Sociological Research Methods
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Transcript of Sociological Research Methods
Sociological Research Methods
Issues of Interest
• What do sociologists research?
• Structures and functions of various features in society
• Rates of behavior• Stability and change
Issues of Interest• Goals of Sociological research:• Describe• Predict• Explain• “
A social scientist’s work is never done.”
Correlation vs. Causation• Sociologists want to uncover the
causal connections between events
• Study cause/effect by examining relationships between variables– Independent Variable: variable that
causes a change in another variable
–Dependent Variable: variable that is changed by the independent variable
Correlation vs Causation• Example:• In a study of teenage
drug use, sociologists want to know what factors impact drug use. First they see if drug use is lower among students who are on the honor roll.
• What is the IV?• What is the DV?
Correlation vs Causation• Student
Response:• Think of your
own sociological study: What is the independent variable? The dependent variable?
Causation vs Correlation• 1st step in cause/effect is to see if there is a correlation
• Correlation: when a change in one variable is regularly associated with a change in another–Correlations may or may not be
causal!–Positive Correlation: both variables
change in the same direction–Negative Correlation: variables
change in opposite directions
Correlation vs Causation• Student Response:• Think of an example of a
positive correlation• Think of an example of a
negative correlation
Correlation vs Causation• WARNING
: Correlation does NOT imply causation!!
Correlation vs Causation• For something to cause
something else 3 things must be present:–Correlation–Time order–Ruling out alternative
explanations
The Research Process
• Step 1:• Define the problem• Step 2:• Review the literature• Step 3: • Form a hypothesis
The Research Process• Step 4:
• Choose a research design• Step 5:• Collect the data• Step 6: • Analyze the data• Step 7:• Present the Conclusions
Research Methods: Types of Research• Quantitative:• Focuses on data that can
be measured numerically
• Qualitative:• Focuses on interpretive
descriptions & direct observations
Research Methods• Survey Research:• An interview,
questionnaire or survey administered to a large group of people–Strengths: collect info from large
# of people in short amount of time
–Weaknesses: misinterpretation, lying, bias
Research Methods• Experimental Research:• Tests the way in which an
independent variable affects a dependent variable in a controlled setting–Strengths: can control IV’s–Weaknesses: may not always be
applicable
• Observational Research:
• A direct observation of subjects’ reactions
• Detached: subjects not aware• Participant Observation:
researcher directly involved–Strengths: observe behavior in
natural setting–Weaknesses: Detached – miss
details; Participant – influence behavior
Research Methods
• Analysis of Existing Sources:
• Historical Method: toys, clothes, diaries
• Content Analysis: count # of times word, symbol, etc appears in a context–Strengths: easy to use and
inexpensive–Weaknesses: may not provide
enough info
Research Methods
Research Methods• Case Study Research:• Intensive analysis of a person,
group, event or problem• May employ other methods to
one focus–Strengths: provides in-depth view–Weaknesses: may lack
generalizability
Research EthicsGuidelines:1. Do no harm2. Informed Consent3. Voluntary Participation (public
place exception)4. Report all information
accurately5. No conflict of interest or dual
relationships with subjects