1. Sociologists Doing Research Chapter 2

2. Research Methods Ch. 2.1

3. Doing Research in the Social Sciences A. Sociologists gain knowledge by doing research. B. Ask “why” and “how” questions then form hypotheses C. Use quantitative or qualitative methods: 1. quantitative- using numerical data 2. qualitative- surveys and precollected data

4. Survey A. People responding to questions B. Most widely used method in sociology C. Ideal for studying large #s of people D. Population- a group of people w/certain specified characteristics that researchers want to study.

5. Population 1. Most populations are too large; use a sample- group of people that represent a larger population. 2. Must be a representative sample- a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole.

6. Survey E. Questionnaire- a written set of questions to be answered by a research participant. F. Interview- a trained researchers asks Q and records A 1. close-ended: limited set of responses 2. Open-ended: person answers as pleases

7. Secondary Analysis A. Using precollected info. For data collection and research purposes B. Gov’t reports, company records, voting lists…

8. Field Research A. Takes place in a natural setting. B. Most commonly used is a case study- intensive study of a single group, incident or community 1. Findings can be generalized to similar situations.

9. Basic Skills Sociologists need to know how to work with statistics, evaluate Internet resources, and read tables and graphs Sociologists need to know how to work with statistics, evaluate Internet resources, and read tables and graphs Modes (# occurs most often), means (avg) and medians (middle #) Modes (# occurs most often), means (avg) and medians (middle #) Allow to see quick relationships and trends in data Allow to see quick relationships and trends in data Be sure they are credible, unbiased and verifiable Be sure they are credible, unbiased and verifiable

10. Nature of Causation Ch. 2.2

11. Nature of Causation 1. The belief that events occur in predictable ways and that one event leads to another. 2. Social scientist look for the factors that cause social events to happen. 3. Multiple causation- belief that an event occurs as a result of several factors working in combination.

12. Variables Variable is a characteristic that is subject to change Variable is a characteristic that is subject to change quantitative, qualitative, independent (causes the change to happen) or dependent (reflects the change) quantitative, qualitative, independent (causes the change to happen) or dependent (reflects the change)

13. Correlations A measure of how things are related to one another A measure of how things are related to one another *DOES NOT PROVE CAUSATION *DOES NOT PROVE CAUSATION 1)positive-independent & dependent change in the same direction (both up or down) 1)positive-independent & dependent change in the same direction (both up or down) 2)negative-one goes up, one goes down 2)negative-one goes up, one goes down Spurious correlation-a third variable is the cause Spurious correlation-a third variable is the cause

14. Steps in Research Ch. 2.3

15. Steps in Research 1. Identify the problem- choose an object or topic to study. 2. Review the literature- check all previous research on topic. 3. Formulate hypotheses- a testable statement

16. Continue steps 4. Develop a research design- the procedures that will be followed for collecting and analyzing the data. 5. Collect data- asking questions, observation and analyzing existing materials.

17. Continue Steps 6. Analyze the data- does it support the hypothesis? 7. State findings and conclusions- write the report

18. Ethics Rules of acceptable conduct of research A. Show objectivity B. Report findings truthfully C. Protect the rights, privacy, integrity, dignity and freedom of the subjects.