Sociological Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches

1. Chapter 2 Sociologists Doing Research

2. Section 1 Objectives • • Describe the basic quantitative and qualitative research methods used by sociologists. • • Discuss basic research concepts, including variables and correlations.

4. What is the goal of Sociological Research? • To Test common sense assumptions • Replace false ideas with facts and evidence.

5. What is the difference between quantitative & qualitative data? Quantitative Qualitative • Uses numerical data • Most published type of data • Is rooted in narrative and descriptive data

6. Define the following vocab words: • Survey • Population • Sample • Representative sample

7. ID & define terms used when dealing with survey information. Types of Survey Types of Questions • Questionnaire-> Written set of questions to be answered by a research participant • Interview-> method where trained person(s) asks questions and records answers. *Which survey is better? • Closed ended-> questions a person must answer by choosing from a limited, predetermined set of responses. • Open ended->questions a person is to answer in his/her own words. *Which question types will go with what survey?

8. What is Secondary Analysis & how is it used? Definition Uses • Using precollected data information as a part of the data collection and research purposes. • The information is generalized to make it easier to apply to the research being done.

9. What government agencies provide sources for Secondary Analysis? • Census Bureau • Department of Labor • Department of Commerce • Department of Education • Department of Child Services (DCS)

10. What is field research? • Research that takes place in a natural setting. • Field research is a critical part of sociological research.

11. What is a case study? How is it used? Case Study Uses • Intensive study of a single group, incident or community. • Info is generalized and applied to similar situations • Researchers should pull findings unique to situation

12. Define participant observation, tell how it is used, and give examples. • Definition-> Case study where the researcher becomes a member of the group being studied • By having 1st hand knowledge the researcher has a better understanding of the group or individual being studied • Uses-> Can be used to study racism, sexism, crime, and/or juvenile deviance. • Eg.-> going undercover, using a webcam to observe, and/or following and observing

13. Make a chart classifying Quantitative and Qualitative methods.*see also page 45 Quantitative Qualitative • Surveys • Interviews • Questionnaires • Secondary Analysis • Field Research • Case Studies • Observations

14. Main Idea: When sociologists do quantitative research, they generally use either surveys or pre-collected data. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Qualitative research uses descriptive rather than numerical data. Field studies are best used when interaction needs to be observed in a natural setting and when in-depth analysis is needed. The case study is the most popular approach to field research. Section 1 Recap: Research Methods

15. Section 2 Objectives • • List the standards for proving cause-and-effect relationships. • • Explain the steps sociologists use to guide their research.

17. What is causation? • Belief that events occur in predictable ways and that one event leads to another.

18. Define Multiple Causation & give at least 3 examples. Definition Examples • Belief that an event occurs as a result of several factors working in combination. • Used in determining Criminal Tendencies. • Predicting chances of Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Addiction. • Determining if behaviors will lead to Psychological Disorders (Psychotic Behavior/Schizophrenia/Sexually Aggressive Behavior

19. Define variable, quantitative variable, qualitative variable, independent variable, dependent variable, & intervening variable. • Variable-> characteristic that is subject to change • Eg. Age/Education/Occupation • Quantitative V.-> Characteristic that can be measured numerically • Eg. Age/weight/Height • Qualitative V.-> Characteristic defined by presence or absence in a category (Either/or, Yes/No) • Eg. Gender/Sex/Marital Status

20. Define variable, quantitative variable, qualitative variable, independent variable, dependent variable, & intervening variable. • Independent V-> Characteristic that causes something to occur • This variable is acted on • Dependent V.-> Characteristic that reflects a change • Eg. That results in the change of the Independent variable • Intervening V.-> Variable that changes the relationships between and independent & dependent variable • Influences the relationship

21. What is a Correlation? • Measure of the relationship between 2 variables. • Eg.- Hours of Study & Academic Achievement -Amount of Alcohol Consumed while pregnant & and intelligence of baby -Confidence and Hooking up

22. Negative Correlation-Variables change in opposite directions Compare & Contrast Positive and Negative Correlation Positive Correlation- Variables change in the same directions *Existence of a correlation does not mean a cause and effect relationship exists.

23. Which standards are used for showing causation? • I -> 2 variable must be correlated • II-> All other factors must be taken into account • Spurious correlation-> relationship between the 2 variables that is actually caused by a 3rd factor. • This is very challenging to expose • III-> Change in the Independent variable must occur before the change in the Dependent variable.

24. Explain the Scientific Method. • Recognition and formulation of a problem. • Collection of Data through some sort of observation and experiment. • Formulating and Test a Hypothesis or Educated Guess.

25. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Choose an object or topic of study. At this time you should be thinking of a particular questions to answer that includes an independent and dependent variable. • Eg. Does nutrition influence academic achievement? What physical feature does a man find most appealing in a mate? What is the biggest factor in a woman choosing a mate?

26. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Search and Compile research already done on the topic you are studying. • Eg. Journals, Books, Magazines, Articles, and Papers.

27. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Creating a testable statement of the relationships among your 2 variables, from the research discovered in the literature reviewed.

28. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Creating a plan of procedures to follow in collecting and analyzing data. • Determining whether to use a questionnaire or interview, case study or participant observation? How many people will you survey? What is your sample population going to be? ETC…

29. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Asking people questions, observing behaviors, and analyzing existing materials and records on the subject.

30. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Viewing the data to determine whether the hypothesis is supported. • This is usually simplified by taking the data and placing it into a graph or chart of some kind.

32. List and Explain the steps of the Scientific Method. • ID the Problem  Review the Literature  Formulate the Hypothesis  Develop a Research Design  Collect Data  Analyze the Data  State the Findings and Conclusions • Describe methods. Accept, Reject, or Modify Hypothesis. • This should be a summary of the entire experiment stating what happened, the accuracy of your hypothesis, what some intervening variables could have been, and how you might do the experiment different next time.

33. Main Idea: Causation in science is the idea that one event leads to another event. Scientists assume that all events have causes, or determinants. Sociologists work to discover these causes. Three standards must be met before causation can be proved. Section 2 Recap: Causation In Science

34. Section 3 Objectives • • Discuss ethics in sociological research.

35. List the Sociologists Code of Ethics. • Show objectivity. • Use Superior Research Standards. • Report Findings and Methods truthfully. • Protect the rights, privacy, integrity, dignity, and freedom of subjects. • Greatest Benefit w/ least harm

36. Being an ethical researcher, what 2 things should always be kept in mind? 1) Balance interest of those being studied against the need for accurate and timely data. 2) People involved in sociological research should be protected from social, financial, or psychological damage; and/or legal prosecution.

37. Main Idea: The research process is made up of several distinct steps. These steps represent an ideal. It is not always necessary or even possible that they be strictly followed. Researchers have an ethical obligation to protect participants’ privacy and to avoid deceiving or harming them. Preserving the rights of subjects must be weighed against the value of the knowledge to be gained. Section 3 Recap: Procedures and Ethics In Research