2.4 Unanswered Questions

Question 1

Can Sociology Identify causes and Effects

Answer 1

It can be hard to understand an association in which one social context produces a certain effect.

For example does living in a poor neighbourhood make one more likely to be unemployed or obese, or does being unemployed or obese make one more likely to live in a poor neighbourhood?

Question 2

How Can Social Research Avoid Exploitation

Answer 2

Researchers must consider whether research poses risks to subjects that are greater than the risks those subjects face in their everyday lives.

For example, researchers in areas with high crime rates may risk getting themselves or their subjects arrested as a result of their participation or writings

Question 3

Why consider Research Ethics in Social Research

Answer 3

• Informed consent (disclosure)
• Informant/respondent confidentiality

Question 4

How Can Social Research Avoid Exploitation

Answer 4

Ethical (Standards and Protocols-Institutional), protect research participants

Protection meaning - dealing with harm

Question 5

Can We Really Study Human Social Life in a Scientific Way

Answer 5

Unlike natural phenomena and animals, humans are self-aware beings who confer sense and purpose to what they do

Question 6

Empirical Investigation

Answer 6

Factual inquiries carried out in any area of sociological study.

Pro: Sociologists can pose questions directly to their subjects

Con: People who are aware that their activities are being scrutinized may not behave normally

Question 7

Ethnography

Answer 7

Shared patterns of behaviour, beliefs, and language (place/frequent interaction)

Focus: Cultural group or culture-sharing group

Both a process and outcome of research

Process: Extended observation, immersion

Outcome: Meaning of behaviour, language, and interaction of culture-sharing groups