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Chapter 2. Doing Sociological Research. Chapter Outline. The Research Process The Tools of Sociological Research Prediction, Sampling and Statistical Analysis Is Sociology Value-Free? Research Ethics. Sociological Research. Derives from the scientific method.
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Chapter 2 Doing Sociological Research
Chapter Outline • The Research Process • The Tools of Sociological Research • Prediction, Sampling and Statistical Analysis • Is Sociology Value-Free? • Research Ethics
Sociological Research • Derives from the scientific method. • Research differs in how strictly it adheres to the scientific method. • Both quantitative and qualitative studies are used in modern sociology.
The Research Process • Develop a research question. • Create a research design. • Gather data. • Analyze data. • Reach conclusions and report results.
Qualitative research: Does not make not make extensive use of statistical methods More interpretive and shows more nuance Quantitative research: Uses statistical methods. Provides data that can be used to calculate averages and percents. Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Tools of Sociological Research • Survey: polls, questionnaires, and interviews • Participant observation • Controlled experiments • Content analysis • Historical research • Evaluation research
The Use and Misuse of Statistics • Citing a correlation as a cause. • Overgeneralizing. • Interpreting probability as certainty. • Building in bias. • Faking data. • Using data selectively.
Ethical Considerations in Research • Whether one should collect data without letting research subjects know they are being studied or observed. • Whether researchers have the right to hold their data in confidence from public officials such as the courts or police, without naming their research subjects.