Sociological Research Asif Raza Artificial Sweetners n Drink

Sociological Research Asif Raza

Artificial Sweetners n Drink a day raises cancer risk n Low Fat vs. Low Carb n Dr. Ben Goldacre and medical research n

Polls and other research Gallup n Pew Research Center n

Some Statements and Research n n n You can’t change human nature Money can’t buy happiness Love is blind The stress of modern city life is psychologically unhealthy Train Stuffing in Tokyo Leaders of revolutionary movements usually come from lower classes Revolutions are less likely to occur during periods of economic growth and stability

Levels of Analysis Micro n Macro n

Types of Sociology Qualitative n Quantitative n

Important Terms Variable – measurable characteristic that changes n Independent Variable – causes a change n Dependent Variable – is the one that changes n Correlation – the tendency for variables to go together n Hypothesis – a statement of expected relationship between variables n

Positive correlation is when one variable increases, the other increases or when one variable decreases, the other also decreases. n Negative correlation is when one variable increases, the other decreases. n

Steps in the Research Process 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Selecting a topic Reviewing the literature Defining the question/s Formulating a hypotheses Choosing a research method Carrying out the research Analyzing the results Presenting the findings

How not to do Research Do not choose a biased sample n Do not ask biased questions n Do not list biased choices - Levis n Do not discard undesired results n Do not analyze the data incorrectly n

Research Methods Surveys n Secondary analysis n Documentary analysis n Experiments n Participant observation n Interviews n

Ethics of Research Informed consent n Problems of confidentiality n

Exercise n Think of a topic you would like to research. Based on the research steps and techniques discussed write down in detail the steps you would take to study it.

The General Social Survey n The GSS

Articles How Sociologists do Research – Henslin n What is the difference between commonsense and sociology? n Why is Commonsense inadequate? n

Riding the Bull at Gilley’s n Based on the article, just why do men rape? Assume you are the governor of your state and that you have just been awarded a $25 million grant to reduce rape. Based on the information contained in the article, what steps would you take?

Articles Dealing Crack – Jacobs n Why is drug dealing common in the inner city? n Experiences with buying illegal drugs n