Sociology: Research Methods

A Research Model

1. Selecting a Topic

2. Defining a Problem

3. Reviewing the Literature

4. Formulating a Hypothesis

A Research Model

5. Choosing a Research Method

6. Collecting Data

7. Analyzing Results

8. Sharing Results

Methods for Research Surveys-series of questions

Selecting a Sample- a group of people that represents a population

1. Random Sample-chance selection

2. Stratified Random Sample

Asking Neutral Questions

with a closed end response

Asking Open-ended Questions

with persons own words

Research Methods continued Questionnaires

Self-Administered

Allow the Largest Sample

Low Cost

Loss of Researcher Control

Research Methods-Field Research

Participant Observation (Fieldwork)

Researcher Participates

Problems with Generalizability

Done for Exploratory Work

Generates Hypotheses

Example of Participant Observation

Concealing her identity, researcher takes a temporary job at a high school with low funding.

Goal: to observe a link between school violence and school funding

Research Methods continued Secondary Analysis

Analyze Data Collected by Others such as

Durkheim’s suicide study of 1897

Researcher Cannot Be Sure of Data Quality

Research Methods continuedDocuments

Examine Books, Newspapers, Diaries, etc.

Limited Scope

Cannot Study Topic Unless Access is

Granted

Research Methods

Experiments

Experimental Group-

Control Group

Independent Variables-causes something

to occur, change or look for changes in

this

Dependent Variables-What results from

the change in the independent variable

Types of Variables

Example of Variable Independent Variable-Time spent

studying…

Dependent Variable: Better grades

How do variables differ?

Quantitative & Qualitative Variables

Quantitative Variable-a variable that can be measured, given a number

Qualitative Variable-membership in category such as marital status, sex, membership in groups such as Catholic, Sophmore/Senior, Cheerleader, Football player

Research MethodsUnobtrusive Measures

Observe People Without Them

Knowing

Question of Ethics-is it morally right

or wrong

Deciding Which Method to Use

Available Resources Access to Subjects Purpose of Research Researcher’s Background and

Training

Gender in Sociological Research

Affects Orientation and Attitudes

Interviewer Bias

Women and Men Lead Different

Lives

In Past, Women’s Experiences

Neglected

Ethics in Sociological Research