1. Sociologists Doing Research
Chapter 2
Sociologists Doing Research

2. Section 1 Objectives
• Describe the basic quantitative and qualitative research methods used by sociologists.
• Discuss basic research concepts, including variables and correlations.

4. What is the goal of Sociological Research?
To Test common sense assumptions
Replace false ideas with facts and evidence.

5. What is the difference between quantitative & qualitative data?
Uses numerical data
Most published type of data
Is rooted in narrative and descriptive data

6. Define the following vocab words:
Survey
Population
Sample
Representative sample

7. ID & define terms used when dealing with survey information.
Types of Survey
Types of Questions
Questionnaire-> Written set of questions to be answered by a research participant
Interview-> method where trained person(s) asks questions and records answers.
*Which survey is better?
Closed ended-> questions a person must answer by choosing from a limited, predetermined set of responses.
Open ended->questions a person is to answer in his/her own words.
*Which question types will go with what survey?

8. What is Secondary Analysis & how is it used?
Definition
Uses
Using precollected data information as a part of the data collection and research purposes.
The information is generalized to make it easier to apply to the research being done.

9. What government agencies provide sources for Secondary Analysis?
Census Bureau
Department of Labor
Department of Commerce
Department of Education
Department of Child Services (DCS)

10. What is field research?
Research that takes place in a natural setting.
Field research is a critical part of sociological research.

11. What is a case study? How is it used?
Uses
Intensive study of a single group, incident or community.
Info is generalized and applied to similar situations
Researchers should pull findings unique to situation

12. Define participant observation, tell how it is used, and give examples.
Definition-> Case study where the researcher becomes a member of the group being studied
By having 1st hand knowledge the researcher has a better understanding of the group or individual being studied
Uses-> Can be used to study racism, sexism, crime, and/or juvenile deviance.
Eg.-> going undercover, using a webcam to observe, and/or following and observing

13. Make a chart classifying Quantitative and Qualitative methods
Make a chart classifying Quantitative and Qualitative methods. *see also page 45
Quantitative
Qualitative
Surveys
Interviews
Questionnaires
Secondary Analysis
Field Research
Case Studies
Observations

14. Research Methods Section 1 Recap:
Main Idea: When sociologists do quantitative research, they generally use either surveys or pre-collected data. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Qualitative research uses descriptive rather than numerical data. Field studies are best used when interaction needs to be observed in a natural setting and when in-depth analysis is needed. The case study is the most popular approach to field research.
Section 1 Recap:
Research Methods

15. • List the standards for proving cause-and-effect relationships.
Section 2 Objectives
• List the standards for proving cause-and-effect relationships.
• Explain the steps sociologists use to guide their research.

17. What is causation?
Belief that events occur in predictable ways and that one event leads to another.

18. Define Multiple Causation & give at least 3 examples.
Definition
Examples
Belief that an event occurs as a result of several factors working in combination.
Used in determining Criminal Tendencies.
Predicting chances of Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Addiction.
Determining if behaviors will lead to Psychological Disorders (Psychotic Behavior/Schizophrenia/Sexua lly Aggressive Behavior

19. Define variable, quantitative variable, qualitative variable, independent variable, dependent variable, & intervening variable.
Variable-> characteristic that is subject to change
Eg. Age/Education/Occupation
Quantitative V.-> Characteristic that can be measured numerically
Eg. Age/weight/Height
Qualitative V.-> Characteristic defined by presence or absence in a category (Either/or, Yes/No)
Eg. Gender/Sex/Marital Status

20. Define variable, quantitative variable, qualitative variable, independent variable, dependent variable, & intervening variable.
Independent V-> Characteristic that causes something to occur
This variable is acted on
Dependent V.-> Characteristic that reflects a change
Eg. That results in the change of the Independent variable
Intervening V.-> Variable that changes the relationships between and independent & dependent variable
Influences the relationship

21. What is a Correlation?
Measure of the relationship between 2 variables.
Eg.- Hours of Study & Academic Achievement
-Amount of Alcohol Consumed while pregnant & and intelligence of baby
-Confidence and Hooking up

22. Compare & Contrast Positive and Negative Correlation
Negative Correlation-Variables change in opposite directions
Compare & Contrast Positive and Negative Correlation
Positive Correlation- Variables change in the same directions
*Existence of a correlation does not mean a cause and effect relationship exists.

23. Which standards are used for showing causation?
I -> 2 variable must be correlated
II-> All other factors must be taken into account
Spurious correlation-> relationship between the 2 variables that is actually caused by a 3rd factor.
This is very challenging to expose
III-> Change in the Independent variable must occur before the change in the Dependent variable.

24. Explain the Scientific Method.
Recognition and formulation of a problem.
Collection of Data through some sort of observation and experiment.
Formulating and Test a Hypothesis or Educated Guess.

25. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Choose an object or topic of study. At this time you should be thinking of a particular questions to answer that includes an independent and dependent variable.
Eg. Does nutrition influence academic achievement?
What physical feature does a man find most appealing in a mate?
What is the biggest factor in a woman choosing a mate?

26. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Search and Compile research already done on the topic you are studying.
Eg. Journals, Books, Magazines, Articles, and Papers.

27. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Creating a testable statement of the relationships among your 2 variables, from the research discovered in the literature reviewed.

28. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Creating a plan of procedures to follow in collecting and analyzing data.
Determining whether to use a questionnaire or interview, case study or participant observation? How many people will you survey? What is your sample population going to be? ETC…

29. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Asking people questions, observing behaviors, and analyzing existing materials and records on the subject.

30. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Viewing the data to determine whether the hypothesis is supported.
This is usually simplified by taking the data and placing it into a graph or chart of some kind.

32. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method.
ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions
Describe methods. Accept, Reject, or Modify Hypothesis.
This should be a summary of the entire experiment stating what happened, the accuracy of your hypothesis, what some intervening variables could have been, and how you might do the experiment different next time.

33. Main Idea: Causation in science is the idea that one event leads to another event. Scientists assume that all events have causes, or determinants. Sociologists work to discover these causes. Three standards must be met before causation can be proved.
Section 2 Recap:
Causation In Science

34. • Discuss ethics in sociological research.
Section 3 Objectives
• Discuss ethics in sociological research.

35. List the Sociologists Code of Ethics.
Show objectivity.
Use Superior Research Standards.
Report Findings and Methods truthfully.
Protect the rights, privacy, integrity, dignity, and freedom of subjects.
Greatest Benefit w/ least harm

36. Being an ethical researcher, what 2 things should always be kept in mind?
1) Balance interest of those being studied against the need for accurate and timely data.
2) People involved in sociological research should be protected from social, financial, or psychological damage; and/or legal prosecution.

37. Procedures and Ethics In Research
Main Idea: The research process is made up of several distinct steps. These steps represent an ideal. It is not always necessary or even possible that they be strictly followed. Researchers have an ethical obligation to protect participants’ privacy and to avoid deceiving or harming them. Preserving the rights of subjects must be weighed against the value of the knowledge to be gained.
Section 3 Recap:
Procedures and Ethics In Research