DOING SOCIOLOGY
Sociological Research Methods
How we study society
Types of Research
Unlike other scientists, social scientists can’t do their research
in a lab; research must be done in the real world.
Qualitative

Relies on narrative and
descriptive data
Quantitative

Uses numerical data,
often based on surveys
Qualitative Research

Field research is used
to look at aspects of
social life that cannot
be measured
quantitatively and are
best understood in a
natural (nonlaboratory)
setting.
Qualitative Research

Case studies are the most popular form of field
research
 An
intensive study of a single group, incident, or
community

Sometimes case studies are done using participant
observation
A
case study in which a researcher becomes a member
of the group being studied
 Ex:
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
Quantitative Research

A survey is a research
method in which
people respond to
questions


Ideal for studying large
groups
Some things to be
mindful of when
creating a survey…
Quantitative Research

Population


Sample


a group of people with
certain specified
characteristics
a group of people that
represents a larger
population
Representative Sample

sample that accurately
reflects the
characteristics of the
population as a whole
Quantitative Research
Questionnaire

A written set of
questions that
participants answer by
themselves
Interview

A trained interviewer
asks questions and
records the answers
Quantitative Research
Closed-Ended Questions

Answered by choosing
from a limited,
predetermined set of
responses
 Ex: Multiple choice
Open-Ended Questions

Answered in the
participant's own words
 Ex: Essay
What are the advantages and disadvantages
of closed-ended vs. open-ended questions?
Secondary Analysis


Secondary analysis is done using precollected
information for data collection and research
purposes.
Can be performed on either qualitative or
quantitative research
 What
are some good sources of information for
secondary analysis?
Ethics in Social Research
Helping, not hurting
Ethical Failings


Sometimes researchers get so caught up in what
they’re doing they lose track of their moral
bearings.
Examples:
 Nazi
experiments
 Tuskegee syphilis study
 Human crash tests
 NC eugenics program
Ethical Guidelines





Show objectivity
Use superior research standards
Report findings and methods truthfully
Protect rights, privacy, integrity, dignity, and
freedom of research subjects
In general, get the greatest possible benefit with
the least possible harm