SOCIOLOGY

RESEARCH METHODS

STEPS OF RESEARCH

1. Ask Your Question

• Example• Why do people in different

cultures stand at different distances from each other?

CHECK THE LITERATURE (DO RESEARCH)

• Where do I go!• Books• Articles• Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Sociology Journal• Field Specific Journals

REFINE YOUR QUESTION

• By Refining your question your study will gain direction and purpose

• Example• Original question :Why do people in different

cultures stand at different distances from each other?

• New question: How does standing distance effect Business communication form one culture to another?

CHOOSE YOUR METHOD

1. Qualitative .VS. Quantitative

• Qualitative: data gathered by statements, experiences, impressions.

• Think Words

• Quantitative: Data gathered and translated into numbers

• Think Numbers

TYPES OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES

• Interviews:

• Conduct interviews and record the comments provided

• Ethnographies: • researchers will spend weeks, months, or even

years in a culture and write about their experiences

• Participant Observation:

• Join a group and make observations • Historical Study:

• Research about a particular group, place, or time.

QUANTITATIVE METHODS

• What are some examples of Quantitative questions?

• What percent of the population holds a college degree?

• What are some examples of Quantitative research you have seen or been apart of?

• Student test scores