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Uncovering Truths through Sociological Research

Delve into the world of sociology research methods, from selecting topics to analyzing results. Understand the importance of neutral questions, fieldwork, and ethical considerations. Explore various research models and variables, such as experiments and unobtrusive measures. Navigate through the complexities of gender and ethics in sociological studies.

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Uncovering Truths through Sociological Research

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  1. Sociology: Research Methods Common Sense and the Need for Research • What Everyone Knows May Not Be True • Move Beyond Guesswork

  2. A Research Model • Selecting a Topic • Defining a Problem • Reviewing the Literature • Formulating a Hypothesis

  3. A Research Model • Choosing a Research Method • Collecting Data • Analyzing Results • Sharing Results

  4. Methods for Research • Surveys-series of questions • Selecting a Sample- a group of people that represents a population 1. Random Sample-chance selection 2. Stratified Random Sample Asking Neutral Questions with a closed end response Asking Open-ended Questions with persons own words

  5. Research Methods continued • Questionnaires • Self-Administered • Allow the Largest Sample • Low Cost • Loss of Researcher Control

  6. Research Methods-Field Research • Participant Observation (Fieldwork) • Researcher Participates • Problems with Generalizability • Done for Exploratory Work • Generates Hypotheses

  7. Example of Participant Observation • Concealing her identity, researcher takes a temporary job at a high school with low funding. • Goal: to observe a link between school violence and school funding

  8. Research Methods continued • Secondary Analysis • Analyze Data Collected by Others such as Durkheim’s suicide study of 1897 • Researcher Cannot Be Sure of Data Quality

  9. Research Methods continued • Documents • Examine Books, Newspapers, Diaries, etc. • Limited Scope • Cannot Study Topic Unless Access is Granted

  10. Research Methods • Experiments • Experimental Group- • Control Group • Independent Variables-causes something to occur, change or look for changes in this • Dependent Variables-What results from the change in the independent variable

  11. Types of Variables

  12. Example of Variable • Independent Variable-Time spent studying… • Dependent Variable: Better grades

  13. How do variables differ? • Quantitative & Qualitative Variables • Quantitative Variable-a variable that can be measured, given a number • Qualitative Variable-membership in category such as marital status, sex, membership in groups such as Catholic, Sophmore/Senior, Cheerleader, Football player

  14. Research Methods • Unobtrusive Measures • Observe People Without Them Knowing • Question of Ethics-is it morally right or wrong

  15. Deciding Which Method to Use • Available Resources • Access to Subjects • Purpose of Research • Researcher’s Background and Training

  16. Gender in Sociological Research • Affects Orientation and Attitudes • Interviewer Bias • Women and Men Lead Different Lives • In Past, Women’s Experiences Neglected

  17. Ethics in Sociological Research • Protecting Subjects: The Brajuha Research Protected the rights of subjects from court subpoena of his research

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