Chapter 2

Doing Sociology: Research Methods

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

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.

The Research Process

Step Typical Questions

1. Define the problem.

What is the purpose of the study?What information is needed?How will the information be used?

2. Review previous research.

What studies have been done on this topic?Do we need more information?From what perspective should we approach this issue?

The Research Process

Step Typical Questions

3. Develop hypotheses.

What are the independent and dependent variables and what is their relationship?What types of questions do we need to answer?

4. Determine the research design.

Can we use existing data?What will we measure or observe? What research methods should we use?

The Research Process

Step Typical Questions

5. 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?

The Research Process

Step Typical Questions

6. 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?

The Research Process

Step Typical Questions

7. Prepare the research report.

Who will read the report?What is their level of familiarity

with the subject?How should we structure the

report?

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.

Question If you possessed the money, skill, and

other necessary resources, in which one area would you like to conduct research?

A. Racial profiling

B. The cause(s) of sexual orientation

C. Sexual assault and abuse

D. The effects of divorce on children

Research Methods Used by Sociologists Surveys Participant observation Experiments Secondary analysis

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.

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.

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?

A. surveys

B. participant observation

C. experiments

D. secondary analysis

Answer: A A survey is a research method in which a

population or sample is questioned in order to reveal specific facts about itself.

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?

A. surveys

B. participant observation

C. experiments

D. secondary analysis

Answer: B In participant observation the

researcher attempts to get to know all the members of the group being studied to whatever degree possible.

Objectivity in Sociological Research

Three factors that impose values on research:

1. The scientific tradition within which the scientist is educated.

2. Cultural, social, economic, and political environment within which the scientist engages in research.

3. Scientist’s temperament, inclinations, interests, concerns, and experiences.

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?

A. Very likelyB. Somewhat likelyC. UnsureD. Somewhat unlikelyE. Very unlikely

Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages

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.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages

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.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages

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.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages

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.

How to Read a Table1. Read the title. The title tells you the subject

of the table. 2. Check the source. Knowing the source of a

table can help you decide whether the information it contains is reliable and recent.

3. 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.

How to Read a Table4. Look for footnotes. Many tables contain

footnotes that explain limitations surrounding certain data.

5. Read the labels or headings for each row and column.

6. Examine the data.

How to Read a Table7. Compare the data. Compare the data in the

table horizontally and vertically. 8. 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).

9. Pose new questions. The conclusions you reach might well lead to new questions that could prompt further research.

Ethical Issues in SociologicalResearch 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.”

Quick Quiz

1. The first step in the research process is to:

A. define the problem.

B. review previous research.

C. define the sample.

D. analyze and interpret the data.

Answer: A The first step in the research process is

to define the problem.

2. A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables is:

A. a concept.

B. a guess.

C. an hypothesis.

D. a statement of causality.

Answer: C A testable statement about the

relationship between two or more variables is an hypothesis.

3. A researcher who joins Alcoholics Anonymous for the purpose of doing an in-depth study of the members would be using:

A. an experiment.

B. secondary analysis.

C. a survey.

D. participant observation.

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.

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

Answer: sample The particular subset of a population

chosen for the study is referred to as a sample.