Lesson 3 Sociological Research Methods

Robert Wonser Introduction to Sociology

Lesson Outline
An Overview of Research Methods Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods Issues in Sociological Research (Ethics)

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

Sociology and Common Sense

True or False: U.S. black/white income gap has narrowed significantly in recent years. The ratio of black-to-white family income has consistently been around 55-60% ever since the major civil rights laws were passed in the 1960s. There has been some fluctuation, but not much (Farley 1995, in Farley 1998).
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 3

Sociology and Common Sense

True or False: On average, men have a higher tolerance for both pain and temperature extremes than women do. On average, women tolerate pain, heat, and cold better than men do when physiological tests are performed. However, U.S. culture socializes men to be tough more than it does womenso women may often act wimpier!
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 4

Sociology and Common Sense

True or False: Most homeless people choose to be homeless. Only ~ 6% of homeless people are that way by choice (Kendall 2000). 40+% of homeless adults are actually employed. (Population Review Bureau supplement). Over 1/4 of homeless women get that way fleeing domestic violence.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 5

Sociology and Common Sense

True or False: Teenage pregnancies have increased dramatically since the 1950s. Actually, they decreased over past half century; teens less likely to marry/start family. Percentage of teen pregnancies involving unmarried teens increased dramatically (but even that has been dropping since the early 1990s). (Kendall 1996)
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 6

An Overview of Research Methods

Quantitative research uses data that can easily be converted into numbers, such as a survey or an experiment. Qualitative research involves data that cannot easily be converted to numbers, such as observation or informal interviews.

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

An Overview of Research Methods (contd)

Most sociological research uses the scientific method, which is the standard for acquiring and verifying empirical (scientific) knowledge. Why is the use of the scientific method so important?
What is the alternative?

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

An Overview of Research Methods (contd)

After conducting a literature review, a researcher forms a hypothesis (study time affects exam grade) stating a potential relationship between two or more variables (study time, exam grade).

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

An Overview of Research Methods (contd)

These variables must be clearly defined so that they can be measured. Variables must be operationalized, that is defined in such a way that can be measured. Finally, data is collected and the hypothesis can be tested.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 10

Qualitative Methods
One way to collect to data is through ethnography, a naturalistic method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities. Ethnography is often a two-part activity: active participation in and observation of a naturally occurring setting, and a written account (field notes) of what goes on there.

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

11

Qualitative Methods
In participant observation the researcher both observes and becomes a member in a social setting.

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

12

Qualitative Methods
Interviews involve direct, face-to-face contact with respondents, and often can generate large amounts of qualitative data. As in most research, the researcher identifies the target population that she wishes to study, and then selects a sample of people to be interviewed from that population. Why use a sample?
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 13

Qualitative Methods (cont)

Interviews:
A closed-ended question imposes a limit on the possible responses: for example, Are you for or against couples living together before they are married? An open-ended question allows the answer to take whatever from the respondent chooses: What do you think about couples living together before they are married?

Why use one over the other?

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 14

Quantitative Methods
Surveys are questionnaires that are administered to a sample of respondents selected from a target population. Survey research tends to look at largescale social patterns and employs statistics and other mathematical means of analysis. Most commonly used research method in sociology!
How come?

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

15

Quantitative Methods (cont)

Experiments are formal tests of specific variables and effects that are performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled. Used to demonstrate cause and effect Least commonly used method in sociology
How come?
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 16

Quantitative Methods (cont)

Many experiments involve using an experimental group, which is the part of the test group that receives the experimental treatment, and a control group, which is the part of the test group that is allowed to continue without intervention so that it can be compared with the experimental group.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 17

Quantitative Methods (cont)

A researcher will investigate whether an independent variable (IV) causes changes in the dependent variable (DV). IV comes first (time order) DV is effected by the IV; comes after the IV in time

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

18

Existing Sources
Existing Sources refer to any data that has already been collected by earlier researchers and is available for future research. This can include sources such as census data, newspapers, photography, and cultural artifacts. Using existing data is usually less involved than collecting original data and also gives researchers access to distant places and times.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 19

Issues in Sociological Research

The research methods described so far are often applied outside the field of sociology. Some examples include the US Census, political campaign offices, business, and market research.

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

20

Issues in Sociological Research (contd)

Most sociologists believe that they should not allow their personal beliefs to influence their research. Max Weber wrote the classic sociological statement on this issue. He coined the phrase value-free sociology, an ideal whereby researchers identify facts without allowing their own personal beliefs or biases to interfere. How likely is this?
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 21

Issues in Sociological Research (contd)

The American Sociological Association has developed its own set of code of ethics to assist researchers avoid bias, adhere to professional standards, and protect respondents from harm. ASA Code of Ethics Why is a code of ethics necessary?
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 22

Issues in Sociological Research (contd)

The case of Laud Humphreys and the Tearoom Trade
Watchqueen License plates 54% of the men were married 38% were neither bisexual nor homosexual Most of the men were successful, well educated, economically stable, and highly praised in the community. Only 14% of the men he observed were homosexual and part of the gay community
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 23

Issues in Sociological Research (contd)

Most universities where research is conducted also have an institutional review board, a group of scholars within a university who meet regularly to review and approve the research proposals of their colleagues and make recommendations for how to protect human subjects.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 24

Take Away Points

Sociology uses the scientific method to understand society. This can be done either qualitatively (rich, detailed data and thick descriptions) or quantitatively (using data easily converted into numbers) or a combination of both. Ethics plays a crucial role in the study of human social activity.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 25

Lesson Quiz
1. The individuals that a sociologist interviews as part of a research project would be a part of the: a. sample. b. experimental group. c. dependent variable. d. control group.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 26

Lesson Quiz
2. The following question, What do you think about couples living in sin? would be an example of a/an: a. leading question. b. informed question. c. double-barreled question. d. closed-ended question.
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 27

Lesson Quiz
3. What would the independent variable be in an experiment where a sociologist is testing whether or not watching television impacts a students grade on an exam? a. the student b. the researcher c. the exam grade d. the watching of television
Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods 28

4. Who coined the phrase value-free sociology? a. Karl Marx b. Max Weber c. Emile Durkheim d. W.E.B. DuBois

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

29

Lesson Quiz
5. Each academic discipline has developed its own __________ to provide guidelines for researchers to consult as they design a research project. a. review board b. code of ethics c. Nuremberg code d. research review board

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

30

For Next Time:

How does the biological human become a finished product fit for human society? Culture Read! (check your syllabus for assigned readings!)

Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Research Methods

31