SOCIOLOGY RESEARCH METHODS Research in Sociology Like all

SOCIOLOGY RESEARCH METHODS

Research in Sociology � Like all scientists, sociologists gain knowledge by doing research. They ask “how” and “why” and then they form a hypothesis � The methods that Sociologists use to conduct research can fall into two categories, quantitative and qualitative

What are the approaches that sociologists use to conduct research?

Survey The most popular approach is using surveys � Surveys: are a research method in which people respond to questions � This approach is ideal when sociologists are studying a large group of people � It is vital that surveys are sent to a the right number and type of participants

Surveys Continued Researchers describe the people being surveyed in terms of populations and samples �Population: a group of people with certain specific characteristics �Sample: a group of people who represent a larger population

Samples must be carefully selected if it is to have the same basic characteristics as the general population � If they have these characteristics then the sample is a representative sample: a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole � Random selection is often used to get a representative sample

Surveys How is information obtained: 1. Questionnaire: a written set of questions to be answered by a research participant 2. Interview: a survey method in which a trained researcher asks questions and records the answers

Questionnaires/Interviews What kinds of questions are used in questionnaires and interviews? 1. Closed-ended questions: questions a person must answer by choosing from a limited predetermined set of responses (i. e. multiple choice) 2. Open-ended questions: requires a person to answer in his or her own words

Secondary Analysis: is using precollected information for data collection and research purposes � Types of precollected data that are often used are gov. reports, company records, voting lists, prison records, and reports of research done by other social scientists

Advantages vs. Disadvantages Advantages: � Cost Effective Disadvantages: � Research might not be in the exact form that is needed

Field Research Another technique sociologists use is field research � Field Research: research that takes place in a natural (non-laboratory setting) � One example of a topic that is studies by field research is social cliques in high school

Field Research The most common method of field research in case study � Case Study: intensive study of a single group, incident or community � Some case studies involve participant observation: a case study in which the researcher becomes a member of the group being studied

Combining Methods � Often times sociologists combine research methods. � This is often the case in program evaluations (a program which uses gov. funding to give housing to the homeless is evaluated for effectiveness) � Collecting different types of data is effective in evaluating a program’s effectiveness

Today’s Assignment �Types of Survey Questions on pg. 38 �Theoretical Perspectives Chart on pg. 41