Sociological Investigation
Research Steps
 The Problem
 Review the Literature
 Develop a Hypothesis
 Unverified statement of a possible relationship
between variables.
Variables
 What are variables?
 Independent
 Dependent
Measuring Variables
 Reliability (consistency)
 Validity (accuracy)
Correlation
 Relationship by which variables change
together
 E.g. Grades and study time
 Spurious correlation
Causation (Cause & Effect)
 1. Correlated
 2. Ind. Variable comes first
 3. No third variable
Objectivity
 Max Weber (Value free)
 Personal neutrality toward the outcome of the
research
Replication
 Repeat study to assess accuracy
 E.g. Cold Fusion
4. Sample
 Population
 Sample
 Represents the entire population
 Simple, Random, Representative
Research designs
 Observational methods
 Surveys
 Experiments
Observational methods
 Participant observation
 Prison story
 Nscc
 Field observation
Observational methods (cont.)
 Secondary analysis
 Files
 Adult Development Program
 Sexual Dysfunction Clinic
 U.S. Census
 Case study
 Ted Bundy
 Split personality student
Surveys
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Best used to study what we can not see directly
Interviews & questionnaires
Open ended questions
Closed ended questions
Response problem
 SIMBAD story
Experiments
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Control group
Experimental group
Hawthorne Effect
Placebo effect