Research Methods

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Research Methods
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Casual research vs. empirical research

• Casual research is what we do everyday as we
  observe our surroundings and draw conclusions
• about what we see
• Empirical Research Structured Generalizability
  (representative sample). Systematic, controlled
  observation. Theoretical basis for method of
  study

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What Is The Scientific Method?

• A systematic series of steps that ensures
• maximum objectivity and consistency in
• researching a problem

• The Scientific Method

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Defining the Problem

• State as clearly as possible what you hope to
  investigate.
• Operational Definition An explanation of an
  abstract concept that is specific enough to
  measure.

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Reviewing the Literature

• Literature
• The relevant scholarly studies and
• information that pertains to the subject
• what youre interested researching.
• begin to talk about theoretical perspective

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Formulating the Hypothesis

• Hypothesis
• A speculative statement about the relationship
  between two or more variables.
• Variable
• A measurable trait or characteristic that is
  subject to change under different conditions.

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Formulating the Hypothesis

• Types of Variables
• Independent
• The variable that is hypothesized to cause or
  influence another.
• Dependent
• The variable whose action depends on the
  influence of the independent variable.

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Formulating the Hypothesis

• Correlations
• Exist when a change in one variable coincides
  with a change in another.

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Correlations

• Independent variable
• x
• Ban of assault rifles
• Degree of integration
• into society
• Parents church attendance
• Time spent preparing for quiz
• Parents income

• Dependent variable
• y
• Use of weapons in crime
• Likelihood of suicide
• Childrens church attendance
• Performance on quiz
• Likelihood of childrens enrolling in college

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Causation

• Correlation

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Does the difference make a difference?

• Hypothesis Testing
• Is the specified relationship statistically
  significant?
• What is the likelihood of the relationship
  occurring by chance?
• Can we say with some certainty that the
  relationship will reappear?

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Collecting and Analyzing Data

• Selecting the Sample
• Representative Samples
• A selection from a larger population that is
  statistically typical of that population.
• Random Samples
• When every member of an entire population has
  the same chance of being selected.

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Collecting and Analyzing Data

• Ensuring Validity and Reliability
• Validity
• The degree to which a measure truly reflects the
  phenomenon being studied.
• Reliability
• The extent to which a measure provides consistent
  results.

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Major Research Designs

• Surveys

• A study generally in the form of an interview or
  questionnaire.
• Provides sociologists with information about how
  people act or think.

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Research Methods, cont.

• Survey Research data collected through
  questionnaires or interviews can measure things
  such as attitudes or values that can not be
  observed
• Advantages
• large population can be studied
• random, representative sample means results can
  be generalized
• Disadvantages
• can not provide in-depth information about
  peoples behavior or experiences

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Research Methods, cont.

• What do you think the chances are these
• days that a white person will not get a
• job or promotion while an equally or less
• qualified black person gets one instead?
• _____ Very likely
• _____ Somewhat likely
• _____ Somewhat unlikely
• _____ Very unlikely
• _____ Don't know

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Ethnographic Research

• Interviews
• High response rate.
• Can probe beyond questionnaire.
• Questionnaires
• Inexpensive.
• Good for large samples.

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Field Research

• Collecting information through direct
• participation and/or observation of a
  group.

• Participant Observation
• When the researcher joins a group for a period
  of time to get a sense of how it operates.

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Field Research

• Field Research (Participant and nonparticipant
• observation) researcher directly observes
  people in
• their natural settings
• Advantages
• provides detailed and descriptive understandings
  of
• peoples everyday lives
• generally inexpensive to conduct
• Disadvantages
• time consuming
• difficult to replicate
• difficult to generalize to other groups
• particularly susceptible to ethical issues

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Experiments

• The artificially created situation that allows
  the researcher to manipulate variables.
• Experiments involve two types of groups
• Experimental Exposed to independent
  variable
• Control Group Not exposed to
  independent variable.

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Experiments

• Experiment the use of experimental and control
  groups, usually in a laboratory, to test the
  effect of one variable on another variable
• Advantages
• experimenter is able to control other variables
  so causal relationship can be studied
• easy to replicate
• Disadvantages
• not a natural environment
• many sociological concepts can not be measured
  in a lab

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Use of Existing Sources

• Secondary Analysis
• Research techniques making use of publicly
  accessible information and data.
• Content Analysis
• The systematic coding and objective recording
  of data, guided by some rationale.

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Finally

• Make Conclusions
• Report Findings

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American Sociological Association Code of Ethics
on Sociological Research

• Researchers should always maintain objectivity
  and integrity
• Respects respondents right to privacy
• Protect respondents from personal harm
• Preserve confidentiality
• Disclose all sources of funding
• Do not abuse role as researcher