
How were Welles’
actions on 9/11 symbolic
of American values and
beliefs?
 His acts were selfless
 He sacrificed
 He exercised extreme
bravery and courage
 His first thought was the
safety and well-being of
others

How do sociologists
research society?

Why do they use
different methods?

What are the positives
and negatives of these
methods?

The scientific method provides an open, sound and
orderly way of collecting first-hand info.

It allows scientists to arrive at reasoned conclusions.

It prevents researchers from their own values and
beliefs interfering in the process.

Researchers use careful and correct thinking.

Lastly it allows researchers to carry out research in a
thoughtful, organized and careful manner.

1 – Define the problem.

2 – Review the literature.

3 – Form a hypothesis.

4 – Choose a research
design.

5 – Collect the data.

6 – Analyze the data.

7 – Present your
conclusion.

Surveys

Analysis of Existing Sources

Observational Studies

Experiments

Statistical Analysis

Sociologists study cause and effect relationships.

They examine variables - features that can differ from
one individual, group or situation.

2 types of variables, independent and dependent.

Independent variable causes change in another
variable. (Something that causes another thing to
change).

Dependent variables are changed by an independent
variables.

Correlation - is when a change in one variable is connected to a change
in another variable.

Correlations can be positive or negative.

In positive correlations the variables rise together.

Example: Cigarette smoking goes up – Lung cancer rates go up.

Example: You get a raise at work and you spend more money.

In negative correlations the variables change in opposite directions. One
goes up, the other goes down.

Example: You spend more time working and your grades go down.

Example: As you get older you need less sleep.

Why use a survey?

It allows sociologists to collect data an
attitudes and opinions from large groups of
people.

You can cover large areas and populations in
a shorter period of time.

2 common types of survey

The Questionnaire – list of questions or
statements to which people respond in writing.

What are some of the disadvantages of surveys?
 Don’t know if you are interpreting the responses
correctly.
 People can lie.

Take the survey.

Critique it:
 Is it good? Why? Why not?

An interview is another example of the survey method.

Interviews allow the interviewer to better determine if the
interviewee is being truthful.

Clarification is easier and you can pick up on context clues.

You survey a sample or small percentage of the
population.

What are some disadvantages of the interview?
 Time consuming.
 Expensive

The Historical Method is a popular technique used by
sociologists.

You study any materials from the past that have info
you’re interests you.

It allows researchers to compare the past to the present.

Content analysis is another method used.

It requires the researcher to count the number of times an
idea, word, phrase, event or symbol is used in a text.

Content analysis is easy to use and inexpensive.

In experiments we gather information under
controlled conditions.

Experiments can very tricky and difficult to
conduct in sociology.

People often change their behavior when
they know they are being studied.

Participant Observation is when researchers
become directly involved in the situation they
are investigating.

Sometimes they make their presence known.

Sometimes they remain anonymous.

A case study is an intensive analysis of
person, group, event or problem.

Case studies provide pictures of real-life
situations.

They are useful in studying temporary events
like, natural disasters, revolutions, riots….

What is the researcher studying?

What challenges does the method he chose
to use, participant observation, pose for
him?