RESEARCH METHODS

Casual research vs. empirical research

Casual research is what we do everyday as we observe our surroundings and draw

conclusions about what we see

Empirical Research: Structured Generalizability (representative sample).

Systematic, controlled observation. Theoretical basis for method of study

What Is The Scientific Method?

The Scientific Method:

•A systematic series of steps that ensures

maximum objectivity and consistency in

researching a problem

Defining the Problem:

– State as clearly as possible what you hope to investigate.

– Operational Definition: An explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to measure.

Reviewing the Literature:

– Literature: • The relevant scholarly

studies and• information that pertains to

the subject• what you’re interested

researching. • begin to talk about theoretical

perspective

Formulating the Hypothesis:

–Hypothesis: • A speculative statement about the

relationship between two or more variables.

–Variable:• A measurable trait or characteristic that

is subject to change under different conditions.

Types of Variables:• Independent:

– The variable that is hypothesized to cause or influence another.

• Dependent:– The variable whose action depends on

the influence of the independent variable.

Formulating the Hypothesis:

Formulating the Hypothesis:

Correlations:

• Exist when a change in one variable coincides with a change in another.

Correlations:Independent variable

xBan of assault rifles

Degree of integration into society

Parents’ church attendance

Time spent preparing for quiz

Parents’ income

Dependent variabley

Use of weapons in crime

Likelihood of suicide

Children’s church attendance

Performance on quiz

Likelihood of children’s enrolling in college

CAUSATIONCorrelation =

Does the difference make a difference?

• Hypothesis Testing– Is the specified relationship

statistically “significant”?• What is the likelihood of the relationship

occurring by chance?• Can we say with some certainty that the

relationship will reappear?

Collecting and Analyzing Data:

Selecting the Sample• Representative Samples:

– A selection from a larger population that is statistically typical of that population.

•Random Samples:– When every member of an

entire population has the same chance of being selected.

Collecting and Analyzing Data:

Ensuring Validity and Reliability:•Validity: The degree to which a measure truly reflects the phenomenon being studied.•Reliability:The extent to which a measure provides consistent results.

Major Research Designs

Surveys:

•A study generally in the form of an interview or questionnaire.

•Provides sociologists with information about how people act or think.

Research Methods, cont.

Survey Research: data collected through questionnaires or interviews; can measure things such as attitudes or values that can not be observed

Advantages:large population can be studiedrandom, representative sample means

results can be generalizedDisadvantages:can not provide in-depth information about

people’s behavior or experiences

Research Methods, cont.

What do you think the chances are these days that a white person will not get a job or promotion while an equally or less qualified black person gets one instead? _____ Very likely_____ Somewhat likely_____ Somewhat unlikely_____ Very unlikely_____ Don't know

Ethnographic Research:

•Interviews:High response rate.Can probe beyond

questionnaire.•Questionnaires:

Inexpensive.Good for large samples.

Field Research:

Collecting information through direct

participation and/or observation of a group.Participant Observation:

• When the researcher “joins” a group for a period of time to get a sense of how it operates.

Field Research:

Field Research (Participant and nonparticipant observation): researcher directly observes people in their natural settingsAdvantages:• provides detailed and descriptive understandings of people’s everyday lives• generally inexpensive to conductDisadvantages:• time consuming • difficult to replicate• difficult to generalize to other groups• particularly susceptible to ethical issues

Experiments:

•The artificially created situation that allows the researcher to manipulate variables.

•Experiments involve two types of groups:

Experimental: Exposed to independent variable

Control Group: Not exposed to independent

variable.

Experiments:

Experiment: the use of experimental and control groups, usually in a laboratory, to test the effect of one variable on another variable

Advantages:experimenter is able to control other variables so causal relationship can be studiedeasy to replicate

Disadvantages:not a natural environmentmany sociological concepts can not be measured in a lab

Use of Existing Sources:

Secondary Analysis:• Research techniques making use of publicly accessible information and data.

Content Analysis:• The systematic coding and objective recording of data, guided by some rationale.

Finally…

• Make Conclusions

• Report Findings

American Sociological Association Code of Ethics on Sociological Research:• Researchers should always maintain

objectivity and integrity• Respects respondents right to

privacy• Protect respondents from personal

harm• Preserve confidentiality• Disclose all sources of funding• Do not abuse role as researcher