Sociological Research Methods

The Research Process

• Sociologists answer questions about society through empirical research (observation and experiments)

• Collect data in objective, logical, systematic way (scientific method)

Step 1: Define the Problem

• Researchers selects a topic of study and develops operational definitions of key concepts

Step 2: Review the Literature

• Review existing literature on the subject to learn how others have approached the problem and what conclusions they have reached

Step 3: Form a Hypothesis

• Develop a testable hypothesis (prediction about the relationship between two or more variables) on the research topic– Independent variable- characteristic that

causes change in another variable– Dependent variable- characteristic changed

by the independent variable

Step 4: Choose a Research Design

• Develop a plan for collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data

• Four main types of sociological research methods:– Surveys– Analysis of Existing Sources– Observations Study– Experiment

Research Methods: Surveys

• Surveys allow collection of data on attitudes and opinions from a sample of people– Questionnaires- questions or statements that

people respond to in writing– Interviews- questions answered orally

Research Methods: Analysis of Existing Sources

• Analyze existing information to make own conclusions– Historical method- examination of past materials (artifacts,

written documents, etc.) to determine trends and changes– Content analysis- counting how many times a particular word,

phrase, idea, or symbol appears in a given context– Statistical analysis- analyzing

mathematical data to determine the strength of the relationship between variables, usually producing a statistical average (using mean, median, or mode)

Research Method: Observational Studies

• Observation of behavior of individuals or groups in actual social settings– Detached observation- observation from a

distance– Participant observation-

researchers directly involved

Research Method: Experiment

• Data gathered under controlled conditions in which one group exposed to the independent variable and the other is not (control group)

Step 5: Collect Data

• Gather and carefully record data collected through research

Step 6: Analyze the Data

• Objectively analyze data to determine correlations or causation between variables and whether the data supports the hypothesis– Correlation- a change in one variable is regularly

associated with a change in another– Causation- a change in one variable causes a change

in another

Step 7: Present Conclusions

• Present research findings to others so that everyone can better understand the issue and possibly so that the study can be replicated

Ethical Issues in Research

• Sociologists are expected to follow ethical standards of research for the welfare of the people with whom they work– Nondiscrimination- eliminate bias from study – Confidentiality- protect private information of subjects

and participants – Informed consent- participants informed of research

and agree to be part of it– Social responsibility- use of knowledge to contribute

to the public good