Sociological Research

1. Sociological Research How does social research add to our knowledge of human societies? What is the relationship between theory & research? What are the main steps in the sociological research process? Why is it important to have different research methods?

2. Sociologists try to understand social behaviour • Sociologists obtain their knowledge of human behaviour through research Why is Soc Research necessary?

3. The sociological perspective incorporates theory and research to arrive at a more informed understanding of the “hows” and “whys” of human social interaction.

5. There are several ways of knowing the world: • Personal Experience • Tradition • Authority • Religion • Science • All are valid sources of understanding. 5 Ways of Knowing the World

6. We have discovered for ourselves many of the things we know • If we put our tongue on a frozen doorknob, we learn that removing it can be very painful Personal Experience

7. People hold firmly to a belief because “everyone knows” it to be true • Tradition tells us that something is correct because it has always been done that way • We accept what has always been believed rather than finding out the answers by ourselves Tradition

8. Experts tell us that something is true • We do not need to go to the moon to discover its mineral composition, but instead accept the judgment of space scientists. • In practice, much of what we know about medicine, crime, and many other phenomena is based on what authorities have told us Authority

9. A specific type of authority is religious authority • We accept the truths that our particular scriptures and religious officials advocate • Factors as diverse as morality, diet, • dress, and hair styles are based on • religious authority Religion

10. The scientific way of knowing involves controlled, systematic observation • Scientists insist that all statements be tested and that testing procedures be open to public inspection Scientific Knowledge

12. Empirical Approach • Its findings are based on the assumption that knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation • Normative Approach • Uses religion, tradition, or authority to answer important questions • Based on beliefs about what is right & wrong, and what is desirable in a society Approaches to Research

13. Empirical approach • Systematic & public • Self-correction, re-evaluation • Objectivity is valued • Methods, processes are transparent Scientific Research

14. Article abstract includes details of a study, observation, or analysis of a # of subjects • Article is fairly lengthy (5-30+ pages) • Article contains subsections marked: • Methodology, Research Methods, or Methods • Results, or Findings How to recognize an Empirical Article?

16. Sociologists tend to use 2 types of empirical studies: • Descriptive • Attempt to describe social reality or provide facts about some group, practice, or event • i.e. The Canadian Census • Explanatory • Attempt to explain relationships and to provide information on why certain events do or do not occur Sociological Research

17. Theory • a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe, explain, and (occasionally) predict social events • Attempts to explain why something is the way it is Theory & Research Cycle

18. T&R Cycle consists of 2 approaches: • The deductive approach • Begin with a theory & use research to test the theory • The inductive approach • Collect information or data & then generate theories from the analysis of that data Theory & Research Cycle

19. Ben Goldacre • http://www.ted.com/talks/ben_goldacre_battling_bad_science.html Battling Bad Science

20. PankajGhemawat: Actually, the world isn't flat • http://www.ted.com/talks/pankaj_ghemawat_actually_the_world_isn_t_flat.html • TaliSharot: The optimism bias • http://www.ted.com/talks/tali_sharot_the_optimism_bias.html

22. Theory & Research form a continuous cycle that encompasses both deductive and inductive approaches Theory & Research Cycle

23. The researcher begins with a theory & then collects & analyzes research to test it 1 2 4 The Deductive Approach 3

24. The researcher collects & analyzes data & then generates a theory based on that analysis 3 2 4 The Inductive Approach 1

26. 2 Dominant Theories on Research: • Quantitative • Qualitative The Sociological Research Process

27. Quantitative Research • The goal is scientific objectivity • Focuses on data that can be measured numerically • Qualitative Research • Interpretive description (words) are used rather than statistics (numbers) to analyze meanings and patterns of social relationships The Sociological Research Process

28. Uses numerical data to measure the results of the study. • Select and define the research problem. • Review previous research. • Formulate the hypothesis. • Develop the research design. • Collect & Analyze the data. • Draw Conclusions & Report the Findings. Quantitative

29. Uses observation, interviews, reflections, field notes, etc. • Problem formation: general approach. • Collect and analyze data to assess the Validity OF the starting position: refining concepts. • Detailed view of the topic: smaller number of cases and many variables. Qualitative

30. Hypothesis • Concept • Variable • Dependent vs Independent variable • Operational definition • Reliability • Validity • Analysis • Replication Research Terminology

32. Theory Helps Interpretation of Data • Theory Generates Questions for Research • Research Helps Generate Theory How Theory & Research Work Together

33. Quantitative Research Methods • Emphasis on Precise Measurement • Uses Statistics and Numbers • Qualitative Research Methods • Emphasis on Observing, Describing, and Interpreting Behavior Q V. Q

34. Experiments • Surveys • Secondary Analysis of Existing Data • Field Research Review the chart of page 60 of the text. Research Methods

35. A carefully designed situation in which the researcher studies the impact of certain variables on subjects’ attitudes or behaviour Experiments

36. Designed to create real-life situations • ideally under controlled circumstances • the influence of different variables can be modified & measured Experiments

37. Experimental Group • Subjects are exposed to an independent variable • Control Group • Subjects are not exposed to the independent V. • Conventional Experiments require that subjects be divided into these 2 group Key Terms

38. Independent Variables • Presumed to cause or determine a dependent V. • Age, sex, race, ethnicity • Dependent Variables • Assumed to depend on or be caused by the indp V. • The outcome/effect Key Terms

39. Hypothesis: women are more likely to be altruistic than men • Independent variable: • gender • Dependent variable: • Degree of altruism Example:

40. The context of the study determines whether a variable is Dep. Or Indp. • Investigate the relationship between a family’s income & the likelihood of their child graduating from university • University education = dependent V • Study the relationship between university education & voting behaviour • University education = independent variable Example:

41. Subjects are divided into Control & Experimental groups • The Indp V is manipulated by researchers • The DepV is measured by researchers Experiments

42. Subjects may be matched for similar characteristics or be randomly assigned so comparisons can be made • This ensures the groups are equivalent at the beginning of the study Experiments

43. 1 - Subjects are pre- tested • Measured in terms of the Dep V in the Hypothesis • 2 - Exposed to a stimulus representing an Indp V • 3 - Post-tested • Re-measured in terms of the Dep V • 4 – Experimental & Control groups are compared to see if they differ in relation to the Dep V & Hyp. is confirmed/rejected Simple Experiment Design

44. Laboratory Experiment • Subjects are studied in a closed setting so researchers can maintain control over research • Natural Experiment • Real-life occurences (floods) that provide researchers with “living laboratories” • Field Experiment • Researchers stage events in a natural setting Types of Experiments

45. Pages 45 - 49 Case Study: Bystander Effect

47. Experiment • Laboratory • Natural • Field • Experimental Group • Control Group Terms you should know:

48. Hypothesis • Dependent Variable • Independent Variable • Quantitative • Qualitative Terms you should know:

49. Experimental Group • Subjects are exposed to an independent variable • Control Group • Subjects are not exposed to the independent V. Terms you should know:

50. Laboratory Experiment • Subjects are studied in a closed setting so researchers can maintain control over research • Natural Experiment • Real-life occurences (floods) that provide researchers with “living laboratories” • Field Experiment • Researchers stage events in a natural setting Terms you should know: