Sociological Research Methods: Insights and Ethics

1. Introduction to Sociology Lecture 3 - Sociological Research Methods Phua Kai Lit, PhD ADTP Sunway University

2. Lecture Objectives • Introduction to research methods used by sociologists • Strengths and weaknesses of the various methods • Ethical issues

3. Research Methods 1. Field Research a. Observation: overt versus covert; simple observation versus participant-observation b. Ethnography (extended observation of whole community) c. Case study: In-depth study of single event or situation using archives, records, official documents, interviews etc. Can be historical. 2. Survey research (questionnaires) - open-ended versus close-ended 3. Experiments 4. Secondary data analysis 3

4. Observation • Observation: overt versus covert; simple observation versus participant-observation • Weaknesses: • Hawthorne Effect • Demanding and cannot study many people at one time • Loss of objectivity - become friends with research subjects

5. Observation • Observation: overt versus covert; simple observation versus participant-observation • Strengths: • You actually observe with your own eyes • Gain more in-depth knowledge • Observe natural behavior in everyday setting (esp. covert participant-observation)

6. Ethnography • Extended observation of whole community • Commonly used by anthropologists Weaknesses: • Importance of acceptance by research subjects • Personal characteristics and skills of researcher can affect research • Time-consuming Strengths: Once accepted by the community, you can gain deep insights and “insider knowledge”

7. Case Study • In-depth study of single event or situation using archives, records, documents, interviews etc. Can be historical). • Example - Kai Erickson's book “Everything in its Path” (natural disaster - a flood - that devastated an entire community) • Exmple - study how the family has changed Weaknesses: • Generalizability issue • Availability & reliability of records and respondents

8. Surveys • Questionnaires • Open-ended • Close-ended • Likert Scale • Weaknesses: • Questions must be properly prepared/worded • Must sample properly, response rate impt • Wrong use of stats tests common 8

9. Surveys • Questionnaires • Strengths: • Can study large number of people at a relatively low cost • Can have high predictive power • Easy to quantify and analyse using statistical methods 9

10. Experiments • Research question, formulation of hypotheses • Experimental Group versus Control Group • Placebo effect • Sampling • Data collection • Data analysis (including statistical analysis) • Weaknesses: • Often not possible in sociological research(human subjects) 10

11. Experiments • Experimental Group versus Control Group • Strengths: • Can focus on one variable at a time • Can control for possible confounding factors such as gender • Much easier for other researchers to replicate 11

12. Secondary data analysis • Using data collected by others (other researchers, governments, non-govt organisations, United Nations and other multilateral organizations) • Weaknesses: • Quality of data important - GIGO • Definition and operationalization of concepts and variables are important 12

13. Secondary data analysis • Using data collected by others (other researchers, governments, non-govt organisations, United Nations and other multilateral organizations) • Strengths: • Data can be easily available e.g. UN data, USA demographic data • Saves time and money in terms of data collection • Can do comparative studies 13

14. Ethical issues • Use of deception in research (especially in psychology) • Informed consent • Protection of research subjects - privacy, avoidance of harm to research subjects • Reporting criminal behavior • Any benefits to research subjects? • Conflict of interest • Government uses research finding for social control of research subjects • Commercial exploitation

15. Thank You