Aim: How do sociologists do
research?
Do Now: What makes a joke
funny?
Social Research Definitions
• Quantitative: focusing on numbers (most
research is done this way: surveys and precollected data)
• Qualitative: focusing on narrative and descriptive
data
• Survey: research method in which people respond
to questions
• Population: a group of people with certain
specified characteristics
• Sample: a group of people that represent a larger
population
• Representative sample: a sample that accurately
reflects the characteristics of a population as a
whole.
• Questionnaire: a written set of questions to be
answered by a research participant
• Interview: a survey method in which a trained
researcher asks questions and records the answers.
• Closed-Ended Questions: questions a person must
answer by choosing from a limited predetermined set of
responses
• Open-Ended Questions: questions a person is to
answer in his or her own words
• Secondary Analysis: using precollected information for
data collection and research purposes
• Field Research: research that takes place in a natural
(nonlaboratory) setting
• Case Study: Intensive study of a single group, incident,
or community
• Participant Observation: a case study where the
researcher becomes a member of the group being
studied
Critical Thinking Questions:
• Do you think that selecting a sample of three
thousand individuals could yield an accurate
picture of the eating habits of Americans? Why
or why not?
• You are a sociologist who wants to see if
receiving welfare benefits affects long term job
commitment. Describe the research method you
would use. Why is the method you chose best
for this topic?
• Suggest several areas in your own school or
community where field research could be used
for a research project.
• What methods have the authors of the articles
we have read so far used?
Conclusion:
• Which research method would you most
like to explore?