Chapter 5: How Sociologists Do Research Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 20051 Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach 7/e James M. Henslin Chapter Five: How Sociologists

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2005 1

Chapter 5: How Sociologists Do ResearchChapter 5: How Sociologists Do Research

Sociology: A Down-to-EarthSociology: A Down-to-EarthApproach 7/eApproach 7/e

Sociology: A Down-to-EarthSociology: A Down-to-EarthApproach 7/eApproach 7/e

James M. HenslinJames M. HenslinChapter Five: How Sociologists Chapter Five: How Sociologists

Do ResearchDo Research

James M. HenslinJames M. HenslinChapter Five: How Sociologists Chapter Five: How Sociologists

Do ResearchDo Research

This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;any rental, lease, or lending of the program.any rental, lease, or lending of the program.



Macro—Broad MattersMacro—Broad Matters

Micro—Individualistic MattersMicro—Individualistic Matters

What is a Valid Sociological Topic?What is a Valid Sociological Topic?



What Everyone Knows May Not What Everyone Knows May Not

Be TrueBe True

Move Beyond GuessworkMove Beyond Guesswork

Common Sense and the Need Common Sense and the Need for Researchfor Research



1.1. Selecting a TopicSelecting a Topic

2.2. Defining a ProblemDefining a Problem

3.3. Reviewing the LiteratureReviewing the Literature

4.4. Formulating a HypothesisFormulating a Hypothesis

A Research ModelA Research Model



5.5. Choosing a Research MethodChoosing a Research Method

6.6. Collecting DataCollecting Data

7.7. Analyzing ResultsAnalyzing Results

8.8. Sharing ResultsSharing Results

A Research ModelA Research Model



SurveysSurveys

Selecting a SampleSelecting a Sample

Random SampleRandom Sample

Stratified Random SampleStratified Random Sample

Asking Neutral QuestionsAsking Neutral Questions

Research MethodsResearch Methods



QuestionnairesQuestionnaires

Self-AdministeredSelf-Administered

Allow the Largest SampleAllow the Largest Sample

Low CostLow Cost

Loss of Researcher ControlLoss of Researcher Control




InterviewsInterviews More Researcher ControlMore Researcher Control

Time ConsumingTime Consuming

Interviewer BiasInterviewer Bias

Structured InterviewsStructured Interviews

Open-Ended QuestionsOpen-Ended Questions

Establishing RapportEstablishing Rapport




Participant Observation (Fieldwork)Participant Observation (Fieldwork)

Researcher ParticipatesResearcher Participates

Problems with GeneralizabilityProblems with Generalizability

Done for Exploratory WorkDone for Exploratory Work

Generates HypothesesGenerates Hypotheses




Secondary AnalysisSecondary Analysis

Analyze Data Collected by OthersAnalyze Data Collected by Others

Researcher Cannot Be Sure of Data QualityResearcher Cannot Be Sure of Data Quality




DocumentsDocuments

Examine Books, Newspapers, Diaries, etc.Examine Books, Newspapers, Diaries, etc.

Limited ScopeLimited Scope

Cannot Study Topic Unless Access is GrantedCannot Study Topic Unless Access is Granted




ExperimentsExperiments

Experimental GroupExperimental Group

Control GroupControl Group

Independent VariablesIndependent Variables

Dependent VariablesDependent Variables




Unobtrusive MeasuresUnobtrusive Measures

Observe People Without Them KnowingObserve People Without Them Knowing

Question of EthicsQuestion of Ethics




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 UseDeciding Which Method to Use



Quantitative Research MethodsQuantitative Research Methods Emphasis on Precise MeasurementEmphasis on Precise Measurement

Uses Statistics and NumbersUses Statistics and Numbers

Qualitative Research MethodsQualitative Research Methods Emphasis on Observing, Describing, and Emphasis on Observing, Describing, and

Interpreting BehaviorInterpreting Behavior

Deciding Which Method to UseDeciding Which Method to Use



Affects Orientation and AttitudesAffects Orientation and Attitudes

Interviewer BiasInterviewer Bias

Women and Men Lead Different LivesWomen and Men Lead Different Lives

In Past, Women’s Experiences NeglectedIn Past, Women’s Experiences Neglected

Gender in Sociological ResearchGender in Sociological Research



Openness, Honesty, and TruthfulnessOpenness, Honesty, and Truthfulness

Forbids Falsifying ResultsForbids Falsifying Results

Condemns PlagiarismCondemns Plagiarism

Subjects’ Informed ConsentSubjects’ Informed Consent

Subjects’ AnonymitySubjects’ Anonymity

Ethics in Sociological ResearchEthics in Sociological Research



Protecting Subjects: The Brajuha ResearchProtecting Subjects: The Brajuha Research

Misleading Subjects: The Humphreys ResearchMisleading Subjects: The Humphreys Research

Ethics in Sociological Research Ethics in Sociological Research



Theory Helps Interpretation of DataTheory Helps Interpretation of Data

Theory Generates Questions for ResearchTheory Generates Questions for Research

Research Helps Generate TheoryResearch Helps Generate Theory

How Research and Theory Work TogetherHow Research and Theory Work Together