1 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Research Ethics Maintain Objectivity Basic Standards for Conducting Scientific Research Basic Standards for Conducting Scientific Research Safeguard Privacy & Protect Confidentiality Safeguard Privacy & Protect Confidentiality Share enough info so others can replicate Acknowledge Collaboration and Assistance

2 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Theory and The Research Cycle Theories Observations GeneralizationsHypotheses Deductive Science Inductive Science

3 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Research Processes Draw Conclusion; Report Findings Collect/Analyze the Data Develop the Research Design Formulate the Hypothesis Review the Literature Collect/Analyze the Data Develop the Research Design Review the Literature Collect/Analyze the Data Develop the Research Design INDUCTIVE METHOD (Inclusive DEDUCTIVE METHOD (Classic) Generate Hypotheses for Theory Construction; Draw Conclusions; Report Findings Select and Define the Research Problem

4 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Hypothesized Relationships Between Variables Depression Suicide Rate Social Integration Suicide Rate Reli- giosity Poverty Rate of Social Change Suicide Rate A. Causal Relationship B. Inverse Causal Relationship C. Multiple-Cause Relationship “Depression Causes Suicide” “Lack of Social Integration Causes Suicide” “Many Factors Interact to Cause Suicide”

5 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Experiments Compared to Experimental Group for Differences Compared to Experimental Group for Differences Not Exposed to Independent Variable Not Exposed to Independent Variable Measured for Possible Cause- Effect Relationship Measured for Possible Cause- Effect Relationship Exposed to Independent Variable Exposed to Independent Variable Experimental Group Experimental Group Control Group Control Group Experiments

6 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Surveys Resource Considerations Resource Considerations New Q options: or Web-based New Q options: or Web-based New i options: Skype or Facetime New i options: Skype or Facetime Interview Face-to-Face or Media Interview Face-to-Face or Media Questionnaire Mailed or In-person Questionnaire Mailed or In-person Survey Types and Decisions Survey Types and Decisions

7 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Secondary Data Analysis Readily Available Inexpensive Unobtrusive Longitudinal Analysis Possible Possibly Inauthentic or Incomplete Verification for Accuracy May Be Impossible Data Across Studies May Not Be Comparable Coding Data May Be Difficult Strengths/ Weaknesses of Secondary Data Analysis Strengths/ Weaknesses of Secondary Data Analysis

8 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Field Research Unstructured Interviews Unstructured Interviews Ethnography Case Study Participant Observation Participant Observation Types of Field Research Types of Field Research

9 © 1999 Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Sociology Collecting and Analyzing Data Key Terms and Concepts Key Terms and Concepts Population Sample Representative Sample Random Sample Validity Reliability Replication