1. Research
Chapter 2

2. Research Remember, sociology is based on FACTS!
In order to get these facts, research is needed.

3. Survey Research method in which people respond to questions
Surveys are ideal for studying large numbers of people

4. Surveys Surveys ask groups of people
Population – a group of people with certain specified characteristics
Mound City High School, all the teachers in the building, etc…

5. Sample A group of people that represent a large population
Ideal for large populations, too few, too many??

6. Representative Sample
A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole
Gender, race, ethincity

7. Collecting samples
There are two different ways or forms to survey people
Questionnaire – a written set of questions to be answered by a research participant
Easiest, most liked by participants

8. Interview
A survey method in which a trained researcher asks questions and records the answers
Tougher to administer

9. Interviews
There are two ways to administer an interview or ask the questions
Closed- ended questions – questions a person must answer by choosing from a limited, predetermined set of responses, pg 41
Open-ended questions – questions a person is to answer in his or her own words

10. Interviews
Demonstration, pg 40

11. Do all sociologists administer surveys?
Not really.
Secondary analysis – using pre-collected information for data collection and research purposes
United States Census Bureau and other government agencies
Advantages and disadvantages, pg 42

12. Field Research
Research that takes place in a natural (nonlaboratory) setting
Which sociologist started this?

13. Case Study Intensive study of a single group, incident, or community
Sociologists use these studies to understand cities and groups, but must determine which factors do not apply or make them unique

14. Participant Observation
A case study where the researcher becomes a member of the group being studied
African American studies
Undercover Boss

15. Causation in Science Causation Multiple causation Correlation
Positive
Negative
Spurious correlation

16. Causation in Science Variable Quantitative variable
Qualitative variable
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Intervening variable

17. Scientific Method
The recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses
Sometimes, most of the time, sociologists do not use this exactly

18. Hypothesis
Testable statement of relationships among variables

19. Ethics