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Published byPauline Baldwin Modified over 8 years ago
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Sociology: Research Methods
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A Research Model 1. Selecting a Topic 2. Defining a Problem 3. Reviewing the Literature 4. Formulating a Hypothesis
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A Research Model 5. Choosing a Research Method 6. Collecting Data 7. Analyzing Results 8. Sharing Results
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Methods for Research Surveys-series of questions Selecting a Sample- a group of people that represents a population 1. Random Sample-chance selection 2. Stratified Random Sample Asking Neutral Questions with a closed end response Asking Open-ended Questions with persons own words
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Research Methods continued Questionnaires Self-Administered Allow the Largest Sample Low Cost Loss of Researcher Control
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Research Methods-Field Research Participant Observation (Fieldwork) Researcher Participates Problems with Generalizability Done for Exploratory Work Generates Hypotheses
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Example of Participant Observation Concealing her identity, researcher takes a temporary job at a high school with low funding. Goal: to observe a link between school violence and school funding
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Research Methods continued Secondary Analysis Analyze Data Collected by Others such as Durkheim’s suicide study of 1897 Researcher Cannot Be Sure of Data Quality
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Research Methods continued Documents Examine Books, Newspapers, Diaries, etc. Limited Scope Cannot Study Topic Unless Access is Granted
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Research Methods Experiments Experimental Group- Control Group Independent Variables-causes something to occur, change or look for changes in this Dependent Variables-What results from the change in the independent variable
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Types of Variables
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Example of Variable Independent Variable-Time spent studying… Dependent Variable: Better grades
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How do variables differ? Quantitative & Qualitative Variables Quantitative Variable-a variable that can be measured, given a number Qualitative Variable-membership in category such as marital status, sex, membership in groups such as Catholic, Sophmore/Senior, Cheerleader, Football player
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Research Methods Unobtrusive Measures Observe People Without Them Knowing Question of Ethics-is it morally right or wrong
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Deciding Which Method to Use Available Resources Access to Subjects Purpose of Research Researcher’s Background and Training
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Gender in Sociological Research Affects Orientation and Attitudes Interviewer Bias Women and Men Lead Different Lives In Past, Women’s Experiences Neglected
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Ethics in Sociological Research Protecting Subjects: The Brajuha Research Protected the rights of subjects from court subpoena of his research
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