A Class Divided

1
A Class Divided

• Sociological Research

2
Scientific Research Methods

• Five Characteristics of a Good Science Test-
  controlled variables (same standards applied to
  each sample)
• - accurate measurement and observation (same
  devices used to measure samples)
• - representative samples (more than one so that
  enough data is collected to establish a trend)
• - repeatable experiments (if no one else can
  repeat the experiment and get the same result,
  the conclusion isnt valid)
• - caution in extrapolating trends (the
  conclusion cannot be beyond the scope of the
  experiment)

3
Ethics

• The study of people (human subjects) raises
  vital questions about ethical concerns in
  sociological research.
• Researchers are required to obtain written
  informed consent from research subjects.
• These guidelines have given rise to many
  questions
• What constitutes informed consent?
• What constitutes harm to a person?
• How do researchers protect the identity and
  confidentiality of their subjects?