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Sociological Research Methods. Issues of Interest. What do sociologists research? Structures and functions of various features in society Rates of behavior Stability and change. Issues of Interest. Goals of Sociological research: Describe Predict - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Sociological Research Methods
Issues of Interest
• What do sociologists research?
• Structures and functions of various features in society
• Rates of behavior• Stability and change
Issues of Interest• Goals of Sociological research:• Describe• Predict• Explain• “
A social scientist’s work is never done.”
Correlation vs. Causation• Sociologists want to uncover the
causal connections between events
• Study cause/effect by examining relationships between variables– Independent Variable: variable that
causes a change in another variable
–Dependent Variable: variable that is changed by the independent variable
Correlation vs Causation• Example:• In a study of teenage
drug use, sociologists want to know what factors impact drug use. First they see if drug use is lower among students who are on the honor roll.
• What is the IV?• What is the DV?
Correlation vs Causation• Student
Response:• Think of your
own sociological study: What is the independent variable? The dependent variable?
Causation vs Correlation• 1st step in cause/effect is to see if there is a correlation
• Correlation: when a change in one variable is regularly associated with a change in another–Correlations may or may not be
causal!–Positive Correlation: both variables
change in the same direction–Negative Correlation: variables
change in opposite directions
Correlation vs Causation• Student Response:• Think of an example of a
positive correlation• Think of an example of a
negative correlation
Correlation vs Causation• WARNING
: Correlation does NOT imply causation!!
Correlation vs Causation• For something to cause
something else 3 things must be present:–Correlation–Time order–Ruling out alternative
explanations
The Research Process
• Step 1:• Define the problem• Step 2:• Review the literature• Step 3: • Form a hypothesis
The Research Process• Step 4:
• Choose a research design• Step 5:• Collect the data• Step 6: • Analyze the data• Step 7:• Present the Conclusions
Research Methods: Types of Research• Quantitative:• Focuses on data that can
be measured numerically
• Qualitative:• Focuses on interpretive
descriptions & direct observations
Research Methods• Survey Research:• An interview,
questionnaire or survey administered to a large group of people–Strengths: collect info from large
# of people in short amount of time
–Weaknesses: misinterpretation, lying, bias
Research Methods• Experimental Research:• Tests the way in which an
independent variable affects a dependent variable in a controlled setting–Strengths: can control IV’s–Weaknesses: may not always be
applicable
• Observational Research:
• A direct observation of subjects’ reactions
• Detached: subjects not aware• Participant Observation:
researcher directly involved–Strengths: observe behavior in
natural setting–Weaknesses: Detached – miss
details; Participant – influence behavior
Research Methods
• Analysis of Existing Sources:
• Historical Method: toys, clothes, diaries
• Content Analysis: count # of times word, symbol, etc appears in a context–Strengths: easy to use and
inexpensive–Weaknesses: may not provide
enough info
Research Methods
Research Methods• Case Study Research:• Intensive analysis of a person,
group, event or problem• May employ other methods to
one focus–Strengths: provides in-depth view–Weaknesses: may lack
generalizability
Research EthicsGuidelines:1. Do no harm2. Informed Consent3. Voluntary Participation (public
place exception)4. Report all information
accurately5. No conflict of interest or dual
relationships with subjects
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