1. Aim #1: Why is Sociological Research Necessary?
Complete the Do Now activity on the handout

2. I. Sociological Research
A. Social scientists obtain knowledge of human behavior through research, which results in information that allows us to move beyond guess work and common sense in understanding society.
B. Through research, we can fully explore the “hows” and “whys” of human social interaction and debunk false or mistaken ideas and opinions.
Why not rely on common sense and our own personal experiences to understand why individuals commit suicide?
Why not rely on media reports?

3. II. Sociology and Scientific Evidence
Social Science research questions can be approached in one of two ways:
1. Normative Approach: Uses religion, customs, habits, traditions and laws to answer important questions. It is based on beliefs about right and wrong and what “ought to be” in a society.
If you were to answer the question “Should assisted suicide for terminally ill patients who wish to die be legal in the United States?” using the normative approach, what kinds of answers do you think you would come up with?

4. II. Sociology and Scientific Evidence
2. Empirical Approach: Attempts to answer questions through systematic collection and analysis of data. It is based on the assumption that knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation. This meets two important scientific standards:
Scientific beliefs should be supported by good evidence
These beliefs should be open to public debate and critiques from other scholars, and alternative interpretations should be considered.

5. II. Sociology and Scientific Evidence
3. There are two main types of empirical studies:
Descriptive Studies: Attempt to describe social reality or provide facts about some group, practice or event. These studies are designed to find out what is happening to whom, where and when.
Explanatory Studies: Attempt to explain cause and effect relationships and to provide information on why certain events do or do not occur.

6. Concluding Activity
Think of an example of a descriptive study that could be conducted on suicide.
Think of an example of an explanatory study that could be conducted on suicide (in particular, think about what question or questions your study would focus on).

7. Descriptive Study Examples
Determining the number of people who recently thought about committing suicide.
Determining the number of people who committed suicide in Buffalo during the summer of 2017.

8. Explanatory Study Examples
Why do African-American men over the age of sixty-five have a significantly lower suicide rate than white males in the same age bracket?
Why are women more likely to attempt suicide than men? Why are men more likely to actually succeed in their suicide attempts?