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Sociological Investigation. The Basics of Sociological Investigation Science: Basic Elements and Limitations The Methods of Sociological Research. Science: A logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observations concerning human behavior.
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Sociological Investigation The Basics of Sociological Investigation Science: Basic Elements and Limitations The Methods of Sociological Research
Science:A logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observations concerning human behavior. First Framework: Scientific Sociology- The study of society based on systematic observations of social behavior. Empirical Evidence-Is information we can verify with our common sense.
Science of Sociology- is based on empirical knowledge that is as valid as possible given existing research procedures. Scientific knowledge is intended to be value-free insofar as it is concerned with fact rather than morality. Scientific facts are continually subject to revision in light of new discoveries.
Scientific Explanation-The goal of scientific explanation is to permit the scientist to move beyond simple description to make reliable statements concerning the nature of relationships exiting in observed phenomena. Reliable statements posses a high degree of certainty that what is predicted will be the successful combination of theory and relevant research. An orderly system that looks at the reality of what is “out there.”
Science: The Basic Elements and Limitations • Positivism- assumes that an objective reality exists and is really “out there.” • Concept- refers to either relations or descriptions. Concepts are not statements and are neither true nor false. • When concepts are interrelated in a scheme, a theory begins to emerge.
Variable-A trait or characteristic that can vary in value to magnitude form case to case. • Characteristics that are normally variable can be made constant through experimental design, as when a researcher focuses on people of the same age, sex, social class, and so on, in order to study variation in other traits. • Measurement- a set of rules for the assignment of numbers to the different outcomes a variable can exhibit. • Example=strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree.
Concepts such as an inch, meter, and the like do not exist in nature but are arbitrary measures of length, with agreed upon meanings, invented by scientists. • Operationalizing a Variable-Specifying exactly what one is to measure before assigning a value to a variable.
Reliability-the consistency in measurement. In order to have reliability the test must be able to be replicated and receive the same results. • Validity- Is the precision in measuring exactly what one intends to measure. A test must measure exactly what is says it will measure. • Correlation- the measured strength between two variables. • Spurious correlation- apparent although false relationship between two or more variables caused by some other variable. • Control- holding constant all variables except one in order to see clearly the effects of that variable. • In order for research to be true it must have both reliability and validity.
Objectivity- a state of personal neutrality in conducting research.
Max Weber a German Sociologist (1864-1920) • Father of Sociological Method. • Thought it was of great importance to see the other person’s point of view. • Weber firmly believed that, although true objectivity was impossible, the sociologist should attempt to remain value-free.
A Second Framework: Interpretive Sociology • Interpretive Sociology- Max Weber pioneered this framework, according to Weber humans do not simple act; we engage in meaningful actions. The focus is on how individuals interpret this interaction and place meaning on everyday interactions. It is the interpretation of peoples actions where meaning is placed. • Interpretive Sociology is the study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world.
A Third Framework: Critical Sociology • Karl Marx founded the critical approach. He did not believe that society exists in a natural state with a fixed order. • Critical Sociology- the study of society that focuses on the need for social change. Critical Sociologists see patterns of inequality and there is a dominance to reality.
Gender and Research • Gender- the personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female of male. • Androcentricity- Male centered research. • Overgeneralization- Avoid making overgeneralizations about the population, there is a need to stay focused on what is being researched. • Gender blindness- The lives of men and women are very different. • Double standards- Double standards should not be given to men or to women. • Interference- The researcher could distort the study if the respondent or researcher is affected by the sex of the other.
The Methods of Sociological Research • A systematic plan for conducting research. • Experiment- a research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions. • Hypothesis- an unverified statement of a relationship between variables. • A hunch or guess that is generally stated as a proposition of the “if . . .then. . . “ variety.
Hawthorn Effect- a change in the subject’s behavior caused by the awareness of being studied.
Asking Questions: Survey Questions • Survey- a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions in a questionnaire or an interview. • Conducting Interviews- a series of questions a researcher administers in person to respondents.
Population- The larger the population the better. 60 to 100 is a good number for a small survey. • Sample- The part of the population that represents the whole. The participants in a survey are the sample population of that survey. • Questionnaires- a series of written questions a researcher presents to subjects. • Interview-a series of questions a researcher administers in person to respondents.
Using Available Data • Secondary Analysis- a researcher uses the data available. By using previous research a can exhaust a bed of research and find what is important to the field being studied. • Inductive Logic- from the inside out. The researcher works from the specific to the general. The researcher works from the ground level up and the observations lead to a general theory. • Deductive Logic- from the outside in. The researcher works from the general to the specific. The theory is stated first then a hypothesis is formed and a method is found to test it.
