sociology a down-to-earth approach 8/e sociology chapter five: how sociologists do research this...

SOCIOLOGYSOCIOLOGYA Down-to-Earth Approach 8/eA Down-to-Earth Approach 8/e

Chapter Five: Chapter Five: How Sociologists How Sociologists

Do ResearchDo ResearchThis multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:

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James M. HenslinJames M. Henslin

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 22

Chapter 5: How Sociologists Do Research

Macro - Broad MattersMacro - Broad Matters

Micro - Individualistic MattersMicro - Individualistic Matters

What is a Valid Sociological Topic?



What Everyone Knows What Everyone Knows

May Not Be TrueMay Not Be True

Move Beyond Move Beyond

GuessworkGuesswork

Common Sense and the Need for Research



Selecting a TopicSelecting a Topic Defining a ProblemDefining a Problem Reviewing the LiteratureReviewing the Literature Formulating a HypothesisFormulating a Hypothesis

A Research Model



Choosing a Research MethodChoosing a Research Method Collecting DataCollecting Data Analyzing ResultsAnalyzing Results Sharing ResultsSharing Results

A Research Model



SurveysSurveys Selecting a SampleSelecting a Sample

Random SampleRandom SampleStratified Random SampleStratified Random Sample

Asking Neutral QuestionsAsking Neutral Questions

Research Methods



QuestionnairesQuestionnaires Self-AdministeredSelf-Administered Allow the Largest SampleAllow the Largest Sample Low CostLow Cost Loss of Researcher ControlLoss of Researcher Control

Research Methods



InterviewsInterviewsMore Researcher ControlMore Researcher ControlTime ConsumingTime ConsumingInterviewer BiasInterviewer Bias

Structured InterviewsStructured InterviewsOpen-Ended QuestionsOpen-Ended Questions

Establishing RapportEstablishing Rapport

Research Methods



Participant Observation (Fieldwork)Participant Observation (Fieldwork) Researcher ParticipatesResearcher Participates Problems with GeneralizabilityProblems with Generalizability Done for Exploratory WorkDone for Exploratory Work Generates HypothesesGenerates Hypotheses

Research Methods



Secondary AnalysisSecondary Analysis Analyze Data Collected by Analyze Data Collected by

OthersOthers Researcher Cannot Be Sure of Researcher Cannot Be Sure of

Data QualityData Quality

Research Methods



DocumentsDocuments Examine Books, Examine Books,

Newspapers, Diaries, etc.Newspapers, Diaries, etc. Limited ScopeLimited Scope Cannot Study Topic Cannot Study Topic

Unless Access is GrantedUnless Access is Granted

Research Methods



ExperimentsExperiments Experimental GroupExperimental Group Control GroupControl Group Independent VariablesIndependent Variables Dependent VariablesDependent Variables

Research Methods



Unobtrusive MeasuresUnobtrusive Measures Observe People Without Observe People Without

Them KnowingThem Knowing Question of EthicsQuestion of Ethics

Research Methods



Available ResourcesAvailable Resources

Access to SubjectsAccess to Subjects

Purpose of ResearchPurpose of Research

Researcher’s Background and TrainingResearcher’s Background and Training

Deciding Which Method to Use



Quantitative Research MethodsQuantitative Research MethodsEmphasis on Precise MeasurementEmphasis on Precise MeasurementUses Statistics and NumbersUses Statistics and Numbers

Qualitative Research MethodsQualitative Research MethodsEmphasis on Observing, Describing, Emphasis on Observing, Describing,

and Interpreting Behaviorand Interpreting Behavior

Deciding Which Method to Use



Affects Orientation and AttitudesAffects Orientation and Attitudes

Interviewer BiasInterviewer Bias

Women and Men Lead Different Women and Men Lead Different

LivesLives

Gender in Sociological Research



Openness, Honesty, and Openness, Honesty, and TruthfulnessTruthfulnessForbids Falsifying ResultsForbids Falsifying ResultsCondemns PlagiarismCondemns Plagiarism

Subjects’ Informed ConsentSubjects’ Informed Consent Subjects’ AnonymitySubjects’ Anonymity

Ethics in Sociological Research



Protecting Subjects: The Brajuha Protecting Subjects: The Brajuha

Research Research

Ethics in Sociological Research



Neither Research nor Neither Research nor Theory can Stand AloneTheory can Stand Alone

Theories Must Be TestedTheories Must Be Tested Findings Must be Explained Findings Must be Explained

with Theorywith Theory

How Research and Theory Work Together