Chapter 2
Doing Sociology: Research Methods
Chapter Outline



The Research Process
Objectivity in Sociological Research
Ethical Issues in Sociological Research
Two Main Goals of Science


To describe in detail particular things or
events.
To propose and test theories that help us
understand these things or events.
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
What is the purpose of the study?
1. Define the
What information is needed?
problem.
How will the information be used?
What studies have been done on
2. Review
this topic?
previous
Do we need more information?
research. From what perspective should we
approach this issue?
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
What are the independent and
dependent variables and what is
3. Develop
their relationship?
hypotheses.
What types of questions do we
need to answer?
Can we use existing data?
4. Determine
What will we measure or
the research observe?
design.
What research methods should
we use?
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
Are we interested in a specific
population?
5. Define the
How large should the sample
sample and
be?
collect data.
How long will it take to gather the
data?
The Research Process
Step
Typical Questions
What statistical techniques will
we use?
6. Analyze
Have our hypotheses been
data and proved or disproved?
draw
Is our information valid and
conclusions. reliable?
What are the implications of our
study?
The Research Process
Step
7. Prepare the
research
report.
Typical Questions
Who will read the report?
What is their level of familiarity
with the subject?
How should we structure the
report?
Goals of Research Design


Provide for the collection of all necessary
and sufficient data to test the stated
hypotheses.
Guard against the collection of
unnecessary information, which can lead
to a waste of time and money.
Question

If you possessed the money, skill, and
other necessary resources, in which one
area would you like to conduct research?
A. Racial profiling
B. The cause(s) of sexual orientation
C. Sexual assault and abuse
D. The effects of divorce on children
Research Methods Used by
Sociologists




Surveys
Participant observation
Experiments
Secondary analysis
Surveys


Used to discover the distribution of certain
variables among large numbers of people.
Usually deals with large numbers of
subjects in a relatively short time.
Participant Observation



Used to study relatively small groups over
an extended period of time.
Goal is to observe individual and group
behavior, and interview selected
informants.
Success depends on the relationship that
develops between the researchers and
research participants.
Question

Which of the following is a research method in
which a population or sample is questioned in
order to reveal specific facts about itself?
A. surveys
B. participant observation
C. experiments
D. secondary analysis
Answer: A

A survey is a research method in which a
population or sample is questioned in
order to reveal specific facts about itself.
Question

In which of the following research methods
does the researcher attempt to get to know all
the members of the group being studied to
whatever degree possible?
A. surveys
B. participant observation
C. experiments
D. secondary analysis
Answer: B

In participant observation the
researcher attempts to get to know all the
members of the group being studied to
whatever degree possible.
Objectivity in Sociological
Research
Three factors that impose values on research:
1. The scientific tradition within which the
scientist is educated.
2. Cultural, social, economic, and political
environment within which the scientist
engages in research.
3. Scientist’s temperament, inclinations,
interests, concerns, and experiences.
Question

A university asks you to participate in an
interview asking specific questions about your
cheating attitudes, experiences, and
behaviors. The researchers assure you
confidentiality. How likely are you to agree to
the interview?
A. Very likely
B. Somewhat likely
C. Unsure
D. Somewhat unlikely
E. Very unlikely
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Research Methods
Method
Social
survey
Advantages
Disadvantages
Large numbers can Respondents may give
be surveyed.
false information.
Comparisons can be Answers may not fit the
made among
standardized categories.
groups.
There may be a low
Measures can be
response rate.
taken at different
points.
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Research Methods
Method
Advantages
Disadvantages
Participant People are observed
observation
in their “natural”
Findings are subject
environment.
to researcher bias.
Provides an in-depth Researcher may have
understanding.
an influence on the
Hypotheses can be
subjects.
developed and
The results may be
changed as research difficult to replicate.
progresses
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Research Methods
Method
Experiment
Advantages
Variables can be
isolated and controlled.
Cause-and-effect
relationships can be
found.
Easy to replicate
Disadvantages
Laboratory setting
creates an artificial
environment.
Study has to be
limited to a few
variables.
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Research Methods
Method
Secondary
analysis
Advantages
Disadvantages
Useful for analyzing
The data may be
historical and
flawed.
longitudinal data.
Data may not be
Saves time and
suitable for the current
money involved in
study.
doing a new study.
How to Read a Table
1.
2.
3.
Read the title. The title tells you the subject of
the table.
Check the source. Knowing the source of a
table can help you decide whether the
information it contains is reliable and recent.
Look for headnotes. Many tables contain
headnotes directly below the title. These may
explain how the data were collected, why
certain variables were studied, why the data
are presented in a particular way, etc.
How to Read a Table
4.
5.
6.
Look for footnotes. Many tables contain
footnotes that explain limitations surrounding
certain data.
Read the labels or headings for each row and
column.
Examine the data.
How to Read a Table
7.
8.
9.
Compare the data. Compare the data in the table
horizontally and vertically.
Draw conclusions. After examining the data in the
table, you might conclude that a person born in a
relatively developed country (Canada, Japan, Spain,
United States) is likely to live much longer than is
someone born in a poorer nation (Afghanistan, India,
Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe).
Pose new questions. The conclusions you reach might
well lead to new questions that could prompt further
research.
Ethical Issues in Sociological
Research

Gans discussed three ethical dilemmas
for the researcher.
 The degree of “permissible risk, pain, or
harm.”
 The extent to which subjects should be
deceived in a study.
 The “disclosure of confidential or
personally harmful information.”
Quick Quiz
1. The first step in the research process is
to:
A. define the problem.
B. review previous research.
C. define the sample.
D. analyze and interpret the data.
Answer: A

The first step in the research process is
to define the problem.
2. A testable statement about the
relationship between two or more
variables is:
A. a concept.
B. a guess.
C. an hypothesis.
D. a statement of causality.
Answer: C

A testable statement about the
relationship between two or more
variables is an hypothesis.
3. A researcher who joins Alcoholics
Anonymous for the purpose of doing an
in-depth study of the members would be
using:
A. an experiment.
B. secondary analysis.
C. a survey.
D. participant observation.
Answer: D

A researcher who joins Alcoholics
Anonymous for the purpose of doing an
in-depth study of the members would be
using participant observation.
4. The particular subset of a population
chosen for the study is referred to as
a/the _________________ .
Answer: sample

The particular subset of a population
chosen for the study is referred to as a
sample.