1. Chapter 2 Doing Sociological Research
The Research Process
The Tools of Sociological Research
Prediction, Sampling, and Statistical Analysis
Is Sociology Value-free?

2. The Research Process
Sociology is empirical and uses the scientific method.
Sociological studies may be quantitative and statistically sophisticated or qualitatively based.  

3. Steps in Sociological Research
Developing a Research Question
Creating a Research Design
Gathering Data
Analyzing the Data
Reaching Conclusions and Reporting Results

4. Sources of Research Questions
Past research
Casual observation of human behavior
Social policy
Sociological theory

5. Creating a Research Design
Will the research be qualitative or quantitative?
Will the research test a hypothesis or involve exploratory research?
How will the data be gathered?

6. Tools of Sociological Research
Survey Research
Participant Observation
Controlled Experiments
Content Analysis
Comparative and Historical Research
Evaluation Research

7. Prediction and Probability
Sociology analyzes, explains, and predicts human social behavior in terms of trends and probabilities.
Researchers can predict patterns of behavior but they cannot predict specific incidents of behavior.

8. Statistical Mistakes Citing a correlation as a cause Over-generalizing
Building in bias
Faking data
Using data selectively

9. Research Ethics
Should researchers collect data without letting research subjects know they are being studied?
Do researchers have the right to hold data in confidence from public officials?