Intro to Soe l 10 20 24
chapter 2 sociological Research
scientific method interpretive framework to increase understanding of
societies social interactions
empirical evidence experiments studies that gather analyze evidence
from direct experience scientificallygathered data or
experimentation
scientific Method
Ask a question
select a problem identifyspecific area of interest narrow enough to
studywith geographiclocation time frame but broad enough to have
universal merit
researchexistingsources
literature review reviewof any existing similar relatedstudies visitinglibraries
Formulate a hypothesis
hypothesis explanation for a phenomenon based on conjecture aboutthe relationship
between the phenomenon and It factors
Iv cause of the change
Dr effect what is changed
Design conduct a study
reliability now likely research results are to be replicated if study is
reproduced
accuracy a tool to makemeasuring more precise
validity how well the studymeasures what it was designed to measure
operational definition specificexplanations of abstract concepts that a
researcherplansto study
Draw conclusions
collecttabulate categorize analyze data
discussimplications of
results repeat experiment
Report results
reported at conferences in academic journals
subjected to scrutiny
interpretive framework interpretive perspective seeks to understand social
worlds from the pov of participants leading to in depth
knowledge understanding about the human experience
critical sociology
focuses on deconstruction of existing sociological research theory
can't be treated as 100 objective
legitimate rationalizesystems of social power oppression
liberate humans from inequality restriction on human freedom
primary source data collection survey participant observation ethnography
casestudy unobtrusive observations experiment
secondary data analysis use of existing sources
survey collects data from subjects who respond to a series of questions
about behaviors and opinions
population people who are the focus of a study
sample a manageable of subjects who represent a larger population
random sample everyperson has an equal chance for being chosen
for a study
closedended questions yes no or MCQ'S
quantitative data numerical data that lan be counted
statistically analyzed
openended questions SAQ's subjective
qualitativedata personalexplanation conveyedthrough words
interview I 1 conversation between the researcher the subject
way of conducting surveys on a topic
Field research gathering primary data from a natural environment
participant observation researchers join people I participate in a
group's routine activities for the purpose of
observing them within that context
Ethnography immersion of the researcher in the natural setting of an
entire social community to observe and experience their
everyday life culture
how subjects view their own socialstanding and how they
understand themselves in relation to a social group
institutional Ethnography
focuses intentionally on everyday concrete social relationships
case study in depth analysis of a single event situation or
individual
examine secondary sources interviews
experiment investigation of relationships to test a hypothesis
experimental group exposed to IV
control group results are keptconstant
Hawthome effect occurs when people change their behavior
because they know they are being watched as
part of a study
nonreactive research unobtrusive research doesn't involve direct
contact w subjects will not alter influence people's
behaviors
content analysis applying a systematic approach to record
value into gleaned from 2nd dry data as they
relate to the study at hand
code of Ethics formal guidelines for conducting sociological
research consisting of principles ethicalstandards
to be used in the discipline
Maintain objectivity integrity in research
Respect subject's rights to privacy dignity
Protect subject from personal harm
Preserve confidentiality
seek informed consent
Acknowledge collaboration assistance
Disclose sources of financial support
