins Alcoholics Anonymous for the purpose of doing an in-depth study of the members would be using participant observation.

35. 4. The particular subset of a population chosen for the study is referred to as a/the _________________ .

36. Answer: sample
The particular subset of a population chosen for the study is referred to as a sample.